Natuurpark Lelystad (English)
About the park
Have you ever come face to face with galloping przewalski’s horses, a pair of imposing red deer or a group of rooting boars? Or have you ever seen a moose or a European bison in real life? You can encounter all these animals in the Natuurpark Lelystad. Natuurpark Lelystad is a unique area: nowhere in the Netherlands will you find a park with this design and all just a stone’s throw from Lelystad and Amsterdam. Explore the park on foot or rent a bicycle at the visitor center. Groups can go out by boat or excursion vehicle under the supervision of a guide.
A unique nature experience
Natuurpark Lelystad, with many walking and cycling paths, is designed in such a way that all animals have plenty of space, can show their natural behavior and are still clearly visible. Get a map at the visitor center, get on your bike or put on your walking shoes and be captivated by the fascinating life of the animals.
The animals of Natuurpark Lelystad
Natuurpark Lelystad is home to endangered and less endangered Eurasian animal species such as:
- European bison
przewalski’s horses
European otters
Père David’s deer
red deer
elk
and wild boar.
Of course, the ‘wild fauna’ is not missing. Everywhere in the park you can encounter roe deer, otters, rabbits, foxes, beavers, weasels and pine martens. The park, with mainly deciduous woods and large ponds, is home to many species of songbirds and water birds, including kingfishers, cormorants and storks. But don’t be surprised by a group of spoonbills, a bittern, an osprey, a singing oriole or a white tailed eagle flying over! The animals are often best seen with binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens, so don’t forget to take them with you.
Reintroduction of species
Natuurpark Lelystad successfully participates in various breeding and reintroduction programs of nature conservation organizations at home and abroad. Natuurpark Lelystad has become internationally known through the reintroduction of przewalski’s horses in Mongolia and European bison in (among others) Russia and Latvia. And Het Flevo-landschap regularly releases European bison into other Dutch and European nature reserves.
Did you know that the introduction of the beaver to the Biesbosch is partly due to Natuurpark Lelystad? Years ago a pair of captive beavers escaped the park by digging a tunnel from their enclosure and reproduced successfully in the wild. They were a welcome addition to the beaver rewilding project in the Biesbosch. Moreover, thanks to the escape from the park, the beaver has established itself in almost all of Flevoland.
The origins of the park
The park was created in the early 1970s on the initiative of the Rijksdienst voor de IJsselmeerpolders (the National Agency for the IJsselmeerpolders that coordinated the reclamation and development of the Flevoland polders ) in collaboration with Amsterdam Artis Zoo. The Rijksdienst wanted to create a water-rich park for the benefit of birds and large ungulates for the residents of Lelystad. Artis Zoo was searching for an outdoor enclosure for his large ungulates. It was realized that – due to increasing population pressure in Europe – large ungulates and predators would come under pressure. And so the idea was born for the park to play a role in the protection of animal species. And the park still fulfills that role.
Practical information
Bring your binoculars
The animals are sometimes difficult to find, so binoculars can be useful. They are also available for rent at the visitor center.
Hides
There are birdhides in the park from which you can view nature in peace.
Picnic table/benches
Bring something tasty to eat and drink. You can take a break on a picnic bench and enjoy your surroundings.
Parking
There is a spacious parking area. Parking costs €3 per day. Members of Het Flevo-landschap can park for free with their membership pass.
Hiking trails
You can enjoy walking on the various grass and paved paths throughout the park. There are 18 kilometers of cycling, walking and hiking trails available.
Cycling
You can enjoy cycling on the various paved paths throughout the park. There are 18 kilometers of cycling, walking and hiking trails available.
Visitor center
In our visitor center you can find all kinds of information about the park. We also have a nice exhibition and a shop with natural and regional products.
Notice: Due to maintenance, the visitor center will be closed from January 22 to February 2, 2024
Dogs welcome
Dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.
Restaurant
In the restaurant you can enjoy your coffee, lunch or drink with a fantastic view.
Fun for children
Natuurpark Lelystad is a lot of fun for the entire family, we offer various children’s activities, such as a playground and treasure hunts. And of course searching and spotting animals!
Wheelchair accessible
Natuurpark Lelystad is accessible by wheelchair.
Frequently asked questions
Parking is free for members of Het Flevo-landschap. Not yet a member? For 25 euros per year you support nature in Flevoland. You will not only receive a free parking card for the Nature Park, but also our magazine “Natuur dichtbij” three times a year and a discount on excursions.
All other visitors pay 3 euros per day for parking.
Mostly on Sundays we offer guided safaris with our excursion vehicle and/or electric boat. View the activity calender for all group excursions. Find all our group excursions here or visit our agenda.
Scavenger hunts are available at the visitor center. You’ll find the visitor center immediately upon arrival from the parking lot.
Yes, the restaurant is located behind the visitor center and has a beautiful view over the central lake of the park.
Restaurant Harteluk is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The park is open every day of the year, from sunrise to sunset. The parking area is also accessible during these hours.
The visitor center is open Monday to Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
From November 1 to April 1, the center is open until 4:00 PM.
Due to maintenance, the visitor center will be closed from January 22 to February 2, 2024
Restaurant Harteluk is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (also during the closing of the visitor centre).
Our European-otters are fed daily at 3 p.m. Always a good time to ask one of our rangers a question.
There is plenty to see and experience in the park for visitors of every age. For children we offer a nice playground and there are various shorter routes in the park. A visitit to the otter enclosure is highly recommended. Treasure hunts, search maps and backpack routes are also available in the visitor center. In summer, you can rent a ‘water discovery set’ at the vistor centre, with which you can search en name underwater monsters in our Watertuin (water garden).
The park is owned by Het Flevo-landschap Foundation. If you want to organize any sort of activity in Natuurpark Lelystad, we must be aware of this and have given permission. Therefore, first send a request to info@flevo-landschap.nl.
