Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksWhere Conservation Began
Uttarakhand
Image: Sumeet Moghe / CC BY-SA 3.0Welcome to Jim Corbett National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Book safari permits and forest rest house stays online before travel.
This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.
The park's terrain is rugged and uneven. Jeep safaris and canter safaris are the primary modes of viewing wildlife. Wheelchair accessibility is limited inside the park. Dhikala and Bijrani rest houses have basic accessible facilities. The Ramnagar reception center is accessible. Visitors with mobility challenges should inform the reception in advance for assistance.
Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, Jim Corbett National Park holds the distinction of being India's first national park. Named after the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett, the park spans the Patli Dun valley in the foothills of the Himalayas. It was here that Project Tiger was first launched in 1973 to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. The park's diverse landscape encompasses hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands, and a large lake. The Ramganga River flows through the park, creating a rich riparian ecosystem that supports an extraordinary diversity of flora and fauna.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Nov - Feb) | 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
| Summer (Mar - Jun) | 5:30 AM - 9:30 AM | 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM |
Dhikala zone requires overnight stay. Day visits available in Bijrani, Jhirna, and Durga Devi zones. The park reception at Ramnagar is open daily from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 50 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 600 per person |
| Jeep Safari (Indian) | INR 5,000 - 7,000 per trip |
| Jeep Safari (Foreigner) | INR 10,000 - 12,000 per trip |
| Canter Safari (Dhikala) | INR 2,000 - 3,500 per person |
| Elephant Safari | INR 2,500 - 4,000 per person |
| Guide Fee | INR 500 per trip (mandatory) |
| Camera Fee | INR 200 (still), INR 500 (video) |
Prices vary by zone and season. Dhikala zone is the most expensive. Government-approved guides are mandatory for all safari zones. Prices are subject to revision by the Uttarakhand Forest Department.
Jim Corbett National Park, Ramnagar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand 244715
29.5300° N, 78.7747° E
Nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport (80 km from Ramnagar), with limited flights from Delhi. Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (290 km) is the major airport with regular taxi and bus services to Ramnagar.
Ramnagar Railway Station (12 km from park entrance) is directly connected to Delhi via the Ranikhet Express and Corbett Link Express. Journey time from Delhi is approximately 5-6 hours.
Well-connected by road from Delhi (260 km, approximately 6 hours via NH-9). State transport and private buses run regularly from Delhi ISBT (Anand Vihar). Ramnagar is the gateway town with the main park reception center.
Jeeps and canters are available at the park gate. Private vehicles are not allowed inside the park. Shared canters operate to Dhikala zone. Pre-arranged jeep safaris pick up from hotels in Ramnagar.
The park features Sal forests (78% of the area), mixed deciduous forests, scrublands, pine forests at higher elevations, and riverine habitats. The chaur (grassland) at Dhikala is one of the most iconic landscapes in Indian wildlife.
Home to approximately 230-260 Bengal tigers, over 1,000 elephants, and significant populations of leopards, Himalayan black bears, sloth bears, wild boar, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, and gharial crocodiles. The Ramganga Reservoir hosts mugger crocodiles and the endangered gharial.
Jim Corbett National Park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, named after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the then Governor of the United Provinces. It was renamed Ramganga National Park in 1952 and finally Jim Corbett National Park in 1957, honoring the legendary hunter-turned-conservationist Edward James Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. In 1973, Corbett became the first park to be included under Project Tiger, India's ambitious tiger conservation program. The park and its surrounding reserve forests form the Corbett Tiger Reserve, one of the most successful tiger conservation landscapes in the world.
