The 21 National Parks in the Netherlands

Although the Netherlands is quite tiny, the country boasts 21 national parks. Each park offers unique experiences and showcases different aspects of the Dutch natural landscape.

From the windswept dunes of the Hoge Veluwe to the tidal waters of the Oosterschelde, these parks invite exploration into woodlands, heathlands, wetlands, and reclaimed territories. Each park offers a unique narrative: De Biesbosch’s freshwater tidal wetlands teem with life, while the Oosterschelde’s marine habitat hosts numerous aquatic animals.

Whether cycling through the shifting sands of the Loonse en Drunense Duinen or marveling at the rewilding success of Oostvaardersplassen, these sanctuaries not only preserve nature but also invite the visitor to partake in outdoor adventures, birdwatching, and immersive encounters with the Dutch natural heritage.

Update: Since October 2024 the Netherlands has got a brand new national park: Van Gogh National Park, which includes The Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park, and the nature parks Het Groene Woud, Kampina, The Dommel Valley, and De Mortelen. This post will be updated soon to reflect the change.

Read further to find out which the 21 National Parks in the Netherlands are.

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1. Veluwezoom National Park

❒ Official name: Veluwezoom National Park (Nationaal Park Veluwezoom)
❒ Established: 1930
❒ Size: 5000 ha
❒ Location: Gelderland

Veluwezoom National Park is in the province of Gelderland, in the eastern Netherlands. It’s part of the larger Veluwe nature reserve and sits just near the De Hoge Veluwe National Park. Veluwezoom National Park is surprisingly large in area, over 50 square kilometres, and was gazetted in 1930, making it the oldest national park in the Netherlands! Interestingly, it’s also one of the few national parks in the Netherlands which is entirely privately owned, by the Natuurmonumenten conservation organisation (most Dutch national parks are largely owned by the Forestry Commission, Staatsbosbeheer).

The national park sits directly adjacent to the city of Arnhem, capital of Gelderland province, while the city of Apeldoorn is not too far from the park’s northern boundary. It’s so close to Arnhem, it’s sometimes called the Arnhem National Park! Other nearby towns include Rheden, Dieren, and Eerbeek, while major centres like Utrecht and Amsterdam are conveniently located just over an hour’s drive away.

2. De Hoge Veluwe National Park

❒ Official name: De Hoge Veluwe National Park (Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe)
❒ Established: 1935
❒ Size: 5400 ha
❒ Location: Gelderland

De Hoge Veluwe National Park is located in Gelderland province, in the eastern/central Netherlands. It’s part of the larger Veluwe nature reservation, the largest continuous heathland in western Europe at over 1000 square kilometres. De Hoge Veluwe itself is around 55 square kilometres and is located very close to Veluwezoom National Park. Both parks are just near the cities of Arnhem and Apeldoorn, while De Hoge Veluwe is bordered by several villages including Otterlo, Hoenderloo, and Harskamp.

Humans have lived in the area for thousands of years, though the area reached its highest population during the Middle Ages when farming and forestry was at its most intensive. As the trees were cut down, soil quality suffered, and much of the land became unusable.

The area of the modern national park was purchased for a hunting lodge in the early 20^th century by Helene Müller and Anton Kröller, a wealthy couple from Rotterdam. Helene was an avid art collector, and founded a museum to store and display her enormous and expanding collection of modern art. Since her death in 1939 (and the subsequent end of World War 2), the museum has been open to the public.

3. Schiermonnikoog National Park

❒ Official name: Schiermonnikoog National Park (Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog)
❒ Established: 1989
❒ Size: 5400 ha
❒ Location: Friesland

National Park Schiermonnikoog is about 54 square kilometres, and occupies most of Schiermonnikoog island, just off the northern coast of Friesland. Despite the small size, it’s home to a surprising variety of terrains: grasslands, forests, sand dunes, beaches, marshes, and of course, mud flats. Schiermonnikoog National Park is included as part of the Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its important ecosystems and animal habitats.

There’s some interesting history here as well. It’s not known when Schiermonnikoog was first inhabited, but some of the earliest mentions of the island date to the 15^th century, when it was occupied by Cistercian monks in grey robes (hence the name, which translates as Grey Monk Island).

As a challenging landscape, Schiermonnikoog has always been sparsely populated, and attempts to establish farming communities over the centuries have met with little success. Because of this, much of the island is extremely well preserved, and it’s hardly surprising that in 1989 it became officially the Netherlands’ first National Park.

4. Dwingelderveld National Park

❒ Official name: Dwingelderveld National Park (Nationaal Park Dwingelderveld)
❒ Established: 1991
❒ Size: 3700 ha
❒ Location: Drenthe

Dwingelderveld is about 37 square kilometres in size and sits in the south-west of Drenthe province. It’s about an hour’s drive south of Groningen, while the towns of Hoogeveen and Assen are quite close by. Its modest size ranks it among the smaller national parks in the Netherlands, but at the same time it’s still packed with interesting stuff!

Humans have lived in the Dwingelderveld National Park area for thousands of years. Burial mounds and other ancient remains can still be seen dotted around the landscape, but poor soil quality and layers of sand meant that the Dwingelderveld area was never heavily exploited by farmers or herdsmen.

Proposals to drain and reclaim the area were launched in the 1930s, but the plans never eventuated, and Dwingelderveld National Park was officially gazetted in 1991, one of the earliest parks in the Netherlands. It’s jointly managed by the Dutch Forestry Service (Staatsbosbeheer), and Natuurmonumenten, a private nature conservation group.

Most of the terrain at Dwingelderveld National Park consists of wet heathlands, along with peat bogs, swamps, marshlands, and some sand drifts too. There are also small areas of forest, and the Netherlands’ largest juniper thicket, so it’s quite a fascinating area to explore.

5. Weerribben-Wieden National Park

❒ Official name: Weerribben-Wieden National Park (Nationaal Park Weerribben-Wieden)
❒ Established: 1992/2009
❒ Size: 10500 ha
❒ Location: Overijssel

Weerribben-Wieden National Park is in the province of Overijssel, in the eastern Netherlands. As the name suggests, the national park consists of two separate areas, De Weerribben and De Wieden. In total, Weerribben-Wieden National Park is just over 100 square kilometres and is jointly managed by the State Forestry Service (Staatsbosbeheer), and the privately-run Society for Preservation of Nature Monuments in the Netherlands (Vereniging Natuurmonumenten).

Humans have lived in the Weerribben-Wieden National Park area for thousands of years, but the boggy landscape we see today is entirely man-made. During the mid-16^th century, farmers began using the area to extract peat, an important source of pre-Industrial era fuel and fertiliser.

The entire landscape transformed as peat was dug up in vast quantities, canals were built for transport, and mills were erected to keep water levels consistent. Large areas of the bog were also used for cultivating reeds, a key item needed for thatching. Commercial peat extraction ended in the 1950s, leaving behind this beautiful, man-made landscape.

6. De Groote Peel National Park

❒ Official name: De Groote Peel National Park (Nationaal Park de Groote Peel)
❒ Established: 1993
❒ Size: 1348 ha
❒ Location: Limburg, North Brabant

De Groote Peel National Park (pronounced as [`gro:te pe:l]) is known for its unique and diverse landscape. It’s characterized by vast peat bog areas, heathlands, lakes, and marshes. Located in the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant, it’s a haven for various bird species and wildlife.

The park offers a mix of walking trails and boardwalks, allowing visitors to explore the marshy terrain and observe the flora and fauna, including rare species of birds like the Eurasian bittern and the European golden plover.

De Groote Peel has a rich history tied to peat extraction, which was a major industry in the region. Today, it stands as a protected area, offering a glimpse into the natural heritage of the Netherlands and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and nature appreciation.

7. De Biesbosch National Park

De Biesbosch is a natural park located in the provinces North Brabant and South Holland. Its origins can be traced back to the St. Elizabeth’s flood in 1421 – one of the largest floods in the history of mankind. After the flood, the Dutch mastered their ways of building dikes, creating island, diverting rivers, changing landscapes and De Biesbosch is one of those Dutch creations where nature has been given the main role.

De Biesbosch is one of the biggest freshwater tidal wetlands in Europe, a paradise for birds and birdwatchers. It’s also the home of the beaver in the Netherlands.

8. Zuid-Kennemerland National Park

❒ Official name: South Kennemerland National Park (Zuid-Kennemerland National Park)
❒ Established: 1995
❒ Size: 3800 ha
❒ Location: North Holland

Zuid-Kennemerland National Park sits right on the western coast of North Holland province, on the western outskirts of the city of Haarlem. It’s about 38 square kilometres in size (approximately 3,800 hectares), and mostly consists of sand dunes, beaches, and some small areas of forest as well.

The area has long been used as a water supply area for both Haarlem and Amsterdam and in modern times, has not been heavily populated by humans. A national park covering the area was first proposed by Dutch biologist and conservationist Jacobus Pieter Thijsse in the 1940s, and the original De Kennemerland National Park was established in 1950. Later, in 1995, this national park was expanded and combined with other neighbouring nature reserves, to form the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park that we know and love today.

9. De Meinweg National Park

❒ Official name: De Meinweg National Park (Nationaal Park De Meinweg)
❒ Established: 1990
❒ Size: 1800 ha
❒ Location: Limburg

De Meinweg National Park, located in the southern province of Limburg in the Netherlands, is a beautiful natural reserve encompassing heathlands, forests, marshes, and unique geological formations. Spanning approximately 1,800 hectares, this park is celebrated for its diverse habitats and rich biodiversity.

Its distinctive features include rolling heathlands adorned with blooming heather, ancient oak and beech forests, and the picturesque valley of the Rur River. The Meinweg area is home to a variety of wildlife, including roe deer, wild boar, foxes, and numerous bird species, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Visitors can explore a network of trails that wind through the park, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. The park also boasts intriguing geological formations like the Meinweg Fault Zone and the ‘Rolvennen’ fen system, adding to its geological significance.

10. De Maasduinen National Park

❒ Official name: De Maasduinen National Park (Nationaal Park De Maasduinen)
❒ Established: 1996, 1998
❒ Size: 4500 ha
❒ Location: Limburg

De Maasduinen National Park is a natural reserve situated in the province of Limburg. It’s named after the dunes along the Meuse (Maas) River, which are the result of centuries of wind and water shaping the landscape.

The park encompasses a diverse terrain, including forests, heathlands, fens, and, of course, the distinctive dune formations. It’s a haven for hikers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts, offering numerous trails that wind through the varied landscapes.

De Maasduinen is also home to a rich array of flora and fauna, including several rare and protected species, like the nightjar and the sand lizard. Visitors can spot various bird species, insects, and sometimes even wild boars or deer while exploring the park.

This national park not only provides recreational opportunities but also plays a vital role in preserving the natural heritage of the region and promoting conservation efforts for its unique ecosystems.

11. Drents-Friese Wold National Park

❒ Official name: Drents-Friese Wold National Park (Nationaal Park Drents-Friese Wold)
❒ Established: 2000
❒ Size: 6100 ha
❒ Location: Drenthe, Friesland

Clocking in at an impressive 6,100 hectares, Drents-Friese Wold National Park is one of the larger national parks in The Netherlands. The park is situated in a sparsely populated area, directly on the border between the provinces of Drenthe and Friesland. Despite the isolation, however, it’s less than an hour from the city of Groningen, and closer still to other large centres like Heerenveen, Assen, and Hoogeveen.

There’s quite a fascinating history here, as the Drents-Friese Wold area has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. Ancient burial mounds and hunebeds (tombstones) can still be seen near Diever, Oude Willem, and Vledder.

Over the centuries, much of the land was used for grazing and agriculture (what’s known locally as an esdorp landscape), but excessive sheep grazing created large sand dunes in the 19^th century, and most farmers left the area. To combat the increasing sand problem, forests were planted across the region, leaving us with the delightful landscape we see today – one of the largest woodlands in the Netherlands.

12. De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide Cross-Border Park

❒ Official name: De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide Cross-Border Park (Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide)
❒ Established: 2001
❒ Size: 60000 ha
❒ Location: North Brabant (the Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium)

The De Zoom–Kalmthoutse Heide Cross-Border Park is a transboundary natural park that spans both the Netherlands and Belgium. It’s a collaboration between the Kalmthoutse Heide in Belgium and De Zoom in the Netherlands. This park was created to protect and preserve the heathland landscape that was historically common in the region but has become increasingly rare due to urbanization and agricultural development.

The park comprises heathlands, forests, and a variety of habitats that support a diverse range of flora and fauna. It’s particularly known for its heathlands, which are home to unique plant species and provide crucial habitats for numerous birds and insects. Noteworthy are the black-necked grebe, the woodlark, the ground beetle, the antlion, and the grey-backed mining bee.

The collaboration between the two countries allows for the conservation and management of this natural area across borders, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in preserving shared natural heritage. The park offers visitors opportunities for hiking, cycling, and nature observation while promoting the protection of its ecosystems through sustainable practices and conservation efforts.

13. Drentsche Aa National Park

❒ Official name: National Stream and Esdorp Landscape Drentsche Aa (Nationaal beek- en esdorpenlandschap Drentsche Aa)
❒ Established: 2002
❒ Size: 10600 ha
❒ Location: Drenthe

Drentsche Aa National Park is approximately 106 square kilometres in size and is located entirely within the province of Drenthe. Roughly triangular in shape, the northern tip is just a few kilometres from the city of Groningen, though the main visitor areas are towards the southern end, approximately 25-30 minutes’ drive from the city. The nearest large centre is Assen, which directly borders the south-western corner of the national park.

But while most national parks are important for their undisturbed environments, threatened habitats, or ecological importance, Drentsche Aa National Park is important mostly for cultural reasons. Humans have lived in the national park’s area for millennia, and there’s plenty of hunebeds (or hunebedden) (ancient tombstones) dotted around the landscape.

But it’s actually the modern history of Drentsche Aa that’s more important. During the 19^th and 20^th centuries, when canals, dikes, reforestation, and land reclamation transformed the Dutch landscape, the Drentsche Aa region remained largely unchanged.

14. Duinen van Texel National Park

❒ Official name: Dunes of Texel National Park (Duinen van Texel Nationaal Park)
❒ Established: 2002
❒ Size: 4300 ha
❒ Location: North Holland

Duinen van Texel National Park covers approximately 43 square kilometres (4,300 hectares) and stretches along the entire western coastline of the island of Texel. There are several distinct sections within the Texel national park area. These include the military training area of De Hors at the far southern end, the wet dune valley of De Geul, and De Slufter, a wide dune valley where the North Sea flows endlessly in and out with the changing of the tides.

The Dunes of Texel National Park is very well known in the Netherlands and has quite an interesting history. The island itself was part of the mainland of North Holland until the 12^th century, when a flood permanently separated the two.

In 1927, renowned Dutch biologist and conservationist Jacobus Pieter Thijsse published a book on Texel’s unusual plants and animals, highlighting the incredible diversity and natural value of the island – particularly the sand dunes on the western coast. The book was a bestseller, raising Texel’s profile across the entire country. It was finally added as a National Park in 2002, under the management of Staatsbosbeheer, the Dutch national forestry organisation.

15. Oosterschelde National Park

❒ Official name: Oosterschelde National Park (Nationaal Park Oosterschelde)
❒ Established: 2002
❒ Size: 37000 ha
❒ Location: Zeeland

The Oosterschelde National Park is located in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands. It’s the largest national park in the Netherlands and is unique due to its tidal waters, salt marshes, mudflats, and diverse marine life.

What sets Oosterschelde apart is its connection to the North Sea through a large tidal inlet called the Oosterscheldekering, which is part of the Delta Works, an elaborate system of dams, sluices, locks, and barriers built to protect the low-lying Dutch provinces from the sea. The Oosterscheldekering is an engineering marvel that provides protection against storm surges while preserving the tidal influence within the park.

The park is a haven for various marine species, including seals, porpoises, and a vast array of birds. It’s also a paradise for divers and water sports enthusiasts due to its rich underwater life and opportunities for diving, sailing, and kayaking.

Oosterschelde National Park serves as both a protected area for nature and wildlife and as a recreational hub for visitors interested in exploring the unique coastal and marine ecosystems of the region.

16. De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park

❒ Official name: De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park (Nationaal Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen)
❒ Established: 2002
❒ Size: 3500 ha
❒ Location: North Brabant
❒ Update: De Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is now part of the larger Van Gogh National Park, established on 15 October 2024. This post will be update soon to reflect the change.

Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park (the Dunes of Loon and Drunen National Park) is one of the largest sand drift areas in Northern Europe. The locals call it the Brabant Sahara, because of the large area (35 km2) of shifting sands. The National Park is located in the southern part of the Netherlands in the provinces of North Brabant.

The park is known for its shifting sand dunes, which were formed over centuries by wind and human activity. These dunes create a unique landscape within the Dutch countryside, offering a mix of open sandy expanses, heathlands with purple flowering heather, and pine forests.

The park provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain-biking, and horseback riding along its trails and paths. Additionally, the varied landscape supports diverse flora and fauna, including a variety of bird species, rabbits, deer, and other wildlife.

Loonse en Drunense Duinen National Park is not only a haven for nature enthusiasts but also a place of historical significance, showcasing the interaction between humans and the natural environment throughout the years, particularly in relation to the management and preservation of the sand dunes.

17. Lauwersmeer National Park

❒ Official name: Lauwersmeer National Park (Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer)
❒ Established: 2003
❒ Size: 6000 ha
❒ Location: Groningen, Friesland

Lauwersmeer National Park is located on the border of Friesland and Groningen provinces, roughly a 35 minute drive from both Leeuwarden and the city of Groningen. The National Park itself is roughly 60 square kilometres, covering both the Lauwersmeer itself and large tracts of adjacent land, and the whole area is known as an estuary system, where the Lauwers river meets the sea.

For most of recorded history, the area was known as Lauwerszee, holding a mixture of fresh and saltwater depending on which way the tide was flowing. But, in the 1960s, a dike was constructed at Lauwersoog to prevent catastrophic flooding events, and the salt water gradually drained away through the sluice gates.

As of May 25th 1969, the Lauwerszee was entirely replaced by the freshwater of Lauwersmeer. Over time, birds and other animals returned to the area, and it was formally designated as a National Park in 2003, under the management of Staatsbosbeheer.

In 2009, Lauwersmeer National Park joined the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site, with UNESCO specifically praising the undisturbed intertidal ecosystems. And lastly, in 2016, Lauwersmeer National Park was accredited as the second Dark Sky Park in the Netherlands.

18. Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park

❒ Official name: Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park (Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug)
❒ Established: 2003/2013
❒ Size: 10000 ha
❒ Location: Utrecht

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is quite large for a Dutch national park, at around 100 square kilometres (10,000 hectares). As the name suggests, it’s located in the province of Utrecht, and is just a few kilometres outside the city of the same name. It’s also conveniently located near the cities of Amersfoort and Veenendaal, while smaller towns like Zeist, Woudenberg, Houten, and Wijk bij Duurstede surround the park’s borders.

The key feature of this Utrecht national park is the long hilly ridge (the Heuvelrug) that runs directly through the centre of the park, towering over the nearby terrain on their long march south-east towards the Rhine.

It’s a beautiful landscape, with lots of spectacular vistas and a variety of plants and animals. In addition to the range of hills, Utrechtse Heuvelrug is also the second-largest forested area of the Netherlands (behind the nearby Veluwe and its two national parks). You’ll also find floodplains, marshes, sand drifts, and of course, the ubiquitous heathland that covers so many Dutch national parks.

19. Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park

❒ Official name: Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park (Nationaal Park Sallandse Heuvelrug)
❒ Established: 2004
❒ Size: 2740 ha
❒ Location: Overijssel

Sallandse Heuvelrug National Park covers approximately 35 square kilometres of Overijssel province, towards the eastern border of the Netherlands. It sits directly adjacent to the town of Nijverdal, while the large town of Rijssen is just a few kilometres from the southern end of the park. It’s also conveniently close to the cities of Zwolle, Apeldoorn, and Enschede.

The landscape here is relatively young and was largely formed during the last Ice Age (approximately 150,000 years ago). Humans have lived in the area since at least the Bronze Age, thousands of years ago, but it was during the medieval era that Sallandse Heuvelrug underwent its most dramatic transformation.

Intensive sheep grazing and farming gradually decimated the local soils, the farmers departed, and sand dunes overtook the area. These days, sandy heathlands cover the area, along with large stands of pine forests planted in the 20^th century to stop soil erosion. It’s also a surprisingly rugged of the Netherlands, with 26 “mountains” inside the national park area – though the tallest mountain is still only a scant 75 metres above sea level!

20. De Alde Feanen National Park

❒ Official name: De Alde Feanen National Park (Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen)
❒ Established: 2006
❒ Size: 2500 ha
❒ Location: Friesland

De Alde Feanen National Park (officially known as Nationaal Park De Alde Feanen) is a compact 25 square kilometres, located in the centre of Friesland province. It’s conveniently located just 20 kilometres south-east of Leeuwarden, and about 30 kilometres north of Heerenveen. Even though it’s fairly small, there’s a variety of landscapes here including lakes and ponds, marshes and swamps, polders and meadows, forests, and even the little village of Earnewâld.

De Alde Feanen has a fascinating history as well. It’s an area of low-lying peatland in what’s known as “Lege Midden van Fryslân” (the empty middle of Friesland), where the soil isn’t fertile enough to support farming. But in the 17^th century, locals realised that dried peat was a valuable source of fuel, and peat extraction became the area’s major industry, right through until the late 19^th century when most of the peat was exhausted.

21. Nieuw Land National Park

❒ Official name: Nieuw Land National Park (Nationaal Park Nieuw Land)
❒ Established: 2018
❒ Size: 28900 ha
❒ Location: Flevoland

Nieuw Land National Park is a relatively new addition to the national parks in the Netherlands. Established in 2018, it’s a unique and innovative park that focuses on the natural and cultural history of the Flevoland region, which was once underwater and reclaimed from the sea.

The park comprises various areas, including the Oostvaardersplassen, Marker Wadden, Lepelaarplassen, and Markermeer, which together form a diverse landscape of wetlands, lakes, marshes, and reclaimed land. These areas were once part of the Zuiderzee, a former inland sea, and have been transformed through extensive land reclamation efforts.

Nieuw Land National Park aims to showcase the ongoing process of land reclamation, the ecological significance of these reclaimed areas, and the cultural history tied to the region’s transformation. It provides opportunities for birdwatching, nature observation, and educational activities focused on the interaction between nature and human intervention.

The Oostvaardersplassen, within Nieuw Land National Park, is particularly renowned for its rewilding efforts and the creation of a unique and self-regulating ecosystem that has become a haven for various bird species, wild horses, deer, and other wildlife.

Overall, Nieuw Land National Park serves as a living laboratory, demonstrating the coexistence of nature and human development in a once submerged area, while emphasizing conservation, education, and the preservation of natural heritage.