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National park · India

Sanjay Gandhi National Parkसंजय गांधी राष्ट्रीय उद्यान

Enter SGNP for a short walk (Ashok Van trail, ~2 km (1.2 mi)) for ₹40–₹100 per person, then take the metro to Rashtriya Udyan station (≈15 min) or catch a train to Borivali (≈3 km (1.9 mi)) – avoid peak summer heat (Mar–May) and monsoon (Jun–Sep).

Not field-verified
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

Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
More
Map to the park
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Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

104 km² (40 sq mi)

approximate

Established

2000

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
104 km² (40 sq mi)
Figures vary by source; the official area is 104 km² (check).
Established
2000
Best months
Oct–Feb
Permits
For some areas

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a 104 km² forested lung in the northern suburbs of Mumbai, home to leopards, 251 bird species and the 109 rock-cut Kanheri Caves. It is reached by train or metro and offers short forest walks, a longer viewpoint hike, a toy train and a bus safari. The park is open year-round but best from October to February; monsoon (June–September) closes many trails.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.

Size and age

104 km² (40 sq mi) · national park since 2000

Figures vary by source; the official area is 104 km² (check).

Why go

  • Forest trails and wildlife near a megacity.
  • Kanheri Buddhist caves within the park.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarGo
  4. AprGo
  5. MayCaution
  6. JunAvoid
  7. JulAvoid
  8. AugAvoid
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctBest
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest
  • JanCool, dry, low crowd.
  • FebPleasant weather.
  • MarWarm, start of summer.
  • AprHot, occasional showers.
  • MayPeak heat.
  • JunMonsoon, trails slippery.
  • JulHeavy rain.
  • AugMonsoon continues.
  • SepRain tapering.
  • OctDry, comfortable.
  • NovCool, clear.
  • DecCool, festive season.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Sanjay Gandhi National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Leopards (high density)All year · Sightings possible on trails; stay on marked paths.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Birds (251 species)All year · Best in winter (Oct–Feb).yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Mugger crocodiles (Tulsi Lake)All year · Inhabiting Tulsi Lake; do not approach.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes

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 Mumbai (city centre)

Take local train to Borivali (≈3 km (1.9 mi) east of gate) or metro to Rashtriya Udyan station, then a short auto‑rickshaw ride.

30–45 min

Open the page →

From Thane

Metro line 7 to Rashtriya Udyan, then walk to gate.

≈20 min

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Main gate / Kanheri Caves areaEntry point, visitor centre, caves, short forest trails.Open with ticket.
Ashok Van trailPopular 2 km (1.2 mi) forest walk with Ashoka trees.Open, no guide needed.
View Point trailSteeper route to the highest point in Mumbai.Open, moderate fitness required.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 5 approximate points in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, north up12345
Coordinates centred on Rashtriya Udyan metro; other points approximate.
  1. 1Rashtriya Udyan metro station · Ranger station≈19.250, 72.917Metro line 7, nearest public transit.Map ↗
  2. 2Kanheri Caves · Cave≈19.208, 72.906Main attraction, entry fee included.Map ↗
  3. 3Borivali railway station · Ranger station≈19.226, 72.856Western line, 3 km (1.9 mi) from park gate.Map ↗
  4. 4Ashok Van trail start · Trail≈19.250, 72.917Well‑marked forest path.Map ↗
  5. 5View Point summit · Viewpoint≈19.260, 72.925Highest point in Mumbai, panoramic view.Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

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.

Coordinates centred on Rashtriya Udyan metro; other points approximate.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsEasy1–2 hAshok Van trailWell‑marked, suitable for families.
CavesEasy1 hKanheri Caves visitAncient Buddhist rock‑cut caves, entry fee included.
ViewpointsModerate2–3 hView Point hikeSteep sections, best early morning to avoid heat.
Boat tripsEasy20 minJungle safari (bus)Guided bus tour of fenced forest area with resident big cats.
Boat tripsEasy15 minToy train (Van Rani)Narrow‑gauge ride through foothills, good for kids.

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

INR ranges · check
Fees for Sanjay Gandhi National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (adult)INR 40–100 (≈ US$1–2)personCheck at gate; includes Ashok Van trail.
Kanheri Caves entryFreepersonIncluded in park entry fee (check).
Jungle safari (bus)INR 50–100 (≈ US$1–2)person2026 estimate; separate ticket.
Toy train (Van Rani)INR 30–50 (≈ under US$1)person2026 estimate; separate ticket.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Buy ticket at the main gate near Kanheri Caves.

Guide for long treks permit or guide

Required for any trek beyond the main gate area; arrange at the visitor centre (check).

What would our group pay?

from the fee rows above · estimates

People

2

Nights or days

1
  • ₹40–100≈ US$1–2
  • ₹50–100≈ US$1–2
  • ₹30–50≈ 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. Confirm on Official SGNP website (archived) before you go.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Guides
Required for any trek beyond the main gate area.check
Pets
Not allowed inside the park.
Fires
Open fires prohibited; use designated grills only.
Litter
Carry out all rubbish.
Drone use
Not permitted without special permission.check

Where to stay

Near the park

Mumbai hotels

Wide range of accommodation, 30 min by train to park.

Near the park

Borivali guesthouses

Budget options within 5 km (3.1 mi) of gate.

Safety

Heat and steep steps medium

Start early, carry water, wear sun protection.

Monsoon landslides high

Avoid trails during heavy rain (Jun–Sep).

Leopard encounters low

Stay on marked paths, keep dogs leashed.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

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 reachable by car, auto‑rickshaw, and public transport.
  • Short trails (Ashok Van) wheelchair‑friendly with assistance.

Visiting lightly

  • Use official park transport; avoid private vehicles where possible.
  • Do not feed wildlife.
  • Carry reusable water bottle.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Sanjay Gandhi National Park?

Adult entry is ₹40–₹100 per person; children pay less. Ticket is bought at the main gate.

What are the best hikes in Sanjay Gandhi National Park?

Ashok Van trail (easy, 2 km) and View Point trail (moderate, 3 km) are popular. Longer treks need a guide.

When is the best time to visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park?

October to February offers cool, dry weather and fewer crowds. Avoid June‑September monsoon.

Can I reach the park by public transport?

Yes – take a local train to Borivali or metro line 7 to Rashtriya Udyan, then a short auto‑rickshaw ride.

Are dogs allowed in the park?

Pets are not permitted inside the park boundaries.

Can I see leopards in the park?

Leopards are present but rarely seen; the bus safari offers a chance to see big cats in a fenced area.

Related

Mumbai travel guide Travel to India Best time to visit India

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Sanjay Gandhi National Park

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