Tara National Park, located on the western side of Serbia, close to the Bosnia & Herzegovina border, is known as the ‘lungs of Serbia’! A heavily forested park, full of mountains, lakes, and wildlife. If you are lucky, you might even spot a brown bear!
It’s a park you can easily spend a few days exploring. However, a lot of the roads are not in good condition. Ideally, you need a high-clearance vehicle. As we were in our campervan, we were quite limited in where we could actually go. This sadly meant we had to miss out on one of the most famous lookouts in the park, the Banjska Stena viewpoint.
This guide is going to be very focused on how to visit Tara National Park with a campervan!
All the different locations I mention in this guide, I’ve pinned onto this map to make it easy to navigate: https://goo.gl/maps/35KpFBHBVzRpxsF59
Where To Stay
There is a beautiful campsite just outside of Tara National Park called Camping Viljamovka. A lovely site with some character, a friendly owner, and fantastic views!
SatNav: Camp Viljamovka, Kremna
Best Time To Visit
You can visit Tara National Park all year round. If you are worried about seeing bears on the trails, you’re best visiting in the winter months when they are in hibernation. However, you may find of the trails/roads are shut to snow. If you want warm weather, spring and summer months are your better choice. If you want to visit without the crowds, spring, and autumn are better times of the year.
Costs
If you are visiting Tara National Park in the summer months, be expected to pay a small admission. You can buy your National Park tickets from the Village of Mitrovac.
When we visited in May, it was classed as out of season, and free to enter the National Park.
Bears and Wolfs
Yes, there are brown bears and wolfs in the park! Along with roe deer, red deer, lynx, wild boar, and wildcats. However, the chance of you seeing any of them is low!
If you are planning on going off on one of the quieter hiking trails, I recommend carrying a bear for your own safety. They don’t cost a lot to buy. You just put it on your backpack, and it will ring as you walk. The noise of your bell will alert any bears of your presence, so you don’t startle one by accident as this is when they are more likely to attack.
Here’s an affiliate link to the bear bells I use: https://amzn.to/3MZmIqP
What To See And Do
Here are some of the incredible things you can see and do in Tara National Park in a campervan:
Visit Lake Zaovine
Lake Zaovine is meant to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Serbia! It was built in the 1980s to prevent the Drina River from flooding during the rainy season.
There is a road that travels right around the lake, suitable for campervans, with many different viewpoints to stop by. One of my favourites is Спајића Језеро. There’s a little trig you can walk to, with breathtaking views down the valley.
SatNav: Спајића Језеро, Zaovine
The Lake Perućac Viewpoint
The road from the Village of Mitrovac to Lake Perućac is stunning to drive! Just as you get to the bends, there is a viewpoint on the map called, Видиковац Зеленика, looking over at Lake Perućac and the Drina Canyon. Drina Canyon is the 3rd deepest canyon in the world! On the other side of the canyon, is Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Stop here at his viewpoint is a must! In fact, there are even some picnic benches, so you can enjoy the view while grabbing a bite to eat!
SatNav: Видиковац Зеленика, Perućac
Drina River House
Just outside of the Tara National Park is the famous Drina River House. Located in a village called Bajina Bašta. The house is located on the actual Drina River. A river that boards the two countries: Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. A house that has repeatedly been destroyed and rebuilt, by the powers of the fast-flowing Drina River.
The house was first built more than 40 years ago as a refuge for swimmers. It gave them a break on their journey during bad storms along the river. Today, it’s a very popular spot for photographers!
For a good photo spot of the house, there is a viewing platform. It is marked on the map, or you can you use the SatNav address below.
SatNav: 145 MILENKA TOPALOVIĆA, 31250
I hope this guide has helped you in planning your own trip to Tara National Park with your campervan. Have the best time!
Want to see what other fun things there are to do in Serbia? Please check out some of my other blogs: https://livingwiththewolf.co.uk/category/serbia/
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