Kazakhstan National Parks: All 14 Parks, Areas & Entry Fees

Kazakhstan has 14 state national natural parks in the official protected-area register checked on September 5, 2026. Katon-Karagay is the largest in this list at 643,477 hectares; Ulytau is the smallest at 58,912 hectares. The table below distinguishes national parks from nature reserves and combines the two territorial entries for Ile-Alatau into one park.

The source is the updated Government protected-area register, Resolution No. 593. The Ministry of Ecology also describes Ulytau, founded in 2021, as Kazakhstan’s 14th national park. Use this page to compare parks, download the source-linked data and choose a starting point for trip planning.

Complete Table of All 14 National Parks

These are registered land areas, not the amount of land open to visitors. Tourist routes, access restrictions and permitted activities need a separate check with the park. English region labels below translate the registry’s location fields; the downloads preserve the Russian park names and numbered source entries.

Download and Cite the National Parks Data

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Plain-text citation

Kazakhstan National Parks: Official Register Area Comparison. About Kazakhstan. Updated September 5, 2026. https://about-kazakhstan.com/kazakhstan-national-parks/

Source claims

• All 14 parks
• Area methodology
• Entry fees

The English compilation and chart are available under CC BY 4.0. Credit About Kazakhstan and retain the official register URL when reproducing the figures. The original government source retains its own terms. More downloadable references are in the Kazakhstan Data Hub.

How the Areas Were Compiled

The register contains 15 territorial entries for 14 distinct national parks. Ile-Alatau appears under Almaty Region (entry 20: 186,400.2694 ha) and Almaty city (entry 31: 13,221 ha). We add those entries to obtain 199,621.2694 ha, rather than counting them as separate parks. Every other park has one entry in this extract.

The table and chart round to the nearest hectare for readability. CSV and JSON retain the source precision; the two Ile-Alatau entries and the aggregation rule are included in JSON. Decimal precision reflects the source’s reporting, not an independent survey. The chart compares registered park land, not a biosphere reserve, buffer zone or a tourist-accessible area.

Correction, September 5, 2026: the previous article and CSV mixed protected-area categories, contained duplicate or unsupported park entries, and disagreed on areas and fees. This version replaces that list with the official register. Aksu-Zhabagly is a nature reserve, so it is outside this national-park dataset. “Kalbinsky” and “Altyn-Emel Extension (Merke)” are not national parks in the register checked for this compilation.

Dataset format change: schema version 2 retains the existing CSV download address but replaces the old columns. It provides names, regions, hectares, source-entry numbers and verification dates. The unsupported uniform fee columns and unverified establishment-year column have been removed. Missing prices must not be interpreted as free admission.

2026 Entry Fees: What You Actually Pay

There is no verified universal admission total for all 14 parks in this guide. Check the park’s current tariff and the exact route before budgeting. A pedestrian tariff, vehicle entry, parking, camping and a guided excursion describe different services; a tour quote may include some of them.

For a concrete example, the official Ile-Alatau tariff notice announces revised checkpoint tariffs from January 1, 2026, with MRP set at 4,325 KZT. Its published tariff image lists 648.75 KZT for one pedestrian per day and 1,297.50 KZT for a passenger car. These are separate tariff categories in that notice, not an all-in group quote. Confirm how passenger and vehicle charges apply to your visit.

For Altyn-Emel, use the official tariff links and entry directions in our Altyn-Emel planning guide. For other parks, request the current official price list before arrival. Check the charging unit, what your booking includes and available payment methods; do not assume that one park’s rate, exemption or payment policy applies to another.

Ile-Alatau National Park

Ile-Alatau is the mountain-park option beside Almaty. Its registered land spans Almaty Region and Almaty city; use both entries when comparing its size with other parks.

Start with the Kazakhstan hiking guide and Kazakhstan mountains overview to choose a route that matches your experience. Confirm the specific trailhead, weather and access restrictions before departure. A nearby city does not make every mountain route straightforward.

Altyn-Emel National Park

Altyn-Emel combines desert, mountain and cultural sites, but it is not one route through one gate. The official park directory lists the Singing Dune, Aktau, Katutau, Besshatyr, Oshaktas, Shokan Valikhanov’s spring, Tanbalytas petroglyphs and other sites.

Use the dedicated Altyn-Emel National Park guide before choosing transport. It explains why the Singing Dune and Aktau side use the Basshi approach while Besshatyr uses the Shengeldy side, how to arrange the entry pass, where to check the park’s live tariff categories and when an overnight in Basshi helps.

Charyn National Park

Charyn is in Almaty Region. For a canyon-focused trip, use the Charyn Canyon guide to plan the visitor route and transport.

The register gives the whole park’s area as 127,050 ha. That is not the size of the Valley of Castles walking route. Choose the actual visitor route before comparing tour durations or deciding whether to combine Charyn with another park.

Kolsai Lakes National Park

The registry names this park “Көлсай көлдері” and lists land in Kegen and Talgar districts of Almaty Region. Our Kolsai Lakes guide and Kaindy Lake guide cover the separate lake visits.

Plan the lake stops and overnight base together. Check access for each intended route rather than assuming that reaching the first lake means every higher or nearby lake is accessible on the same terms.

Burabay (Borovoe) National Park

Burabay is in Akmola Region and is a common park choice when planning a trip around Astana. Use the Burabay guide for the lakes, visitor areas and accommodation context.

Burabay and Kokshetau are distinct parks in the official list. A stay in the wider resort area also does not by itself establish which national-park services or access charges are included.

Katon-Karagay National Park

Katon-Karagay, in East Kazakhstan Region, is the largest national park in this register at 643,477 ha. This replaces the earlier, unsupported 1,637,700 ha figure on this page.

Treat a visit as a separate eastern Kazakhstan itinerary. Choose the valley or route first and confirm transport, accommodation, guide arrangements and any restricted-area requirements with the park. The park’s overall size is not a route recommendation.

Sayram-Ugam National Park

Also transliterated Sairam-Ugam, this park is listed in Turkestan Region across Kazygurt, Tolebi and Tulkibas districts. The register reports 149,037.1 ha.

There is one Sayram-Ugam national park in this dataset; “Sairam-Ugam (western)” is not an additional park. Build the trip around the specific visitor route and its current access arrangements.

Bayanaul National Park

Bayanaul is listed in Pavlodar Region with 68,452.8 ha. It is a separate destination from the southeastern parks around Almaty.

Check the visitor area, overnight options and local transport together. This guide does not classify entry as free: obtain the current park service tariff for your planned visit.

Zhongar-Alatau National Park

The registry uses “Жонгар-Алатауский”; English spellings also include Zhetysu Alatau and Dzungarian Alatau. Its registered area is 356,022 ha, in Zhetisu Region.

It is a distinct park from Ile-Alatau despite the similar mountain-range names. Confirm the exact route, entry point and local arrangements before booking onward travel.

Karkaraly National Park

Karkaraly is listed in Karaganda Region with 112,120 ha. Use the park name, not simply the surrounding town or mountain area, when asking about visitor services.

For trip planning, establish which trail or visitor area you intend to use and where you will stay. An overview of the whole park does not establish a universal guide requirement or admission exemption.

Buiratau National Park

Also written Buyratau, the park spans Karaganda and Akmola regions in the registry. Its 88,968 ha appear in one combined entry, unlike Ile-Alatau’s two separate territorial entries.

Ask which park section and entry point a proposed visit covers. The cross-region description should not be read as a single through-route.

Tarbagatay National Park

Tarbagatay is listed in Abay Region, across Urzhar and Makanshy districts, with 143,550.5 ha.

The same protected-area register also contains a Tarbagatay wildlife sanctuary in East Kazakhstan Region. That is a different protected-area designation and is excluded from this national-park comparison.

Kokshetau National Park

Kokshetau spans Zerendi district in Akmola Region and Aiyrtau district in North Kazakhstan Region. The register records 182,076 ha.

Kokshetau belongs in the complete national-park list and must not be replaced by Burabay or treated as a second spelling of it. Specify the park section when arranging accommodation and local transport.

Ulytau National Park

Ulytau is the newest park in this 14-park list. The Ministry of Ecology’s park profile states that it was founded in 2021; both the profile and the register give 58,912 ha.

The ministry describes a landscape of hills, steppe and historical sites. For a visit, distinguish the national park from the wider Ulytau region and verify which sites are inside the planned route.

Wildlife of Kazakhstan’s National Parks

Wildlife varies by habitat and season. Presence in a park does not guarantee a sighting, and this area dataset does not estimate animal populations. Use current park or conservation sources for species information, keep your distance and avoid feeding animals.

The broader Kazakhstan nature guide and Kazakh steppe overview provide context for choosing the landscape you want to explore.

Camping Rules and Permits

Confirm camping arrangements with the park for the exact route and dates. Ask about designated sites, fire restrictions, registration, waste disposal and any separate restricted-area permission. Do not treat a low visitor fee as permission to camp anywhere.

A general national-parks list cannot establish that a route is currently open. Recheck conditions before departure, especially for remote routes or visits near a border.

Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan’s National Parks

Choose the season for the activity and elevation, rather than for the park’s name alone. A lower visitor area and a high mountain route can have very different conditions on the same day.

Use our best time to visit Kazakhstan guide as an initial planning reference, then check the park’s current weather, access notices and route advice.

How to Plan a National Parks Trip

Use the registry location to narrow the search, then plan an actual visitor route. This table groups starting points for comparison; it is not a transport schedule or a claim that every listed park is a day trip from the same city.

When comparing operator offers, write the park and route names beside each quote. Two itineraries that both say “national park tour” may cover different sites, driving distances and services. Ask for the specific visitor programme before comparing the headline price. For meals around city stays, the Kazakh food guide is a separate planning reference.

Start with one geographic cluster. For a trip based in Almaty, compare Ile-Alatau, Charyn, Kolsai Lakes and Altyn-Emel; choose the stops you can reach comfortably instead of treating all four as day trips. For a trip based around Astana, investigate Burabay separately. The eastern and central parks require their own route planning.

Before paying for a tour, confirm the named park, exact sites, entry point, transport, overnight stops and included park services. Use the Kazakhstan hiking guide for preparation, tourist attractions overview to compare stops, and things to do in Kazakhstan for a wider itinerary. The travel cost comparison can help compare city stays, but it does not estimate remote park transport or entrance costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many national parks does Kazakhstan have?

The official protected-area register checked on September 5, 2026 lists 14 distinct state national natural parks. Its 15 territorial entries include two parts of Ile-Alatau. Nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are separate categories and are excluded from this list.

What is the largest national park in Kazakhstan?

Katon-Karagay is the largest in the checked national-park register at 643,477 hectares. The comparison uses registered park land, not a broader biosphere reserve or buffer zone.

What is Kazakhstan's newest national park?

Ulytau is the newest in this 14-park list. The Ministry of Ecology says it was founded in 2021 and covers 58,912 hectares.

What are the best national parks in Kazakhstan to visit?

For an Almaty-based trip, compare Ile-Alatau, Charyn, Kolsai Lakes and Altyn-Emel. For an Astana-based trip, investigate Burabay. Choose the actual route, season and access arrangements before booking.

How much does it cost to visit national parks in Kazakhstan?

There is no verified universal total for all parks. Ile-Alatau's official notice effective January 1, 2026 lists 648.75 KZT for a pedestrian per day and 1,297.50 KZT for a passenger car as separate tariff categories. Confirm the applicable visitor, vehicle and service charges for your park and route.

Do I need a guide for Kazakhstan national parks?

Guide requirements depend on the park, route and current rules. Confirm them with the park before arrival, particularly for remote or restricted routes.

Can you camp in Kazakhstan national parks?

Confirm designated camping areas, registration, fire restrictions and any separate permissions for your exact park and route. Do not assume that an admission ticket permits camping anywhere.

Where can I download Kazakhstan national parks data?

This page provides free CSV and JSON downloads for all 14 parks, with registered areas, English and Russian names, region labels, source-entry numbers and a verification date. A downloadable SVG chart uses the same data.

Last verified: September 5, 2026. The registry snapshot and tariff notice are separate sources; neither guarantees current route access.