National Parks in Netherlands

The national parks of the Netherlands have been defined since the 1960s as extensive areas of at least 10 km², composed of natural landscapes, bodies of water, or forests, housing distinctive flora and fauna.

Although the first initiatives to create these spaces began in the 1930s thanks to private organizations, it was not until 1989 that the first official national park, Schiermonnikoog, was established. The most recent, De Alde Feanen National Park, was added to the list in April 2006. In 2009, the protected area of the national parks of the Netherlands increased significantly when the Weerribben park expanded to include the Wieden area, reaching a total protected surface of 132,030 hectares. Finally, in 2011, the government decided to transfer the management and responsibility of these natural spaces to the provinces.

One of the most notable parks in the region is the Hoge Veluwe National Park, which includes the Kröller-Müller Museum within its grounds.

The Netherlands, a European nation, is mainly composed of 12 provinces in the continental territory in Northern Europe, including Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, North Brabant, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, and North and South Holland, each with its protected areas and natural spaces within the network of European national parks.

Furthermore, the country encompasses territories in the Caribbean, known as the Caribbean Netherlands, which consist of three special municipalities: Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, where environmental conservation areas can also be found, including forests, bodies of water, and forested areas. Together, the European and Caribbean territories of the Netherlands comprise the list of national parks of the Netherlands.

List of National Parks of the Netherlands

Schiermonnikoog National Park

Established in 1989 in Friesland, Schiermonnikoog National Park covers 5,400 hectares of natural landscapes including beaches, dunes, marshes, and forests. It is a vital refuge for migratory birds and offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife observation and outdoor activities.

De Alde Feanen National Park

Since 2006, De Alde Feanen National Park, located in Friesland, protects 4,000 hectares of wetlands, lakes, and canals. It is an important habitat for water birds and a unique natural reserve to explore by kayak, boat, or on foot.

Drents-Friese Wold National Park

Located in Drenthe and Friesland, Drents-Friese Wold National Park encompasses 6,100 hectares of forests, heaths, and dunes since the year 2000. It offers numerous hiking and cycling routes, as well as diverse habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species.

Dwingelderveld National Park

Since 1991, Dwingelderveld National Park, in Drenthe, protects 3,700 hectares of heaths, swamps, and forests. It is the largest heathland area in the Netherlands and offers serene trails for hiking and birdwatching.

Drentsche Aa National Landscape

Since 2002, the Drentsche Aa National Landscape in Drenthe covers 10,600 hectares of river valleys, forests, and fields. It is a culturally rich and diverse landscape, with ancient villages, mills, and archaeological sites to explore.

Weerribben-Wieden National Park

Weerribben-Wieden National Park, in Overijssel, has covered 10,500 hectares since 1992, with an extension in 2009. This park is known for its extensive wetlands, meandering canals, and abundant wildlife, offering unique opportunities for kayaking and birdwatching.

Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park

Located in Overijssel, Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park encompasses 2,740 hectares since its establishment in 2004. This park is distinguished by its rolling hills, extensive heaths, and pine forests, providing a refuge for wildlife and opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling.

Veluwezoom National Park

In the province of Gelderland, Veluwezoom National Park, established in 1930, spans 5,000 hectares. With varied landscapes including forests, heaths, and hills, it is the oldest national park in the Netherlands and offers rich biodiversity as well as scenic trails for visitors.

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park

Located in the province of Utrecht, Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park covers 10,000 hectares since its establishment in 2003, with an expansion in 2013. With a variety of landscapes including hills, forests, and heaths, this park offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, and nature observation.

Texel Dunes National Park

Located in the province of North Holland, Texel Dunes cover 4,300 hectares since its designation as a national park in 2002. This park is characterized by its expansive coastal dunes, pristine beaches, and diverse natural habitats, making it an important refuge for wildlife and a popular destination for nature lovers.

South Kennemerland National Park

Established in 1995 in the province of North Holland, South Kennemerland National Park spans 3,800 hectares. With a unique combination of dunes, forests, and heaths, this park offers beautiful natural landscapes, as well as opportunities for hiking, cycling, and birdwatching.

Oosterschelde National Park

In the province of Zeeland, Oosterschelde National Park is the largest in the Netherlands, covering 37,000 hectares since its establishment in 2002. This park protects a unique and diverse estuary, which hosts a rich variety of marine life, making it an important site for conservation and ecotourism.

De Biesbosch National Park

Located in the provinces of North Brabant and South Holland, De Biesbosch National Park spans 7,100 hectares since its establishment in 1994. This park is characterized by its wetlands, winding rivers, and forests, providing a vital habitat for water birds and other species, as well as opportunities for boating and nature observation.

De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide Transboundary Park

This transboundary park stretches over North Brabant in the Netherlands and Antwerp in Belgium, covering 3,750 hectares since its creation in 2001. With landscapes of dunes, heaths, and forests, the park is home to rich biodiversity and offers hiking and cycling routes that cross the border between the two countries.

Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park

In the province of North Brabant, Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park covers 3,400 hectares since 2002. This park is noted for its extensive sand dunes and pine forests, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and horseback riding.

De Groote Peel National Park

Located in the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant, De Groote Peel National Park encompasses 1,340 hectares since its establishment in 1993. This park is characterized by its vast peat bogs and heathland landscapes, offering opportunities for birdwatching and peaceful nature exploration.

De Maasduinen National Park

In the province of Limburg, De Maasduinen National Park spans 4,200 hectares since 1996. Named after the Maas (Meuse) River and the dunes (duinen), this park offers a unique combination of riverine landscapes, dunes, and forests, ideal for hiking, cycling, and wildlife observation.

De Meinweg National Park

De Meinweg National Park, located in Limburg, covers 1,700 hectares since its establishment in 1995. This park is known for its rolling hills, forests, and heaths, providing a habitat for a variety of plant and animal species, as well as scenic trails for visitors.

First National Park of the Netherlands

These parks have been designated since the 1960s as areas of special ecological interest, with the aim of protecting their unique flora and fauna. Although the push to establish these natural refuges began in the 1930s with the help of private organizations, the first official national park was established in 1989. Over the years, the network of national parks has expanded, including the recently added De Alde Feanen National Park in 2006, and seeing a significant increase in protected area with the expansion of Weerribben Park in 2009. In 2011, the management of these parks became the responsibility of the provinces, marking a new chapter in the conservation of the Netherlands’ natural landscapes.

Lauwersmeer National Park, established in 2003 in Groningen, Friesland, covers 6,000 hectares of diverse natural landscapes, from aquatic areas to forests and meadows, offering a protected habitat for wildlife and flora, and attracting nature and adventure enthusiasts.