National park · Kazakhstan
Naurzum State Nature ReserveNaurzum мемлекеттік табиғи қоры
Visit Naurzum for a day: pay the entry fee at the main gate, drive from Kostanay on the paved road, and hike the steppe trail early; avoid weekend crowds in summer (check).
- 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
1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Kazakhstan ↗Visa-free entry applies to many nationalities, usually up to 30 days; check your own passport on the official government portal before you book, and keep your entry record.
- Kazakhstan ↗Use a ride-hailing app (Yandex Go or inDrive) or the airport rank; do not accept unmarked cars offered in the arrivals hall.
- Kazakhstan ↗Some mountain areas near the Kyrgyz and Chinese borders need a border-zone permit; ask your driver or the park office before you go.
- Kazakhstani North ↗Register your stay if you are in Kazakhstan more than 30 days; hotels do it for you, private stays do not.
- Kazakhstani North ↗Winter here is real: −20 °C and below from December to February, with ice on the roads.
At a glance
- Country
- Kazakhstan
- Area
- 1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²)
- Area reported as 1 150 km²; some sources list slightly different boundaries, but the reserve covers roughly 1 100–1 200 km² of steppe and forest.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
Naurzum State Nature Reserve protects a vast steppe landscape on the Turgai plateau, with pine‑birch forest patches, large mammals such as elk and wolves, and forms part of the Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes UNESCO World Heritage site together with Korgalzhyn.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2005Part of the Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes UNESCO site.
Size and age
1,150 km² (444 sq mi)444 sq mi (1,150 km²) · national park since 1970
Area reported as 1 150 km²; some sources list slightly different boundaries, but the reserve covers roughly 1 100–1 200 km² of steppe and forest.
Why go
- Steppe landscape with pine‑birch forest patches.
- Large mammals such as elk, wolves and foxes.
- UNESCO World Heritage status with Korgalzhyn reserve.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- Jancheck
- Febcheck
- Marcheck
- Aprcheck
- Maycheck
- Juncheck
- Julcheck
- Augcheck
- Sepcheck
- Octcheck
- Novcheck
- Deccheck
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk, wolves, foxes, rodentsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterbirds at Lake ShalkarMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | 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 Kostanay
Drive southeast on the main road to the reserve access road (check).
≈2 h (check)
From Astana
Travel to Kostanay by train or flight, then drive as above (check).
≈5 h total (check)
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate and visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, parking (check). | Open with ticket (check). |
| Steppe trail | Marked walking route across steppe and forest patches (check). | Open to visitors; no guide required (check). |
| Lake Shalkar area | Scenic lake with birdwatching spots (check). | Open; limited facilities (check). |
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 approximate, based on reserve location on the Turgai plateau.
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 (per person) | KZT 2,000–3,000 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs allowed only on a leash; must stay on marked paths (check).check
- Camping
- Not permitted inside the reserve; use designated campsites outside (check).check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use portable stoves only (check).check
- Guides
- A guide is required only for special wildlife‑watching tours (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Kostanay hotels
Range of budget to mid‑range hotels, 30 min drive to gate.
Near the park
Guesthouses near Lake Shalkar
Simple rooms, limited services.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Wild animal encounters 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.
- Longer trails unpaved; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally owned guesthouses.
- Take rubbish with you; no littering.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Naurzum State Nature Reserve?
The entry fee is around 2 000–3 000 KZT per person (2026 estimate). Purchase the ticket at the reserve gate.
What are the best hikes in Naurzum State Nature Reserve?
The steppe wildlife walk (2–4 h) and the pine‑birch forest loop (1–2 h) are the most accessible; both require no guide.
When is the best time to visit Naurzum State Nature Reserve?
April to early June offers mild weather and active wildlife; September also provides good conditions with fewer visitors.
Can I camp inside Naurzum?
Camping is not allowed inside the reserve; stay in nearby guesthouses or campsites outside the protected area.
Is a guide required for any activities?
A guide is only needed for special wildlife‑watching tours; standard trails are open to self‑guided visitors.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Naurzum State Nature Reserve
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