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National park · India

Nagarhole National Park

Spend a day in Nagarhole: take the easy Central Walking Trail (no guide) in the morning for about 2 km (1.2 mi), or join a guided North or West trail (3–5 h) in cooler months; avoid July‑Oct monsoon, and stay at Kabini River Lodge or a guest house in Kutta.

Not field-verified
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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

575 km² (222 sq mi)

approximate

Established

1955

Best months

Nov–Feb

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 6
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
  • India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
  • India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
  • India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.

At a glance

Country
India
Area
575 km² (222 sq mi)
Area is cited as 575 km²; some sources give slightly different boundaries (check).
Established
1955
Best months
Nov–Feb
Permits
For some areas

Nagarhole National Park, a well‑managed mixed deciduous forest in Karnataka, offers high densities of tigers, elephants and gaurs, with short vehicle‑based safaris and guided walking trails ranging from easy 2 km loops to harder 5 km forest treks.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1955.

Size and age

575 km² (222 sq mi) · national park since 1955

Area is cited as 575 km²; some sources give slightly different boundaries (check).

Why go

  • High density of tigers, elephants and gaurs in a well‑managed mixed deciduous forest.
  • Multiple short and longer trails let you see wildlife from a vehicle or on foot with a guide.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarGo
  4. AprGo
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulAvoid
  8. AugAvoid
  9. SepAvoid
  10. OctCaution
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest
  • JanCool, dry; good for wildlife spotting.
  • FebPleasant weather, animals gather near water.
  • MarWarm, dry; early season wildlife activity.
  • AprHot, waterholes attract animals.
  • MayHeat rises, some trails become dusty.
  • JunPre‑monsoon showers, trails may be slippery.
  • JulMonsoon, roads often closed, safaris limited.
  • AugHeavy rain, high flood risk.
  • SepRain persists, visibility low.
  • OctRain eases, but some routes still wet.
  • NovCool, dry; ideal for trekking.
  • DecCool, dry; wildlife active.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Nagarhole National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TigerAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
ElephantAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
GaurAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Deer (spotted, sambar)All yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

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 Mysore

Bus to H.D. Kote (30 km (19 mi) from park), then taxi to gate; or hire a car for the full 94 km (58 mi) drive.

2–2.5 h

From Mangalore

Train to Mysore, then follow route above; or KSRTC bus to Hunsur and onward.

4–5 h

Open the page →

From Coorg (Kodagu)

KSRTC bus via Hunsur or private taxi; entry points at Hunsur or Kutta.

2–3 h

Zones and sectors

Zones of Nagarhole National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
H.D. Kote GateMain entry, ticket office, vehicle parking, access to Central trail.Open with entry ticket.
Hunsur GateAlternative northern entry, access to North and West trails.Open with entry ticket.
Kutta AreaLodging zone, access to West trail and river viewpoints.Open; stays outside core reserve.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Nagarhole National Park, north up12345
Coordinates are approximate centre of the reserve; exact trailheads may vary.
  1. 1Mysore · Town≈12.296, 76.639Map ↗
  2. 2H.D. Kote Gate · Gate≈12.173, 76.156Map ↗
  3. 3Kabini River Lodge · Sleep≈12.100, 76.210Approximate location near park edge.Map ↗
  4. 4Central Walking Trail start · Trail≈12.180, 76.150Map ↗
  5. 5North Trail viewpoint · Viewpoint≈12.200, 76.180Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

5 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 of the reserve; exact trailheads may vary.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–2 hCentral Nagarhole Walking TrailShort loop near the gate; no guide needed; good chance to see elephants and deer.
TrailsModerate3–4 hNorth Nagarhole Walking TrailFollows Kabini River; birdwatching and wildlife near water.Booking: Guide required
TrailsHard4–5 hWest Nagarhole Walking TrailPasses waterfalls and valleys; stay away from river banks (crocodiles).Booking: Guide required
Boat tripsEasy2–3 hSafari Jeep RideDepartment‑run 26‑seat bus or private jeep; stay inside vehicle at all times.
CultureEasyovernightKabini River Lodge stayLodge just outside core; includes two safaris per day.

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

INR ranges · check
Fees for Nagarhole National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (vehicle + passengers)INR 200–300 (≈ US$3–4)vehicleExact rates vary by vehicle type; check at gate.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Ticket purchased at the H.D. Kote or Hunsur gate office.

Guided trek permit or guide

Book a Karnataka forest department guide at the gate or through a licensed operator.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Vehicle stop
Do not exit your vehicle inside the reserve; stopping is prohibited.
Camping
Not allowed inside the core area.
Guides
Required for all trails beyond the Central loop.
Fire
Open fires forbidden; carry out all litter.
Weapons
Firearms not permitted.

Where to stay

Near the park

Kabini River Lodge

₹3,500+ per night, includes two safaris; rooms with basic amenities.

In the park

Nagarhole Forest Guest House

Booking via Mysore wildlife department; basic dormitory style.

Near the park

Kutta private resorts

Various price points; outside the reserve boundary.

Safety

Heat medium

Carry water, wear hat, start early in summer.

Wild animal encounters high

Stay inside vehicle, keep distance, follow guide instructions.

Monsoon floods high

Avoid travel July‑Oct; check weather forecasts.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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

  • Gate areas reachable by car; short walks on paved paths.
  • Trails are uneven and steep; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Do not litter; use park‑provided bins.
  • Support lodges that follow eco‑friendly practices.
  • Avoid hiring unofficial boat tours that disturb riverbanks.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Nagarhole National Park?

Entry fee is around ₹200–₹300 per vehicle (covers driver and passengers); exact rates depend on vehicle class and should be confirmed at the gate.

What are the best hikes in Nagarhole National Park?

The easy Central Walking Trail (no guide) is good for a short visit. For longer treks, the guided North or West trails (3–5 h) offer waterfalls and river scenery.

When is the best time to visit Nagarhole National Park?

Cool, dry months November to February are ideal; March–April also work for wildlife viewing, while July‑October monsoon should be avoided.

Can I drive my own car inside the park?

Yes, but you must stay inside the vehicle at all times and follow the designated road network; stopping is not allowed.

Is camping allowed inside the reserve?

No, camping is prohibited throughout the core area.

Related

Southern India Best time to visit India

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources