Rajaji National Park is a protected area in Uttarakhand near Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. Its Shivalik forests and river landscapes make it a nature outing to plan from the city, with safari zones and seasonal access to check before you set out.
- Location: Near Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun, with the Ganga and Song rivers flowing through the park.
- From Park Grand: About 13.9 km from the hotel.
- Park area: 820.42 sq km in the Shivalik ranges at the edge of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- Seasonal guidance: Uttarakhand Tourism gives November to June as the best time to visit and says the park closes during the monsoon.
Park access from Haridwar
Rajaji National Park lies close to Haridwar, but access depends on the gate or safari zone you plan to visit. Haridwar district headquarters is 8 km from the park.
Haridwar railway station is the nearest railway station, and Haridwar is connected by rail to major destinations in India. Jolly Grant Dehradun Airport is the nearest airport to Haridwar, 72 km away, with taxis available there. If you are arranging flights, the Dehradun Airport to Haridwar transport guide can help with the city portion of your journey.
Once in the area, confirm the specific park entrance for your plans rather than assuming all zones use the same approach. The park’s setting spans a broad landscape, and safari zone names include entrances near both Haridwar and Dehradun.
Entry gates and safari options
Safari zones near Haridwar include Chilla, Jhilmil, Motichur and Ranipur, while Asarori and Mohand entries are near Dehradun. These zones are named by a private safari operator; that does not confirm which gates are currently open under Forest Department rules.
Chilla
The Chilla safari route is described as a 36 km circular track, with an estimated safari duration of 3–3.5 hours. Allow for that time when arranging the rest of your day, and confirm current availability with the relevant official authority before choosing this zone.
Jhilmil
The Jhilmil safari route is 24 km, with an estimated duration of 2.5–3 hours. As with Chilla, check that access and arrangements are current before making plans.
Permits, timings and seasonal access
Rajaji’s access is seasonal, and broad seasonal guidance is not a gate-by-gate operating schedule. Uttarakhand Tourism says the park closes during the monsoon and gives November to June as a best-time-to-visit period. For seasonal ideas around the city, Haridwar’s seasonal travel patterns provide useful context alongside the park’s access information.
A private safari operator’s booking form asks visitors to choose a safari zone, date, entry time, number of visitors and nationality. The form is not verified as the official permit portal, so confirm the current booking and permit process with the Forest Department or the relevant official park authority.
The operator’s booking arrangements state that jeeps seat up to 6 visitors and sharing is not allowed; official vehicle rules have not been confirmed.
Before you go: check the official Uttarakhand Tourism site before you go for current seasonal guidance, then verify gate access and permit requirements with the Forest Department.
Preparing for a responsible wildlife visit
Rajaji is known for Asian elephants and is also home to tigers, leopards, deer, ghorals and a wide variety of birds. Its rivers and forest habitat form part of a large protected landscape, so keep the visit focused on observing wildlife without disturbing it.
In 1983, the Rajaji, Motichur and Chilla sanctuaries were amalgamated to form the national park, named in honour of C. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji. For practical preparation, confirm the rules that apply to your chosen gate and safari, and follow the instructions given by park staff and your operator.
Keep the gate, seasonal access and permit checks together in your itinerary so you can confirm the details for the zone you intend to visit.
FAQs
Where is Rajaji National Park?
The protected area is in Uttarakhand near Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun. The Ganga and Song rivers flow through it.
What wildlife can you find in the park?
Rajaji is known for Asian elephants and is also home to tigers, leopards, deer, ghorals and many kinds of birds.
When is Rajaji National Park open?
The park closes during the monsoon, and November to June is given as the best-time-to-visit period. Check current gate-specific access before travelling.
Which safari zones are near Haridwar?
Chilla, Jhilmil, Motichur and Ranipur are named as safari zones near Haridwar. Confirm current access and the official booking process with the relevant park authority.