National Parks in Finland
photo © Finnish Lakeland /Jyväskylä Region – Julia Kivelä
National Parks in Finland
There are 41 national parks in Finland, managed by Metsähallitus. Together, they cover nearly 10,000 square kilometres, which equals about 2.5% of the country’s total land area. The parks offer visitors the chance to experience Finland’s diverse and unique natural landscapes across the country. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a list of all the national parks, along with links to explore each one in more detail.
A National Treasure Open to All
Each Finnish National Park is a protected area of over 1,000 hectares, freely open to all. Although these parks are significant tourist attractions, having within their boundaries national landscapes and other natural sights, the primary purpose of the Finnish National Parks is to ensure the diversity of Finnish nature and to protect natural features. National Parks in Finland are of national and international importance, and in addition to providing a wonderful environment for outdoor recreation and being a valuable source of sustainable nature tourism, the parks are also used beneficially for scientific research and amateur nature studies.
Nature from Coast to Arctic: A Land of Diverse Landscapes
National Parks in Finland are found in all parts of the country, the most northerly being Lemmenjoki National Park in Northern Lapland, the most southerly being the Ekenäs Archipelago in the Baltic Sea south-west of Helsinki, one of four National Parks located in Finland’s coastal waters. This wide geographical range means that not only do visitors get to experience the wealth of differient landscapes in Finland, but they also get to experience the incredible diversity of Finnish wildlife and flora, from the snowy owls, lemmings, and wolverines of the north, to the bears and wolves of the east, and the incredible number of nesting birds in the archipelagos.
Outdoor Adventures for Every Season
Finland’s National Parks are ideal for activities like hiking, cycling, boating, fishing, and birdwatching. In winter, many of the same trails become routes for cross-country skiing. Campsites are available in many parks for those wishing to stay overnight.
The best way to begin your adventure is by visiting one of the many visitor or nature centres located in or near the parks. These centres offer exhibitions that introduce the local landscape and ecosystems, detailed maps and expert tips for exploring. Visitors are also informed about the rules that help minimize environmental impact—and can stock up on any supplies needed for their excursion. You can find information on all outdoor recreation destinations, trails and services throughout Finland on Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife’s Luontoon.fi website
List of National Parks in Finland
The following is a full list of all the National Parks in Finland, in alphabetical order: click on the link for an introduction to each park.
Archipelago National Park
Bothnian Bay National Park
Bothnian Sea National Park
Gulf of Finland National Park
Ekenäs Archipelago National Park
Helvetinjärvi National Park
Hiidenportti National Park
Hossa National Park
Isojärvi National Park
Kauhaneva-Pohjankangas National Park
Koli National Park
Kolovesi National Park
Kurjenrahka National Park
Lauhanvuori National Park
Leivonmäki National Park
Lemmenjoki National Park
Liesjärvi National Park
Linnansaari National Park
Nuuksio National Park
Oulanka National Park
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Patvinsuo National Park
Petkeljärvi National Park
Puurijärvi-Isosuo National Park
Pyhä-Häkki National Park
Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Päijänne National Park
Repovesi National Park
Riisitunturi National Park
Roku National Park
Salamajärvi National Park
Seitseminen National Park
Sipoonkorpi National Park
Southern Konnevesi National Park
Syöte National Park
Teijo National Park
Tiilikkajärvi National Park
Torronsuo National Park
Urho Kekkonen National Park
Valkmusa National Park
