Way to Russia Talk Lounge

w2 · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:47 am Post subject: National Parks in Russia

What are the national parks like in Russia? Do they typically offer many camping amenities - running water, toilets? What is the "atmosphere" at the national parks? Are they mostly for partying or suitable for families? Would you recommend any national parks near Moscow or St. Petersburg?

mediashark · Moderator Joined: 04 Nov 2004 Posts: 1601

Don't know about SPB or if there are there similar parks like the US National Parks, but there are many large parks with forested areas in Moscow where many people like to party, and just out in the suburbs lots of forests which are great to grill shashliks in the summer. No amenities though...

If you want to rough it out and camp, you probably really have to rough it out, even if you end up booking a bed-n-breakfast somewhere out there. Will they have running water? Well, sometimes.

I suggest you book a guided tour to Siberia. My friend (a tropical animal just like me) just came back from a tour there with lots of fascinating tales. If you want to experience the great outdoors, you might as well get as far from the big cities as possible. (the Feb. 05 issue of www.passportmagazine.ru has a feature article on Siberia with some info on tours)

If that's too cold, try Sochi or other Black Sea areas. I was there and they had excursions like 4WD trails, white water rafting, hiking etc. and probably camping too. If there's enough snow on the surrounding mountains you can ski as well.

Anyway I'm sure other members on the board can offer you some interesting suggestions!

vorteks · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:10 pm Post subject:

We did camp quite a few times in Russia, but it had to be organised each time, since there is no camping facilities in Russia. Camping is not forbidden, but it s at your own risk.

Each time we camped, it was on a hotel ground and we paid a fee per tent, but we could benefit from the relative security that the hotel was offering, for us and for our vehicules and use a bathroom in a room.

When we arrived near Moscow, we thought we found a campground called "camp kolontajewo" (see the phonic similarity with the wild nature Koh Lonta island in Thailand Very Happy

), about 30 km east of moscow, but it was a kind of leisure center for families and single mothers. The grass was fairly high and not really camping friendly...so bad that half of our group left to the rossija hotel.