Discover India's Wild Heritage

Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks

Explore Parks
Urban National Park and Zoo | Bhopal

Van Vihar National Park

Lakeside Woodland in the City of Lakes

Madhya Pradesh

Image: Sutharashok1993 / CC BY-SA
Urban National Park
Van Vihar is designed for short visits, walking, and interpretation rather than remote-forest safari travel.
Heat and Asphalt
Because much of the park is road-based and urban-edge, midday summer visits can feel significantly hotter than forest parks.

Plan Your Visit

Welcome to Van Vihar National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.

Reservations

Use the official Van Vihar channel for current timings, gate charges, and any online ticket guidance before visiting.

Lodging

Bhopal
Stay anywhere in Bhopal; the park works best as a half-day or day visit from the city.
Lake View Area
Hotels near the Upper Lake and Shyamla Hills give the quickest access.

Book your stay

Browse stays in Bhopal Booking.com

This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.

Visitor Centers

Van Vihar Visitor Facilities
Main entrance on Bhadbhada Road • Posted park hours
Tickets, visitor information, interpretation, and route guidance.

Rules & Regulations

  • Follow posted park timings and closure days
  • Do not feed or tease animals
  • Use only designated walking and cycling routes
  • Maintain silence around enclosures and birding areas
  • Do not litter in the park or lakefront

Accessibility

Van Vihar is one of the easiest parks in the app for travelers with limited time because it is in-city and road-based, though walking distances, heat, and some viewing conditions still need planning.

Basic Information

About This Park

Van Vihar National Park lies along the Upper Lake in Bhopal and is unusual among India's national parks because it functions both as an urban protected landscape and a zoo-style rescue and conservation space. Visitors come for lakeside walks, woodland drives, birding, interpretation, and a chance to understand wildlife conservation close to the capital of Madhya Pradesh.

Operating Hours & Seasons

SeasonMorning SafariEvening Safari
General SeasonPosted opening hoursLast entry as notified by the park

Use the official Van Vihar site for current opening days, ticketing, and cycle/walk access rules.

Closure PeriodWeekly closure days or maintenance schedules can apply.

Fees & Passes

CategoryAmount
Entry TicketAs notified by Van Vihar National Park
Cycle/Camera/VehicleVaries by current park tariff

Check the official website for current gate charges, closure days, and visitor timing before arriving at the lakefront entrance.

Weather

☀️ Summer
March - June
24°C - 41°C
Hot and dry; early mornings are best for walking and birding.
🌧️ Monsoon
July - September
22°C - 31°C
Greener and pleasant, though rain showers can interrupt outdoor time.
❄️ Winter
October - February
10°C - 28°C
Best season for lake views, walking, and migratory birds.

Contact Information

Phone
0755-2674278
Authority
Van Vihar National Park and Zoo

Directions & Transportation

Physical Address

Van Vihar National Park, Bhadbhada Road, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

23.2295° N, 77.3698° E

✈️

By Air

Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal, is the nearest airport.

🚂

By Train

Bhopal Junction and Habibganj/Rani Kamlapati stations are the main railheads.

🚗

By Road

The park is within Bhopal city on the Upper Lake edge and is easy to reach by road from most neighborhoods.

🚐

Local Transport

Use taxis, auto-rickshaws, or app cabs; local city transport also serves nearby roads.

Things to Do

🚶
Lakeside Walks
Walk or cycle through the park's road loop beside Bhopal's Upper Lake.
🐦
Bird Watching
Watch resident and migratory birds around the lake and wooded edges.
🦁
Interpretation and Rescue Learning
Understand the role of Van Vihar as a rescue, conservation, and education space.
🌿
Family Nature Visit
Use the park as a gentle city nature outing rather than a deep-wild destination.

Nature & Wildlife

Key Wildlife

TigerLeopardSloth BearCrocodileNilgaiBlackbuckHeronsWaterbirds

Flora

Dry deciduous woodland, scrub, lakeside vegetation, ornamental cover around visitor zones, and wetland-edge plants.

Fauna

Van Vihar combines rescued and captive conservation animals with open birdlife, reptiles, and urban wetland species around the Upper Lake.

Learn About the Park

History

Van Vihar was established in 1983 on the edge of Bhopal's Upper Lake to create a protected urban green space with a strong rescue, education, and conservation role.

Quick Facts

Established
1983
Area
4.45 sq km
State
Madhya Pradesh
Designation
Urban National Park and Zoo