Kokshetau National Park

Kokshetau State National Natural Park (1996), A Forested Upland Of Pine, Birch And Granite Outcrops With Lakes, Near The Better Known Burabay. Quieter Than Burabay, With Fewer Facilities And A Locals' Summer Feel. · Kokshetau, Akmola

Kokshetau National Park is the quieter neighbour of Burabay, a forested upland of pine, birch and granite outcrops with lakes, reached from the city of Kokshetau in Akmola region. It was set up as a state park in 1996, and the park office is in the Zerendi district. Burabay is a separate row and sits nearby; this one is the lower-key option for people who want hills and water without the resort crowds. Be realistic: it is little documented, facilities are modest, and routes, fees and what is open change from year to year, so confirm locally before you drive out. It suits people already based in Kokshetau city, Astana-area travellers with a spare day, and locals who like a quiet lake shore. It is worth a half day to two days in summer or early autumn, mainly when Burabay is packed or you want fewer people. It is not worth a long detour on its own. Winters are very cold, down to minus 30 C and below, and most services close then.

Hilly forest and lake park on the Kokshetau uplands, reached from the city of Kokshetau, with the park office in the Zerendi district and trails around the lakes and granite hills, Kokshetau, Akmola, Kazakhstan

No fixed gate hours are known here, so confirm locally. As a general guide the park is reachable all year, but this is a seasonal place: lake shores, forest tracks and the area around Zerendi are used in daylight, from roughly June to early September, with a thinner offer in May and late September. Park offices usually keep ordinary working hours on weekdays and may be shut at weekends or holidays. Camps, small cafes and guesthouses near the park open mainly in summer. In winter roads can be icy or blocked by snow, and many places shut. Trails have no lighting, so plan to be out of the forest before dark.

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