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Located in the northernmost part of the country, Himachal Pradesh is literally located in the Himalayas. The snow-capped peaks, the dense forests, the gushing rivers, and the untapped wilderness all contribute to creating a natural habitat for wildlife. The beautiful landscape of Himachal is fortunate enough to be home to many indigenous and endangered species of migratory birds, reptiles, and animals.
The lush, natural vegetation is also blessed with unique species of both flora and fauna – there are many with medicinal value as well. If you are planning to visit Himachal any time soon, don’t forget to check out these beautiful national parks in Himachal Pradesh!
5 List of National Parks In Himachal Pradesh
“We have nothing to lose, and the world to see…”
The entire state is a vast territory of unexplored treks visited by so many travellers every year. So without wasting any more time, let’s find out more about the how many national parks in Himachal, more popularly referred to as Dev Bhoomi. Scroll down to read more about the same!
1. Great Himalayan National Park
One of the most popular national parks in Himachal Pradesh, the Great Himalayan National Park is located in the Kullu district, more specifically in the Banjaar sub-division. Referred to as natural heaven on earth, the park was first constituted in 1984, but it did not receive the status of a national park till 1999.
Things became even better when the park received the honourable status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. As a result, the park boasts a whopping 10,000 species of flora and fauna, including plants that are medically valuable. And that’s not all. The park also has 31 species of mammals, 209 species of birds, and the like.
- Location: Forest Office Rd, Shamshi, Himachal Pradesh.
- Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Area: 1,171 sq km
- Best Time to Visit: March to June, September to November.
- Entry Fee: INR 50 for Indians, and INR 200 for foreigners.
- Camping: Available
- Speciality: Conservation of the environment.
Also Read: Monuments Of Himachal Pradesh
2. Pin Valley National Park
Established in January 1987, the Pin Valley National Park is located in the districts of Lahaul and Spiti. A hilly but lush landscape, the Pin Valley’s elevation ranges from almost 11,500 feet (3,500 metres) at Ka Dogri to more than 20,000 feet (6,000 metres) at the park’s highest point. Extending to the South of the Dhankar Gompa, near the Tibetan border, the Park also happens to be one of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserves in the Himalayan region.
“The world is yours to explore…”
There are several endangered species, including the Siberian Ibex and the Snow Leopard, enjoying the natural habitat provided by the high altitude in the park. The unexplored and snow-capped area witnessed limited vegetation growth. But that doesn’t stop the Himalayan Cedar Groves and the Alpine trees from growing in these areas.
- Location: Kaza, Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Area: 807.36 sq km
- Best Time to Visit: May to October.
- Entry Fee: Free
- Camping: Available
- Speciality: Plants with medicinal values.
3. Khirganga National Park
Khirganga is one the most famous national parks in Himachal Pradesh, which is located only 50.5 kilometres from the Kullu-Manali Airport, in the Kullu district of Himachal, the Khirganga National Park happens to be situated at about 5,500 meters. Established only recently in 2010, the park spreads across 270 square miles (710 square kilometres) of area. A must-visit area, the national park is one place you must consider travelling and exploring this Summer.
“Ditch the road, take the trails…”
The best part? The Khirganga National Park also happens to share their Northern boundary with the Great Himalayan National Park. Plans of a much-awaited merging are being considered to make supervision easier since the park is responsible for protecting a vast variety of biological diversity. In fact, you can consider combining your visit to the park with the more popular Kheerganga trek. Best time to visit? You can check out this area either between April and June or even between September and November.
- Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
- Timing: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Area: 710 sq km
- Best Time to Visit: April to June, September to November.
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee, but the trekking fee is starting from INR 2000 + GST per person.
- Camping: Available
- Speciality: Springs of hot water.
Also Read: Dams In Himachal Pradesh
4. Inderkilla National Park
Established only in 2010 in the land of Dev Bhoomi, the Inderkilla National Park spreads across a solid area of approximately 40 square miles (104 square kilometres). Located in the Kullu district, the Inderkilla National Park is also only 46.1 kilometres far away from Kullu-Manali Airport. So naturally, the park’s fantastic location contributes to a vast range of both flora as well as fauna.
The hilly terrains and dense forests of this national park located in Himachal happen to be home to several endangered and rare animals, insects, birds, and plants. Visitors can easily embark on the adventurous trails in the park to spot these unique species in their actual habitat. Moreover, the park is also home to species of plants that are blessed with medicinal value. After all, the Inderkilla National Park is one of the least explored Himachal Pradesh national parks.
- Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
- Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Area: 104 sq km
- Best Time to Visit: October to November
- Entry Fee: No Entry Fee
- Camping: Available
- Speciality: More than 250 different species of birds.
5. Simbalbara National Park
Simbal Wada National Park is located in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. This sanctuary was established in the year 1958. This sanctuary is in the Paonta Valley of the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. In the year 2010, this additional 8.88 square kilometre area has been merged into its boundaries and converted into a national park. At present, Simbalbara National Park is now spread over an area of 27.88 square kilometres. The park is famous for its unique and diverse wildlife and bird species.
- Location: State Highway 6A, Dhaula Kuan, Himachal Pradesh
- Timing: NA
- Area: 27.88 sq km
- Best Time to Visit: October to March
- Entry Fee: INR 50
- Camping: Not Available
- Speciality: Trekking
Also Read: Languages Spoken in Himachal Pradesh
Wrapping Up
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
Now that you know about the beautiful national parks in Himachal Pradesh, it is only fitting that you visit one! These are gifts of nature, and there’s no guarantee it’s going to stay the same in the future. Thus, if you are already planning your vacation, don’t forget to check out other popular areas in Himachal – Chamba, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, and Kangra, to name a few.
Don’t forget to let us know in the comments section your thoughts on the same.
FAQs
1. What is the best time to visit the Himachal Pradesh national parks?
The best time to visit these national parks is between March and September when the weather is favourable.
2. Which is the biggest national park in Himachal Pradesh?
Great Himalayan National Park is the biggest which covers an area of 1,171 sq km.
3. How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in Himachal Pradesh?
The government has created 33 wildlife Sanctuaries in Himachal.
