Soomaa National Park

Soomaa National Park has been established for the protection of large bogs, flooded meadows, forests and heritage culture in the south-western part of Central Estonia. The National Park extends on a 390 sq km area, which is largely untouched by human activity, on the border of Pärnu and Viljandi counties. The Estonian name of Soomaa National Park (Land of Bogs) refers to the fact that bogs with paludified meadows and swamp forests make up 80 per cent of its territory.

Life in Soomaa depends on weather more than anywhere else in Estonia. The rivers of Soomaa cannot take in all the waters flowing down from the Sakala Uplands in spring. Thus the water flows to meadows and forests and floods even the roads, cutting the connection with the rest of the world. At the time of the maximum flood there is an approximately 175 km² field of water, which in places is 7-8 km in width. The steep-sloped raised bogs stand like islands in the field of water. The floods are called the “fifth season” by the people of Soomaa, because floods occur nearly every year. The fifth season, however, is the best time to explore the landscape of Soomaa – using a canoe or kayak.

RMK has organised visits to Soomaa National Park since February 2009.

Location	Pärnu County, Viljandi County
Attractions	Bogs, floods, intact nature
Activities	Walks and canoeing trips, nature observation, nature education, picking berries, nature photography, fishing
Information	RMK Soomaa Visitor Centre
Phone	+372 526 1924
E-mail	info.soomaa@rmk.ee
Contact us	Kõrtsi-Tõramaa, Tipu village, Kõpu municipality, Viljandi County
Visitor restrictions	RMK Please see the visitor restrictions established in Soomaa National Park here!
Protected Area Manager	Environmental Board of Estonia +372 662 5999, info@keskkonnaamet.ee
More information	Soomaa National Park
Files	A brochure of the Soomaa National Park was issued by Environmental Board 2016. Download PDF.
Additional information	In Estonian nature, old explosive devices left from the war, still can be found. If you have found an object resembling an explosive device, leave it untouched, mark the location and immediately report the discovery to the emergency number 112. More information on the website of the Estonian Rescue Board.