national parks in Iran, as natural treasures of this country, play a significant role in wildlife conservation, habitats, and attracting tourists. These parks offer visitors unique and unforgettable natural landscapes with their biodiversity and geographical diversity. In this article from Eligasht, we will introduce several famous national parks in Iran that visiting them can be an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.
Book Iran Air flights from London to Tehran and Tehran to London with Eligasht UK:
List of the most popular national parks in Iran
In the following, we will become familiar with some of the most popular national parks in Iran:
Golestan National Park
Golestan National Park, with an area of approximately 92,000 hectares, is one of the oldest and largest national parks in Iran. This park is located 115 kilometers west of Bojnourd and 30 kilometers east of Golestan. Golestan National Park was designated as a biosphere reserve in 1977 and, due to its unique conditions and location, is considered one of the world’s exceptional regions.
Features of Golestan National Park
Golestan National Park has a great variety of biodiversity. The park hosts one-eighth of the country’s plant species, one-third of bird species, and more than half of its mammals. The plant species in this park include Hircanian, Irano-Turanian, Mediterranean, and Europe-Siberia species. Among the animals living in this park are the wild goat, sheep, urial, brown bear, leopard, jungle cat, and wild boar.
Golestan National Park is also very rich in water resources and includes permanent rivers, streams, and numerous springs. Beautiful waterfalls such as Aghsoo Waterfall and Jungle Golestan Waterfall, with a height of 70 meters, are among the attractions of this park.
Lake Urmia National Park
Lake Urmia National Park, with an area of 464,056 square kilometers, is located in the northwest of Iran, between East Azerbaijan and West Azerbaijan provinces. Lake Urmia, covering an area of 5,500 square kilometers, is home to 120 large and small islands. Except for the Islamic Island, the islands of this lake were declared a protected area in 1975 and later transformed into a national park.
Features of Lake Urmia National Park
Lake Urmia National Park is the second most beautiful natural habitat for animals in Iran after Anzali Wetland. The vegetation of this park includes thyme, wild barley, Artemisia, lilies, poppies, and other plants. The animal species in this park include the Persian leopard, wild sheep, Iranian yellow deer, desert mouse, Armenian mouflon, and birds such as pelicans, flamingos, and cormorants.
Lar National Park
Lar National Park, with an area of approximately 2,800 hectares, is located in the western foothills of Mount Damavand, spanning the provinces of Tehran and Mazandaran. This park is a prominent example of mountain habitats and consists of two climatic regions: the upper and colder alpine region and the moist subalpine region. Due to its unique features and diverse plant and animal species, Lar National Park is under protection.
Features of Lar National Park
One of the prominent features of Lar National Park is the presence of the endangered Caspian red trout, which is one of the rarest fish species in the world. The vegetation in this area includes perennial grasses, shrubs, and medicinal plants such as borage, sweetbrier, and thyme.
Kolah Qazi National Park
Kolah Qazi National Park is located in Isfahan province and covers an area of approximately 47,000 hectares. Due to its geographical location and biodiversity, this park is an ideal place for research and study in the field of environmental biology. The animal species in this park include wild goats, sheep, leopards, jungle cats, and foxes.
Kavir National Park
Kavir National Park, with an area of 4,400 square kilometers, is one of the largest national parks in Iran. It is located in the provinces of Tehran, Semnan, and Isfahan, and due to its unique climatic conditions, it is considered one of Iran’s most important protected areas. Kavir National Park encompasses vast deserts, sandy hills, salt marshes, and dry mountains, which have provided exceptional biodiversity.
Features of Kavir National Park
The vegetation in Kavir National Park includes shrubs and bushes such as tamarisk, saxaul, camel thorn, and halophytic plants. These plants have managed to grow in this park due to their adaptation to the arid and water-scarce conditions of the region, contributing to the preservation of the desert ecosystem.
The animal species present in Kavir National Park include the Asian leopard, caracal, Persian gazelle, sand fox, and birds such as houbara bustard, golden eagle, and falcon. This biodiversity highlights the conservation significance of this park.
Bamou National Park
Bamou National Park is located near the city of Shiraz, in Fars province. With an area of approximately 48,000 hectares, it is one of Iran’s important national parks, known for its rare plant and animal species.
Features of Bamou National Park
Bamou National Park encompasses various habitats, including mountains, plains, and deserts. The plant species in this park include oak trees, pistachio trees, and medicinal plants. Additionally, animal species such as leopards, wildcats, foxes, and birds like eagles and partridges inhabit this park.
Khajir National Park
Khajir National Park is located near Tehran and in the eastern part of the city. With an area of approximately 10,000 hectares, it is one of Iran’s smaller yet significant national parks. Due to its proximity to the capital and its biodiversity, it serves as a suitable destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.
Features of Khajir National Park
Khajir National Park encompasses diverse habitats, including forests, plains, and rivers. The plant species in this park include oak trees, willows, and medicinal plants. Furthermore, animal species such as deer, goats, and birds like cranes and eagles can be observed in this park.
Turan National Park
Turan National Park is located near the city of Shahroud, in Semnan province. With an area of approximately 1,400,000 hectares, it is one of the largest protected areas in Iran. Turan National Park holds special significance due to its biodiversity and the presence of rare plant and animal species.
Features of Turan National Park
Turan National Park encompasses various habitats, including deserts, plains, and mountains. The plant species in this park include tamarisk, saxaul, and halophytic plants. Additionally, animal species such as the Asian leopard, caracal, sand fox, and birds like houbara bustard and golden eagle inhabit this park.
Sorkhe Hesar National Park
Sorkheh Hesar National Park is located near Tehran and in the eastern part of the city. With an area of approximately 9,000 hectares, it is one of Iran’s smaller yet important national parks. Sorkheh Hesar National Park, due to its proximity to the capital and its biodiversity, serves as a suitable destination for tourists and nature enthusiasts.
Features of Sorkheh Hesar National Park
Sorkheh Hesar National Park encompasses diverse habitats, including forests, plains, and rivers. The plant species in this park include oak trees, pistachio trees, and medicinal plants. Furthermore, animal species such as wild boar, goats, and birds like cranes and eagles can be observed in this park.
Tandooreh National Park
Tandooreh National Park is located near the city of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province, near the city of Dargaz. With an area of approximately 36,000 hectares, it is one of the most beautiful and important national parks in Iran. Tandooreh National Park offers unique natural landscapes with deep valleys and tall cliffs, attracting many tourists each year.
Features of Tandooreh National Park
Tandooreh National Park, with its high biodiversity, provides habitats for various plant and animal species. The vegetation in this park includes different shrubs and medicinal plants such as thyme, marjoram, and sage. Additionally, animal species such as leopards, wild goats, wild sheep, and birds like golden eagles and chukars inhabit this park.
Arasbaran National Park
Arasbaran National Park is located in East Azerbaijan province, near the northwestern borders of Iran. With an area of approximately 80,000 hectares, it is one of the protected areas and UNESCO biosphere reserves in Iran. Arasbaran National Park is highly significant due to its diverse ecosystems and rare species.
Features of Arasbaran National Park
Arasbaran National Park includes wide-leaf forests, meadows, and high mountains. The plant species in this park include oak trees, beech trees, and medicinal plants. Animal species found in the park include brown bears, leopards, roe deer, and birds like falcons and eagles.
Bakhtegan National Park
Bakhtegan National Park is located in Fars province, near the city of Neyriz. With an area of approximately 242,000 hectares, it is one of the largest national parks in Iran. Bakhtegan National Park is of special importance due to its saline lakes and high biodiversity.
Features of Bakhtegan National Park
Bakhtegan National Park includes saline lakes, wetlands, and dry habitats. The vegetation in this park consists of halophytic plants and shrubs such as saltbush and tamarisk. Animal species such as flamingos, pelicans, green-headed ducks, and birds like coots inhabit this park.
Dena National Park
Dena National Park is located in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, near the city of Yasuj. With an area of approximately 93,000 hectares, it is one of the most important protected areas in Iran. Dena National Park is highly significant due to its high mountains and abundant biodiversity.
Features of Dena National Park
Dena National Park encompasses high mountains, oak forests, and lush meadows. The plant species in this park include oak trees, junipers, and medicinal plants such as mountain celery and thyme. Additionally, animal species such as leopards, brown bears, goats, and birds like eagles and chukars inhabit this park.
Nayband National Park
Nayband National Park is located in Bushehr province, near the city of Asaluyeh. With an area of approximately 42,000 hectares, it is one of the important national parks in Iran, known for its beautiful beaches and marine biodiversity.
Features of Nayband National Park
Nayband National Park includes sandy beaches, Persian Gulf waters, and coral habitats. The plant species in this park consist of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs. Animal species such as dolphins, sea turtles, and migratory birds can be observed in this park.
Related post
Dal Village, a 5000-year-old village in the heart of Kurdistan
Shif Island, the Sandy Gem of the Persian Gulf
Qameshloo National Park
Qameshloo National Park is located in Isfahan province, near the city of Najafabad. With an area of approximately 113,000 hectares, it is one of the important national parks in Iran, known for its rare plant and animal species.
Features of Qameshloo National Park
Qameshloo National Park encompasses diverse habitats, including meadows, plains, and mountains. The plant species in this park include wild tulips, oak trees, and medicinal plants such as sweet basil and valerian. Additionally, animal species such as goats, sheep, deer, and birds like chukars, pheasants, and golden eagles inhabit this park.
Kuh-e Gol National Park
Kuh-e Gol National Park is located in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, near the city of Si Sakht. With an area of approximately 15,000 hectares, it is one of the small yet important national parks in Iran, known for its rare plant and animal species as well as beautiful natural landscapes.
Features of Kuh-e Gol National Park
Kuh-e Gol National Park encompasses mountain habitats and green meadows. The plant species in this park include oak trees, junipers, and medicinal plants such as thyme and mountain celery. Additionally, animal species such as leopards, brown bears, goats, and birds like eagles and chukars inhabit this park.
Salook National Park
Salook National Park is located in North Khorasan province, near the city of Esfarayen. With an area of approximately 17,000 hectares, it is one of the important national parks in Iran, known for its rare plant and animal species as well as beautiful natural landscapes.
Features of Salook National Park
Salook National Park encompasses mountain habitats and green meadows. The plant species in this park include oak trees, junipers, and medicinal plants such as thyme and mountain celery. Additionally, animal species such as leopards, brown bears, goats, and birds like eagles and chukars inhabit this park.
Final Words on national parks in Iran
national parks in Iran, with their biological and geographical diversity, are invaluable treasures that hold significant environmental, scientific, and tourist value. These parks play a crucial role in preserving rare plant and animal species and offering pristine and beautiful natural landscapes, contributing to ecosystem conservation and attracting tourists. Visiting these parks can be an extraordinary and unforgettable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about National Parks in Iran
- What are the most important national parks in Iran?
Iran has several important national parks, each known for its unique features. Some of the most important national parks in Iran include Golestan National Park, Kavir National Park, Dena National Park, Arasbaran National Park, Bakhtegan National Park, and Nayband National Park. These parks boast high biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes, making them significant tourist destinations.
- What rare species can be found in national parks in Iran?
national parks in Iran are home to many rare and endangered species. For example, Golestan National Park hosts species such as the Iranian leopard, Persian fallow deer, and brown bear. Kavir National Park is home to the Asiatic cheetah and caracal, while Arasbaran National Park provides habitat for the Persian gazelle, leopard, and brown bear. This biodiversity holds special importance in preserving natural ecosystems.
- When is the best time to visit Iran’s national parks?
The best time to visit national parks in Iran varies depending on the geographical location and weather conditions of each park. Generally, spring and autumn are suitable times to visit most national parks due to moderate temperatures and beautiful natural landscapes. However, for some parks like Kavir National Park, winter can also be a suitable time as the weather is cooler and more tolerable. It is best to check accurate weather conditions and the best time to visit each park before planning your visit.