National parks in the Netherlands were defined in the 1960s as areas of at least 10 km², consisting of natural terrains, water and/or forests, with a special landscape and flora and fauna. There are good possibilities for recreative use. In the national parks, nature care and nature development is intensified, nature and environmental education, nature oriented recreation and research are stimulated." The first national park, in Schiermonnikoog, was however not established until 1989.

National Parks

• Nationaal Park De Biesbosch
• Nationaal Park De Drunense en Loonse Duinen
• Nationaal Park Dwingelderveld
• Nationaal Park De Maasduinen
• Nationaal Park De Meinweg
• Nationaal Park De grote Peel
• Nationaal Park Schiermonnikoog
• Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe
• Nationaal Park De Veluwezoom
• Nationaal Park De Weerribben
• Grenspark De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide (mainly in Belgium)
• Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland

National Parks to be

These areas will become National Parks in the near future.

• Nationaal Park in oprichting De Alde Feanen
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Drents-Friese Wold
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Duinen van Texel -- the dunes of the island of Texel, 43 km², May 2002
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Lauwersmeer
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Oosterschelde
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Utrechtse Heuvelrug
• Nationaal Park in oprichting Sallandse Heuvelrug