Top National Parks in India to Visit

With its wide range of environmental and wildlife diversity, India has a lot to offer to nature enthusiasts. There are more than 100 national parks in India, and each has its charm. They are one of the best places to watch animals in their natural habitat and relish the peaceful joy that comes with it.

So, if you love exploring wildlife and visiting various national parks, you’ve come to the right place. This article will share the top national parks in India that you must visit.

Top Indian National Parks You Must Visit

“Between every two pine trees, there is a door leading to a new way of life…Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.” — John Muir

India has 987 Protected Areas, which include 564 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 99 Conservation Reserves, 106 National Parks and 218 Community Reserves. These areas cover a total of 1,73,053.69 km sq, or about 5.26 percent of the country’s land area.

Here’re the best ones you must visit:

1. Corbett National Park

Established in 1936 by the British tiger hunter, Jim Corbett, the national park of the same name is one of the top national parks in India that everyone must visit. It is also the first national park in India and a famous tiger reserve.

You can have an adventurous stay at Jim Corbett with elephant rides, canter safari and jeep safari. The park has five main safari zones namely, Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Dhela and Durga Devi Zone. Dhikala zone remains open all year round, while the other zones are closed during monsoons.

You can even book a stay right inside one of the safari zones and enjoy the wildlife adventure to the fullest.

  • Nearest airport: Pantnagar, 80 km (approx.)
  • Nearest railway station: Ramnagar, 5 km (approx.)
  • Best time to visit: March – June

2. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Kaziranga National Park is the only national park in India which is the natural habitat of the endangered one-horned rhino. Apart from rhinos, you’ll see elephants, buffaloes, and other animals.

Beautifully seated on the banks of River Brahmaputra, you can either take a walk across the park or explore the park through an elephant ride. You can also enjoy a boat safari.

It is just about 6 hrs from Guwahati and is one of India’s most famous tourist places in Assam.

  • Nearest airport: Jorhat, 115km (approx.)
  • Nearest railway station: Furkating Junction, 100 km (approx.)
  • Best time to visit: November – April

3. Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal

Located amidst the magnificent mangrove forests, Sundarbans National Park is where you can find the mighty Royal Bengal Tiger. The best part for an adventurous tourist is that you can only reach the national park through a boat, and the entire journey is filled with scenic views.

Sunderbans are famous for their boat safaris, houseboat stays, and stay in eco-friendly villages nearby. So, if you’re up for a unique experience filled with leisure, then Sundarbans National Park is a good choice for you.

  • Nearest airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, 120 km
  • Nearest railway station: Canning Station, 48 km
  • Best time to visit: October – March

4. Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat

The beautiful Gir Wildlife Sanctuary is home to Asiatic Lions, the only place in India where they are found. Apart from the King of the Jungle, you’ll find other animals like leopards, Nilgai, Chinkara, and Sambar deer.

With more than 300 species, the Gir forest is also ideal for bird watching. You’ll spot woodpeckers, flamingoes, and many more varieties of birds here.

  • Nearest airport: Rajkot Airport, 165 km
  • Nearest railway station: Junagadh Junction, 73 km
  • Best time to visit: October – June

5. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Known for its majestic tigers, Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s most popular national parks. The park is famous not just for its natural beauty but also for the rich history it embodies. Surrounded by river Banas and Chambal, you cannot miss the ancient Ranthambore Fort and Padam Talao lake inside.

The ancient fort inside the park was built in the 10th century and fancied by many rulers for its strategic position. You’ll also see a wide range of flora and fauna in the park.

But a word of caution: As the national park is top-rated in and outside Rajasthan, you may find it crowded during the peak season.

  • Nearest airport: Sanganer, 180 km
  • Nearest railway station: Sawai Madhopur, 11 km
  • Best time to visit: October – June

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6. Periyar National Park, Kerala

The beautiful Periyar National Park has a stunning artificial lake flowing through its forests, making it the only national park flaunting an artificial lake. It is cradled amongst the Western Ghats and gives you a feeling of peace and calm as you visit the place.

Periyar National Park is also one of the popular tourist places in India. You can enjoy elephant safaris, nature walks, and a boat cruise in the lake. Stay at the luxury jungle resorts or hotels near the park for the ultimate forest experience.

  • Nearest airport: Madurai Airport, 140 km
  • Nearest railway station: Kottayam Railway Station, 114 km
  • Best time to visit: September – April

7. Mudumalai National Park, Tamil Nadu

Mudumalai National Park shares its border with Karnataka and Kerala. The first sanctuary of India, Mudumalai National Park, is famous for its mesmerising landscape and the range of flora and fauna found here.

There are more than 200 species of birds you’ll find here, along with a range of flora like bamboos, empress trees, teak, and more. Animals that you’ll spot here include bears, elephants, tigers, leopards, panthers, and more.

Enjoy a refreshing elephant safari ride that goes through the park’s beautiful landscape. You’ll also find tree houses where you can stay and have a unique experience.

  • Nearest airport: Coimbatore, 127 km
  • Nearest railway station: Ooty, 40 km
  • Best time to visit: February-May, September-October

8. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Straight out of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’, Pench National Park springs into life. Do you know why? It is the same park upon which the book is based and inspired. Wonderful, isn’t it?

The park is home to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger, boars, hyenas, and bears. River Pench flows through the middle of the park and divides it into two parts. You can even enjoy a night safari at Pench National Park.

  • Nearest airport: Nagpur, 130 km
  • Nearest railway station: Seoni, 75 km
  • Best time to visit: November-February, and March-June

9. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand

If there’s a national park where you will feel like that heaven, it’s the Valley of Flowers National Park of Uttarakhand. The mesmerising national park has more than 300 varieties of flowers that come to full bloom during the late spring and monsoon season.

You must trek to reach the national park, but it’s worth it. Once you’re at the vantage point, the wavy valleys draped in colourful flowers swaying in the crisp mountain air is a vision of a lifetime. Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by a range of colourful flowers amidst the snow-capped mountains in the backdrop?

  • Nearest airport: Jolly Grant, 280 km
  • Nearest railway station: Rishikesh, 270 km
  • Best time to visit: April – September

10. Hemis National Park, Ladakh

The experience you get at the Hemis National Park is one of a kind.

Hemis National Park is a high-altitude national park in Ladakh and the largest national park in India.

The best thing about Hemis National Park is that it remains covered in snow throughout the year. As a result, it is widely famous for its snow leopards, and you’ll also see a wide range of birds here.

If you love snow, adventure, and walking (since vehicles are not allowed inside the park), don’t miss Hemis National Park.

  • Nearest airport: Leh, 50 km
  • Nearest Railway station: N.A.
  • Best time to visit: May-October

Final Thoughts

Each national park in India has its speciality. And visiting one doesn’t mean you can ignore the others. The list of the top national parks in India is diverse and rich in their beauty. Each has something unique to offer, and there’s no comparing one with the other.

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FAQs

Which national park is most visited in India?

1. Jim Corbett National Park
2. Kaziranga National Park
3. Sundarbans National Park
4. Gir National Park
5. Ranthambore National Park
6. Mudumalai National Park

Which is the best safari in India?

1. Ranthambore National Park
2. Jim Corbett
3. Pench National Park

How many national parks are there in India?

There are a total of 106 national parks in India.

Where are one-horned rhinos found in India?

One-horned rhinos are found in Kaziranga National Park.

Which is the largest wildlife sanctuary in India?

The Ranthambore National Park is the largest national park in India.

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