National parks near Ugljan, Zadar
Ugljan sits inside the Zadar area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Zadar for the full write-up.
Paklenica National Park is the closest national park to Ugljan, Zadar — 36 km (22.4 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 50 min behind the wheel.
Paklenica, Kornati, Northern Velebit, Krka, Plitvice Lakes, Brijuni, and Risnjak make a full day trip — leave early. Monti Sibillini, Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, and Mljet are better with a night booked nearby.
Ugljan has a population of about 1,024.
National parks near Ugljan
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paklenica National Park | 36 km (22.4 mi) | 50 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Kornati National Park | 41 km (25.5 mi) | 56 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Northern Velebit National Park | 63.8 km (39.7 mi) | 1 hr 20 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Krka National Park | 75.6 km (47 mi) | 1 hr 33 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Plitvice Lakes National Park | 90.1 km (56 mi) | 1 hr 47 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Brijuni National Park | 137 km (85.4 mi) | 2 hr 28 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Risnjak National Park | 149 km (92.6 mi) | 2 hr 39 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Monti Sibillini National Park | 203 km (126 mi) | 3 hr 26 min | Best as a weekend |
| Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park | 222 km (138 mi) | 3 hr 43 min | Best as a weekend |
| Mljet National Park | 237 km (147 mi) | 3 hr 56 min | Best as a weekend |
When to make this trip
Paklenica National Park is generally best May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Ugljan are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Velebit → Plitvice Lakes | 49.5 km (30.7 mi) | 1 hr 5 min |
| Kornati → Krka | 51.8 km (32.2 mi) | 1 hr 7 min |
| Paklenica → Northern Velebit | 56.3 km (35 mi) | 1 hr 12 min |
| Paklenica → Kornati | 58.9 km (36.6 mi) | 1 hr 15 min |
Planning a trip from Ugljan
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Preko
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Ugljan?
Paklenica National Park. It is about 36 km (22.4 mi) from Ugljan, roughly 50 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Ugljan?
Yes — Paklenica National Park, Kornati National Park, Northern Velebit National Park, Krka National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Brijuni National Park, and Risnjak National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Ugljan?
10 parks are within reach of Ugljan, 7 of them close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Ugljan?
For Paklenica National Park, the closest one, generally May, June, September, and early October. Either side of that, April and late October stays quieter.