National park · Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kozara National ParkNacionalni Park Kozara
Enter Kozara National Park for a half‑day hike to the summit of Kozara (≈2 km (1.2 mi), 30 min) for 5 KM (≈2 USD) entry, or spend a full day on the 12 km (7.5 mi) Grmeč loop (moderate) in May–Sept; avoid weekends in July‑August when local hunters and picnickers increase crowding.Enter Kozara National Park for a half‑day hike to the summit of Kozara (≈1.2 mi (2 km), 30 min) for 5 KM (≈2 USD) entry, or spend a full day on the 7.5 mi (12 km) Grmeč loop (moderate) in May–Sept; avoid weekends in July‑August when local hunters and picnickers increase crowding.
- 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
34 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (34 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
Mar–May, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Bosnia and Herzegovina is outside the EU and Schengen area and sets its own entry rules; check the official requirements for your passport.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Do not leave paved roads or marked trails in rural areas, and never enter damaged or abandoned buildings: landmine risk remains in places.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina ↗Coastal Croatia and Montenegro connect by bus; allow extra time for border queues in summer.
- Bosanska Krajina ↗Carry convertible mark (BAM, KM) cash; smaller towns and rural guesthouses often do not take cards.
- Bosanska Krajina ↗The region straddles the Federation and Republika Srpska entity line; there are no border checks, but signs switch between Latin and Cyrillic script.
At a glance
- Country
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Area
- 34 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (34 km²)
- Park covers 33.75 km² of forest and meadow; some sources cite a larger 180 km² hunting zone surrounding the protected core (check).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Banja Luka
Kozara National Park, proclaimed in 1967, protects dense mixed forest and hilly meadows in the Green Beauty of Krajina, offers WWII historic trails and regulated hunting areas, and serves as a regional hub for hiking, biking, and nature observation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteProtected national forest (1967).
Size and age
34 km² (13 sq mi)13 sq mi (34 km²) · national park since 1967
Park covers 33.75 km² of forest and meadow; some sources cite a larger 180 km² hunting zone surrounding the protected core (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Banja Luka.
Why go
- Dense mixed forest and hilly meadows in the Green Beauty of Krajina.
- World‑War‑II historic sites and memorials on the park’s trails.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; trails quiet.
- FebSnow may linger on higher spots.
- MarSpring melt, wildflowers.
- AprMild temps, full trail access.
- MayWarm, low rain, ideal hiking.
- JunWarm, occasional showers.
- JulHeat, hunting season, crowds.
- AugHeat, hunting, some trail closures.
- SepCooler, less hunting pressure.
- OctAutumn colours, cooler.
- NovCold, fewer visitors.
- DecCold, possible snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer, pheasants, foxes, boars, hares, ducks (hunting area)All year · Observed mainly in the hunting zone, not in core trails. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| European brown bear (rare sightings)Jun–Sep · Check with park office; sightings uncommon. | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Banja Luka
Bus to Kozara village (≈30 km (19 mi)) then local taxi or walk to the gate.Bus to Kozara village (≈19 mi (30 km)) then local taxi or walk to the gate.
1 h
Open the page →
From Sarajevo
Intercity bus to Banja Luka, then transfer to local bus to Kozara.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Una National Park
Drive or taxi along the M-5 road, about 45 km (28 mi).Drive or taxi along the M-5 road, about 28 mi (45 km).
≈1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kozara Visitor Center | Gate, information desk, map, small café. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Hunting Zone | Large 180 km² (69 sq mi) area for regulated hunting.Large 69 sq mi (180 km²) area for regulated hunting. | Restricted to hunters with permits. |
| Historical Trail Network | WWII memorials, Partisan routes. | Open to public on marked paths. |
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 from official site; summit point 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 (general access) | BAM 5 | person | Covers main trails; 2026 estimate. |
| Guided hike (e.g., Grmeč loop) | BAM 20–30 | person | Guide fee, check with local office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Hunting area access no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- BAM 5
- BAM 20–30
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 Kozara National Park website before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Allowed on leashes on marked trails only.
- Camping
- Not permitted in the forest; use designated campgrounds outside the park.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas near the visitor centre.
- Drone use
- Allowed only with park authority permission.
- Hunting
- Only in the designated hunting zone with a valid permit.
Where to stay
Near the park
Kozara Village guesthouses
Simple rooms, family‑run, within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the gate.Simple rooms, family‑run, within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the gate.
Near the park
Banja Luka hotels
Wide range of accommodations, 30 min drive.
Safety
Steep sections on summit trail medium
Hunting activity 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
- Visitor centre reachable by car with parking.
- Summit trail has steep parts, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect forest understory.
- Support local guesthouses and buy food from park‑run kiosks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kozara National Park?
The general entry fee is 5 BAM per adult (≈2 USD); children under 7 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Kozara National Park?
The short summit hike (≈2 km, 30 min) and the Grmeč Loop (≈12 km, 4–6 h) are the most popular, both marked and suitable for most walkers.
When is the best time to visit Kozara National Park?
Late spring to early autumn (April–October) offers mild weather and full trail access; avoid July–August if you want fewer hunters and crowds.
Can I camp inside Kozara National Park?
Camping is not allowed in the forested area; use designated campgrounds outside the park or stay in nearby guesthouses.
Is there public transport to the park?
Regular buses run from Banja Luka to Kozara village; from there a short taxi ride reaches the park gate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kozara National Park
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