National park · Latvia
Ķemeri National ParkĶemeru nacionālais parks
Entry is free: go for the 11.2 km (7 mi) Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station (3–4 h, easy), start before 8:00 in summer for the tower at sunrise, and skip the off-boardwalk swamp trail unless you have boots and a companion.Entry is free: go for the 11.2 km (7 mi) Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station (3–4 h, easy), start before 8:00 AM in summer for the tower at sunrise, and skip the off-boardwalk swamp trail unless you have boots and a companion.Entry is free: go for the 7 mi (11.2 km) Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station (3–4 h, easy), start before 8:00 in summer for the tower at sunrise, and skip the off-boardwalk swamp trail unless you have boots and a companion.Entry is free: go for the 7 mi (11.2 km) Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station (3–4 h, easy), start before 8:00 AM in summer for the tower at sunrise, and skip the off-boardwalk swamp trail unless you have boots and a companion.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
382 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (382 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Treat the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders with R…
- 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.
- Baltic states ↗Treat the Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian borders with Russia and Belarus as closed to your plans: crossings are restricted, change within hours, and sit under advisories on the far side.
- Baltic states ↗Book open-jaw flights (into Tallinn or Vilnius, out of the other) so the line runs one way; Riga is the biggest airport if you need a single hub.
- Baltic states ↗Midsummer (23–24 June) is the biggest holiday in all three countries: cities empty, many businesses close and island and coast transport sells out.
- Latvia ↗Latvia is in the EU and the Schengen area; the EU Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU visitors. Check the official EU and Latvian sources for your passport.
- Latvia ↗Borders with Russia and Belarus are not routes for casual travel; check your government's advice before going near them.
- Latvia ↗Validate public transport tickets when you board in Riga; inspectors fine unvalidated riders.
At a glance
- Country
- Latvia
- Area
- 382 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (382 km²)
- Third largest national park in Latvia by area; forests 57%, bogs 24%, water 10%, meadows 6% (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Riga
Ķemeri National Park protects a raised bog, sulphur springs and lagoon lakes 11 km west of Jūrmala, and the main walk is free: the 11.2 km boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station crosses the Great Ķemeri Bog in 3–4 hours on flat planks, with an open observation tower about halfway. Come by train from Riga in under an hour, start before 8:00 in summer if you want the tower at sunrise, and treat the 1 km trail past the tower as a separate, wetter decision — boots and a companion, not a casual extension. The park is a Ramsar wetland at Lake Kaņieris and a stop on the Baltic flyway, so the best months are May, June and September, with cranes in April and September–October.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandLake Kaņieris is a Ramsar wetland site.
Size and age
382 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (382 km²) · national park since 1997
Third largest national park in Latvia by area; forests 57%, bogs 24%, water 10%, meadows 6% (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Riga.
Why go
- A plank boardwalk crosses a raised bog for kilometres, with an open observation tower over the pools.
- It is free, and a train from Riga stops at Ķemeri village at the edge of the bog.
- Lake Kaņieris and the Green Dune add birdwatching and a Littorina Sea sand ridge to the same day.
- Sulphur springs and therapeutic muds made this a spa district in the 19th century; the old Ķemeri town is still here.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanFrozen or snow-covered boardwalk; short daylight
- FebIce under snow; spikes help
- MarThaw; wet planks, few people
- AprCranes and geese moving through
- MayLong days, birdsong, dry-ish planks
- JunLongest days; mosquitoes and horseflies
- JulWarm; berry season starts; bring repellent
- AugCranberries and blueberries; warm
- SepCrane migration; clear light
- OctColour on the bog pines; rain
- NovGrey, wet, early dusk
- DecShort days; ice risk on planks
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common crane (migration flocks)Apr, Sep–Oct · The bog is a stop on the Baltic flyway. | no | no | no | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wood sandpiper and European golden ploverApr–Jun · The raised bog is their breeding habitat. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Orchids and bog mossesJun–Jul · Stay on the boardwalk; picking is not allowed. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Cranberries, blueberries and cloudberriesJul–Sep · Picking for personal use is traditional; check local rules. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and horsefliesJun–Aug · Worst on still, warm evenings near the pools. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | 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 Riga
Suburban train towards Tukums to Ķemeri station, then walk to the boardwalk start.
50–70 min
Open the page →
From Jūrmala
Train from Majori or Dzintari to Ķemeri, or 11 km (6.8 mi) by car on the A10.Train from Majori or Dzintari to Ķemeri, or 6.8 mi (11 km) by car on the A10.
20–30 min
Open the page →
From Riga by car
A10 west, exit for Ķemeri; park at the bog trail car park or at the station.
40–50 min
Open the page →
From Riga region plan
Where the park fits with Jūrmala and Sigulda days.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Great Ķemeri Bog (Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis) | The raised bog and its boardwalk loop, with the observation tower in the middle. | Open; boardwalk is free and walkable year-round. |
| Lake Kaņieris and Kanieris Hill Fort | A Ramsar lagoon with birdwatching and a hill fort on the Kanieris trail. | Open; trails on foot. |
| Ķemeri town and spa district | The old resort with sulphur springs, mud treatments and the Forest House visitor centre. | Open; visitor centre open 1 May – 30 Sep. |
| Green Dune and coastal edge | A several-kilometre sand ridge left by the Littorina Sea, towards the Gulf of Riga. | Open; forest roads and footpaths. |
Sketch map
- 1Ķemeri village railway station · Ranger station≈56.939, 23.487Map ↗
- 2Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk start · Trail≈56.905, 23.454Map ↗
- 3Observation tower · Viewpoint≈56.903, 23.455Map ↗
- 4Lake Kaņieris · Beach≈57.007, 23.464Map ↗
- 5Kanieris Hill Fort · Summit≈57.010, 23.470Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Forest House visitor centre · Headquarters≈56.940, 23.490Approximate; about 2 km (1.2 mi) from Ķemeri town.Approximate; about 1.2 mi (2 km) from Ķemeri town.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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.
Approximate positions for orientation: the station, the bog trail and tower, and the Lake Kaņieris area.
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 (all trails and the boardwalk) | Free | person | No entrance fee for the park or the Great Ķemeri Bog trail (check). |
| Parking at the bog trail car park | EUR 0–3 (≈ US$0–4) | car | 2026 estimate; some trailheads charge a small seasonal fee or are free (check). |
| Train Riga – Ķemeri, one way | EUR 2–3 (≈ US$3–4) | person | 2026 estimate; buy at the station or in the app. |
| Guided bog walk (operator) | EUR 20–45 (≈ US$25–55) | person | 2026 estimate; sunrise and crane-season walks cost more (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Off-boardwalk bog trail no permit
Drone flight permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- €2–3≈ US$3–4
- €20–45≈ US$25–55
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 Nature Conservation Agency (Daba) — Ķemeri National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on the boardwalk
- The bog surface is floating and can be dangerous; the marked route is the only safe line.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park administration; the bog is a protected wetland and bird area (check).check
- Fires and camping
- No fires in the bog; camping is not allowed on the boardwalk or at the tower.
- Litter and berries
- Carry out all rubbish; berry picking for personal use is allowed, commercial picking is not.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs on a lead; the bog is a breeding area for ground-nesting birds.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hotel Ķemeri
Historic hotel in Ķemeri town, with sauna and hot tub; a short walk from the station.
Near the park
Jūrmala
The widest choice of hotels and guesthouses, 20–30 min by train or car.
Near the park
Riga
Base in the capital and come out for the day; trains run through the evening.
Safety
Slippery planks after rain or frost medium
Leaving the boardwalk in the bog high
Weather change and no shelter medium
Road speed limits 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
- The boardwalk is flat but narrow in places; wheelchairs with wide tyres manage the first stretch (check).
- The Forest House visitor centre is accessible to wheelchair users and has English information.
- The tower has stairs and no lift; the view is the only reward at the top.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to the planks: the bog grows a few centimetres a century and recovers slowly from footprints.
- Take a train instead of driving; Ķemeri station is at the trailhead.
- Do not buy bog moss, peat souvenirs or bottled 'bog water' products; the wetland is the attraction.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ķemeri National Park?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee for the park or the Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk. You pay only for transport, parking where a seasonal charge applies, and any guided walk you book.
What are the best hikes in Ķemeri National Park?
The 11.2 km Great Ķemeri Bog boardwalk loop from Ķemeri station (3–4 h, easy) is the main walk. From the observation tower a roughly 1 km trail continues deeper into the swamp (boots, companion). The Kanieris Hill Fort trail by Lake Kaņieris is the other short option.
When is the best time to visit Ķemeri National Park?
May, June and September: long daylight, active birds and manageable mosquitoes. April and October bring crane migration. Winter is quiet but the planks ice over and daylight is short.
How do I get to Ķemeri National Park without a car?
Take the suburban train from Riga towards Tukums and get off at Ķemeri; the boardwalk loop starts and finishes at the station. The ride is about 50–70 minutes.
Can I walk the bog trail in winter?
Yes, the boardwalk stays open, but planks are slippery and snow can hide ice. Wear grip or spikes, start early because it gets dark by mid-afternoon, and tell someone your route.
Is the observation tower good for sunrise?
It is the classic spot, and it has no roof, so it is not a place to sleep. Arrive before dawn, bring a head torch, and remember the walk back is on planks.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go