Drawa National Park

Drawa National Park (Drawieński Park Narodowy; "drah-VYEN-skee") protects the heart of the Drawa Forest in northwestern Poland: the wild valleys of the Drawa and Płociczna rivers, around twenty lakes and old beech woods. It is one of the quietest national parks in the country and a paradise for canoeists — the Drawa is regarded as one of Poland's most beautiful kayaking rivers. If you are looking for things to do in western Pomerania away from the Baltic crowds, this is a superb choice.

Where it is and how to get there

The park straddles three provinces — West Pomerania, Lubusz and Greater Poland — with its headquarters in the small town of Drawno. Drawno is about 100 km (60 miles) east of Szczecin and roughly 150 km northwest of Poznań; Berlin is about 3 hours away by car. National road 22 runs along the park's southern edge. A car is by far the easiest way to get around.

Why it matters

Founded on May 1, 1990 with 8,691.5 hectares, the park now covers about 11,536 hectares (45 sq mi), with a buffer zone of more than 350 km². Forest covers over 80% of its area, mostly beech and oak; rivers and lakes make up nearly a tenth. The largest lake is Ostrowite, and there are 12 strict protection zones. The park's emblem is the European otter.

Until 1945 this was German territory, part of the historic Neumark and Pomerania. In the forest you can find traces of vanished villages, the ruins of the Węgornia mill on the Płociczna, and bunkers of the Pomeranian Wall, a German defensive line fought over in 1945. The government is also preparing to enlarge the park with the Międzyodrze wetlands near Szczecin (about 1,400 hectares); a draft regulation was published in July 2026 but had not been adopted as of October 2026.

Things to do in Drawa National Park

• Kayak the Drawa — the park's main attraction: a fast, clear river between steep wooded banks, with fallen trees to navigate. Only paddle-powered craft are allowed.
• Explore the Płociczna valley — a wild river lined with floodplain forest and the Węgornia mill ruins.
• Walk to Lake Ostrowieckie and other lakes along marked trails.
• Hike, bike or ride — five educational trails, a geological trail, and hiking, cycling and horse trails are open all year from dawn to dusk; bikes and cross-country skis are allowed on hiking trails.
• Visit the Education and Tourism Center in Drawno with its exhibition on the forest's wildlife.

How to plan your visit

A short nature trail takes 1–2 hours, but the park is best enjoyed over two or three days, camping at the park's designated sites. Kayaking on the Drawa is seasonal: allowed from January 1 to March 15 and from July 1 to December 31, 9 a.m.–7 p.m., with a daily cap of 750 paddlers. Between March 16 and June 30 the river is closed to boats, and the park may cut the limit or suspend access at any time. In fall 2026 the park warns of low water, and a kayak portage footbridge at kilometer 7 has been removed.

Camping is allowed only at designated sites such as Drawnik, Barnimie, Bogdanka, Sitnica, Pstrąg and Kamienna; campervans may stay only at Pstrąg, and fires are permitted only in marked places. Dogs are not allowed in Polish national parks except where the park specifically permits them.

Winter

Winter brings silence and animal tracks in the snow. Paddling is technically permitted from January to mid-March, but only for experienced, well-equipped kayakers. Trails stay open, though daylight is short.

Tickets and practical info

As of October 2026 (prices may change):

• Kayaking on the Drawa: 10 PLN per person per day (September–December and January–March 15), 12 PLN in July and August. A ticket day runs from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Camping: 18 PLN per person per night (26 PLN in July–August); car 14 PLN per day, campervan or trailer 22 PLN.
• Education and Tourism Center: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; 12 PLN (reduced 6 PLN).
• Hiking and cycling trails: the park's fee list includes no charge for them.
• Buy tickets online at bilety.dpn.pl or at the park's information points.
• Contact: ul. Leśników 2, 73-220 Drawno; phone +48 95 768 2051; email dpn@dpn.pl.

Is it worth visiting?

For paddlers and nature lovers, definitely. Drawa offers clean water, deep forest and almost no crowds — a side of Poland few foreign visitors ever see. Combine it with Szczecin or a lake holiday in the Wałcz Lake District.