National park · Finland
Salamajärvi National Park
Buy a day pass €12 (check), hike the 4.5 km (2.8 mi) Pakosuon mire loop in about 2 h, and the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) Kids trail in 45 min; visit in late June–early August for best trail conditions, avoid mid‑March to mid‑July nesting closures.Buy a day pass €12 (check), hike the 2.8 mi (4.5 km) Pakosuon mire loop in about 2 h, and the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) Kids trail in 45 min; visit in late June–early August for best trail conditions, avoid mid‑March to mid‑July nesting closures.
- 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
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1982
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- 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.
- Nordic countries ↗Decide light or dark before anything else: summer trips (June–August) and aurora trips (September–March in the Arctic) need different countries, clothes and bases.
- Nordic countries ↗Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Faroes sell stronger alcohol only in state shops with short hours; buy before evening and before Sundays and holidays.
- Finland ↗Finland is in the EU and the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border.
- Finland ↗The land border with Russia is closed to travellers; do not plan a route across it.
- Finland ↗Everyman's rights let you walk, camp for a night and pick berries on most land, but not near homes, and not to make fires without permission.
At a glance
- Country
- Finland
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 150 km² of mires, lakes and old-growth forest (check).
- Established
- 1982
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Jyväskylä
Salamajärvi National Park protects the largest mire wilderness in southern Finland, along with old-growth forests and a population of Finnish forest reindeer. The park sits in the Suomenselkä watershed region, with small height differences, open and wooded mires, lakes, ponds and forest. The Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve borders the park. Most of the park's forest had been in commercial use until the park was established in 1982; restoration work has been carried out. The mires were mostly in natural state, and those few dried are also being restored.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1982.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1982
Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 150 km² of mires, lakes and old-growth forest (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Jyväskylä.
Why go
- Explore Finland's largest southern mire wilderness and old‑growth forests.
- Spot Finnish forest reindeer, elk and occasional wolves on well‑marked trails.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanCold, snow; trails usable for cross‑country skiing.
- FebSimilar to Jan.
- MarNesting season begins; some trails closed.
- AprNesting season; duckboards may flood.
- MayLate nesting; trail conditions improving.
- JunDry, long daylight; trails fully open.
- JulWarm, good hiking; occasional rain.
- AugWarm, stable weather; peak visitor season.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds; still good trails.
- OctEarly autumn, some rain possible.
- NovCooling, early snow.
- DecWinter conditions; ski possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finnish forest reindeerJun–Sep · Often seen on open mires; keep distance. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| ElkMay–Sep · Common in old‑growth forest. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wolves and wolverine (tracks)Oct–Mar · Tracks occasional; no guaranteed sightings. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterfowl (whooper swan, ducks, gulls)Jun–Sep · Found around lakes and mires. | 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 Jyväskylä
Car: drive 140 km (87 mi) north via road 58, then follow road 6520 to the park gate; parking at Koirasalmi, Risuperä or Huttukangas.Car: drive 87 mi (140 km) north via road 58, then follow road 6520 to the park gate; parking at Koirasalmi, Risuperä or Huttukangas.
2 h
Open the page →
From Kokkola
Coach to Möttönen (1 h 20 min), then taxi or local bus to the park entrance.
2 h 30 min
Open the page →
From Helsinki
Train to Jyväskylä (3 h), then rent a car or take a coach as above.
5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Koirajärvi information hut | Visitor centre, ticket office, wheelchair‑accessible toilet, equipment rental. | Open May–Sep daily, limited winter hours. |
| Central trail network | Marked hiking and ski trails, including Peuranpolku (E6) and Pakosuon mire loop. | Open year‑round; some sections closed 1 Mar–15 Jul for nesting. |
| Salamanperä Strict Nature Reserve | Old‑growth forest area, restricted access outside guided tours. | Permitted routes only. |
Sketch map
- 1Koirajärvi information hut · Headquarters≈63.237, 24.821Ticket office, toilets, wheelchair access.Map ↗
- 2Heikinjärvi swimming platform · Viewpoint≈63.253, 24.767Sandy shore, designated swimming area.Map ↗
- 3Pakosuon mire loop trailhead · Trail≈63.190, 24.762Parking area, start of 4.5 km (2.8 mi) loop.Parking area, start of 2.8 mi (4.5 km) loop.Map ↗
- 4Kids’ Nature Trail start · Trail≈63.277, 24.676Near Sysilampi hut.Map ↗
Take the points offline
4 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 are from official park map; approximate for trailheads.
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 (day pass) | EUR 12 (≈ US$14) | person | Check official site for current price. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails
- Off‑trail walking may damage fragile mire vegetation.
- Open fires
- Allowed only at designated fire pits and sauna areas; prohibited during forest fire warnings.
- Camping
- Permitted only in designated areas (Koirajärvi hut area, Sysilampi, Pitkälahti).
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Fishing
- Requires a permit in Koirajärvi; other lakes open with standard Finnish fishing licence.
Where to stay
In the park
Sauna cottages (mökki)
Rent a sauna with private cottage; capacities 2–22 persons; €9/night (check).
In the park
Open wilderness huts
Sysilampi (4‑person) and Pitkälahti (2‑person) huts; basic facilities, reservation recommended.
Near the park
Camping areas
Caravan site at Koirajärvi hut (electricity, waste collection) and free sites at designated campfire spots.
Safety
Limited mobile coverage low
Mire flooding in spring medium
Wildlife (wolf, wolverine) 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
- Koirajärvi information hut has wheelchair‑accessible toilet and ramp.
- Main trails have uneven boardwalks; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked routes to protect mire ecosystems.
- Use designated fire pits; avoid open fires outside permitted areas.
- Support local accommodation (sauna cottages) to benefit nearby communities.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Salamajärvi National Park?
A day pass costs about €12 per adult; check the park’s website for the latest price.
What are the best hikes in Salamajärvi National Park?
The 4.5 km Pakosuon mire loop (2 h) and the 1.5 km Kids’ Nature Trail (45 min) are easy to do; for longer treks try the Peuranpolku (E6) trail.
When is the best time to visit Salamajärvi National Park?
Late June to early August offers dry trails and full access; avoid mid‑March to mid‑July when nesting closures apply.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated areas such as near the Koirajärvi hut, Sysilampi, and Pitkälahti; elsewhere you must stay in a hut or cabin.
Is there public transport to the park?
Coach services reach nearby villages (Möttönen, Kivijärvi); from there you need a taxi or walk to the park entrance. Car is the most reliable option.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Salamajärvi National Park
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