National park · Poland
Kampinos National ParkKampinoski Park Narodowy
Visit Kampinos National Park for a day: take the Yellow trail (≈45 km (28 mi)) from Granica to Palmiry in 5–6 h, or the Blue trail (≈50 km (31 mi)) for a longer loop; buy the entry ticket (check) at the park gate, and avoid the park in January–February when trails are icy.Visit Kampinos National Park for a day: take the Yellow trail (≈28 mi (45 km)) from Granica to Palmiry in 5–6 h, or the Blue trail (≈31 mi (50 km)) for a longer loop; buy the entry ticket (check) at the park gate, and avoid the park in January–February when trails are icy.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
385 km² (149 sq mi)149 sq mi (385 km²)
approximate
Established
1959
Best months
May–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Poland ↗Poland is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Poland ↗The currency is the Polish złoty (PLN), not the euro: decline dynamic currency conversion.
- Poland ↗Most shops close on most Sundays under the trading law; small convenience stores and station shops are the exception.
- Poland ↗The border areas with Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad region have restricted zones; follow your own government's advice before travelling near them.
- Mazowieckie ↗Buy Koleje Mazowieckie and Warsaw ZTM tickets at machines or in the app; validate paper tickets on board.
- Mazowieckie ↗Cards work almost everywhere in Warsaw; carry some złoty for rural shops and market stalls.
At a glance
- Country
- Poland
- Area
- 385 km² (149 sq mi)149 sq mi (385 km²)
- Approximate size 385 km²; includes forest, dunes and wetlands (check).
- Established
- 1959
- Best months
- May–Jun
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Warsaw
Kampinos National Park protects a primeval forest near Warsaw, home to elk, lynx and bison, with historic WWII memorials and four long‑distance hiking trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1959.
Size and age
385 km² (149 sq mi)149 sq mi (385 km²) · national park since 1959
Approximate size 385 km²; includes forest, dunes and wetlands (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Warsaw.
Why go
- Primeval forest with elk, lynx and bison breeding.
- Historical sites and memorials from Polish uprisings and WWII.
- Four main long-distance foot trails crossing varied landscapes.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, possible snow on trails.
- FebCold, icy paths.
- MarEarly spring, trails clear.
- AprMild weather, good for hiking.
- MayWarm, dry, optimal trail conditions.
- JunWarm, long daylight.
- JulHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHeat, possible rain.
- SepCooling, still good for hikes.
- OctCool, less crowd.
- NovCold, early snow.
- DecCold, snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk, lynx, European bisonApr–Oct · Best sightings in summer. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wild boar (potential hazard)May–Sep · Avoid feeding; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Warsaw
Bus route 210 from Młociny metro to Sieraków (≈30 min), then local transport or taxi to park entrances.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Sochaczew
Taxi (≈10 km (6.2 mi)) to western gate near Granica.Taxi (≈6.2 mi (10 km)) to western gate near Granica.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Granica entrance | Main visitor gate, information centre, trailheads. | Open daily; ticket office. |
| Palmiry area | Memorial site, museum, trail end point. | Open; museum fee applies. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of main attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Check official site for current fee; many sources list free entry. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leashes only; off‑lead prohibited in wildlife zones.
- Camping
- Only in designated areas; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use provided grills where available.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Sochaczew
Budget hotels and guesthouses 10 km (6.2 mi) from western gate.Budget hotels and guesthouses 6.2 mi (10 km) from western gate.
Near the park
Warsaw
Wide range of accommodation; 30 min by bus.
Safety
Wild boar encounters medium
Limited mobile signal low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car with short walks.
- Trails are unpaved and uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile dunes and wetlands.
- Use public transport or car‑share to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kampinos National Park?
Official sources list the park entry as free, but check the park website for any seasonal ticket changes.
What are the best hikes in Kampinos National Park?
The Yellow trail (Granica → Palmiry, ≈45 km) and the longer Blue loop (≈50 km) are the main marked routes; both are day‑long hikes.
When is the best time to visit Kampinos National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) offers mild weather and dry trails; avoid January–February when snow can make paths unsafe.
Can I bring a dog into the park?
Yes, but it must be on a leash and stay away from wildlife zones.
Is camping allowed in the forest?
Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go