National park · India
Simlipal National ParkVườn quốc gia Simlipal
Enter Simlipal for ₹300 per person, hike the 5‑km Devkund trail in the morning (≈2 h) or the 12‑km Joranda Falls trek (≈5 h) in cooler months; avoid November‑June when the park is closed.
- 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
2,750 km² (1,062 sq mi)1,062 sq mi (2,750 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jan–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
- 2,750 km² (1,062 sq mi)1,062 sq mi (2,750 km²)
- Total area about 2,750 km² with a core zone of 850 km²; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Simlipal National Park in Odisha protects a plateau forest, waterfalls and tiger habitat; it opens 1 Nov–15 Jun and offers short trails near the gates and longer guided treks in the core area.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteMajor tiger project (check).
Size and age
2,750 km² (1,062 sq mi)1,062 sq mi (2,750 km²) · national park since 1980
Total area about 2,750 km² with a core zone of 850 km²; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Tigers and other big cats in a large protected forest.
- Waterfalls such as Joranda (150 m) and Barehipani (second‑highest in India).
- Bird‑watching on a plateau with diverse habitats.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCool, dry; trails clear.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife sightings.
- MarStart of pre‑monsoon, still dry.
- AprWarm, occasional showers.
- MayHeat rises, early monsoon.
- JunMonsoon begins, some trails muddy.
- JulHeavy rain, park closed (check).
- AugHeavy rain, park closed (check).
- SepPark closed (check).
- OctPark closed (check).
- NovPark opens 1 Nov, but trails wet.
- DecPark closed until 15 Jun (check).
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 |
| Leopard, bear, crocodileAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Various waterfowl and forest birdsMar–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 Baripada
Bus or taxi to Pitthabata Gate (16 km (9.9 mi)) or Jashipur (97 km (60 mi)) then jeep into forest.Bus or taxi to Pitthabata Gate (9.9 mi (16 km)) or Jashipur (60 mi (97 km)) then jeep into forest.
1–2 h
From Bhubaneswar
Train to Balasore (60 km (37 mi)) then road to Baripada and gate.Train to Balasore (37 mi (60 km)) then road to Baripada and gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Kolkata
Train to Balasore then road as above.
6–7 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pitthabata Gate | Main entry, visitor office, basic facilities. | Open with ticket. |
| Kaliani Gate | Alternative entry from Jashipur side. | Open with ticket. |
| Core area | Tigers, waterfalls, trekking routes. | Guided only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
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.
Gate coordinates from source; other points approximated from map data.
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) | INR 300 (≈ US$4) | person | Approximate 2026 estimate (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
- Entry ticket
- Required for all visitors; purchase at gate.
- Guides
- Mandatory for core‑area treks and wildlife spotting.
- Camping
- Only in designated forest rest houses; wild camping prohibited.
- Alcohol
- Prohibited inside the park.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed; use designated stoves.
Where to stay
In the park
Forest rest houses
Basic rooms run by Odisha Tourism; book via Baripada office.
Near the park
Baripada town
Hotels and guesthouses 16 km (9.9 mi) from gate.Hotels and guesthouses 9.9 mi (16 km) from gate.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Wild animal encounters high
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
- Pitthabata gate reachable by car; short walks to visitor centre.
- Core‑area trails steep and uneven; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use official rest houses; avoid private lodges that harm forest.
- Do not purchase illegal wildlife souvenirs.
- Carry out all litter; no open fires.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Simlipal National Park?
The entry fee is about ₹300 per adult; children may pay less. Purchase the ticket at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Simlipal National Park?
Short Devkund trail (≈2 h, easy) and the longer Joranda Falls trek (≈5 h, moderate) are popular. Longer core‑area treks require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Simlipal National Park?
The dry, cooler months of January–February offer comfortable trekking and good wildlife sightings. The park is closed 1 Nov – 15 Jun.
Do I need a guide for all walks?
Guides are mandatory for any trek beyond the outer perimeter, especially in the core zone where tigers live.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Yes, forest rest houses run by Odisha Tourism are available; advance booking is required.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Simlipal National Park
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