Top 10 Highest National Parks in India

The national park is a natural park created and protected by the national government to preserve the natural environment. A national park is created for the purposes of public recreation and enjoyment because of its scientific or historic interest. Most of the landscapes, along with the plants and animals in the natural park, are preserved in a natural state.

Hemis National Park, located in the eastern region of Ladakh district in Jammu & Kashmir, is the largest national park in India. There were only five natural parks in the country until 1970. But it was observed in 1971 that there were only about 1800 tigers left in the country. Within two years, both the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger were established, which has led to a considerable increase in the number of India’s Tiger Population. 

According to the National Wildlife Database 2019, there are almost 101 national parks in India, covering an area of 40,564 km², which is 1.23% of the geographical area of the country. In this article, we will list the top 10 national parks in In

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List of Top 10 Biggest National Park in India

The table below shows the major national parks in India arranged according to their areas.

Top 10 Highest National Parks In India: Detailed Information

1. Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is the highest national park of India, located in the eastern Ladakh region, covering an area of 4400 sq km and is famous for snow leopards, Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), and Asiatic ibex.  The park was established in 1981 by preserving the Rumbak and Markha catchments, with an area of about 600 square kilometres.  In 1988, the park was further expanded to 3350 square kilometres by including neighbouring lands before it was further expanded to 4400 square kilometres in 1990 and is the largest national park in South Asia. Hemis National Park is known for its specific beauty. There are no hotels available in or near National Park. However, there are six villages in Hemis National Park where homestay facilities are available for tourists. The villages are Kaya, Shingon Sku, Chilling, Rumbak, and Urutse. In addition, Home Monasteries offer room for tourists to stay. The best time to visit Hemis National Park is between May and September due to its pleasant weather. During summers, the majority of the park saves the very tallest glaciated peaks, which are free of all snow.

2. Desert National Park

Desert National Park is the second highest national park in India, located at a distance of around 40 kilometres from Jaisalmer. Geographically, the Desert National Park covers an area of 3162 sq km extending from the borders of Jaislainer, the boundary of which reaches close to the Indo-Pak border. Situated amid the remote area of Thar Desert, the Desert National Park provides a haven to a growing population of Chikankaras, Balck bucks, and desert foxes that can be seen here. The Desert National Park is a bird watcher's paradise where visitors can explore the generosity of nature. A thrilling and jeep safari can prove to be very unique and adventurous for visitors while watching attractive birds in the sky. The jeep safari runs on a 12-km trail and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Camping with bonfires is another thrilling activity that attracts people to the park.

3. Gangotri National Park

Beholding its unique name from the Gangotri Glacier, the Gangotri National Park is one of the most fascinating high-level wildlife sanctuaries in India and is considered to be the third-highest national park in India. Located in the Uttarkashi District in the Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand, the park is spread over an area of 2390 sq km. The park is established to safeguard indigenous fauna and fauna. Several endangered species, including black bears, brown bears, bharal or blue sheep, Himalayan snowcock, Himalayan Monal, musk deer and snow leopard, etc., are found in the park. Located in the upper river basin of Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi district, the Gangotri National park forms a stability between Govind National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary of Uttarakhand state. 

4. Namdapha National Park

Namdapha National Park is the fourth highest national park in India after Hemis National Park, Desert National Park, and Gangotri National Park. The park is situated in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, with a total area of 1807 square kilometres. The term “Namdapha'' is the name of a river that originates from Dapha Bum (Dapha is the name of the hill, Bum means the peak of the hill) and meets the Noa-Dihing River.

5. Khangchendzonga National Park

Khangchendzonga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site located in the northern and western districts of Sikkim. It is the fifth-highest national park in India with an area of 1784 sq km,  the sixth-highest national park in India is home to about 18 glaciers including the Zemu glacier, and has a unique diversity of plains, rivers, valleys, lakes, and snow-capped mountains covered with forests. The best time to visit the Kanchenjunga national park is during April and May. Snowfall is at its height during the winter months, and showers begin from May, continuing till mid-October. Hence, it is good for visitors to visit the captivating Kanchenjunga National Park between September to mid-December. The park gets heavy snowfall for most of the year as it is located between 27° 42’0” N and 88° 08’0” E. The climate of National Park is pleasant during the summer months that are between April and May, while the monsoon season begins from May extending throughout October. The climate of the park during winters is colder and easily goes below 0° C.

6. Guru Ghasidas National Park

Guru Ghasidas National Park, also known as Sanjay National Park is the sixth-highest national park in India. It is located in the Koriya district of the state of Chattisgarh. It was declared as a national park in 1981 and has a total area of 1440.71 sq. kilometres. The park comes under the tropical area zone, due to which it is covered by dense forests and many rivers. Animals like Chinkara, jackal, antelope, porcupine, tiger, leopard, bulbul, kingfisher, etc., are found in this park. The best time to visit this Guru Ghasidas National Park is between November to May as the temperature is mild, and better to explore the area.

7. Gir National Park

The Gir National Park of Gujarat state is the seventh-highest national park in India, with an area of about 1412 square km. It is located about 37 miles (60 km) south-southwest of Junagadh in a hilly region of dry scrubland. The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary are some of the most renowned national parks in India that provide a home to the Asiatic Lions. Apart from the lions, it also has innumerable species of various plants and animals. Due to the existence of perennial rivers that flow through this place and several factors that contribute to its richness, this park has become one of the best places to visit in Gujarat. Every year, this national park attracts tourists in a large number from various places around the world to experience its captivating beauty. 

8. Sundarban

The Sunderbans National Park is the eighth highest national park in India, located in the state of West Bengal (India). The Sunderbans national park is named after the Sundari trees, which are found in large quantities in this area. Established on 4th May 1984 as a National Park, it is spread in an area of approximately 1,330 square Kms. The best time to visit this park is in September and May. The visitors who plan to explore this park during winters can enjoy the sun-bathing on the river banks of amazing and powerful Royal Bengal Tigers. The other chief wildlife species along with Bengal Tiger present in this park are Indian Grey Mongoose, Ridley Sea Turtle, Macaques, Indian Grey Mongoose, Flying Fox Leopard Cats, and many more. 

9. Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the ninth highest national park in India, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. The fascinating landscape of the national park is renowned for its tiger richness. Established in the year 1936 as Hailey National Park, Corbett retains the majesty of being India's oldest and most renowned National Park. It is also the place where Project Tiger was first established in 1973. This park is best known as the father who gave birth to the Project Tiger in India to safeguard the most threatened species and the Royal of India called Tigers. Spread over an area of 1318 sq km of which 520 sq km is the main area of the National park which retains hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands, and a large lake. Tourists can explore the nature and wildlife of this park in an open four-wheeler Jeep and on elephant back. Jim Corbett National Park is the only national park in India that offers a night stay inside its Jungle.

10. Indravati National Park

Indravati National Park is the tenth highest national park in India, with an area of 1258.37 km². It is located in the Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh, India. The park is home to one of the large populations of rare wild buffalo.  It is the finest and renowned wildlife park in Chhattisgarh. The Indravati national park got its name from the Indravati river. The best time to visit Indravati national park is from December 15 to June 15.