National parks near Kemnath, Bavaria
Kemnath sits inside the Bayreuth area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Bayreuth for the full write-up.
Bavarian Forest National Park is the closest national park to Kemnath, Bavaria — 149 km (92.5 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 38 min behind the wheel.
Bavarian Forest and Hainich make a full day trip — leave early. Saxon Switzerland, Harz, Kellerwald-Edersee, Berchtesgaden, Black Forest, and Hunsrück-Hochwald are better with a night booked nearby.
Kemnath has a population of about 5,322.
National parks near Kemnath
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bavarian Forest National Park | 149 km (92.5 mi) | 2 hr 38 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Hainich National Park | 169 km (105 mi) | 2 hr 56 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Saxon Switzerland National Park | 201 km (125 mi) | 3 hr 24 min | Best as a weekend |
| Harz National Park | 230 km (143 mi) | 3 hr 50 min | Best as a weekend |
| Kellerwald-Edersee National Park | 250 km (156 mi) | 4 hr 8 min | Best as a weekend |
| Berchtesgaden National Park | 270 km (168 mi) | 4 hr 25 min | Best as a weekend |
| Black Forest National Park | 304 km (189 mi) | 4 hr 56 min | Best as a weekend |
| Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park | 344 km (214 mi) | 5 hr 31 min | Best as a weekend |
| Stelvio National Park | 388 km (241 mi) | 6 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Lower Oder Valley National Park | 391 km (243 mi) | 6 hr 12 min | Worth a longer road trip |
When to make this trip
Bavarian Forest National Park is generally best June through September, with May and early October as the quieter shoulder either side.
Late autumn through early spring is cold and wet, with limited hut service and short daylight.
Mountain weather turns quickly and marked routes can stay snow-covered well into June.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Kemnath 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hainich → Harz | 78.7 km (48.9 mi) | 1 hr 36 min |
| Hainich → Kellerwald-Edersee | 102 km (63.2 mi) | 1 hr 57 min |
| Harz → Kellerwald-Edersee | 131 km (81.5 mi) | 2 hr 23 min |
| Bavarian Forest → Saxon Switzerland | 225 km (140 mi) | 3 hr 46 min |
Planning a trip from Kemnath
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 Upper Palatinate
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Kemnath?
Bavarian Forest National Park. It is about 149 km (92.5 mi) from Kemnath, roughly 2 hr 38 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Kemnath?
Yes — Bavarian Forest National Park and Hainich National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Kemnath?
10 parks are within reach of Kemnath, 2 of them close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Kemnath?
For Bavarian Forest National Park, the closest one, generally June through September. Either side of that, May and early October stays quieter.