A national park in India is a natural park created and maintained by the government of India for wildlife and environment protection purposes to save endangered species.
Jim Corbett National Park, located in the state of Uttarakhand is the first national park established in India. In this post, we will discuss the Top 10 largest national parks in India.
Top 10 Largest National Parks in India
Here is the list of the top 10 largest national parks in India by area covered.
- Hemis National Park – 4,400 km²
- Desert National Park – 3,162 km²
- Gangotri National Park – 2,390 km²
- Namdapha National Park – 1,985 km²
- Khangchendzonga National Park – 1,784 km²
- Sanjay National Park – 1440 km²
- Gir Forest National Park – 1,410 km²
- Sundarbans National Park – 1,330 km²
- Jim Corbett National Park – 1,318 km²
- Indravati National Park – 1,258 km²
1. Hemis National Park
Globally known for its snow leopards, Hemis national park is the largest national park in India. The national park is spread across 4,400 km² of area present in the Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh.
Hemis national park was founded in 1981 and it is also the largest national park in South Asia. The national park hosts around 200 viable breeding populations of snow leopards.
It is present on a high-altitude surface which is more than 3000 meters above sea level. You can enjoy various activities like mountain trekking though permission is necessary.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
2. Desert National Park
Desert National Park is situated in the state of Rajasthan and integrated with the Thar desert. With a total area of 3,162 km², it is one of the largest national parks in India by area.
The national park was established in 1981 with the aim of conserving the weak ecosystem of the Thar Desert and defending its diverse wildlife ecosystem.
Great Indian Bustard, Black Buck, chinkara, desert fox, desert cat, Indian wolf, and monitor lizard are among the endangered species protected in the Desert national park.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
3. Gangotri National Park
Established in 1989, Gangotri National Park is present in Uttarkashi District of Uttarakhand, India. The national park covers about 2,390 km² of land making it one of the largest national parks in India.
Gangotri national park is named after the Gangotri Glacier and is a part of the Gangotri Conservation Area. The national park hosts a large variety of flora and fauna.
Asian black bears, brown bears, musk deer, blue sheep, and Himalayan tahr are some of the endangered animals documented and protected here.
Best Time To Visit: May to October
4. Namdapha National Park
Namdapha national park is India’s fourth largest national park covering an approximate area of 1,985 km² and was established in 1974. It is present in the Changlang district in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh.
The national park is a biodiversity hotspot in the eastern Himalayan region and it hosts around 1,000 floral and about 1,400 faunal species.
It is home to several endangered species like snow leopard, clouded leopard, tiger, leopard, and the critically endangered species Hoolock gibbon.
Best Time To Visit: November to March
5. Khangchendzonga National Park
The only national park in Sikkim, Khangchendzonga national park is one of the largest national parks in India covering around 1,784 km² area.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the national park is named after the mountain Kangchenjunga. It shares a border with Nepal and Tibet, making it one of the strategically important places for India.
The national park hosts many mammals like musk deer, Indian leopard, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, red panda, Himalayan tahr, dhole, sloth bear, viverrids, etc.
Best Time To Visit: March to Mid December
6. Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park
Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) National Park is a national park in the state of Madhya Pradesh and Chattishgarh spreading across various districts. It is one of the largest national parks in India covering an area of 1440.71 km².
It is a part of Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve and along with Tigers, this national park protects other mammals like Indian leopard, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar deer, nilgai, sloth bear, etc.
Visitors of the Sanjay National Park can engage in various activities like wildlife safaris, nature walks, and birdwatching.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
7. Gir National Park
Gir National Park is a national park present near the Talala Gir in the state of Gujarat. It is a forest, wildlife sanctuary and a national park. It was established in the year 1965.
It is one of the largest national parks in India covering an area of about 1,410 kilometers square. The national park is known for the popular endangered species Asiatic lions.
The Gir nation park offers its visitors to explore its wildlife through guided safaris. The winter season is the best time to visit this national park.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
8. Sundarbans National Park
Famous for the conservation of the Royal Bengal Tigers, Sundarbans national park is present in the state of West Bengal. It is a tiger reserve, a national park, a biosphere reserve, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The national park is situated in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers. Visitors explore the national park using boat safaris to observe its unique biodiversity and beauty.
Along with the Royal Bengal Tigers other animals like crocodiles, Indian rock pythons, water monitors, spotted deer, and wild boars are spotted in the forest as well as numerous bird species.
Best Time To Visit: November to February
9. Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand and it is one of the largest national parks in India covering an area of about 1,318 km².
The national park is known for safeguarding animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian elephant, leopard, sloth bear, Indian python, and crocodile.
The national park consists of composed of dense forests, grasslands, and riverine belts while tourists can explore its wilderness through jungle safaris.
Best Time To Visit: October to February
10. Indravati National Park
Indravati National Park is one of the largest national parks in India covering around 1258 square kilometres of land. It is located in the state of Chhattisgarh.
The national park is known for its rich biodiversity, and animals like Bengal Tiger, leopards, sloth bears, Indian bison (gaur), sambar deer, chital, etc.
The national offers eco-tourism and wildlife safaris to its visitors.
Best Time To Visit: November to April
