Har Us Nuur National Park
National Park Mongolian park of lakes, steppe and wetlands
High‑altitude lakes and steppe in Khovd Province protecting wetland habitats; travelers come for birdwatching, nomadic culture visits and remote lakeside camping.
Har Us Nuur National Park (Khar-Us Nuur) is a protected area in Khovd Province in western Mongolia that conserves lakes, wetlands and surrounding steppe. The park protects inland lake systems within the Great Lakes Depression and associated shore habitats.
Shorelines, reedbeds and shallow bays support a diversity of waterbirds and wetland plants, and the lakes are used seasonally by migratory species. The landscape combines open water, wet meadows and steppe, offering wildlife observation rather than developed visitor services.
The national park was established to conserve lake and wetland ecosystems and the fauna they support, with management aimed at protecting water quality and breeding habitat for birds. The area is important for regional biodiversity and traditional pastoral uses in surrounding areas.
Har Us Nuur NP lies in western Mongolia’s Great Lakes region in Khovd Province, occupying lake basins and surrounding steppe in an inland, semi-arid part of the country.
- Important bird habitat: Recognised for its lakes and wetlands that provide staging and breeding habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds in western Mongolia.
How to Get to Har Us Nuur National Park #
Reaching Har Us Nuur generally requires travel to the provincial capital Khovd followed by multi‑hour trips by 4x4 along unpaved roads. Many visitors hire guides in Khovd who combine the journey with visits to other western Mongolian lakes and nomadic camps.
Tips for Visiting Har Us Nuur National Park #
- Hire a local driver and guide in Khovd province - roads are rough and seasonal; a local driver knows which routes are passable and where nomadic camps can host overnight stops.
- Bring insect repellent and lightweight rain gear in summer: mountain lakes can produce sudden flurries and an astonishing number of mosquitoes.
- If birding, plan visits for early morning or late afternoon when shorebirds and waterfowl concentrate on the shallow lakes.
Best Time to Visit Har Us Nuur National Park #
The park is best visited in Mongolia's short summer when roads and passes are open and lakes are at their most hospitable.
Weather & Climate near Har Us Nuur National Park #
Har Us Nuur National Park's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -31°C to 25°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -19°C and lows of -31°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -14°C and lows of -27°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of -1°C and lows of -15°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Almost no rain.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Almost no rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of -2°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -14°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -15°C and lows of -25°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and partly cloudy skies.
