Balkans National Parks

We know all of you love nature, that is why this article is about National parks in the Balkan region. We will start with Slovenia and Croatia – two countries which most of you visit with our campervans.
There are so many amazing spots, some of them not yet discovered by the mass tourism.
Best way to visit the parks is with Funky VW camper van.

SLOVENIA

TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK

Mother Nature is the best creator of beauty in the World. Triglav national park is one of her amazing creations.  It is the capital of outdoor activities and adrenaline sport in the region. Name of the park is coming from the highest Slovenian mountain (2864 m) called Triglav.

It is located in North-West Slovenia, at the border with Italy and Austria.

Triglav national park is amazing because it’s surrounded by sunny side of Julian Alps. Crystal clear lakes, emerald rivers and deep, green natural forest are parks main inhabitants.

All outdoor activity fans and adrenaline junkies, will explode in this park.
Hiking, rafting, cycling, canyoning, bungee jumping, rock climbing are just some of the activities you can do here. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Triglav national park is in May, June, September and October. You can do all the activities and there are no tourist crowds. However July and August are also good months to visit it because of its mountain climate. It is never too hot and never too cold.

For ski lovers,  winter is also a great time to visit. You have a few beautiful ski slopes in the area of the park.

WHERE TO PARK THE CAMPER VAN FOR THE NIGHT
There are many campsites and a few camper van stops in Trigav national park.
Here is our selection of campsites and camper van stops:

CAMPSITES
https://www.camp-spik.com/en/
http://kamp-triglav.si/en/camp
http://www.camp-bohinj.si/sl/kamp-bohinj/
https://www.campingsoca.com/sl/Kampi/Kamp-Korita
https://www.camp-gabrje.com/
https://www.campingslovenia.com/
*some campsites are on the edge of the Triglav national park, but worth visiting.

CAMPER STOPS
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camper-stop-bohinjska-bistrica
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camper-stop-planica
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camper-stop-kranjska-gora
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camper-stop-dvor-bovec

* some camper stops are on the edge of the Triglav national park, but worth visiting.

CROATIA

PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. It is under UNESCO World Heritage status from 1979.
This National park is amazing because of its waterfalls, which are connecting sixteen beautiful lakes with crystal clear water.
Largest waterfall is 70 meters long.
Park is home of many wildlife species from brown bears, wolves, boars and many different types of birds.
Park is located on the way from Croatia capital Zagreb towards the coast, so the access is easy and fast.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit Plitvice National park is in April, May, June and September, October. Weather is nice in this months and there are way less tourist crowds. Plitvice national park is opened 365 days per year. It is nice to visit all year around.

 WHERE TO PARK THE CAMPER VAN FOR THE NIGHT

CAMPSITES
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-korana
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-plitvice

KRKA NATIONAL PARK

Another beautiful creation of Nature is Krka National Park. It is located close to a beautiful Adriatic coastal city of Šibenik.  Park is famous because of its 7 waterfalls, Krka river and its lakes. Besides nature traditional watermills can be found here and the Krka Monastery, built above ancient Roman catacombs.

BEST TIME TO VISIT
Like other most popular spots in Croatia, best time to visit Krka National park is in April, May, June and September, October. Weather is nice in this months and there are way less tourist crowds. Most of the park is opened 365 days per year. It is nice to visit all year around.

WHERE TO PARK THE CAMPER VAN FOR THE NIGHT
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-krka
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-marina-lozovac
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-skradinske-delicije

THE NORTHERN VELEBIT NATIONAL PARK (Croatian: Sjeverni Velebit National Park)

The Northern Velebit National Park is one of the last pockets of wilderness in this region. It is covering northern part of largest Croatian mountain range called Velebit mountains.

Park is famous for incredibly diverse and special mountain flora species.  Besides wildlife The park is covered with hiking and biking trails.
In our opinion the best thing about Northern Velebit National Park is breath taking view of Adriatic sea and its islands Rab, Goli otok, Prvić, Krk and PAg.

Velebit mountain is also a place of Mystic Mountain music festival. If you like nature and trance music this is a perfect place for you:
https://mysticmountainfestival.com/

BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best time to visit national park Northern Velebit is from May until October. Since the altitude is a bit higher, you won’t feel extreme heat even in summer months.

WHERE TO PARK THE CAMPER VAN FOR THE NIGHT
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-velebit

PAKLENICA NATIONAL PARK

Paklenica National park got the name from the Black Pine tree called »Paklina« in local language. The derivate from the tree was used in traditional medicine for wounds and other similar situations.

Park is located in North Dalmatia, and it is the best preserved forest in Dalmatia. It is also the paradise for climbers and hikers. With beautiful Adriatic see, located just around the corner from the park, it is perfect location do enjoy the nature, do some sports and then relay at the coast.

BEST TIME TO VISIT?

Since most of the people visiting Paklenica natioanl park will arrive here to climb or hike, the best time to visit is April, May and September to avoid higher temperatures.

WHERE TO PARK THE CAMPER VAN FOR THE NIGHT
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-nacionani-park-paklenica
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-bluesun-paklenica

RISNJAK NATIONAL PARK

Risnjak National Park is the wildest and the most mountainous in Croatia. It is located in Gorski Kotar at the Slovenian border, only 15 kilometers from Adriatic Sea.

The park has extremely reach flora and fauna. Brown bear, red deer and wild boar are kings of the parks forests.

BEST TIME TO VISIT RISNJAK NATIONAL PARK
Average summer temperature in Risnjak national park is 22 C, so we would recommend you to visit this park in the warm summer months. However park is known also for its wild winters and heavy snow blanket. For all of you who like winters, Risnjak offer true winter fairytale adventure.

WHERE TO PARK THE VAN FOR THE NIGHT
For sleeping in Risnjak national park use application PARK4NIGHT

KORNATI NATIONAL PARK

Kornati National Park is one of the most special parks in Mediterranean Sea. With 89 small islands with Moon looking landscape, they won the best photography of the year in 2001. It is also the densest national park in the region.

Extremely clear blue water, small local sea food restaurants and beautiful sunsets are just few reasons why this amazing park is one of the most beautiful in the region.

BEST TIME TO VISIT KORNATI NATIONAL PARK
Best time to visit Kornati National Park is from April to October. Our favorite time to visit is beginning of June and mid-September. Sea is warm, there is no heat and no crowds.

WHERE TO PARK THE VAN FOR THE NIGHT
There is no direct campsite on Kornati islands, but there are few very close on nearby islands. Especially island Murter is best known for Kornati starting point. From there you can take a boat tour to Kornati.
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-kosirina
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-slanica

Or camspite Kargita on Dugi Otok (Long Island)
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-kargita

MLJET NATIONAL PARK

Mljet is one of the most remote islands in Croatian coast. This fact is also its biggest advantage. This Caribbean looking island is high, very green and very reach in flora and fauna. If you are looking for Robinson vacation, Mljet Island is one of the best in Croatia.

Mljet national park combines two salt water lakes and Small Island with Benedict monastery on it.
Island is connected by boats which sail there from all parts of the lake.

BEST TIME TO VISIT MLJET NATIONAL PARK
Best time to visit Mljet National Park is from May to October. Our favorite time to visit is beginning of June and mid-September. Sea is warm and there is no heat.

WHERE TO PARK THE VAN FOR THE NIGHT
Mljet Island has three small campsite where you can park your old school beauty:
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-lovor
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-marina-mljet
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-mungos

BRIJUNI ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

This famous national park is located in Northern Adriatic, close to the ancient Roman city of Pula. It is famous because it use to be the residence of Tito, Yugoslavian father and its greatest leader. Brijuni National Park combines fourteen small islands where you can find Tito museum, real exotic animal safari, electric bikes tour, archeologic site exploring and more.

BEST TIME TO VISIT BRIJUNI NATIONAL PARK
Best time to visit Mljet National Park is from May to October. Our favorite time to visit is beginning of June and mid-September. Sea is warm and there is no heat and no crowds.

WHERE TO PARK YOU VAN FOR THE NIGHT
You can reach Brijuni national park by boat which rides every day from a small town of Fažana. Closest campsites in the area are:

https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-brioni
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-pineta
https://www.avtokampi.si/campsites/camping-bi-village

However if you are planning to spend a night near Brijuni national park contact us on +38651692092 or info@balkancampers.com. We have a friend close by and you can maybe park the van at his beautiful Istrian garden.

Next time we will continue with Balkan national parks part 2. We are talking about Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, and more.