7 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand Of 2025 Where One Can Closely Admire The Wildlife!
Uttarakhand is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and widely visited states in northern India, which is crossed by the Himalayas. It is widely renowned for its Hindu pilgrimage sites, and recognised as a major centre for yoga study. Apart from these, there are many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, inhabited by diverse flora and fauna.Check out this blog to explore the rich biodiversity of Uttarakhand. The very famous and utterly mesmerising Jim Corbett National Park, home to Bengal tigers and several other native wildlife species, is in the heart of Uttarakhand. Being such a great tourist destination, it is obvious to have several amazing attractions for tourists to explore.
7 Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand
Below are some of the finest national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, which one must visit to explore the various species that roam around here.
1. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Pangot And Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
3. Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
5. Askot Sanctuary, Pithoragarh
6. Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand
7. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary, Mussoorie
1. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Image Courtesy: SudiptoDutta For Wikipedia
Located in the mighty Himalayas’ foothills right in the Almora district of Uttarakhand, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. You can witness many wildlife species such as Barking Deer, Himalayan Bear, leopard, musk deer, porcupine, langur, chital, flying squirrel, and others. It is also home to over 200 bird species, including Forktail, Blackbirds, Laughing Thrush, Pheasant, Nuthatches and Monal.
- Location: Almora, Uttarakhand, India
- Entrance fee: INR 150 for person/day, INR 75 for Students, INR 600 for foreigners
- Best Time To Visit: April to June in summer, and September to November
- Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
- Ideal trip duration: Half/Full day
Also Read: Places To Visit In Badrinath
2. Pangot And Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is one of the top 7 wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand. If you are a wildlife enthusiast and love to watch birds, this place is for you. Perched at an altitude of about 2,528 m, it is among the top national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, offering scenic views. This sanctuary is home to more than 580 species of birds, such as Brown Wood Owls, White-Throated Laughing Thrushes, Fork Tails and Collared Grosbeaks. Besides birds, you can spot a wide variety of mammals such as Leopard Cat, Sambhar, Himalayan Goral, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Red Fox, and others.
- Location: Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
- Entrance Fee: Free
- Best Time To Visit: March to June and September to November
- Timings: 6 AM to 5 PM
- Ideal trip duration: 2 hours
3. Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary
Image Credit: A.J.T. Johnsingh for Wikimedia Commons
Recognised as a Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the renowned wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand. With over 820.42 sq. km, this sanctuary is undoubtedly considered to be one of the must-visit national parks in India. It is very well known to boast a wide variety of fauna with over 23 mammals and about 300 plus bird species. Additionally, it is home to a wide variety of wildlife species such as tiger, leopard, Himalayan bear, cheetah, hog deer, barking deer, Nilgai, Goral, Jackal, Hyena, and several others. You can go for a wild safari within the sanctuary’s vicinity, which will give a better and much closer look at the flora and fauna.
- Location: Raja Ji National Park, Uttarakhand
- Entrance Fee: INR 150 for Indian nationals and INR 600 for foreign nationals
- Best Time To Visit: December to March
- Timings: 6 AM to 9 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
- Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 hours
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4. Corbett National Park
One of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand is Corbett National Park, located in the Himalayan foothills. The park offers shelter to rare species such as tigers and various flora and fauna. If you are a wildlife photographer or enthusiast, this is a must-visit as you will get to capture some of the endangered species, like the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Location: Nainital district, Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India
- Entrance Fee: INR 200 /- for Indians, INR 1000 /- for Foreigners
- Best Time To Visit: The Winter season, which is November and February when all the zones are open
- Timings: 5:30 AM–9:30 AM and 3 PM to 6 PM
- Ideal trip duration: 1 to 2 hours
5. Askot Sanctuary
If you are a wildlife lover or a botany enthusiast, then Askot Wildlife Sanctuary will offer you a wide variety of flora and fauna. At 5412 meters in height, it is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand, located 54 km from Pithoragarh. The environment is great here, and you are going to have fun.
- Location: Near Didihat, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
- Entrance Fee: No fees charged
- Best Time To Visit: April to September
- Timings: 8 AM to 5 PM
- Ideal trip duration: 2 to 3 hours
Related Post: Places To Visit In Uttrakhand In Summer
6. Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary
Uttarakhand is known for its wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, which shelter wildlife and various flora and fauna. One such famous wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand is Govind Pashu Vihar Wildlife Sanctuary, which provides a haven for endangered wildlife. Initially, it was a wildlife sanctuary, but now it is a national park.
- Location: Near Dharkadhi, Uttarakhand, India
- Entrance Fee: INR 50 /- for Indians, INR 250 /- for Foreigners
- Best Time To Visit: April to June and from September to November
- Timings: Open 24 hours
- Ideal trip duration: 1 to 2 hours
7. Benog Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the peaceful hills of Mussoorie, Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the must-visit wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand. It shelters endangered species such as mountain quails, leopards, deer, and some red-billed blue magpies. Walking there allows you to experience rare bird species and beautiful views of Himalayan peaks. If you visit Uttarakhand, make a plan to visit Benog Wildlife Sanctuary in Mussoorie.
- Location: Mussoorie Range, Uttarakhand 248179, India
- Entrance Fee: INR 150 /- for Indians, INR 600 /- for Foreigners
- Best Time To Visit: April to November
- Timings: 7 AM to 5 PM
- Ideal trip duration: 3 to 4 hours
Related Post: Offbeat Places In Uttarakhand
National Parks In Uttarakhand
We have curated a list of national Parks in Uttarakhand to explore the rich flora and fauna.
- Gangotri National Park
- Valley Of Flowers National Park
- Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
1. Gangotri National Park
Nestled amidst coniferous forests and lush green meadows, Gangotri National Park is the biggest national park in Uttarakhand. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the Himalayan Snowcock, Himalayan Monal, Musk Deer, Blue Sheep or Bharal, Snow Leopard, and 150 species of birds. Additionally, as the place where the River Ganga originated, this park offers scintillating views of the flowing rivers, enough to calm the chaos.
- Location: Post Taknaur Range, Gangotri – Gaumukh Pedestrian Way, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand 249135
- Entrance Fee: INR 150 per person For Indians and INR 600 per person For Non-Indians
- Best Time To Visit: April to November
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Ideal Trip Duration: 2-4 hours
2. Valley Of Flowers National Park
The Valley of Flowers National Park is like heaven on earth. With an exotic range of flora and endangered fauna species, such as blue sheep and black deer, this place is where every nature admirer, photography enthusiast, and botanist should be. While this place’s breathtaking beauty is unmatchable in its own way, the trek route leading from Govindghat to it is also a gem worth admiring.
- Location: Valley Of Flowers National Park, Chamoli, Uttarakhand
- Entrance Fee: INR 150 for Indian nationals and INR 600 for foreign nationals
- Best Time To Visit: June to October
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 hours
Related Post: Uttarakhand In March
3. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Located in the Chamoli district, amidst the Himalayas, Nanda Devi is not just one of the most famous national parks in Uttarakhand but also a UNESCO world heritage site. With an exotic range of flora and unique fauna like Brahma-Kamal and Bharal (the blue mountain goat), this place offers exceptional experiences.
- Location: Garpak, Uttarakhand
- Entrance Fee: INR 150 for Indian visitors, INR 600 for foreign visitors, and INR 50 for students with ID cards.
- Best Time To Visit: May to October
- Timings: 4:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Ideal Trip Duration: 2-3 hours
You May Also Like To Read: Temples In Uttarakhand
Next time you are planning a trip to Uttarakhand, take some time and make sure you don’t visit one of the above-mentioned wildlife sanctuaries. They are worth your time and money, and the wildlife or bird species spotted here, the natural and serene beauty these amazing sanctuaries hold within themselves, and the lush greenery amidst the dense forest will truly lease your heart and soul.
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Cover Image Source: Pexels
Frequently Asked Questions About Wildlife Sanctuaries In Uttarakhand
How many wildlife sanctuaries are there in Uttarakhand?
There are primarily 7 wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand covering around 13.8% of the complete area.
How many national parks are in Uttarakhand?
There are mainly 6 national parks in Uttarakhand covering around 13.8% of the total area in Uttarakhand.
How many biosphere reserves are there in Uttarakhand?
There is mainly 1 biosphere reserve in Uttarakhand that is Uttarakhand Forest Government of Uttarakhand.
What are the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary Timings and fees?
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary is generally open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. However, the safari time is from 9 AM to 7:30 PM. Indian visitors must pay INR 150 per person, INR 75 for Students, and INR 600 for foreign nationals.
Which are the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand?
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary and Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary are considered the most renowned wildlife sanctuaries in Uttarakhand.
What is the Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is known for?
Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary in Uttarakhand, is renowned as a birdwatcher's paradise, boasting a high diversity of avian species, including both migratory and endemic birds, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and bird enthusiasts.
What is the best time to visit Uttarakhand?
As the beautiful state of Uttarakhand witnesses, people flooding in and out throughout the year, however, the best recommended time or period is said to be between March and April or September and October. The peak season in Uttarakhand is said to be summers and trekking, paragliding, let alone the very popular and sacred Char Dham Yatra is mostly said to be done during this period.
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