National parks in Denmark

The national parks in Denmark showcases some of the country's finest natural landscapes. There are five national parks in Denmark proper and they were all established in the 2000s. Many of the nature protections in the parks, however, are much older. A sixth national park, National Park Skjern Å, was very close to inauguration, but was abandonned shortly before.

The national parks are owned by private funds and governed by an independent board of 7 to 15 locals. The whole board and the chairman are appointed by the Danish Minister of Environment for four year periods, selected from people in favour by the local municipality, farmers, fishers, national park council, and other organisations. Each national park board is bound by the regulations defined by the Ministry of Environment, but follow their own six year plans.

The national parks of Denmark are evaluated every six years, and more parks are being considered as of 2026.

In addition to national parks, Denmark has several large marine and RAMSAR bird protections throughout. Also, a total of 15 smaller Naturnationalparker (nature parks) are planned, and some of them have already been realised as of 2026. Nature parks are not as strictly protected as national parks and other formal international protections.

The first national park in Denmark was established in 2008, and the latest in 2018.

The landscapes of Denmark's national parks are all unique, representing important nature habitats deemed worthy of strict protection.

Denmark is an eldorado for birds and of international importance to many migratory species. As Denmarks sea environment and ecology is severely damaged by human activity, a significant part of the protections are also considered with wetland and marine areas and species.

Most of the protected flora and fauna in Denmarks national parks are only endangered on a national level and there are very few endemic species in the country. Geologically, Denmark is a young land, wiped clean by kilometre thick glaciers during Ice Ages and then subsequently repopulated by species from the rest of Europe. Some plants and animals here are also vulnerable or threatened on an international level, though, including species such as European Eel, Maraena Whitefish, some migratory ducks, European Rabbit, and some bats.

Several species such as White-tailed Eagle, White Stork, Eurasian Beaver, and Eurasian Wolf have been wiped out in Denmark in the course of history, but are now repopulating and establishing here once again, and the protections in Denmarks national parks have been crucial in this process.

Denmarks national parks are all free to visit, although a few rare facilities might cost a fee.

• 56.9599898.3914711 Thy National Park. Wild coastland at the North Sea in North Jutland. Established in 2007, this was the first national park in Denmark proper, covering 244 km².  (updated Oct 2026)
• 56.3104810.5228182 National Park Mols Bjerge. Undulating grasslands dotted with forests, moors, and lakes on the Kattegat Sea in East Jutland. The protection covers 180 km² and was inaugurated in 2009.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 55.1890988.5741183 Wadden Sea National Park. Vast tidal flats and an eldorado for bird and sea life on the west coast of South Jutland. At 1,466 km², this is by far the largest national park in Denmark, inaugurated in 2010. The Wadden Sea stretches much further south from here, through Germany and well in to the Netherlands, collectively considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site of global importance on par with nature sites like the Great Barrier Reef.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 55.66445612.0087194 Skjoldungernes Land National Park. A landscape of inlets, marshlands, and fjords near Roskilde with a deep cultural history. At 170 km², it is the smallest of the Danish national parks, established in 2015.  (updated Oct 2026)
• 56.00532912.309475 National Park Kongernes Nordsjælland. Deep deciduous woods, lakes, heath, and renaissance castles north of Copenhagen. At 263 km², this is the second largest national park in Denmark, and was inaugurated in 2018.  (updated Oct 2026)

The national park that almost came to be, lives up to most national park criteria, and is equally worth a visit:

• 55.9126568.3861 Skjern Å National Park - Large meandering river system, delta, and surrounding meadows, wood and heathlands of 245 km². An interesting nature site with good opportunity for angling and hiking.

In addition to the national parks, there are other important nature protections in Denmark of interest to tourists.

• 57.03319.10152 Vejlerne (at the Limfjord northeast of Thisted) - Wetland in Han Herred, North Jutland, part of a much larger RAMSAR bird protection, the largest bird protection in Northern Europe. A paradise for bird watchers.
• Skagen - The whole region of Skagen on the top of Jutland is attracting bird lovers from all around the world. It is a crucial bottleneck for many migratory birds flying to and from the northernmost parts of Europe. Also many seals and a beautiful and unique landscape throughout. About half of the spit is under some form of protection. 57.73997710.595663 Skagen Nature Reserve is a nature reserve open for visits in May to September at the visitor centre designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon. The visitor center is sometimes closed on Mondays, check the website for specific information. Entry fee is kr 75 (kr 30 for children under 12). 57.7355710.6304634 Det Grå Fyr is a grey lighthouse and the headquarters for a scientific birdtracking station open for visits throughout the year. The lighthouse tower is perfect for grand vistas. For a fee, you can sometimes participate in guided tours with the scientists. Three-day bird festival every year in the beginning of May. Entry fee for the tower is kr 95 for adults, with various discounts for other age groups. 57.60445610.3162795 Skagen Eagle Reserve is a private nature reserve for birds of prey since 1976, with a focus on eagles, open for visitors from April to September. Entry fee is kr 170 for adult on-line tickets (with discounts for other age groups) and includes a tight programme with falcon hunting demonstrations and history talks. 57.65392410.4081756 Råbjerg Mile og Bunken Klitplantage is a large migrating dune system, reminiscent of an Arabian sandy desert, and a wild woodland of shrubs and stunted trees.

Denmark has three UNESCO Global Geoparks representing rare and important geological formations.

• UNESCO Global Geopark Odsherred - Significant undulating, costal landscape formed during the last Ice Age about 20,000 years ago. See Odsherred.
• UNESCO Global Geopark Vestjylland - A unique glacial landscape and seabed representing several Ice Ages and large-scale glacial dynamics. See West Jutland.
• UNESCO Global Geopark South Funen Archipelago - Glacially formed landscape of hills, islands and seabed and an outstanding example of Holocene coastal development. See South Funen Archipelago.

The geoparks also include cultural legacies.

• Hiking destinations in Norway
• Hiking in the Nordic countries