A Selection of Turkish National Parks and Nature Parks

From beautiful, majestic mountain tops to deep canyons, nature’s unique workings spread across Türkiye are bound to impress you! This list of Türkiye’s national parks and nature parks will offer you some of the top sights and activities in the country. Make sure to read to the very end to get a taste of everything Turkish national and nature parks to have to offer!

Aladağlar National Park (Aladağlar Milli Parkı)

Located in close vicinity to the Anti-Taurus Mountains (Aladağlar in Turkish), Aladağlar National Park stretches from Kayseri Province all the way to Adana Province, covering a vast area that is available for various outdoor activities. With beds of limestone that are perfect for rock climbing, the mountain accommodates several single-pitch and multi-pitch routes. If you enjoy rock climbing, it is highly recommended that you visit Aladağlar National Park between the first weeks of June and the end of September.
The opportunities the park has to offer, however, are not limited to its splendid rock-climbing routes: Aladağlar National Park is perfect for those who enjoy camping, hiking, and trekking. Some of the routes are not forested but lined with alpine plants, and the park has a campground for all tastes and preferences. You can set up your tent in the designated areas – if you like nature photography, don’t forget to bring your camera with you!
To learn more about rock climbing routes in Türkiye, visit here.

A natural haunt in Türkiye’s Konya city, Lake Beyşehir (Beyşehir Gölü in Turkish) is an important sanctuary for 150 plant varieties and over 16 species of freshwater fish. There are also certain types of birds that thrive in this lake only.
The lakeshore is perfect for outdoor activities like trekking, hiking, and mountain biking, and there are also designated campgrounds. As a visitor, you can set up your tent in the designated areas or you might prefer to stay in caravan parks. There are also picnic areas with magnificent views that are worth visiting. The ideal time to visit Lake Beyşehir National Park is between May and October.
Click here to learn more about national parks in Central Türkiye.
Mount Nemrut National Park (Nemrut Dağı Milli Parkı)

A national park near the city of Adıyaman, Nemrut Dağı National Park accommodates a spectacular UNESCO heritage site: the Mausoleum of Antiochus I (69-34 BCE). Chiseled out of the mountainside, the statues in the image above point to history so rich it is certain to bewitch you. The national park was established to ensure the protection of this historical landmark, and it’s been among the most visited parks of Türkiye ever since. You can visit the site for camping, trekking, and hiking – and of course, as part of a touristic detour. It’s particularly recommended that you visit the mausoleum, and watch the sunrise and set in the surrounding mountains.
Click here to learn more about camping and glamping routes in Türkiye.
Göreme National Park (Göreme Milli Parkı)

Located in Kapadokya, the historic town of Göreme accommodates rock formations that bring together natural wonders and historical ruins. Having been carved either by the hand of man or nature, these formations in the form of fairy chimneys, rock churches, monasteries, and underground cities welcome myriads of travellers yearly. All together they lend the scenery an otherworldly character that shouldn’t be missed. You can enjoy this unique landscape on foot, on the bike, or up high in a hot-air balloon – the last is arguably the most popular choice!
The Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (Kapadokya) were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. You may also want to visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum which is located 4 kilometres east of the town and is easily accessible from the park.
To learn more about Kapadokya, visit here.
Köprülü Canyon National Park (Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı)

Köprülü Canyon National Park gets its name from the breathtaking canyon that bears the same name. Located in Antalya’s Manavgat district, the park is known primarily for its fresh trout. The area accommodates many restaurants where you can enjoy this endemic fish. Note that there’s a bridge nearby that definitely deserves to be visited – Oluklu Bridge. Though mostly preferred for swimming, hiking, and trekking, the park has many areas where you can enjoy other varieties of outdoor activities and water sports.
To learn more about trekking and hiking routes in Türkiye, click here.
Yedigöller National Park (Yedigöller Milli Parkı)

Yedigöller, which literally means “Seven Lakes” in Turkish, is home to seven lakes that are known to have been formed through landslides. The park is considered among the most beautiful and popular parks for camping in Türkiye, and offers incomparably beautiful views throughout the year. Its forest comprises many different trees whose leaves change color depending on the season. It is highly recommended to bring along your camera as the views are awe-inspiring!
To learn more about the national parks in the Black Sea region of Türkiye, please visit here.
Uludağ National Park (Uludağ Milli Parkı)

Home to the country’s most popular skiing resorts, Uludağ National Park crowns the eponymous mountain. Uludağ rises more than 2,000 meters and is perfect for all winter sports. The park is a very popular destination in the warmer months as well, with visitors hiking and camping in this unmatched world of rich flora and fauna.
Located in Bursa, the mountain is easily accessible from İstanbul, while the surrounding area is rich in terms of Ottoman heritage, adding a cultural dimension to your itinerary.
To learn more about Uludağ, please visit here.
Lake Abant Nature Park (Abant Gölü Tabiat Parkı)

Lake Abant Nature Park gets its name from the eponymous freshwater lake in Türkiye’s Bolu Province. The lake was formed after a great landslide, and since then, it has become a preferred destination for those who love to escape to nature. By virtue of its beautiful natural environment, extensive woodland, and easy access from Türkiye’s major cities, Lake Abant Nature Park has become a popular excursion spot for nature enthusiasts. The lakeshore has many hotels, amenities, and services, and the lake is home to the Abant trout, a subspecies of trout strictly endemic to Lake Abant.
The nearby Gölcük Nature Park is a natural sight that is also worth visiting. To read more about the two parks, please click here.
Lake Bafa Nature Park (Bafa Gölü Tabiat Parkı)

Lake Bafa Nature Park truly offers something special the moment you enter. Lake Bafa (Bafa Gölü) is situated in southwestern Türkiye, with some parts falling within the boundaries of Muğla Province and others within Aydın Province’s Söke district. The lake area was officially declared a nature reserve under the name “Lake Bafa Nature Park”. Today, it is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in Türkiye. The west coast overlooking the Balat Plain of Lake Bafa is particularly notable as a sanctuary for migratory birds who stay and breed there in autumn and spring. Not only are the lake’s waters very impressive, but the site is also ideal for trekking, hiking, and birdwatching.
To learn more about Aegean routes, click here.
To learn more about Turkish national parks, please proceed to here.