12 National Parks Across India That Remain Closed During Monsoon

The monsoon season is slowly marking its presence all around India. Different states have begun to receive heavy rainfall with weather predictions for downpours in the next couple of days. So, if you are planning to visit sanctuaries and national parks to enjoy the beauty of nature during monsoon, then this article is for you! Many parks and reserves in India are partially or completely closed during monsoon season. This allows the ecosystem in these areas to recover naturally and provide safe breeding grounds for wildlife. Let’s take a look at national parks that shut their premises for the rainy season.

These Wildlife Reserves Are Closed During Monsoon Season

1. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh

Nestled in Uttar Pradesh, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve closed its doors to travellers on June 15. Keeping in mind the weather forecast and forest conditions, the authorities decided to shut it down, along with other national parks and reserves in the state till October 31.

2. Jim Corbett, Uttarakhand

Surprising but yes, the Jim Corbett is partially closed from mid-June to mid-November. The Dhikala and Bijrani zones of this popular national park are closed. Meanwhile, Jhirna and Dhela zones are open throughout the year but the chances of any wildlife spotting are next to zero during this time.

Also Read: Sariska National Park Welcomes Four Tiger Cubs After Tigress Gives Birth To New Litter

3. Orang National Park, Assam

Home to abundant flora and fauna, including the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, and Asian elephant, Orang National Park also closes its doors to visitors during monsoon season.

4. Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

Between July and September, Sariska Tiger Reserve will be closed to tourists. As per the local authority’s order, all tourist activities along Zones 1 and 4 will be shut, effective July 1. So, if you are planning to visit this monsoon, make sure you check all the details before planning your trip.

5. Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh & Maharashtra

With the onset of monsoon season, tourists-favourite Pench National Park will remain shut from July 1. To ensure safety, the doors are kept closed for visitors and all safaris and guided tours have been suspended.

Also read: Uttar Pradesh’s Ranipur Tiger Reserve To Be A New Eco-Tourism Jewel; Details Here

6. Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

While buffer zones remain open throughout the year, the core areas of Bandhavgarh National Park are closed during the monsoon season. The national park is likely to reopen only in October once the heavy rains settle down.

7. Tadoba National Park, Maharashtra

Maharashtra’s Tadoba National Park shuts down during monsoon season. The wildlife sanctuary in the Chandrapur district stays open and welcomes guests between October 15 and June 30. Heavy rainfall can make trails slippery and increase the risk of landslides, that’s why authorities shut down national parks during monsoon.

Also Read: 8 Wildlife Sanctuaries Around Nagpur To Spot Bengal Tigers, Sloth Bears, And Migratory Birds

8. Gir National Park, Gujarat

Home to Asiatic Lions, Gir National Park is one of the most famous wildlife getaways in the country. However, this too remains shut for the monsoon season. It is closed to tourists from mid-June and will open by mid-October, depending on the weather conditions.

9. Ranthambore National Park

From majestic tigers to ancient fort ruins, Ranthambore National Park has it all! While the serene national park becomes even more lush and beautiful during monsoon, it is shut for visitors for safety reasons. However, Zones 6 to 10 of the park may remain partially open.

Also read: From Forts To Tigers, How To Spend 48 Hours Of Adventure & Culture In Ranthambore

10. Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Nestled in the Maikal range of Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh, Kanha National Park is said to be the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book! Now, before this fact inspires you to plan a trip, we have to warn you that this national park remains closed for the monsoon.

11. Kaziranga National Park, Assam

If you love wildlife, then Kaziranga National Park has to be on your bucket list! However, planning a trip to this serene park is not recommended during monsoon as it remains closed for monsoon. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is flood-prone and it is recommended to let nature run its course during monsoon without any external disturbance by tourists.

12. Periyar National Park, Kerala

This Kerala national park is partially open during the monsoon season. Treks and jeep safaris are mainly suspended during heavy rain. While boat safaris continue, they can also be cancelled if the water flow turns rough.

Also Read: Cheetahs May Find A New Home In Bundelkhand’s Tiger Reserve Under Project Cheetah Expansion

It is a dream of wildlife enthusiasts to visit these incredibly alluring destinations. If you also wish to explore the vibrant wildlife and witness their natural magnificence, wait for a few months. Once these national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India open their doors for visitors post-monsoon season, plan your holidays and enjoy a great time.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/syafiq_3003 & Canva Pro/cgtoolbox (representative images)

With inputs by Tashika Tyagi