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Nieuw Land National Park
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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.
- Location: Flevoland, Netherlands
- Top sights: Oostvaardersplassen · Oostvaardersveld · Observatiehut De Brandgans
- Nearby: Lelystad (9 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 74 | 63 | 54 | 39 | 59 | 64 | 81 | 85 | 64 | 71 | 70 | 78 |
📋 Practical info
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Explore nearby
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)
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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Nearby cities
Lelystad
The capital of Flevoland was built on reclaimed land and is known for the Batavia shipyard and modern waterfront architecture.
Kampen
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Harderwijk
Harderwijk is a Hanseatic city at the edge of the Veluwe and Veluwemeer, world-famous for the Dolfinarium.
Zeewolde
The youngest municipality in the Netherlands, located on the Flevo polder.
Almere
Almere is the largest city in the province of Flevoland, built entirely on reclaimed land.
Edam
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Hilversum
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Doornspijk
A quiet village in the Veluwe region, offering a peaceful retreat between lush forests and the Veluwemeer lake.
Purmerend
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Hoorn
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Diemen
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Soest
Soest is located in the province of Utrecht.
Elburg
Elburg is a beautifully preserved medieval fortress town and former fishing port on the edge of the Veluwemeer lake.
Amersfoort
Amersfoort is a historic city in the province of Utrecht with a well-preserved medieval center.
Zaanstad
Zaanstad is a municipality north of Amsterdam, known for its industrial heritage and distinctive green wooden houses.
History & landmarks
Zuiderzee
The Zuiderzee was historically a large, shallow bay of the North Sea in the center of the Netherlands.
Marken
A former island in the Markermeer with characteristic wooden houses on stilts and the iconic 'Paard van Marken' lighthouse.
Volendam
Volendam is a world-famous, picturesque fishing village on the Markermeer in the province of North Holland.
Naarden
One of Europe's best-preserved fortified towns, famous for its distinctive star-shaped layout and double moats.
Monnickendam
A charming small town featuring significant historic buildings and a traditional carillon tower in the heart of North Holland.
Urk
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IJsselmeer
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Enkhuizen
A historic port city on the IJsselmeer, famous for its rich maritime heritage and the open-air Zuiderzee Museum.
Nature
More places
Oostvaardersbos
A young forest in the nature reserve near Almere.
Port of Lelystad
The Port of Lelystad on the Markermeer specializes in recreational boating and light industrial logistics.
Salentse Bos
An extensive forest area in the Veluwe region.
Arkemheen Polder
This polder area is an important protected area for meadow birds.
Polder Arkemheen
A historic polder with high ecological significance.
Laren Hill
Laren Hill is located in the Gooi region.
Baarn Sand Hill
Baarn Sand Hill is a forested elevation near historical estates.
Elspeet Hill
The Elspeet Hills are located in the middle of the Veluwe heathland.