National park · India
Mudumalai National Park
Enter Mudumalai National Park for a half‑day wildlife drive (entry fee check at gate) or a full‑day guided trek (check); visit in cooler months (Oct–May) to avoid heat and crowds.
- 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
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
321 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (321 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
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
- 321 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (321 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu protects dense teak forest, hilly terrain and a high concentration of elephants, tigers, leopards and birds; it borders Bandipur and offers vehicle safaris and guided treks from the forest office.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
321 km² (124 sq mi)124 sq mi (321 km²) · national park since 1970
check
Why go
- High density of elephants, tigers, peacocks and other wildlife.
- Teak forest and hilly terrain with scenic viewpoints.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry
- FebCool, dry
- MarMild, dry
- AprWarm, dry
- MayPre‑monsoon, good wildlife
- JunMonsoon starts, hotter
- JulRainy, humid
- AugRainy, trails muddy
- SepRain decreasing
- OctPost‑monsoon, pleasant
- NovCool, dry
- DecCool, dry
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants, Bengal tigers, Indian leopardsOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Peacocks, deer, wild boarOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| MosquitoesJun–Sep · Bring repellent. | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Ooty
NH‑67, 35 km (22 mi) to park gate (shortest route with dangerous curves) or 67 km (42 mi) via Ooty–Gudalur–Mysore Highway (longer, safer).NH‑67, 22 mi (35 km) to park gate (shortest route with dangerous curves) or 42 mi (67 km) via Ooty–Gudalur–Mysore Highway (longer, safer).
1–1.5 h
From Mysore
NH‑67, 93 km (58 mi) to gate.NH‑67, 58 mi (93 km) to gate.
2 h
From Gudalur
3 km (1.9 mi) on local road to park limit.1.9 mi (3 km) on local road to park limit.
15 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Forest office (gate) | Ticket counter, visitor info, vehicle entry point. | Open daily. |
| Masinagudi buffer zone | Accommodation villages, elephant safari base. | Open with permit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 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 approximate, centred on the forest office.
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 (vehicle) | Free | vehicle | 2026 estimate — check current tariff at gate. |
| Guided jungle safari (4‑WD vehicle) | Free | person | 2026 estimate — check current tariff at forest office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek or safari permit or guide
Park rules
- Feeding wildlife
- Strictly prohibited; fines may apply.
- Guides
- Required for all treks beyond the gate area.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in Masinagudi villages.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking areas only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Greenwoods Nature Camp
Eco‑camp with jeep safaris, meals, basic rooms.
Near the park
Jungle Home
Budget lodge with meals, close to forest office.
Safety
Wild animal encounters high
Heat and dehydration medium
Monsoon flooding medium
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
- Gate area reachable by car; short walks to viewpoints.
- Trails have steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Do not purchase or support illegal wildlife products.
- Use authorized guides and operators that follow park regulations.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mudumalai National Park?
Entry fees are set by the forest department and change frequently — check at the gate or call the forest office for the current tariff.
What are the best hikes in Mudumalai National Park?
The park offers guided nature treks (3–5 h, moderate) and shorter walks near the gate. All treks beyond the gate area require a licensed guide.
When is the best time to visit Mudumalai National Park?
October to May offers cooler, drier weather and better wildlife viewing.
Do I need a guide for a short walk from the gate?
Short walks to nearby viewpoints are allowed without a guide; longer treks need a licensed guide.
Are there accommodations inside the park?
No; stay in nearby villages such as Masinagudi or at eco‑camps near the park boundary.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mudumalai National Park
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