Top 5 National Parks to Visit in Himachal Pradesh
The North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is located in the Himalayas. The untouched densely forested valleys, snow-capped mountains, and gushing rivers make up the best natural habitat for many wildlife. The wooded landscapes of Himachal Pradesh are blessed with some of the endangered and indigenous species of animals and reptiles and rare – migratory species of birds. The natural vegetation also hides a plethora of unique flora many of which have medicinal value too. These wonders of nature are preserved and protected within areas that have been identified and demarcated as national parks in Himachal Pradesh. So, If you visit this gorgeous heaven in the Himalayas, make sure you also explore these national parks to witness the real beauty and richness of this Indian state.
5 National Parks in Himachal Pradesh
If you have questions like how many national parks in Himachal Pradesh are there, and what to expect when you visit them, we have the answers. Himachal Pradesh has 5 National Parks that preserve and protect some of the rarest wildlife and vegetation of the Himalayas. Here’s the list of national parks in Himachal Pradesh:
- Great Himalayan National Park
- Pin Valley National Park
- Inderkilla National Park
- Khirganga National Park
- Simbalbara National Park
1. Great Himalayan National Park
Image Credit: Aji floyd for Wikimedia Commons
Great Himalayan National Park is one of the well-known national parks in Himachal Pradesh. Located in the Banjaar sub-division of Kullu district, the Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh is a natural heaven. Constituted in 1984, GHNP was officially declared as a National Park in 1999. Located in the far Western Himalayas, this national park is one of the newest additions to the grid of wildlife reserves in the Himalayan region.
In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its wonderful contribution towards biodiversity conservation. About 10,000 plant species are found here, including herbs that have medicinal value. The national park is also home to a huge fauna including 31 mammal species, 209 bird species, and many other amphibians, reptiles, and insects. Species which are found here are Greater Blue Sheep, Indian Pika, Rhesus monkey, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Red fox, Mongoose, Rufous-gorged flycatcher, Plum-headed Parakeet, Black-chinned babbler, Crimson Sunbird, and Grey-hooded warbler. It is also one of the most popular national parks in Himachal Pradesh. They can also make for some of the best trails for trekking in Himachal Pradesh.
Location: Forest Office Rd, Shamshi, Himachal Pradesh
Entry Fee: INR 50
Timings: 10 am – 5 pm
Speciality: Eco-conservation
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2. Pin Valley National Park
Image Credit: Timothy Gonsalves for Wikimedia Commons
Located within Lahaul and Spiti District, the Pin Valley National Park is a lush hilly landscape in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The park that extends towards the South of Dhankar Gompa close to the Tibetan border, was established on 9 January 1987 by India. Pin Valley National Park comes within the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve of the Himalayan Region and is located at an elevation ranging from approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 ft) near Ka Dogri to above 6,000 meters (20,000 ft) at its highest point.
Various endangered species including the snow leopard and Siberian ibex find their natural habitat in the higher altitudes within the area that remain snow-capped and unexplored. The higher altitudes also limit the growth of vegetation which is limited to the Alpine trees and Himalayan Cedar groves. Around 22 rare and endangered plant species with high medicinal value have also been identified in the region. The Pin Valley National Park also sees some rare bird species during summer. Pin Valley National Park is the second most popular national park in Himachal Pradesh.
Species found here, Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Himalayan snowcock, Chukar Partridge, Snow Partridge, and Snowfinch.
Location: Kaza, Valley, Himachal Pradesh
Entry Fee: Free
Timings: 6 am – 6 pm
Speciality: Medicinal plant species
3. Inderkilla National Park
Inderkilla National Park in Himachal Pradesh was established in 2010. It is spread across an area of 104 square kilometres (40 square miles). The national park is located in the Kullu district and 46.1 kilometres away from the Kullu Manali Airport. Located in the Himalayan region, the Inderkilla National Park preserves a wide variety of flora and fauna.
The densely forested and hilly terrain of these national parks in Himachal Pradesh is home to many rare and endangered plant, animal, bird and insect species. A trail through the Inderkilla National Park will provide you with the chance to spot these animals in their natural habitat. You would also find plants that have rich medicinal value. This is one of the least explored national parks in Himachal Pradesh.
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Entry Fee: N.A
Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Speciality: More than 250 species of birds
4. Khirganga National Park
Image Credit: Robert Kedra for Wikimedia Commons
Khirganga National Park is located 50.5 kilometres away from the Kullu Manali Airport in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The national park is situated at a height of around 5,500 meters and is spread across an area of about 710 square kilometres (270 square miles) of the Parvati Watershed. Khirganga National Park was established in the year 2010. Being one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh, this is a must-add to your itinerary.
The park shares a boundary to the North of the Great Himalayan National Park and was going to be merged with it to make supervision easier. It protects a wide biological diversity. Moreover, You can combine your visit to this national park with your Kheerganga trek. Therefore, the best time to visit this place is either April to June or between September to November. October is a month that has pleasant weather and does not see much of a crowd. Species like wild bears are also found here. It is also one of the most visited national parks of Himachal Pradesh.
Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Entry Fee: N.A
Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Speciality: Hot-water springs
5. Simbalbara National Park
Located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District, Simbalbara National Park is a protected area in Himachal Pradesh. The national park was established in 1958 as the Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 19.03 square kilometres. In 2010, it was turned into a national park by merging an additional 8.88 square kilometres of the area into its boundaries. The Simbalbara National Park is now spread across 27.88 square kilometres (10.76 square miles).
Furthermore, The park has been preserved in its natural form by the Himachal Pradesh Travel and Tourism Department. The perennial stream in the valley also comes within the boundary of the national park. Simbalbara National Park features thick Sal forests with grassy undergrowth. The best time to visit these national parks in Himachal Pradesh is in October and November. You can also enjoy walking trails through the nearby forested area. Also, Species like Goral, Sambhar, Spotted Deer, Chittal, Himalayan black bear, Hanuman langurs, and Indian muntjacs are found here.
Location: State Highway 6A, Dhaula Kuan, Himachal Pradesh
Entry Fee: N.A
Timing: N.A
Speciality: Trekking trails
These national parks in Himachal Pradesh offer some of the most breathtaking scenic views along with an experience of the fascinating wilderness. If you are curious to explore the wild side of this charming Indian state, plan a trip to Himachal Pradesh with your loved one and head out on an awe-inspiring adventure. This is going to be an unforgettable journey for life!
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Cover Image Credit: Fali Poncha for Pexels
Frequently Asked Questions About National Parks In Himachal Pradesh
There are 5 national parks in Himachal Pradesh: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Inderkilla National Park, Khirganga National Park, and Simbalbara National Park.
Simbalbara National Park, which was originally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1958, is the oldest one.
In Himachal Pradesh, there are 5 national parks and 26 wildlife sanctuaries.
Spread over an area of 1171 km sq, the Great Himalayan National Park is the biggest one in Himachal Pradesh.
The best time to visit any of the national parks in Himachal Pradesh is between March and September when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy safaris and long walks inside these parks. Which national parks are in Himachal Pradesh?
Which is the oldest national park of Himachal Pradesh?
How many national parks are in Himachal Pradesh?
Which is the largest national park in Himachal Pradesh?
What is the best time to visit the national parks in Himachal Pradesh?
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Abhay Kumar is a graduate of English Literature. Writing is both his hobby and his passion. He writes academic research articles as well as poetry and short fiction. He loves reading science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and translated fiction. He also loves traveling and writing about himself in the third person.
