Explore The Best Parks In Karnataka For Leisure, Family Fun, And Peaceful Green Escapes

Pond view with trees and a walking path in Mahatma Gandhi Park, one of the best parks in Karnataka.

Parks in Karnataka are important green spaces that attract both locals and travelers, especially in cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru. Many of these parks date back to the colonial era and continue to be popular for morning walks, family visits, and leisure. While larger parks feature lakes, walking tracks, and tree-covered areas, smaller neighborhood gardens are maintained by local authorities. Some parks also stand beside historic monuments or government offices, adding cultural value. These open spaces provide much-needed relief from traffic and construction, offering fresh air and community gathering spots in crowded towns.

List Of 10 Famous Parks In Karnataka

Parks in Karnataka include historic gardens and small town spaces, offering walks, leisure, and community gatherings. They serve as refreshing green escapes amidst bustling city life.

1. Lalbagh Botanical Garden

Entrance of Lalbagh Botanical Garden with flowers, one of the serene parks in Karnataka.

Photo: hyani / Shutterstock

Lalbagh Botanical Garden is spread over 240 acres and is among the oldest in India. It began in the 18th century under Hyder Ali and was later worked on by Tipu Sultan and the British. The park has a large number of trees and plants, including some rare tropical ones. The glasshouse, built on the model of London’s Crystal Palace, is the main draw and is used for flower shows. Apart from research value, the park serves as a daily recreation space with walking tracks, an artificial lake, and wide open lawns.

Highlights: Glasshouse, flower shows, lake, centuries-old trees
Nearby: Mavalli, Doddamavalli, Lalbagh West Gate

Suggested Read: Anshi National Park

2. Cubbon Park

Bandstand pavilion at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, surrounded by lawns and trees.

Photo: Abhiman Singh / Wikimedia Commons

Cubbon Park is a large green space in the middle of Bengaluru. It was first made during the British period and still keeps that layout. The park has many paths with tall trees on both sides, giving shade throughout most of the day. People come here for walking, jogging, or simply sitting with family, and the place is busier in the early mornings and evenings. Inside the grounds are buildings such as the State Central Library and the High Court. There are also statues of British administrators and Indian leaders. Spread over more than 300 acres, the park is considered an important public space for daily recreation.

Highlights: State Central Library, statues, wide tree-lined paths
Nearby: Vidhana Soudha, Chinnaswamy Stadium

3. Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park

Colorful musical fountain at Indira Gandhi Park, one of the lively parks in Karnataka.

Photo: Balakrishna Dora / Shutterstock

Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park is a small park in Bengaluru. People mostly visit it for the fountain shows. The fountain was started in the 1990s and has water and lights moving with music in the background. The shows take place in the evenings, and it is common to see families with children watching them. Apart from the main fountain, there are lawns and some tree-covered spaces where visitors can sit. It is not like Lalbagh or Cubbon in terms of size, but many still visit for the short program and the open surroundings near the planetarium.

Highlights: Musical fountain, light and water shows, small gardens
Nearby: Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, Vidhana Soudha

Suggested Read: Theme Parks In Bangalore

4. Cheluvamba Park

Walking path with benches, trees, and green lawns in a peaceful public park.

Photo: Olha Kolesnyk / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Cheluvamba Park is a public garden in Mysuru, made during the Wodeyar period. It is next to the Cheluvamba Mansion and is mainly used by local people for morning and evening walks. The park has open lawns, tree-covered paths, and a small play area for children. City authorities look after it, and the park stays open through the day. Compared to larger parks in the state, it is smaller in size, but it remains important for the surrounding neighborhoods as a daily recreation spot, especially for families and older visitors living nearby.

Highlights: Walking paths, lawns, children’s play area
Nearby: Cheluvamba Mansion, CFTRI campus

5. Bannimantap Park

Pathway with grass lawns and large shady trees at Bannimantap Park, one of the popular parks in Karnataka.

Photo: Christopher J. Fynn / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Bannimantap Park is linked with Mysuru’s cultural events, especially the Dasara celebrations, as the grand Dasara procession usually ends near this ground. The park has large open grounds where fairs, exhibitions, and public programs take place. When there are no events, people from nearby areas use it for walking or spending time in the evenings. There are trees, benches, and open spaces that are looked after by the city. It does not have the same landscaping as other parks in Mysuru, but it is known because of its link with festivals and public gatherings.

Highlights: Open grounds, cultural gatherings, link with the Dasara procession
Nearby: Bannimantap Parade Grounds, Mysuru city center

Suggested Read: Anjali Water Park

6. Mahatma Gandhi Park

Mahatma Gandhi Park features green lawns, walking paths, and Gandhi monuments in a peaceful setting.

Photo: tantrik71 / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only

Mahatma Gandhi Park is one of the main public spaces in Shivamogga, laid out several decades ago and still maintained as a community garden. The park has lawns, walking paths with trees on the sides, and a small zoo that keeps some animals and birds. Families come for these, and inside, there are also play areas for children and a boating spot. People from the city use it in the mornings for walks and jogging, while evenings see more local visitors spending time in groups. It is among the few large green spaces in the city, and continues to serve both as a recreation ground and as a landmark for Shivamogga.

Highlights: Small zoo, boating, lawns, children’s play areas
Nearby: Shivappa Nayaka Palace, Sharavathi River banks

7. Rock Garden

Entrance of Rock Garden Hubballi with stone structures and visitors, showcasing popular parks in Karnataka.

Photo: ShwetaW / Wikimedia Commons

Rock Garden in Hubballi is a city park where rocks are used as part of the layout along with garden areas. There are open grounds, stone paths, and sections where rocks are shaped into small seating spots and simple sculptures. Local people mostly come in the evenings with children, and families spend time walking or sitting around. At times, small gatherings or events are also held here. It is not very big compared to the well-known parks of Bengaluru or Mysuru, but for Hubballi, it is one of the main green spaces.

Highlights: Rock seating, sculptures, open lawns, stone pathways
Nearby: Unkal Lake, Hubballi city center

Suggested Read: Kudremukh National Park

8. Glass House Garden

Glasshouse structure with lawns and plants at Glass House Garden in Davanagere.

Photo: VasuVR / Wikimedia Commons

Glass House Garden is in the middle of Davanagere and gets its name from the glasshouse built inside. The structure is used at times for exhibitions and small public events. Around it, there are lawns, flower beds, and paths where people walk in the mornings and evenings. Families bring children to play on the open grounds, while benches are placed for older visitors. The garden is not very big, but in Davanagere, it works as one of the main places where people spend some time outdoors every day.

Highlights: Glasshouse, lawns, flower beds, walking tracks
Nearby: Kunduvada Lake, Davanagere city market

9. Jayaprakash Narayan Biodiversity Park

Scenic lake with trees and a walking path inside Jayaprakash Narayan Park, one of the beautiful parks in Karnataka.

Photo: Kartik jayate / Wikimedia Commons

JP Park in Bengaluru is also called Jayaprakash Narayan Biodiversity Park. The park has about 85 acres of land. It is among the main parks in the northern part of the city. Inside are wide tracks for walking and jogging, garden areas, and different kinds of plants. The musical fountain inside the park is a popular attraction in the evenings. Families often visit with children, as there are play areas and open grounds. The park is maintained by the city and is widely used by residents of the surrounding neighborhoods for daily recreation.

Highlights: Musical fountain, jogging tracks, play area, gardens
Nearby: ISKCON Temple Bengaluru, Orion Mall

Suggested Read: All About Bannerghatta Biological Park

10. Kadri Park

Entrance garden view with a welcome hedge, trees, and flowering plants at Kadri Park.

Photo: Aviator423 / Wikimedia Commons

Kadri Park is the biggest park in Mangaluru and lies close to the Kadri Hills. The grounds have open lawns, tree-covered spots, and tracks where people walk in the mornings and evenings. A musical fountain is placed here and draws visitors at night when the shows run. At times, flower displays are arranged during festivals. Families bring children to play in the small sections set up for them, while others use the shaded areas to sit. For Mangaluru, it remains one of the few large public spaces that people visit daily.

Highlights: Musical fountain, flower shows, play area, walking tracks
Nearby: Kadri Manjunath Temple, Pilikula Nisargadhama

Visiting the many parks in Karnataka offers insight into how open spaces are valued across the state. From historic gardens with glasshouses in Bengaluru to lakeside parks in Tumakuru or Mandya, these areas blend culture, leisure, and greenery. While some parks host daily community gatherings, others showcase colonial-era landscapes and fountains. With TripXL, you can discover details on where to go, what to see, and the best time to visit Karnataka’s parks.

Cover Photo: Ranjithsiji / Wikimedia Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Lalbagh Botanical Garden in Bengaluru is the most famous, known for its glasshouse and flower shows. Brindavan Gardens is also popular for its fountain shows.
Yes, some parks like Lalbagh and Brindavan Gardens charge a small entry fee. Others, like Cubbon Park, are free.
Common activities include walking, jogging, picnicking, and children’s play. Some parks offer fountains, toy trains, or even small zoos.
Cubbon Park (toy train), Kadri Park (fountain), and Gandhi Park (play areas) are great for families with kids.
Pet policies vary. Cubbon Park allows pets during certain hours, but others, like Lalbagh, may not allow pets. It's best to check local guidelines before visiting.
Harshita Lal

Harshita Lal

Harshita Lal is a travel writer who finds inspiration in the winding roads of hill towns, crisp mountain air, and the quiet stories hidden in everyday journeys. With a soft spot for the Himalayas and small-town simplicity, her writing blends personal discovery with practical travel insights. She enjoys writing pieces that help readers feel more connected to nature, to adventure, and to themselves. When she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her planning her next trek, journaling in a hillside café, or chasing the sunset.
Harshita’s Top Travel Highlights:
Harshita’s travels include memorable treks and quiet hill escapes, offering experiences of nature, peace, and simple moments that stay long after the journey ends.
1. Treks That Stay With You:
Completed treks like Triund, Kheerganga, Tosh, and Malana, each offering its own lesson in resilience, stillness, and the quiet power of nature.
2. Offbeat Hill Escapes:
Explored peaceful spots like Jibhi, Shoja, Barot Valley, and Mashobra, where there’s more pine than people, and every corner feels like a postcard.

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