National park · India
Jim Corbett National Park
Buy a park entry ticket (₹300‑₹400, check), drive from Ramnagar (≈2 h), do a morning Jeep safari in Dhikala (best Dec–Feb) or a birdwatching trek in Dhela Zone; avoid mid‑June to mid‑Nov closures.
- 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
520 km² (201 sq mi)201 sq mi (520 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
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
- 520 km² (201 sq mi)201 sq mi (520 km²)
- Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 520 km² including the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary added in 1991 (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Jim Corbett National Park, India's first national park (1936), covers the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand with a mix of sal forest, grasslands and riverine habitat. It is one of the best places in India to see a Bengal tiger in the wild, especially from a jeep in the Dhikala zone. The park closes for the monsoon from mid-June to mid-November, so plan a visit between November and February for cool, dry weather and peak wildlife activity. Ramnagar is the gateway town, about 2 hours from the park gate.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteIndia's first national park
Size and age
520 km² (201 sq mi)201 sq mi (520 km²) · national park since 1936
Figures vary by source and by boundary revision: roughly 520 km² including the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary added in 1991 (check).
Why go
- Spot tigers, elephants and diverse wildlife on guided jeep safaris.
- Birdwatching hotspots in Dhela and Durga Devi zones.
- Experience the Himalayan foothill jungle landscape.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry, good wildlife sightings
- FebCool, dry, good wildlife sightings
- MarWarm, early summer, some rain
- AprWarm, increasing heat
- MayHeat rises, early monsoon risk
- JunMonsoon closures start mid‑month
- JulHeavy rain, zones closed
- AugHeavy rain, zones closed
- SepPark reopens mid‑Sep, some rain
- OctDry, pleasant temperatures
- NovCool, dry, excellent wildlife
- DecCool, dry, peak tiger activity
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal tigerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant, leopard, deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (Grey‑headed Fishing Eagle, Black‑chinned Yuhina)Mar–May | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | 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 Ramnagar
2 h drive north from the town; hire a 4WD or taxi.
2 h
From Delhi
≈5 h by road (bus or private car) to Ramnagar, then 2 h to gate.
7 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Dhikala | Core zone with jeep safaris, forest rest house. | Closed 16 Jun–14 Nov; advance booking required. |
| Bijrani | Open savanna, wildlife spotting. | Closed 16 Jun–14 Nov. |
| Jhirna | Buffer zone, day visits, birdwatching. | Open year‑round. |
| Dhela Zone | Birdwatching area, day‑only visits with guide. | Open year‑round; guide required. |
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; central points for orientation.
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 (all zones) | INR 300–400 (≈ US$4–5) | person | check |
| Dhikala forest rest house (double room) | INR 2,500 (≈ US$30) | night | incl. basic facilities |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Dhikala zone access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹300–400≈ US$4–5
- ₹2,500≈ US$30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Official Jim Corbett Travel Guide before you go.
Park rules
- Non‑vegetarian food
- Not allowed inside the park.
- Alcohol
- Prohibited inside the park.
- Fires
- No open fires; carry out all rubbish.
- Camping
- Only in designated camps; otherwise stay in forest rest houses.
- Guides
- Required for Dhikala and Dhela Zone visits.
Where to stay
In the park
Dhikala Forest Rest House
Basic rooms, max 3 nights, booking essential.
Near the park
Ramnagar town
Hotels and guesthouses of all budgets, ~2 h drive to gate.
Safety
Heat medium
Monsoon flooding high
Wild animal encounters 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
- Road access via Ramnagar; main gate reachable by car.
- Jeep safaris have limited wheelchair access; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Support locally owned lodges and buy souvenirs from official park shops.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Jim Corbett National Park?
Entry tickets are around ₹300‑₹400 per adult (check official rates). Additional fees apply for zone permits and lodging.
What are the best hikes in Jim Corbett National Park?
Morning jeep safari in Dhikala, birdwatching walk in Dhela Zone, and the Jhirna trail are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park?
Winter months (Nov–Feb) offer cool, dry weather and the highest wildlife activity; avoid mid‑June to mid‑Nov monsoon closures.
Do I need a guide for all activities?
Guides are mandatory for Dhikala and Dhela Zone visits; other zones allow self‑guided walks but a guide is recommended.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, the Dhikala Forest Rest House offers basic rooms (₹2500/night); advance booking is essential.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Jim Corbett National Park
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