Vânători-Neamț Natural Park

About Vânători-Neamț Natural Park

Vânători-Neamț Natural Park covers nearly 31,000 hectares in the north of Neamț County, on the border with Suceava, on the eastern slope of the Stânișoara Mountains and the hills of the Ozana and Cracău basins. More than 26,000 hectares are forest, of beech, fir, sessile oak and oak, in places with trees over 200 years old. These woods were once the hunting grounds of the princes of Moldavia, hence the name of the commune (vânători means "hunters"). The park administration, part of Romsilva, was set up in 1999, and since 2003 the area has been a natural park; it overlaps with Natura 2000 sites.

The park is best known for its European bison. The first arrived in 2003 in the acclimatisation enclosure, and since 2012 they have also lived in the wild: in 2025 there were more than 80, over 70 of them free, in the only place in Europe where bison live in captivity, semi-freedom and freedom at the same time. The forests are also home to bears, wolves, lynx, red deer and 108 bird species. The same area holds the monasteries of Neamț, Secu, Sihăstria, Sihla, Agapia and Văratec; since April 2026 the "Vânători-Neamț Monastic Cultural Landscape" has been on the UNESCO Tentative List.

Information verified on 21 October 2026.

Good to know before you go

Getting there

By car: the Visitor Centre is on Strada Zimbrului in Vânători-Neamț, ~12 km (~20 minutes) from Târgu Neamț on the DN15B towards Pipirig, past the turn-off for Neamț Monastery. From Piatra Neamț it is ~50 km (~1h10) on the DN15C and DN15B, from Suceava ~70 km (~1h25) on the DN2, DN15C and DN15B, from Iași ~120 km (~2h30) and from Bucharest ~425 km (~5h30), via Bacău and Roman.

Public transport: the nearest railway station is Târgu Neamț, with connections via Pașcani. From the Târgu Neamț bus station, minibuses run to Vânători-Neamț and Nemțișor roughly every hour between 6:00 and 19:00, with less frequent services to the Neamț, Agapia and Văratec monasteries.

Fees & discounts

No entry fee is published for the park's forests and marked trails. Visitor Centre: adults 10 lei, children 7 lei, children in groups of more than 15 people 5 lei. Bison Safari: 100 lei per person, for groups of at least 3 people; children up to 10 go free. Bookings are made with the park administration (0233 206 001), at least 48 hours ahead according to the park's website, or 3 days ahead according to the Ținutul Zimbrului (Land of the Bison) destination website. The Dragoș Vodă zoo has a separate ticket.

Rules

Walk only on the marked trails. All waste, including biodegradable waste, must be taken out of the park so it does not attract bears. Camping is allowed only at designated sites; do not pick plants or disturb the animals. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Cars, quad bikes and motorcycles are not allowed on the trails, and bicycles may only use the public roads within the park. Keep at least 30 metres from the bison. For the Bison Safari, bring hiking shoes, a rain cape, water and repellent against ticks and mosquitoes.

Facilities

Visitor Centre with an interactive exhibition and a souvenir shop selling local products · playground, sensory path, mini climbing course and zip line for children · suspended walkway and bird hide · marked hiking trails and cycling routes · treasure hunt with 36 points, on the park's website