Polish national parks – a heritage that has lasted for thousands of years. Their trails lead through primeval forests, mountain valleys, and coastal dunes. It's worth visiting each one and experiencing their charm.
Enklawa Białowieska Forest & SPA is located in the Białowieża Forest – literally. It was created in former military barracks and is surrounded by forest on all sides. Naturally, on our blog we discuss the topic of national parks. We begin with the Polish ones.
To shorten the long list, we subjectively selected 10 places worth visiting first. From the Baltic Sea to the Tatras – each of these parks tells a different story about nature, history, and the people who protect it.
Polish national parks – list
National parks are areas that protect the most valuable elements of nature – forests, mountains, rivers, peat bogs, and all the species that inhabit them. They are established to preserve natural processes and landscapes in an unchanged form so that they can survive for future generations.
Special rules apply within the parks – no forestry activities, hunting, or road construction. Humans can only be guests who respectfully observe the natural world.
The first national park in Poland, Białowieża National Park, was established in 1932. This is where the history of nature protection in our country began. Today, we have 23 national parks covering over 3% of Poland's area – from the high Tatras to coastal dunes.
Full list of Polish national parks (as of 2025):
Babiogórski, Białowieski, Biebrzański, Bieszczadzki, Drawieński, Gorczański, Kampinoski, Karkonoski, Magurski, Narwiański, Ojcowski, Bory Tucholskie, Gór Stołowych, Pieniński, Poleski, Roztoczański, Słowiński, Świętokrzyski, Tatrzański, Ujście Warty, Wigierski, Wielkopolski, Woliński.
Białowieża National Park – the heart of the primeval forest
This is where it all began. Białowieża National Park, established in 1932, was the first national park in Poland and one of the first in Europe. It protects a fragment of the Białowieża Forest – the last primeval lowland forest in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The entire Białowieża Forest covers over 1500 km² and lies within the territories of two countries – Poland and Belarus. On the Polish side, it covers about 62 thousand hectares, of which over 10 thousand are within the national park boundaries. On the Belarusian side, there is the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, which – like the Polish part – is under strict protection.
The trees here are several hundred years old, many falling only when their natural life cycle ends. New life emerges from dead wood – hundreds of species of fungi, insects, and mosses. This is a place where nature shows the full cycle of life without human interference.
A walk through the Strict Reserve is like a journey back in time. There is a silence here you won't find anywhere else – interrupted only by the pecking of a woodpecker or the rustle of a bison's antlers. The latter, the king of the forest, has become a symbol of this place and the entire nature conservation idea.
Biebrza National Park – the kingdom of marshes and birds
This is the largest national park in Poland and one of the most remarkable in Europe. It encompasses the valley of the Biebrza River, where the landscape changes with every kilometer – from peat bogs and meadows to floodplains which in spring turn into a vast lake.
It is a paradise for birds and their watchers. More than 270 species nest in the Biebrza wetlands, including snipes, lesser spotted eagles, and black storks. In spring, one can hear the concert of cranes; in summer – encounter an elk.
This place requires patience. Biebrza does not reveal itself immediately – you have to give it time, wake up before dawn, stop at a viewing tower, and just watch. In return, it offers peace rarely found today.
Tatra National Park – mountains that inspire
The highest mountains in Poland and the only national park with an alpine character. Tatra National Park protects over 200 km of trails, including the most beautiful valleys and lakes, among them the most famous – Morskie Oko.
This is a place where you can feel the power of nature. Sharp ridges contrast with the silence of the valleys, and in summer mornings, the scent of spruces and the sound of sheep bells rise above the meadows. Chamois and marmots reign on the peaks – symbols of the Tatras.
If you love the Tatras, check out the podcasts of Tatra National Park – a great way to get to know the mountains from a different perspective: the people who study, protect, and passionately tell their stories.
Słowiński National Park – between the sea and the desert
This is one of the most extraordinary places in Poland. Located between Łeba and Rowy, Słowiński National Park is famous for its moving dunes that resemble a desert landscape. The wind constantly shifts the sand here, creating patterns and shapes that look different every year. On one side, the sound of the Baltic Sea, on the other – calm coastal lakes and fragrant pine forests. On the horizon, you can see the Słowińska Czołpińska Dune, which offers a view of the sea and forest, while in the distance the surface of Lake Łebsko sparkles.
Słowiński National Park is listed as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Bieszczady National Park – space and freedom
At Poland’s southeastern edge lies a land where time flows differently. Bieszczady National Park is the largest natural mountain area in our country. Wetlińska, Caryńska, or Tarnica are names that for many mountain lovers sound like an invitation. Walking the trails here, it’s hard not to pause – for the view, for breath, for a silence that has its own rhythm.
Bieszczady teach humility and admiration at the same time. No wonder many say – once you come here, you'll always return.
Kampinos National Park – forest next to the city
Just a few kilometers from the center of Warsaw, another world begins. Kampinos National Park is a vast forest complex stretching between the Vistula and Bzura Rivers – the only national park in Europe located right next to a major metropolis.
Within it, two landscapes meet: dunes covered with pine trees and marshy meadows where marsh marigolds bloom in spring. Tens of hiking and cycling trails wind through it, each leading into silence.
Kampinos is a refuge for moose, beavers, cranes, and numerous birds of prey. For Warsaw residents, it’s a place to breathe after a week of work – to run, bike, or simply pause. In 2000, the park was inscribed on the UNESCO biosphere reserves list.
Ojcowski National Park – small, but exceptional
The smallest national park in Poland but also one of the most recognizable. Ojcowski National Park, located just 20 kilometers from Kraków, delights with rock formations, limestone gorges, and the Prądnik Valley, winding between steep walls like a ribbon.
This is a place where nature meets history. The valley is dominated by the ruins of the castle in Ojców and the castle in Pieskowa Skała with the characteristic Hercules’ Club – a park symbol. Evidence of human habitation from thousands of years ago was found in the caves.
You can walk Ojcowski Park in one day, but it’s hard to see everything at once. It’s best to return here at different times of the year.
Wigry National Park – northern lakes and a monastery
In the Suwałki region, the land of clean lakes and forests, stretches Wigry National Park. This is a place where water and greenery create harmony – hundreds of lakes connected by a network of rivers, surrounded by forests and peat bogs. The largest, Lake Wigry, has over 70 islands and bays with fanciful shapes. On one of the peninsulas stands a Baroque Camaldolese monastery – white, austere, and therefore extremely photogenic.
Wigry Park is a paradise for kayaking and cycling enthusiasts. The papal trail, traveled by John Paul II in 1999, lets you discover its most beautiful corners.
Table Mountains National Park – stone labyrinths
On the border of Lower Silesia and the Czech Republic rise mountains that look like arranged by human hands. Table Mountains National Park is the kingdom of stone – flat, table-like formations, steep walls, and narrow passages that create a true stone labyrinth.
The most famous spots are Szczeliniec Wielki and Błędne Skały – natural sculptures carved by wind and water over millions of years. Hiking among them is pure adventure: sometimes you have to duck, sometimes squeeze between boulders, and moments later see a panorama reaching the horizon.
On the Czech side of the range lies the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks National Park, famous for its gorges, waterfalls, and the emerald Adršpach Lake. This is where scenes for the movie 'The Chronicles of Narnia' were filmed – the stone “doors to another world” can still be seen along the trail around the lake.
Wolin National Park – sea and cliffs
At Poland's northwestern edge, on the island of Wolin, nature meets the sea in the most beautiful way. Wolin National Park protects a strip of coastline with impressive cliffs that in places reach up to 90 meters high. From their tops, there is a view of the Baltic Sea, which here can be both calm and wild at the same time.
Międzyzdroje is a good base to explore the park – trails lead to the Kawcza Góra viewpoint and Gosań, the highest cliff in Poland. Inside the park are lakes, peat bogs, and forests where you can spot the white-tailed eagle – Poland’s heraldic bird.
Polish national parks – summary
Polish national parks show how diverse our country is. Each park has its own rhythm and story. Biebrza teaches patience, the Tatras courage, and the Bieszczady humility toward nature. The Białowieża Forest reminds us that nature protection is not a luxury but a duty toward future generations.
If you want to feel what this closeness tastes like, it’s worth starting right here – in the heart of the forest. Enklawa Białowieska Forest & SPA, surrounded on all sides by the Białowieża Forest, is a place where nature is not just a backdrop but everyday life. It’s a good base to discover the richness of Polish national parks – step by step, with mindfulness and calmness.
FAQ – most frequently asked questions about Polish national parks
How many national parks are there in Poland?
Currently, there are 23 national parks in Poland. They cover over one million hectares – about 3% of the country’s area.
Which national park is the largest?
The largest is Biebrza National Park, covering over 59 thousand hectares of marshes, peat bogs, and the floodplains of the Biebrza River.
And which is the smallest?
The smallest is Ojcowski National Park – just 21 km², but with caves, castles, and picturesque valleys within its borders.
Which national park attracts the most visitors?
The most popular is Tatra National Park – visited by over three million people annually. The High Tatras attract not only tourists from Poland but from all over Europe.
Are all national parks paid entry?
No. Entry to some parks is free, while others charge a symbolic fee – usually a few or a dozen złoty. The revenue goes toward nature protection and trail maintenance.
Can you stay overnight within national parks?
Accommodation within park borders is limited, but around most of them, there are many guesthouses, farms, and hotels.
In the case of Białowieża Forest, it’s worth staying in a place that lets you truly feel the forest – at Enklawa Białowieska Forest & SPA, located in its heart.
Which national parks are listed by UNESCO?
In Poland, this status belongs to: Białowieża National Park (World Heritage List) and several other areas under the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves program, including Biebrza, Kampinos, Słowiński, and Tatra Parks.
When is the best time to visit Polish national parks?
Each has its time – in spring, the Biebrza wetlands and meadows bloom; in summer you can hike in the Tatras; in autumn watch the mists over the Bieszczady; and in winter see the Białowieża Forest in snowy silence.
