Every year on May 24, we celebrate National Park Day, a moment that highlights the most characteristic natural areas of the Netherlands. In 2026, on this special day, we will once again focus on the theme of biodiversity during the National Parks Species Challenge. We invite young and old to join rangers, guides, and other nature enthusiasts to discover the diversity of species in our parks. What lives in the water, what grows from the ground, and which species fly through the air?

Below are the activities in the different national parks. This list is regularly updated.

NP De Groote Peel

National Park De Groote Peel

May 9
8:00 - 10:30 AM

Experience the bird migration

Kick off the celebration of National Park Day with a migratory bird walk on Saturday, May 9th in De Groote Peel. Rise early and experience this unique nature moment. Together with experienced bird watchers from Limbirds, you'll set out and discover the magic of bird migration.

Locatie: Visitor Center De Pelen, Ospel
May 24
start between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Playful Experience Journey

Put on your detective hat during the Playful Adventure on Sunday, May 24, in De Groote Peel. A free scavenger hunt with activities for all ages. Discover what kinds of animals and plants live in De Peel National Park. Search for water and soil creatures, participate in a sphagnum moss competition, and take a look inside a beehive.

Locatie: Visitor Center De Pelen, Ospel

National Park De Maasduinen

May 23
start between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM

Discovery trip at the Reindersmeer

Put on your detective hat and discover which types of animals and plants live in Maasduinen National Park. During the Discovery Tour on Saturday, May 23rd, you will walk around the Reindersmeer and encounter Maasduinen guides along the way who will help you spot these species.

Locatie: Forest Brasserie in the Lock, Well

National Park de Meinweg

May 23

walks Council on Path in the Meinweg

How well do municipal council members know National Park De Meinweg and the surrounding Limburg Maas terraces? On Saturday, May 23, they will walk with nature guides through the nature reserves in the municipalities of Beesel, Roermond, Roerdalen, Maasgouw, and Echt-Susteren. They will get to know the unique varied landscapes and the great biodiversity. Along the way, they will participate in the National Parks Species Challenge by going on a species hunt for animals and plants with ObsIdentify. Residents can join the walk and engage in conversation with the council members about nature and landscape in their area.

National Park Drents-Friese Wold

24 mei
10:30 - 12:30 uur

Workshop veren herkennen

Tijdens deze workshop leer je goed te kijken naar veren en wat dit je vertelt. Je krijgt onder andere antwoord op vragen als: waarom verliezen vogels hun veren en welke gevaren komen ze tegen? Ook ga je veren natekenen d.m.v. natuurjournalen onder leiding van verenexpert Odette Maassen.

Locatie: Outdoor Center Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 9
13:30 – 14:30 uur

Workshop uilen CSI

Tijdens uilen CSI ga je braakballen uitpluizen. Met behulp van een pincet, loep en zoekkaart vind je waarschijnlijk allerlei botjes, haren en veertjes. Een leuke middag voor kinderen.

Locatie: Buitencentrum Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 10
5:30 – 7:30 uur

Wandeling vogels van het Drents-Friese Wold

Ervaar de bijzondere sfeer in de vroege lenteochtend en leer aan de hand van de zang de vogels in dit bosgebied herkennen. De gids helpt je hierbij.

Locatie: Buitencentrum Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 15
10:30 – 13:00 uur

Wildplukwandeling

Leer van de gidsen van In het Wilde hoe je wilde eetbare planten plukt met respect voor de natuur. Ook hoor je over het gebruik van deze planten.

Locatie: Buitencentrum Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 23
1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Insect Safari

Is a spider an insect? And a butterfly? What important role do insects play in nature? You will get the answer to these and many more questions during this insect safari. A fun and educational safari for young and old, led by a guide.

Locatie: Visitor Center Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 25
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Seasonal walk

Proef de lente! Een enthousiaste gids neemt je mee op een wandeling en vertelt je onderweg meer over het gebied, de planten en dieren in het voorjaar. De wandeling is in een ontspannen tempo, zodat er genoeg te genieten valt onderweg.

Locatie: Visitor Center Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
May 30
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Animal scavenger hunt

During this quest, children around 4 to 12 years old can get to know nature, the animals that live there, and the plants that grow in a playful way. Along the way, they discover all about the life of the great tit or the blue tit. Afterward, they can build their own birdhouse to take home.

Locatie: Outdoor Center Drents-Friese Wold, Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha
NP Drentsche AA

National Park Drentsche Aa

May 24
10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Bicycle Tour on Biodiversity Day in Drentsche Aa National Park of approximately 30 km

On the way, we meet the forest ranger. She gives us an insight into how management methods and nature goals are used to work on biodiversity. We also discuss the importance of this for food provision, clean drinking water, and clean air. Bring your own food and drink for lunch. Registration is required.

Locatie: Visitor Center Drentsche Aa Parking Lot, Deurze 1, 9451 TA Deurze
May 24
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

National park day

A day full of activities for young and old around the visitor center.

Locatie: Visitors Center Drentsche Aa, Deurze 1, 9451 TA Deurze

National Park Dunes of Texel

May 15
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Species challenge treasures on the beach

At low tide, you can explore with the guide what the sea has left behind. These are not only shells but also seaweed, crabs, jellyfish, and other special finds. Each walk is different because the sea always brings new surprises.

Locatie: Pole 9 beach entrance
May 23
9:00 - 11:00 am

Birdwatching excursion

Under the guidance of a guide, you will visit several bird-rich areas on the northern tip of Texel. The excursion is suitable for young and old and is primarily focused on learning to recognize birds.

Locatie: Bird Information Center De Cocksdorp, Kikkertstraat 42, 1795 AE De Cocksdorp
May 24
14:30 - 16:30 hours

Species challenge flora and fauna in the Duinrel

With a net, binoculars, and the ObsIdentify app, you search for what grows, crawls, swims, and flies in and around the water. Together with the guide, you walk from the clear spring in the dunes to the brackish water towards the sea.

Locatie: The Duinrel
May 24
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Discover the hidden treasures of the Slufter

Together with the guide, you walk over the salt marsh, wandering along the creeks and climbing over the dunes. You will be surprised by the special plants and birds that live here.

Locatie: Ecomare
May 25
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Swarovski birdwatching tour XXL

Discover as many waders as possible on the mudflats in three hours, water birds and gulls in the pools, and various songbirds and birds of prey in the dunes. There is plenty of time to observe the different species thoroughly and identify them based on their characteristics.

Locatie: Bird Information Center De Cocksdorp, Kikkertstraat 42, 1795 AE De Cocksdorp
May 26
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Orchid excursion in the Muy

Enjoy the spotted orchids that color the landscape pink during the walk. You will also see the broad-leaved orchid and the reed orchid. You might even encounter the fragrant night orchid. The guide knows everything about it.

Locatie: Ecomare
May 26
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Minibus birdwatching tour along the Vogelboulevard

With a minibus, you visit various bird-rich areas and take some short walks. Look for geese, ducks, waders, meadow birds, gulls, and terns. But also migratory songbirds and birds of prey can be seen at this time of year.

Locatie: Bird Information Center De Cocksdorp, Kikkertstraat 42, 1795 AE De Cocksdorp
May 26
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Minibus bird-watching tour through Nationaal Park Duinen van Texel

With a minibus, you visit various bird-rich areas in the Texel Dunes National Park. You stop along the way for short walks through the dunes or the forest. Discover the waders in the Slufter, forest birds in the Dennen, and various songbirds and birds of prey in the dunes.

Locatie: Bird Information Center De Cocksdorp, Kikkertstraat 42, 1795 AE De Cocksdorp
May 9 and 10

Wadden Bird Festival

A weekend full of bird activities, including the Texel Big Day where more than 25 teams will count species for 24 hours.

Vogel spotten, man met verrekijker op zonnige dag

Lauwersmeer National Park

May 24
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Discover the bird abundance of Lauwersmeer National Park

Join an expert guide in searching for the many bird species in the area. There's much to discover: from the tiniest goldcrest or wren to the majestic white-tailed eagle. Put on sturdy walking shoes and don't forget your binoculars.

Locatie: Activiteitencentrum Lauwersnest, De Rug 1, 9976 VT Lauwersoog
24 mei
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Ontdek de bijzondere planten van Nationaal Park Lauwersmeer

Ga samen met een deskundige gids op zoek naar de vele soorten bijzondere planten. Er valt veel te ontdekken: van het allerkleinste geelhartje tot prachtig gekleurde orchideeën. Trek je stevige wandelschoenen of laarzen bij nat weer.

Locatie: Activity Center Lauwersnest, De Rug 1, 9976 VT Lauwersoog
24 mei
13:00 tot 16:30 uur

Wat leeft er in het water?

With nets and identification charts, you search for everything that lives in the freshwater. And that's much more than you might expect at first glance! In addition to tadpoles and sticklebacks, all sorts of special creatures live underwater. Who knows, you might even catch a water stick insect or a water scorpion. An expert guide will tell you all about your catches.

Locatie: Activity Center Lauwersnest, De Rug 1, 9976 VT Lauwersoog
Nationaal Park Oosterschelde

National Park Oosterschelde

May 9
9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Spider and insect excursion

During this excursion, you will see dozens of species of spiders and insects that you have never heard of, but are oh so beautiful and useful. The spider and insect expert David Sies can tell you all about them.

Locatie: Around PiXlife Nature Xperience, Brouwersdam Binnenzijde 25, 3253 MN Ouddorp
May 23
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Flight and mosquito excursion

Did you know that most mosquitoes do not bite? And that hoverflies are very important pollinators? Dive into the wonderful world of flies and mosquitoes with fly and mosquito expert Niels-Jan Dek. With the help of insect nets and magnifying jars, you will discover the most beautiful specimens.

Locatie: Dike house near Wissenkerke, Keihoogteweg, 4491 PX Wissenkerke

Nationaal Park De Sallandse Heuvelrug

17 en 24 mei

Vogels van de Sallandse Heuvelrug

Ga mee met de gids van Staatsbosbeheer vogels kijken op de Sallandse Heuvelrug. Onderweg vertelt de gids over de grote diversiteit aan vogelsoorten.

May 22

Bird excursion in the Wierdense Veld

Guided by a bird guide, you walk for about three hours through this beautiful, marshy area, with a focus on enjoying and learning to identify birds. This excursion is especially intended for novice birdwatchers. What should you listen to and look for to interpret the abundance of bird sounds? The guide teaches you all about it.

Nationaal Park Sallandse Heuvelrug

Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park

9 May
8:00 – 15:30

1000 Species Day Elisabeth Groen

On this day we spend around 24 hours searching for as many plants, birds, aquatic creatures, bats and other living things as possible. You start by checking the live traps of the mouse survey. After that, there are bird, beetle, dip-net and wild bee excursions, among others. Throughout the day you can join experts who will point out both rare and everyday species.

Locatie: The excursions start at the Elisabeth Groen garden house, and various activities also take place at scouting group Cay-Noya.
14 May
from 22:00

Moth excursion with the Vlinderstichting

You don’t often spot moths, but with special lamps they appear! Join this moth excursion with Kars from the Vlinderstichting (Dutch butterfly foundation) and discover the different species.

Locatie: Blue Beetle, Buurtsteeg 7, 3951 LL Maarn
22 May
17:30 – 22:00

Counting species with the youth council

On the International Day of Biodiversity, the Youth Council of Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park is organising a special activity for young people (aged 16–26). You travel to Baarn and walk through the forest to Landgoed Zonheuvel estate, with attention along the way to counting species and good conversations. At the estate, a meal and one or more interesting nature films await you.

Locatie: meeting point at Utrecht Centraal station
23 May
10:00 - 12:00

Walking with the ranger in Kwintelooijen

During this walk, the ranger tells you about the origins, ecology and management of this special area. With more than 300 species of plants and animals, it is a paradise for nature lovers — perfect for the National Parks Species Challenge.

Locatie: Discovery Centre Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park at House of Bird Kwintelooijen, Oude Veensegrindweg 47, Rhenen
24 May
10:00 – 12:00

Species journey with HeuvelrugWijs

Through educational stories, games and fun activities, you discover the secrets of this special area. You experience how people and animals live together on the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. Fun for young and old.

Locatie: Koetshuis Beerschoten (Coach House), De Holle Bilt 6, De Bilt
31 May
12:00 – 16:00

Sustainable Action Together Day, Zeist

On this day, De Boswerf Visitor Centre turns into a buzzing sustainable hub. Take part in one of the many activities for a liveable future. For example, join a neighbourhood safari with village ecologist David van der Veen to count as many wild plants and animals as possible.

Locatie: De Boswerf Visitor Centre, Prins Bernhardlaan 3, Zeist

National Park Weerribben-Wieden

20 mei

Avondzwerftocht varend door De Wieden

Stap aan boord van onze excursieboot en ervaar de bijzondere sfeer op het water aan het einde van de dag. Je hoort alleen het ruisen van het riet en de vogels, zelfs de boot fluistert tijdens deze tocht.

21 mei

Boat trip blooming hayfield

Step aboard with the ranger and sail along the wildflowers of De Wieden and through the village of Dwarsgracht. In spring and summer, De Wieden is a true paradise for wildflowers, insects, and birds.

May 21 and 26

Sailing through the Weerribben

Sail with the guide through the Weerribben. From the water, you have a beautiful view of nature. Beforehand, you'll hear everything about it, and along the way, you might encounter the birds, butterflies, and dragonflies yourself! The guide delves deeper into what you encounter along the way. An interesting excursion for those who want to know just a little bit more!

May 23

Boat trip cormorant colony

Enjoy the beautiful landscape of De Wieden and take a look at one of the oldest cormorant colonies in the Netherlands. The cormorant breeding season begins as early as February/March, and in April it is bustling with activity.

May 24

Boat excursion Discover De Wieden

Step aboard our whisper boat and come discover De Wieden with us! Discover the remarkable history and the rich flora and fauna in one of the largest peat bog areas in Europe.

National Park Zuid-Kennemerland

May 12
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Types of Challenge – Dune Garden

During this journey, you'll actively search for everything that lives, grows, and blooms in the dune landscape. Think of birds, plants, and insects. You will learn not only to look but also to recognize and record. With the help of useful tools such as Waarneming.nl and ObsIdentify, you'll instantly discover what species you've seen, document your findings, and thereby contribute to valuable nature research.

Locatie: Visitors Center De Kennemerduinen, Zeeweg, 2051 EC Bloemendaal
May 14
various times

Types of Challenge – birds

During this tour, you will actively search for birds. You will learn not only to look and listen but also to recognize and register. With the help of handy tools Waarneming.nl and ObsIdentify, you will immediately discover which species you have seen, record your findings, and thus contribute to valuable nature research.

Times:
10:30 – 11:15 AM
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM
1:30 – 2:15 PM
2:45 – 3:30 PM

Locatie: Visitor Center The Kennemer Dunes, Zeeweg, 2051 EC Bloemendaal
May 14
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Types of Challenge: plants Stream and Mountain

During this journey, you actively search for plants in Beek and Berg. You will not only learn to look and listen but also to recognize and register. With the help of useful tools Waarneming.nl and ObsIdentify, you immediately discover which species you've seen, record your findings, and thereby contribute to valuable nature research.

Locatie: Water Tap Bleek en Berg, Bergweg, Bloemendaal
Heath Blue Butterfly

Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide

May 17
10:30 uur

Dragonfly walk

Tijdens deze dagtocht kom je meer te weten over de bijzondere levenscyclus van libellen en leer je verschillende soorten te herkennen.

Locatie: Parking Visit Kalmthout, Putsesteenweg 129, Kalmthout
22 mei
20:00 uur tot 21:30 uur

Avondwandeling Arboretum Kalmthout

Beleef een bijzondere avond in de arboretumtuin. De gids wijst je op bijzonderheden onderweg.

Locatie: Arboretum Kalmthout
May 23rd
06:00 AM

Nachtvlinders spotten

Onder leiding van onderzoeker Filip Mennes ga je met behulp van een nachtvlinderval nachtvlinders en andere insecten spotten.

Locatie: Het Zonneveld, toegang via 'Sapperlootjes', Achterbroeksteenweg 86A, 2920 Kalmthout
23 mei
14:00 uur

Walking Diary of a Scots Pine

Anaïs Berck neemt je mee op een wandeling waarbij je onderweg kennis maakt met een bijzondere grove den in de Kalmthoutse Heide.

Locatie: De Vroente, Duurzaam Educatiepunt, Putsesteenweg 129, 2920 Kalmthout
25 mei
13:00 tot 16:30 uur

Workshop Maak een muziekinstrument

Build your own musical instrument and let nature hear your sounds.

Locatie: Karrenmuseum, Moerkantsebaan 52, Essen
May 25
13:00 uur

Landschapswandeling Groote en Kleine Meer

Wandel samen met een gids door een gevarieerd landschap van heidevelden, bossen en waterpartijen.

Locatie: Werkschuur Natuurmonumenten, Abdijlaan 43a, Ossendrecht

The national parks are the most characteristic natural areas of the Netherlands

They are places where you can enjoy the most beautiful nature and which are home to special plants and animals. We invite everyone to experience what nature does to you. That we humans are part of nature. That we need nature, but also the other way around. Because these special places do not remain special just like that!

Experience the national parks

Experience the national parks

National parks are there for you to experience nature and its associated culture. On May 24, the parks celebrate National Park Day.

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