# Urho Kekkonen National Park

> Urho Kekkonen National Park was established in 1983, is named after the former Finnish president and covers 2,550 km² in northern Lapland.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/urho-kekkonen-national-park/

A huge wilderness park in northern Lapland, with open fells, old pine forest and marked trails starting at Saariselkä. Try a day hike to a fell summit in late summer or for autumn colours; weather turns quickly, so pack layers.

Urho Kekkonen National Park was established in 1983, is named after the former Finnish president and covers 2,550 km² in northern Lapland. It stretches from the area around the ski resort of Saariselkä eastwards to the Russian border. The marked trails in the western part are considered easy even for inexperienced walkers, while the backcountry offers long, demanding routes. The highest fell in the park is Sokosti; Kiilopää and, in the border zone, Korvatunturi also lie here.

The marked network around Saariselkä, Kiilopää and Kakslauttanen (about 200 km) is suited to day trips; in the backcountry, wilderness huts stand roughly a day's walk apart. Away from the trails you need wilderness and navigation skills; before setting out, ask the park authority about the rules in the park. Allow a day for a fell hike from Saariselkä, ideally in late summer or during the autumn colours. The weather can change quickly, so layered clothing is advisable.

- **Nearest town:** Saariselkä, Finland
- **Category:** Nature & parks
- **GPS:** 68.4130, 27.4120

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Finland: No motorway tolls for cars.** Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.

## Sources

- [Urho Kekkonen National Park – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urho_Kekkonen_National_Park)
- [Activities in Urho Kekkonen NP – nationalparks.fi](https://classic.nationalparks.fi/urhokekkonennp/activities)
- [Urho Kekkonen National Park – Visit Finland](https://visitfinland.com/en/product/8820bd70-734b-4ee1-9a4c-70077fdcf0f6/urho-kekkonen-national-park)

## Nearby

- [Siida](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b5-siida/) – 57 km
- [Pallastunturi](https://camping-spirit.com/places/pallas-yllastunturi/) – 144 km

## FAQs

### Where is Urho Kekkonen National Park?

Urho Kekkonen National Park is in Saariselkä, Finland, at GPS 68.4130, 27.4120. It is about 57 km from Inari.

### Can you camp near Urho Kekkonen National Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Kiilopään leirintä, about 8 km away; within 25 km there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Urho Kekkonen National Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Siida (57 km) and Pallastunturi (144 km).

### When is the best time to visit Urho Kekkonen National Park?

Cold, short days in October–April. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)