Complete list of 21 national parks in The Netherlands

Alde Feanen

De Biesbosch

De Groote Peel

De Hoge Veluwe

De Loonse en Drunense Duinen

De Maasduinen

De Meinweg

De Sallandse Heuvelrug

Drentsche Aa

Drents-Friese Wold

Duinen van Texel

Dwingelderveld

Grenspark De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide

Heuvelland

Hollandse Duinen

Lauwersmeer

Nieuw Land

Oosterschelde

Schiermonnikoog

Utrechtse Heuvelrug

Veluwezoom

The Netherlands National Parks

Alde Feanen is a wetland area consisting of lakes, reed beds, and meadows. The park features a rich variety of water birds and aquatic plants. It's an important area for recreation and nature conservation, with numerous waterways for boating and canoeing.

De Biesbosch is one of the largest national parks in the Netherlands and one of the last extensive areas of freshwater tidal wetlands in Europe. The park consists of a large network of rivers and smaller waterways with islands. It's home to beavers, osprey, and sea eagles.

De Groote Peel is a raised bog and heathland area that spans two provinces. The park is an important bird sanctuary and features unique peat landscapes. It's known for its extensive network of walking trails and rich bird life.

De Hoge Veluwe is one of the largest continuous nature reserves in the Netherlands. The park features diverse landscapes including woodland, heathland, and sand drifts. It's famous for its free white bicycles, wildlife including red deer and wild boar, and the Kröller-Müller Museum.

Known as the 'Brabant Sahara', this park features unique inland sand dunes surrounded by forests. The area contains one of the largest sand drift areas in western Europe. It offers extensive hiking and cycling opportunities through its varied landscape.

De Maasduinen features a unique river dune landscape along the Meuse River. The park contains heathland, forests, and fens, creating diverse habitats for numerous species. It's particularly known for its walking and cycling routes through varied terrain.

De Meinweg is characterized by its unique terraced landscape formed by fault lines. The park features a mix of forests, heathland, and streams across different elevation levels. It's home to rare species including the viviparous lizard and various butterflies.

De Sallandse Heuvelrug features a unique ridge of hills formed during the ice age. The park is known for its extensive heathlands and is one of the few places where the black grouse still lives in the Netherlands. It offers excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain biking.

The Drentsche Aa is characterized by its meandering streams and traditional agricultural landscapes. The park contains ancient villages, prehistoric monuments, and diverse natural areas. It's one of the best-preserved stream valley systems in the Netherlands.

Drents-Friese Wold is one of the largest nature areas in the Netherlands. The park features a diverse landscape of forests, heath, sand drifts, and stream valleys. It's particularly known for its extensive network of hiking and cycling trails.

Duinen van Texel is a coastal national park featuring extensive dune systems, beaches, and heathlands. The park is home to diverse flora and fauna, including many rare bird species. Its landscape includes both wet and dry dune valleys, creating unique habitats for specialized plant species.

Dwingelderveld is the largest wet heathland area in Western Europe. The park features ancient juniper shrubs, sheep flocks, and numerous hiking trails. Its landscape includes heath, forest, and sand drifts, supporting a rich variety of bird species.

This cross-border nature park spans the Netherlands and Belgium, featuring extensive heathlands and dune areas. The park is known for its purple-flowering heather and diverse wildlife. It offers numerous hiking and cycling trails through varied landscapes.

The South Limburg Hills feature unique rolling landscapes unusual for the Netherlands. The park contains ancient forests, limestone quarries, and traditional orchards. Its varied geology and topography create diverse habitats supporting rare flora and fauna.

Hollandse Duinen stretches along the Dutch coast between The Hague and Noordwijk. The park combines natural dune landscapes with cultural heritage elements and recreational areas. It plays a crucial role in coastal defense while providing habitat for numerous species.

Lauwersmeer is a water-rich national park created after the Lauwers Sea was closed off from the Wadden Sea. The park is an important stopover for migratory birds and features vast reed beds and grasslands. Its unique brackish water environment supports diverse wildlife.

Nieuw Land is the Netherlands' newest national park, encompassing several reclaimed land areas including the Oostvaardersplassen. The park represents a unique man-made wilderness that has become a crucial habitat for numerous bird species. It showcases Dutch water management expertise while providing important natural areas.

Oosterschelde is the largest national park in the Netherlands, centered around a unique tidal water system. The park is famous for its rich marine life and is particularly important for migratory birds. It features the impressive Eastern Scheldt storm surge barrier, a marvel of Dutch engineering.

Schiermonnikoog encompasses nearly the entire island of the same name. The park features extensive beaches, dunes, and salt marshes that provide crucial habitat for numerous bird species. Its dynamic landscape is constantly shaped by wind and tides.

Utrechtse Heuvelrug is a forested ridge formed during the ice age, featuring the second-highest point in the province. The park combines natural woodland with cultural heritage sites including ancient burial mounds. It provides important wildlife corridors and recreational opportunities near urban areas.

Veluwezoom is the oldest national park in the Netherlands, characterized by dense forests, rolling hills, and expansive heathlands. The park features unique elevation changes rare in the Netherlands, with the Posbank being one of its most notable viewpoints. It provides habitat for diverse wildlife including red deer, wild boars, and numerous bird species.