The Netherlands has 21 national parks. National parks are designated based on the Nature Conservation Act. These are nature areas that are at least 1000 hectares in size and open to visitors. The oldest park in our country gained national park status in 1930, while the youngest park was designated in 2024. The national parks vary greatly from each other, both in size and in nature and landscape.
National parks are the most beautiful nature and landscape areas in the Netherlands. Within a park, parties work together to preserve the characteristic nature, landscapes, and biodiversity and allow visitors to enjoy them.
The status of National Park is an international title. In our country, the national government grants the title upon request of the respective province.
The first Dutch national park Veluwezoom dates back to 1930, originating from a private initiative. From the 1980s, more areas received this status. Van Gogh National Park is the youngest park and has had official park status since October 2024.
The oldest national park in the world is located in the northern United States of America. This is Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872. In Europe, the first national park was established in 1909: Sarek in Swedish Lapland. This park, with over 100 glaciers, is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
