National park · Mongolia
Gorkhi‑Terelj National ParkГорхи‑Тэрэлж
Enter Gorkhi‑Terelj for a day: take the bus from Ulaanbaatar (≈2 h, 2500 ₮) and hike Turtle Rock (≈1 h) before 12 h; for a full stay book a ger camp (≈25 000 ₮/night) and explore the trails.
- 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
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Mongolia ↗Check entry rules for your passport on the official government e-visa portal; some nationalities enter visa-free for a limited stay, others need an e-visa.
- Mongolia ↗In a ger: step over the threshold (never on it), move clockwise, receive food and drink with the right hand, and do not point your feet at the stove or the altar.
- Mongolia ↗Plan road trips by hours, not kilometres: paved roads are few, and 100 km of dirt track can take three hours.
- Central Mongolia ↗Ger camps in the countryside run mainly June–September; outside that window, ask what is open before you book.
At a glance
- Country
- Mongolia
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²)
- estimate; check
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Ulaanbaatar
Gorkhi‑Terelj National Park lies just 55 km east of Ulaanbaatar, offering granite hills, river valleys and forested trails. Visitors can hike short routes to Turtle Rock and Dino Park, stay in traditional ger camps, and enjoy horseback rides across the steppe.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1990.
Size and age
300 km² (116 sq mi)116 sq mi (300 km²) · national park since 1990
estimate; check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ulaanbaatar.
Why go
- Granite hills, river and forest close to the capital.
- Ger camps and horse‑riding for a steppe experience.
- Rock formations such as Turtle Rock and Dino Park.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; winter scenery.
- FebCold, few tourists.
- MarSnow melt, trails accessible.
- AprMild, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, good for horseback.
- JunPeak visitor season, long days.
- JulHot, occasional storms.
- AugHot, occasional rain.
- SepCooling, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, autumn colours.
- NovCold, quiet.
- DecCold, snow‑covered scenery.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mongolian ibexJun–Sep · check | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Steppe eagleApr–Jul · check | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | 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
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Terelj village entrance | Gate, visitor info, shops, and access to main trails. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Turtle Rock area | Viewpoint and short hike. | Open; no guide needed. |
| Dino Park & Aryabal Temple | Cultural and novelty sites. | Open; small fee at some sites. |
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.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre; points 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus one‑way (Ulaanbaatar → Terelj) | MNT 2,500 | person | 2026 estimate |
| Park entry ticket | MNT 5,000 | person | check; typical fee at gate |
| Ger camp (2‑person tent) | MNT 25,000 | camp | price shown by local camps |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MNT 2,500
- MNT 5,000
- MNT 25,000
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. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated ger camps; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires allowed only in camp areas; otherwise prohibited.
- Pets
- Dogs allowed on leash; cats not recommended.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ecotourism Ger Camp
€20 per person per night, meals included; basic facilities.
Near the park
Other Tourist Ger Camps
≈25 000 ₮ for a 2‑person ger, no meals; negotiate.
Near the park
Glory Resort Mongolia
Mid‑range resort with rooms and restaurant.
Safety
Heat and sun medium
Getting lost on remote trails 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
- Entrance area reachable by car; short paved walks.
- Longer trails have uneven ground; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in local ger camps; money supports nomadic families.
- Carry out all litter; avoid plastic bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gorkhi‑Terelj National Park?
A park entry ticket is about 5 000 ₮ per person; bus from Ulaanbaatar costs 2 500 ₮ one‑way (2026 estimate).
What are the best hikes in Gorkhi‑Terelj National Park?
Turtle Rock (easy, 1 h) and the Dino Park trail (easy, 1.5 h) are popular short hikes; longer horse‑riding routes are arranged with local camps.
When is the best time to visit Gorkhi‑Terelj National Park?
April to June offers mild weather and full trail access; July–August can be hot, while winter gives a quiet snow‑covered landscape.
How do I get to Gorkhi‑Terelj from Ulaanbaatar?
Take bus route XO4 from Peace Avenue (≈2 h, 2 500 ₮) or drive the 55 km paved road (≈1.5 h).
Where can I stay near the park?
Ger camps such as Ecotourism Ger Camp (≈20 € per night) and other tourist ger camps (≈25 000 ₮ for a 2‑person ger) are the main options; resorts like Glory Resort Mongolia also operate nearby.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go