Koprulu Canyon National Park

3 min read

Koprulu Canyon National Park is a wonderful living area located in the Manavgat district of Antalya. This area, which was declared a national park in 1973, is located in a huge area of 36,614 hectares. Splitting constitutes one of Turkey’s longest canyon Bridge River Valley and it’s in exactly the Baskonak Bolas village.

Rafting Paradise

The national park is located on the most popular rafting parade of our country along the Bridge River. The camping areas around the green texture along the river attract nature lovers. Rafting operators guide groups through varying rapids, from gentle stretches suitable for beginners to challenging sections for experienced adventurers.

The rafting season runs from April through October when water levels and temperatures prove most favorable. Companies provide all necessary equipment and safety briefings before departures.

Situated between Beskonak by Bolas village valley with 14 km length and in excess of 100 meters long canyon wall bears Turkey’s property.

Flora and Fauna

The valley floor carries different shades of pine, cypress, cedar, maki and rich vegetation that stretch to the top of the mountains. For many years wild animal species have decreased considerably due to unauthorized hunting. Today, it is possible to see deer, mountain goat, bear, fox, wolf, rabbit, marten and badger. Trouts are also seen along the Bridge River.

The diverse ecosystem supports numerous bird species, making the area popular among birdwatchers. Endemic plants found nowhere else grow in the canyon’s unique microclimate.

Historical and Archaeological Sites

Besides natural beauty, cultural and archeological riches constitute the values of this national park. The theater, the agora, the temples of Zeus and Artemis, the cistern, the aqueduct and the stone-paved historic road of the Selge Ancient City dating back to the 5th century BC are among the ones to be seen in the national park.

Selge was once a prosperous city controlling trade routes through the mountains. The well-preserved theater seated 10,000 spectators and still impresses visitors today. Roman bridges spanning the Koprulu River demonstrate ancient engineering excellence.

Activities and Facilities

The facilities within the national park meet the need for eating and drinking. There is a possibility to set up tents in areas where simple camping can be done. Beskonak and Karabuk villages can also be accommodated in the bungalows. Due to the inadequate number of beds, the national park is visited on a daily basis. Tourist centers such as Manavgat, Side and Belek can be preferred for accommodation.

Beyond rafting, visitors enjoy canyoning, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming in natural pools. Zipline facilities offer aerial views of the canyon. Trout restaurants along the river serve fresh fish in scenic settings.

How to Get to Koprulu Canyon National Park

The Koprulu Canyon National Park is reached via an asphalt road separating from the 49th km of Antalya-Manavgat Highway. This road, which is separated from the Mediterranean coast, reaches Baskonak via Tasagil. Koprulu Canyon National Park is located 85 km from Antalya, 531 km from Izmir, 550 km from Ankara and 741 km from Istanbul.

Organized tours from Antalya and surrounding resort areas include transportation and activities in package prices. Independent travelers find clear signage along the route from the coast.

Canyon National Park, which has one of Turkey’s most exciting rafting, nature head to head and offers spectacular views to visitors.

Our previous article Alanya in our article titled antalya ve Mediterranean provides information about.