Lauwersmeer National Park

Lauwersmeer National Park sits on the border of Groningen and Friesland in the north of the Netherlands, about a 45-minute drive from either Groningen or Leeuwarden. The park surrounds the former Lauwerszee, a sea that was separated from the Wadden Sea by a dike in 1969 after devastating floods. This engineering project transformed the area into a freshwater lake, creating a unique landscape of open water, reed beds, grasslands, and forests. Lauwersmeer became a national park in 2003 and is now a haven for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.

Birdwatchers flock here for the chance to spot over 100 breeding bird species and witness spectacular migrations, especially from spring to autumn when tens of thousands of barnacle geese pass overhead. Other notable birds include spoonbills, red-necked phalaropes, sea eagles, and peregrine falcons. The park’s diverse habitats also support foxes, Scottish Highland cattle, Konik horses, and a variety of orchids.

Visitors can start their exploration at the Activity Center Lauwersnest near Lauwersoog, where information and trails are available. Bird-watching huts are scattered throughout the park, offering excellent vantage points. Most entrances have free parking, and public buses connect the park with nearby cities. Local recreation entrepreneurs, trained as park hosts, provide additional guidance and information. Lauwersmeer National Park offers a peaceful retreat into nature, shaped by both human ingenuity and natural forces.