National park · India
Betla National Park
Enter Betla National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ INR 30 – 50 per adult), drive 10 km (6.2 mi) from Daltonganj, hike the Tiger Trail (2 h, easy) in the dry season, and stay in the park’s lodge or nearby Betla village.Enter Betla National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (≈ INR 30 – 50 per adult), drive 6.2 mi (10 km) from Daltonganj, hike the Tiger Trail (2 h, easy) in the dry season, and stay in the park’s lodge or nearby Betla village.
- 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
226 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (226 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Oct–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
- 226 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (226 km²)
- Official area is 226.32 km²; some sources split land (≈ 170 km²) and water (≈ 56 km²) in the buffer zone (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Betla National Park, established in 1986 in Jharkhand, protects tigers and other large mammals across tropical evergreen, mixed deciduous and alpine forests, with notable birdlife around Kamaldah lake and seasonal elephant gatherings after the monsoon.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national sitePart of Palamu Tiger Reserve.
Size and age
226 km² (87 sq mi)87 sq mi (226 km²) · national park since 1986
Official area is 226.32 km²; some sources split land (≈ 170 km²) and water (≈ 56 km²) in the buffer zone (check).
Why go
- Tiger reserve with resident tigers, leopards and sloth bears.
- Large herds of gaur, chital and elephants after monsoon.
- Rich birdlife including hornbills and waterfowl at Kamaldah lake.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, dry; good wildlife spotting.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife spotting.
- MarEnd of dry season, still good.
- AprStart of pre‑monsoon heat.
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers.
- JunMonsoon begins, trails slippery.
- JulHeavy rains, limited access.
- AugHeavy rains, limited access.
- SepRain tapers, some trails muddy.
- OctPost‑monsoon, wildlife abundant.
- NovCool, dry; ideal for trekking.
- DecCool, dry; ideal for trekking.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger, leopard, sloth bearOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Elephant, gaur, chitalOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Hornbill, peafowl, waterfowlOct–Mar | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
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 Ranchi (airport)
Taxi or hired car 170 km (106 mi) north to Betla village.Taxi or hired car 106 mi (170 km) north to Betla village.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Daltonganj (bus/train)
Local bus or taxi 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast to Betla village.Local bus or taxi 6.2 mi (10 km) southeast to Betla village.
30 min
From Barwadih Junction (rail)
Taxi 15 km (9.3 mi) to Betla village.Taxi 9.3 mi (15 km) to Betla village.
30 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Betla village entry zone | Gate, visitor centre, basic facilities and accommodation. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Tiger Trail zone | Main trekking loop with wildlife viewing points. | Open; guide recommended. |
| Lake Kamaldah zone | Waterbird habitat and picnic area. | Open; no motor boats. |
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 centred on Betla village entry point; trail points are approximate.
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 (adult) | INR 30–50 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check exact rate at gate. |
| Park entry (child) | INR 15–30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check exact rate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided trek (Tiger Trail) no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹30–50≈ under US$1
- ₹15–30≈ under US$1
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. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Recommended for Tiger Trail but not mandatory.
- Camping
- Not allowed inside the park; stay in lodge or nearby village.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
Where to stay
In the park
Betla village lodge
Three‑star hotel and basic rooms within the park.
Near the park
Nearby towns (Betla, Kerh)
Budget guesthouses and hotels.
Safety
Wild animal encounters medium
Monsoon flooding high
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 facilities.
- Trails are unpaved and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides and avoid unofficial tours.
- Carry reusable water bottles; do not feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Betla National Park?
Entry is about INR 30 – 50 per adult and INR 15 – 30 per child; exact rates are posted at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Betla National Park?
The Tiger Trail (2–3 h, easy) and the Elephant Water‑hole walk (1 h) are popular; both are open year‑round but dry‑season visits are smoother.
When is the best time to visit Betla National Park?
October to March offers dry weather and good wildlife visibility; avoid June‑September monsoon.
Can I camp inside Betla National Park?
Camping is not permitted; stay in the lodge or nearby villages.
Do I need a guide for any trail?
Guides are recommended for the Tiger Trail for safety and wildlife spotting but not mandatory.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Betla National Park
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