Drawa National Park

Why visit?

Drawa National Park, established on 1 May 1990 on the border of the West Pomeranian, Lubusz and Greater Poland voivodeships, protects the heart of the Drawa Forest — 115 km2 of woods, lakes and clean rivers on the Drawa Plain. Forests cover as much as 83 percent of the area, mostly beech and oak-beech stands, and the park's symbol is the otter, which thrives here: waters — the Drawa and Płociczna rivers plus 20 lakes — take up about a tenth of its surface. Above all, this is a kayaking destination. The Drawa route through the park is considered one of the most pleasant day trips in western Poland: the river meanders among forested hills, quickening over rapids here and there. Anglers come for sea trout and brown trout, ichthyologists appreciate the bullhead, and along the trails you will spot the traces of beavers and otters. Among the lakes the largest, Ostrowite, and Czarnka, regarded as unique in Poland, stand out; the flora list features the northern bog laurel, sundews and the service tree. Practical tips: this is one of the quietest national parks in the country — only about 27 thousand people visit annually, half of them by kayak. The base is the village of Drawno on national road 22, and paddling through the park takes from half a day to two days. The kayaking season runs from May to September; camping is allowed only in designated spots, worth checking before you set off.

What you’ll see

• Spływ kajakowy Drawą przez park — klasyk zachodniej Polski
• 20 jezior, w tym największe Ostrowite i unikatowe Czarnka
• Buczyny i lasy dębowo-bukowe na 83% powierzchni
• Wydra — symbol parku, z trocią i pstrągiem w rzece
• Zaledwie ok. 27 tys. odwiedzających rocznie

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