National park · Kazakhstan
Burabay National ParkБурабайский национальный парк
Enter Burabay National Park for a short lake walk (boat optional) for under 5 KZT, or a full‑day hike around the northern lake trail in summer; avoid winter snow and mid‑week crowds.
- 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
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
approximate
Established
1997
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
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
- 107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
- Park covers about 107 km² of forest and lake area; some sources list a slightly larger figure including surrounding protected zones (check).
- Established
- 1997
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Burabay National Park protects the scenic Borovoe Lake region in northern Kazakhstan, featuring pine‑forested hills, clear waters, Soviet‑era monuments and a paved lakeside trail; it offers easy walks, boat rides and cultural banya visits, with entry fees of 3 000‑5 000 KZT.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1997.
Size and age
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²) · national park since 1997
Park covers about 107 km² of forest and lake area; some sources list a slightly larger figure including surrounding protected zones (check).
Why go
- Lake Borovoe’s clear water and rocky shoreline are easily reached from the town.
- Marked trail along the northern lake edge offers easy walking and views of Soviet‑era monuments.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, snow on trails
- FebWinter conditions
- MarEarly melt, possible mud
- AprUnpredictable weather
- MayMild, blossoms
- JunWarm, dry, full trail access
- JulPeak summer, long daylight
- AugWarm, fewer tourists
- SepCooler, still clear
- OctFirst frosts possible
- NovSnow likely
- DecWinter snow
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl and migratory birdsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Fish species in Borovoe LakeJun–Aug | 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 Astana
Train to Kurort Borovoe (30 km (19 mi) south) then bus or taxi to Borovoe townTrain to Kurort Borovoe (19 mi (30 km) south) then bus or taxi to Borovoe town
3 h train + 25 min road
Open the page →
From Kokshetau
Regional bus number 11, 250 KZT, runs hourly
1 h
Open the page →
From Astana (taxi)
Direct taxi, 3000–5000 KZT, ~3 h
3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Borovoe town gate | Ticket office, information centre, access to lake trail | Open daily |
| Lake Borovoe northern edge | Paved walking path, rock formations, boat launch | Open, fee for boat hire |
| War Memorial area | Soviet‑era monuments, photo spot | Free, within walking distance |
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 centre of the park near the lake.
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 (ticket at Borovoe gate) | KZT 3,000–5,000 | person | 2026 price (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
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce
- Fires
- Only in designated banya or camping areas
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission
Where to stay
Near the park
Rixos Hotel Borovoe
Mid‑range hotel in town, 5‑minute walk to gate
Safety
Slippery rocks near lake low
Sudden summer thunderstorms 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
- Paved lake trail suitable for wheelchairs with assistance
- Gate area reachable by car
Visiting lightly
- Use public bus or shared taxi to reduce emissions
- Do not feed wildlife
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Burabay National Park?
Entry tickets cost between 3 000 and 5 000 KZT per person (2026 price, check).
What are the best hikes in Burabay National Park?
The paved trail along the northern edge of Lake Borovoe is the most accessible; for a longer walk, follow the lake’s western shore to the War Memorial.
When is the best time to visit Burabay National Park?
June to August offers warm, dry weather and full trail access; May and September are also good, while winter months are best avoided.
How do I get to the park from Astana?
Take a 3‑hour train to Kurort Borovoe, then a 25‑minute taxi or hourly bus (250 KZT) to the park gate.
Can I hire a boat on the lake?
Yes, boats are available for 1 000 KZT per half‑hour from the northern shore.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Burabay National Park
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