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Travel photo of Sri Lanka

National parks · 26 parks

Flag of Sri LankaNational Parks in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has 26 national parks covering about 8,711 km² in total. The largest is Horowpathana National Park (2,570 km²); the oldest, Yala National Park, dates from 1937.

Horowpathana National Park2,570 km² · since 2011 Wilpattu National Park Wilpattu National Park1,085 km² · since 1938 Yala National Park Yala National Park979 km² · since 1937 Madhu Road National Park631 km² Maduru Oya National Park Maduru Oya National Park589 km² · since 1983 Wasgamuwa National Park Wasgamuwa National Park393 km² · since 1984 Somawathiya National Park Somawathiya National Park376 km² · since 1966 Kumana National Park Kumana National Park357 km² · since 1970 Udawalawe National Park Udawalawe National Park308 km² · since 1972 Gal Oya National Park Gal Oya National Park259 km² · since 1954 Lunugamvehera National Park Lunugamvehera National Park235 km² · since 1995 Chundikkulam National Park Chundikkulam National Park196 km² · since 2015 Adam's Bridge Marine National Park Adam's Bridge Marine National Park190 km² · since 2015 Flood Plains National Park174 km² · since 1984 Minneriya National Park Minneriya National Park89 km² · since 1997 Angammedilla National Park Angammedilla National Park75 km² · since 2006 Kaudulla National Park Kaudulla National Park69 km² · since 2002 Bundala National Park Bundala National Park62 km² · since 1993 Horton Plains National Park Horton Plains National Park32 km² · since 1969 Delft National Park Delft National Park18 km² · since 2015 Lahugala Kitulana National Park16 km² · since 1980 Pigeon Island National Park Pigeon Island National Park4.7 km² · since 2003 Ussangoda Ussangoda3.5 km² · since 2010 Hikkaduwa National Park Hikkaduwa National Park1.0 km² · since 2002 Horagolla National Park0.3 km² · since 1973 Galway's Land National Park Galway's Land National Park0.3 km² · since 1938

Data: Wikidata (CC0), English Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons. Photos under their Commons licences — the author is credited on each park page.

National parks in Sri Lanka at a glance

Sri Lanka has 26 national parks covering about 8,711 km² — roughly 13.3% of the country's 65,610 km². The 3 largest parks together account for 53% of that area.

Largest national parks

  1. Horowpathana National Park — 2,570 km², since 2011
  2. Wilpattu National Park — 1,085 km², since 1938
  3. Yala National Park — 979 km², since 1937
  4. Madhu Road National Park — 631 km²
  5. Maduru Oya National Park — 589 km², since 1983

Oldest national parks

Planning a trip? See the best time to visit Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka travel guide and airports in Sri Lanka.

Frequently asked questions

How many national parks are there in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka has 26 national parks covering about 8,711 km² in total. The largest is Horowpathana National Park (2,570 km²); the oldest, Yala National Park, dates from 1937.

What are the largest national parks in Sri Lanka?

Horowpathana National Park (2,570 km²), Wilpattu National Park (1,085 km²), Yala National Park (979 km²), Madhu Road National Park (631 km²) and Maduru Oya National Park (589 km²).

How much of Sri Lanka is national park?

About 13.3% of the country — 8,711 km² of national parks out of 65,610 km² in total.

What is the oldest national park in Sri Lanka?

Yala National Park, established in 1937, followed by Wilpattu National Park (1938), Galway's Land National Park (1938) and Gal Oya National Park (1954).