Bayanaul National Park — Oasis of the Steppe

Bayanaul National Park, established in 1985 as Kazakhstan's first national park, is an unexpected oasis of forested mountains, rocky outcrops, and clear freshwater lakes rising from the endless flat steppe of central Kazakhstan. Covering 68,453 hectares in the Bayanaul Range of Pavlodar Province, the park offers a striking contrast to the arid plains surrounding it — a green island that has been a place of refuge and recreation for centuries.

The park contains four main freshwater lakes — Sabyndykol, Zhasybay, Toraigyr, and Byrzhankol — each with its own character. Lake Zhasybay is the most popular for swimming in summer, with catamaran and rowboat rentals available on its shores. Hiking trails lead to the summit of Akbet Mountain (1,027 m), the highest point in the range, rewarding climbers with panoramic views across the steppe and lakes. The park is also famous for its unusual rock formations, including the 'Stone Head,' and the 'Holy Cave' with its local legends about wish-granting powers.

Bayanaul is a beloved domestic holiday destination but remains almost unknown to international tourists, making it a genuine off-the-beaten-path discovery for European travellers. The park's wildlife includes argali, roe deer, badgers, and numerous bird species including cranes, swans, and herons.