Iran's Top 14 National Parks Every Tourist Should Visit
If you’re a lover of the great outdoors and fancy yourself as a bit of a discoverer, then you’ll want to know about the best national parks in Iran, from verdant valleys teeming with life to rugged volcanic formations and icy glaciers.
Iran has 31 national parks and national parks in Iran are full of wonders, from sweeping scenery to majestic animals. If you are in Iran, this is your chance to get back to nature and create unforgettable memories in Iran. Read on, and discover the country's top 14 national parks in Iran.
Top 14 National Parks in Iran
- Golestan National Park
- Urmia Lake National Park
- Lar National Park
- Kavir National Park
- Bojaq National Park
- Khojir National Park
- Khabar National Park
- Nayband National Park
- Bakhtegan National Park
- Paband National Park
- Touran National Park
- Qatroyeh National Park
- Tandoureh National Park
- Sarigal National Park
1. Golestan National Park
Arguably the best national park in Iran is the Golestan National Park which is of course the largest and oldest national park in Iran. It is nestled in the east of Golestan province and west of North Khorasan province. This expansive park covers approximately 92,000 hectares and boasts rich biodiversity, earning its well-deserved place on the UNESCO Heritage List. The park's diverse vegetation includes wild pomegranate, evangelical, yellow oak, black telo, wild pear, Mirhassan hat, Gaz, Licht, Borage, raspberry, and aspic. You will see a wide variety of animals here, including leopards, brown bears, foxes, forest otters, rams, and palace cats.
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2. Urmia Lake National Park
Urmia Lake National Park is located between the West and East Azerbaijan provinces. It was established in 1975 and encompasses the captivating beauty of Lake Urmia.
This national park is highly regarded and has received international recognition. It is listed among the top ten most significant national parks globally by UNESCO and is designated as an International Biosphere Reserve Area.
Urmia Lake National Park showcases a diverse range of vegetation. Visitors can expect to encounter various plant species, including thyme, wild barley, lily, anemone, sang, kakuti, oats, cherry trees, almonds, and more.
The park is also home to a remarkable array of wildlife. Animal species found in this region include the Persian leopard, ram, and Iranian yellow deer. Bird enthusiasts will delight in observing white pelicans, flamingos, golden eagles, Egyptian vultures, curvature ducks, and marble ducks in their natural habitat. Wolves, jackals, and foxes can also be spotted within the park.
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3. Lar National Park
Lar National Park is one of the best national parks in Iran. It is situated on the southern slope of Alborz, between Tehran and Mazandaran provinces. It was designated as a national park in 1990 and offers a mountainous habitat with wet and cold altitudes. It spans an area of 73,500 hectares and boasts a diverse range of plant species, including chamomile, mountain tea, licorice, chicory, wild lily, sage, halter, and yarrow. Visitors will be captivated by the rich flora that thrives in this region. Lar National Park is also a haven for various wildlife species.
The park is teeming with fascinating animal and bird species. Plant enthusiasts will appreciate the presence of astragalus, rabbit, thyme, sheng, lavash, circus, onion, wild fungus, mountain tea, Valk, and aras tree. Birdwatchers can observe the Golden Eagle, Quebec, Eagle, Sargpe, Cranna, Flamingo, Delijeh, and Partridge, while animal enthusiasts may spot goats, rams, rabbits, otters, ewes, brown bears, leopards, wolves, foxes, Damavandi Vipers, and Alborzi Vipers.
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4. Kavir National Park
Kavir National Park is also one of the best national parks in Iran situated in Semnan province. It was designated as a national park in 1976, and this expansive park boasts a desert climate and its exceptional ecological significance has earned it a place on the prestigious UNESCO Biosphere Reserve list.
One distinctive feature of Kavir National Park is its untouched wilderness, as it remains free from human activities and habitation. The park's vast plains are adorned with steppe and desert plants, creating a captivating environment.
The park is home to a diverse array of plant and animal species. Among the notable plant species thriving in the park are Artemisia, Caravan Kash, Gaz, Thorn Wolf, Reed, Almond Shrubs, Clay Milk, and Khonjak. Equally impressive is the range of animal species that call Kavir National Park their home. Visitors may catch a glimpse of the majestic Asian cheetah, the elusive Persian leopard, the cunning wolf, the striped hyena, the agile sand cat, the red fox, the sandy fox, the jackal, the lynx, the blond crow, the hubris, the swallow, the golden eagle, and the elegant flamingo.
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5. Bojaq National Park
One of the most beautiful national parks in Iran is Bojaq National Park, located in northeastern Rasht and Kiashahr city of Gilan province. It was designated as a national park in 2002 and spans an expansive area of approximately 3,250 hectares. This hunting-prohibited sanctuary offers a diverse range of flora and fauna. The park boasts remarkable plant species such as Azavela Alaleh, Tosca, Raspberry, Pomegranate, Reed, Louis, Oak, and more. Notably, it serves as a haven for unique bird species including Abcelik, Across, Grey Goose, and Gilanshah. Bojaq's wetland is home to aquatic creatures like white fish and capo, and it proudly supports the endangered Caspian Seal.
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6. Khojir National Park
Khojir National Park, located in the eastern part of Tehran, was officially registered as a national park in 1982. It is considered a part of the Jajroud protected area and features a dry and cold, semi-arid climate. The park is blessed with water resources, including gardens and fountains, while the Jajroud River flows through it after passing the Latian Dam.
It covers an area of approximately 9,971 hectares and offers a diverse range of plant species. Visitors can observe Anise Berganie, Thorny Almond, Cares, Roanos, Asparagus, Siahtelloo, wild pistachio, almond, Shirkhesht, Sofura, Ronas, Sycamore, Barberry, Sepidar, Black Telo, Armak, Maple, Pine, Acacia, Tangres, Ephedra, Chopsticks, Wheat flower, and Wild anemones, Artemisia annua, among others. The park is also home to various animal species, including deer, pazon, common fox, European hedgehogs, insect eaters, white-toothed insects, white-winged bats, mustachioed bats, rats, otters, leopards, bears, wild rams, deer, royal eagles, pink Tarot Parrots, Nightingale Dates, and Enamel birds, sheng, jackal, long-tailed hamster, Persian jard, snake camel, and a variety of bird species like green ducks, and hoopoes.
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7. Khabar National Park
Khabar National Park was initially established as a protected area in 1971 and later designated as the Khabar and Rochon Wildlife Refuge in 1975. Recognizing its cultural and tourist significance, the UNESCO Cultural Organization registered the area as a tourist-cultural site in 1991. Subsequently, in 1999, a significant portion of the refuge was upgraded to the status of a national park. Khabar National Park, along with its companion, Roochun Wildlife Refuge, is counted among Iran's largest national parks and is particularly known for harboring unique animal species.
It is located 60 km south of Baft city in Kerman province and spread across 150,000 hectares. This park is renowned for its rich biodiversity, housing a variety of unique animal species such as the black bear, caracal, honey eater, wolf, goat, leopard, caracals, werewolves, rams, ewes, leopards, cheetahs, tihs, and golden eagles and cheetah. Additionally, researchers have identified around 470 plant species thriving within the park's boundaries. Visitors can marvel at the sight of wild olives, devil's pomegranate, mastica, Artemisia, scissors, and Aras among the park's plant life.
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8. Nayband National Park
Nayband National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in Iran and is known as Iran's first marine national park. It is located in the southern region of Bushehr province and spans an area of approximately 46,000 hectares.
The park's marine ecosystem is a haven for various species, including mangroves, Persian Boswellia, fig temples, pomegranates, aloe vera, and halophyte plants.
Amidst the vibrant plant life, visitors can also encounter a fascinating array of animal species within Nayband National Park. The park is home to wolves, jackals, hyenas, wild cats, dolphins, hunted animals, pelicans, flamingos, eagle-beak sea turtles, and green sea turtles.
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9. Bakhtegan National Park
Situated 70 km west of Neyriz city in Fars province, Bakhtegan National Park and Wildlife Refuge encompasses the northern region of Lake Bakhtegan. It gained its status as a national park in 1995, renowned for its vast area, environmental diversity, and the presence of two prominent lakes.
Bakhtegan and Tushk, located within the Bakhtegan Wildlife Refuge, are among the largest lakes in the country, merging during the rainy season. The presence of the Bakhtegan wetland creates a favorable environment for nesting and migratory birds. Notably, the area is home to rare birds like the threatened Egyptian vulture. The park also hosts a variety of plant species, including Pistacia atlantica, almonds, Artemisia Ghis, and Zagros oak. As for animal species, visitors may encounter tiptoe birds, flamingos, pink kakas, rams, ewes, goats, leopards, feral cats, and foxes.
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10. Paband National Park
This national park is located in Mazandaran province and the city of Behshahr. Paband National Park is a captivating destination that has held the prestigious status of a national park since 2003. The park's notable feature is its enchanting forests, which add to its natural allure. Paband National Park benefits from a semi-humid and temperate climate, creating a pleasant atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
The park is characterized by its majestic mountains and picturesque watery valleys, with the Zaleer River gracefully flowing through its terrain. Paband National Park showcases a rich variety of plant species, including beech, mazu, and barberry, contributing to the park's lush greenery.
Moreover, Paband National Park is home to an impressive array of animal species. Visitors may be fortunate enough to spot a leopard, brown bear, maral, bear, feral cat, fox, jackal, and a diverse range of avian species.
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11. Touran National Park
Touran National Park is located in Semnan province, southeast of Shahroud city, It was designated as a national park in 2002, and it experiences a dry and semi-arid climate. Notably, Turan National Park has earned recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
This park showcases a variety of plant species, including scissors and Artemisia sativa (Artemisia sativa L.).
The park is home to a diverse range of animal species, such as the Persian gazelle, Persian leopard, lynx, wild sheep, whole, goat, sandy cat, cockatoo lark, oak duck, heron, and boron crow.
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12. Qatroyeh National Park
Qatroyeh National Park is located in Fars province near the village of Qatroyeh. It was established as a national park in 2007, and it boasts a warm and dry climate, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 200 mm.
Qatroyeh National Park is particularly noteworthy for its role in preserving rare and endangered species, including the Iranian zebra.
The park's diverse plant life adds to its ecological significance. Visitors can admire the flourishing pistachio and almond trees, along with the vibrant presence of Artemisia, astragalus, thyme, and cumin.
In addition to its remarkable flora, Qatroyeh National Park is home to a variety of animal species. Among them, the blond crow, ram, ewe, and Iranian zebra can be found.
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13. Tandoureh National Park
Situated in the northern region of Razavi Khorasan and near Dargaz city, Tandoureh National Park is a captivating natural reserve that shares proximity with Turkmenistan. This park received its official registration as Tandoureh National Park back in 1974. The park's geographical location is unique, influenced by both dry, desert climates and cool, humid mountain climates.
Tandoureh National Park is renowned for its diverse array of animal species, which call the park their home. Additionally, an ancient tree named Evers, estimated to be over 700 years old, stands as a testament to the park's rich history and natural heritage.
The park boasts an impressive variety of plant species, including fig, willow, wild tomato, artemisia, gun, black cumin, wild flax, thyme, wild cherry, barberry, and mountain pepper.
Among the notable animal species that inhabit Tandoureh National Park are the Persian leopard, forest cat, prairie cat, palace cat, Eurasian lynx, boar, wolf, red fox, jackal, otter, tailless rabbit, ram, ewe, corona lark, earthy pipette, eye stone, red tail, snake flogger, dal, and white-winged pheasant.
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14. Sarigal National Park
Located just eight kilometers from Esfarayen in North Khorasan Province, Sarigal National Park stands as a captivating natural haven. It was registered as a national park in 2002, and it offers a diverse range of landscapes, from majestic mountains to low-level plains.
The mountains within the park serve as a habitat for leopards, boasting a favorable population of these beautiful cats. Sarigal National Park is home to around 200 species of plants, fauna, and birds, making it an important habitat within Iran.
In addition to the flora, Sarigal National Park is inhabited by various animal species, including rams, ewes, goats, leopards, and deer.
Bottom Line
Iran is home to 31 remarkable national parks that showcase the country's rich biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes. From the majestic mountains of Tandoureh and Sarigal to the expansive wetlands of Bakhtegan, each national park in Iran offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts. The diverse plant and animal species found within these parks, including the elusive Persian leopard and rare migratory birds, make them invaluable natural treasures. So if you are already in Iran, make sure to explore the top national parks in Iran mentioned above to have an unforgettable journey through the country's stunning natural heritage.
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