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Kerala has a rich topography of misty hills, wild behaviour of exotic animals, and green forests that are teemed with endless tales of nature. The national parks in Kerala have been one of the most valuable assets of the state, and each of them possesses its unique mixture of biodiversity and adventure. Be it serene lakes that are visible with the herds of elephants or the colourful forests with the sounds of the rare birds, these parks are breathing sanctuaries that glorify the wilderness of the Western Ghats. Tourists are able to find peaceful hiking, adventurous tours, and memorable experiences with animals.
Top 10 Best National Parks In Kerala
Kerala has a rich wildlife, misty forests, and serene backwaters in gorgeous landscapes. These national parks in Kerala combine adventure and peace, and present to nature lovers the most excellent combination of adventure and isolation.
1. Periyar National Park
Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Periyar is a famous national park in Kerala and offers an attractive combination of wildlife and cultural diversity. The most notable one here is the Periyar Lake created by the Mullaperiyar Dam, where boat trips take tourists near herds of elephants bathing on the banks. Tigers, leopards, and rare species such as the Nilgiri langur are found in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is the centre of the park. For adventure lovers, the bamboo rafting trips provide a unique experience in the deep forests, as one gets a panoramic view of the Western Ghats.
Location: Thekkady, Idukki district
Activities: Boat cruises on Periyar Lake, guided night trekking
Top Highlights: Periyar Lake boat safari, Elephant spotting, Bamboo rafting, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Spice plantations nearby.
Suggested Read: Silent Valley National Park
2. Eravikulam National Park
Photo: Jatin Sindhu / Wikimedia Commons
Eravikulam is one of the finest national parks in Kerala, possessing a unique combination of both high-altitude grasslands and shola forest. Within the park, the only undomesticated animal is the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, whose only natural habitat is the hillsides. One of the best things about this park is Anamudi Peak, the highest mountain in South India, which rises above the valleys, making it spectacular to the trekkers. The rarest of the attractions is the Neelakurinji bloom that blankets the hills with blue flowers once every twelve years. The mosaic of grasslands within the park supports more than 100 species of butterflies, and some of them are exclusive to the Western Ghats.
Location: Near Munnar, Idukki district
Activities: Trekking to Anamudi Peak, wildlife safari rides
Top Highlights: Nilgiri Tahr sightings, Anamudi Peak, Neelakurinji bloom (every 12 years), High-altitude grasslands, Butterfly species.
3. Silent Valley National Park
Photo: Uday Kiran / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
National parks in Kerala, such as the Silent Valley, which is hidden deep within the Nilgiri Hills, are the resting place of one of the remaining tracts of pure tropical evergreen forest in India. The park boasts of the global importance of biodiversity, as it has over 1,000 species of flowering plants and some endemic species found in no other place on Earth. The lion-tailed macaque, a primate with a silver-white mane, is the most celebrated resident of this safeguarded ecosystem and survives in it. The Kunthipuzha River is a small flowing river that passes through the park and gives life to its lush plants, and provides picnic areas to visitors on its banks.
Location: Palakkad district
Activities: Jungle trekking, birdwatching along Kunthipuzha River
Top Highlights: Lion-tailed macaques, Kunthipuzha River, Rare orchids and ferns, Untouched evergreen rainforest, Birdwatching.
Suggested Read: Anamudi Shola National Park
4. Pampadum Shola National Park
Photo: Rainer Halama / Wikimedia Commons
One of the best national parks in Kerala worth visiting is Pampadum Shola, which is the smallest national park, yet it has an invaluable charm. The thick shola forests of it give it a cool and misty atmosphere that supports rare orchids, medicinal plants, and endangered wildlife. Leopards are frequent here, and the park is an exciting place to visit for wildlife enthusiasts. The park also houses the elusive Nilgiri marten, which is one of the rarest carnivores in India. The distinguishing features of Pampadum Shola are its serene hiking paths that cut through dense trees, providing trekkers with an exclusive forest experience without commercials.
Location: Idukki district, near Munnar
Activities: Forest trekking, orchid spotting
Top Highlights: Dense shola forests, Nilgiri marten, Misty trails, Rare orchids, Quiet hiking experiences.
5. Anamudi Shola National Park
Photo: Rohit Varma / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the top national parks in Kerala is the Anamudi Shola, with its rich shola forest and fascinating scenery stretched over 7.5 sq km. Its streams and valleys are essential watersheds of such rivers as the Pambar and the Vaigai. The park is abundant in wildlife, and the elephants, gaurs, leopards and wild dogs are frequently seen during treks. Butterflies also abound there, and rare species such as the Travancore evening brown can be found in its dark places. The wide range of flora in this area consists of medicinal plants and great trees, which makes this place a green heaven for nature lovers.
Location: Idukki district
Activities: Trekking trails, butterfly spotting
Top Highlights: Pambar and Vaigai river origins, Rare butterflies, Elephant sightings, Medicinal plant diversity, and Forest treks.
Suggested Read: Mathikettan Shola National Park
6. Mathikettan Shola National Park
Photo: Regan Dsouza / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Mathikettan Shola is one of the listed national parks near Kerala that trekkers find interesting, as its name was derived from a local term that translates to ‘confusing forest’. The thick vegetation and the narrow paths tend to leave the visitors with an exciting feeling of being lost as well, making it adventure-filled. This park is rich in medicinal plants and has been extensively studied due to its unique flora, with some of the species being of high Ayurvedic value. Elephants, tigers, gaur, and sambar deer are some of the wildlife in the area. It is also a park where panoramic viewpoints are excellent, with their spellbinding views of the Western Ghats
Location: Idukki district
Activities: Trekking expeditions, wildlife viewing
Top Highlights: Elephants and sambar deer, Ayurvedic plants, Western Ghats viewpoints, Dense ‘confusing’ forests, Tiger sightings.
7. Thattekad Bird Sanctuary
Photo: Drashokk / Wikimedia Commons
The Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, also called Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, is recognised as one of the most significant national parks in Kerala and is a haven for birdwatchers. It is 25 sq km and was created based on the recommendations of Dr Salim Ali, the Bird Man of India. It has over 300 species of birds that can be found in the sanctuary, such as the Malabar grey hornbill, Ceylon frogmouth and Indian pitta. The bee-eaters and the wagtails are migratory birds that also come in season, giving colour to the landscape. It has the Bhoothathankettu Dam, which forms wetlands that lead to an increase in species diversity.
Location: Ernakulam district
Activities: Birdwatching tours, forest trekking
Top Highlights: Malabar grey hornbill, Indian pitta, Bhoothathankettu Dam wetlands, Dr. Salim Ali heritage, Over 300 bird species.
Suggested Read: Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Gláuber Sampaio / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Being one of the Kerala national parks that offers an adventure with picturesque beauty, Peppara is characterised by hilly landscape, streams, and the Peppara Dam reservoir. It is included in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, which is known to be rich in medicinal plants and evergreen woodlands. The sanctuary harbours huge populations of elephants, sambar deer, leopards and Malabar civets. Birds such as the Malabar hornbill, white-bellied treepie, and the kingfishers are doing well in its wetlands. The terrain of the sanctuary is also superb for trekking, with paths running across grasslands and hilltops overlooking the reservoir. Pythons and cobras are among other reptile species that take refuge here and characterise it as a balanced ecosystem.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram district
Activities: Trekking trails, boating near Peppara Dam
Top Highlights: Peppara Dam reservoir, Malabar civet sightings, Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, Forest treks, Wetland bird species.
9. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Amara Bharathy / Wikimedia Commons
Chinnar, being one of the various national parks in Kerala, is unique due to its dry deciduous forest, which contrasts with other evergreen parks in the state. The sanctuary covers an area of 90 sq km and is known to house the endangered grizzled giant squirrel, which is hardly found elsewhere in India. Its thorny scrublands and sandalwood forests are home to gaurs, elephants, spotted deer and, on rare occasions, tigers. The sanctuary also has over 220 species of birdlife and is a paradise for the ornithologist. There is a nearby sandalwood forest called Marayoor Forest, which gives cultural and ecological importance to the region.
Location: Idukki district, near Marayoor
Activities: Trekking trails, night camping programs
Top Highlights: Grizzled giant squirrel, Dry deciduous forest, Marayoor sandalwood forest, Night safaris, Spotted deer and gaurs.
Suggested Read: Chimmini Wildlife Sanctuary
10. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Photo: Ilja Nedilko / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Aralam is one of the top national parks in Kerala, a hidden treasure in the Kannur district, which covers a total of 55 sq km of tropical forests. It hosts elephants, gaur, sloth bears and several species of deer, with occasional sightings of tigers. Butterfly population is also a particularly renowned feature of the sanctuary, with other species such as the southern birdwing and blue mormon being common on the trails. Woodpeckers, minivets, and drongos are among the birds that can be encountered in abundance by bird enthusiasts. The green vegetation is also abundant in medicinal plants, whose potential in treating diseases botanists have been researching.
Location: Kannur district
Activities: Trekking to Ambalappara peak, butterfly watching
Top Highlights: Ambalappara peak trek, Sloth bear and gaur sightings, Southern birdwing butterflies, Medicinal herbs, Dense tropical forest.
These national parks in Kerala offer a journey into the untouched wilderness, where every trail and stream reveals rare wildlife and stunning landscapes. From misty mountain hikes to peaceful boat rides and vibrant birdwatching trails, each park offers a magical experience. These natural gems are perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike. Plan your trip with TripXL and discover the wild beauty of Kerala in the most memorable way.
Cover Photo: JOSE ALMEIDA / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
