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Nieuw Land National Park

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Nieuw Land National Park (Netherlands)

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Nieuw Land National Park is the youngest national park in the Netherlands, officially established in 2018 within the province of Flevoland. Spanning approximately 29,000 hectares, it is situated entirely on reclaimed land, making it a globally unique example of man-made wilderness. The park incorporates several key areas, including the Oostvaardersplassen, Lepelaarplassen, Markermeer, and the constructed Marker Wadden archipelago. This ecosystem supports large herbivores such as Konik horses, Heck cattle, and red deer, which maintain the open landscape through natural grazing. It serves as a vital sanctuary for thousands of migratory birds and has been a breeding site for white-tailed eagles since 2006. The park illustrates Dutch expertise in water management and large-scale ecological restoration on land that sits below sea level.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C335913161818151174
Rain mm746354395964818564717078

📋 Practical info

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Getting there
This fascinating, purely man-made nature reserve lies deep within the province of Flevoland. It is absolutely best and fastest reached comfortably with your own car via the very nearby and accessible major cities of Almere or Lelystad.
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Best season
A visit is truly highly interesting all year round, as countless migratory birds constantly provide entirely new impressions. In spring and summer, however, the extensive area is particularly lively, loud, and extremely green and lushly overgrown.
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Terrain & paths
The very open and entirely flat landscape is characterized primarily by abundant water, large swamps, wide pastures, and dense reeds. The paths are pleasantly flat, but can occasionally be somewhat slippery and quite muddy after heavy rain.
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What to bring
Since the open terrain here is often very unprotected and quite windy, a good wind- and water-resistant jacket is urgently recommended. A high-quality pair of binoculars is also completely indispensable for accurately observing the extremely rich birdlife.
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Parking
There are specially set up and very well-maintained visitor parking lots at the absolute most important starting points for guided hikes. Very many of these excellent parking facilities are perfectly signposted and also offer truly more than enough space.
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Safety
Pay very close attention to absolutely never getting too close to wild grazing animals such as the famous Konik horses or cattle. Always stay firmly on the clearly marked paths to effectively protect and avoid disturbing the highly sensitive wildlife.
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Time needed
For a fairly short walk or a focused visit to the interesting observation huts, roughly two solid hours are usually completely sufficient. However, a highly extensive and very sporty bicycle tour can effortlessly and excitingly fill a complete, active day.

Geography

Coordinates
52.45000, 5.38330

Facts

  • Official establishment of the national park occurred in 2018.
  • Total area encompasses approximately 29,000 hectares of land and water.
  • First pair of white-tailed eagles bred in Oostvaardersplassen in 2006.
  • Includes Marker Wadden, a group of 5 newly created artificial islands.
  • Home to roughly 1,000 Konik horses living in the wild.
  • The entire park is located about 5 meters below sea level.

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Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Nieuw Land National Park (3)

Oostvaardersplassen🌿 nature

An extensive wetland and nature reserve known for its wild horses and water birds.

Oostvaardersveld🌿 nature

A nature reserve within the Nieuw Land National Park, providing habitat for numerous bird species.

Observatiehut De Brandgans🌿 nature

An observation hut in Nieuw Land National Park offering a good view of the local birdlife.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is special about Nieuw Land?
It is the newest national park in the Netherlands and was created on man-made land.
Where is the park located?
In the province of Flevoland, between Lelystad and Almere.
Can you see wild horses there?
Yes, Konik horses live in the wild in the Oostvaardersplassen.
Are there observation huts?
Yes, there are several huts for bird watching.
Can you explore the park by bicycle?
Yes, there are many well-maintained bicycle paths through the polder landscape.
Nieuw Land National Park: where is it located?
Nieuw Land National Park is located in Flevoland, Netherlands.
Nieuw Land National Park: what is there to see?
Highlights include Oostvaardersplassen, Oostvaardersveld, Observatiehut De Brandgans.
Nieuw Land National Park: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Nieuw Land National Park: why is it worth visiting?
Nieuw Land National Park is the youngest national park in the Netherlands, officially established in 2018 within the province of Flevoland.
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