Lake Arpi National Park National Park

Lake Arpi National Park is a protected area in Shirak Province in northwestern Armenia established to conserve a high‑altitude lake and surrounding wetlands. The park protects an elevated wetland system important for biodiversity and migratory birds.

The protected area features open water, reedbeds and alpine meadows on a high plateau where visitors can watch waterfowl and other migratory birds and follow marked trails for short hikes. The landscape is characterised by wetlands interspersed with mountain grassland rather than intensive visitor facilities.

The site was given protected status to conserve the lake, its wetlands and associated highland ecosystems; protection measures focus on habitat preservation and biodiversity. Traditional uses in the surrounding area have continued under the park’s conservation framework.

Located in Shirak Province on a high plateau in northwestern Armenia, the park sits within a mountainous landscape of upland plains and wetlands well above the surrounding lowlands.

• High elevation: Lies on a high plateau at roughly 2,000 metres elevation, making it a cold‑climate wetland important for alpine and steppe species.
• Protected area: Designated as a national park to protect the lake and surrounding wetlands, supporting significant birdlife and seasonal migrations.

What to See#

• Lake Arpi: Covers the principal open-water body that gives the park its name and supports reedbeds and shoreline marshes used by breeding and migratory waterfowl.
• Arpi wetlands: Adjacent highland wetlands and alpine meadows that surround the lake and provide important habitat for migratory birds and endemic plants at high elevation.

The park is accessed from Gyumri or the regional roads leading from Yerevan via Gyumri. Local roads lead to the park entrance; a 4x4 vehicle is advisable outside the main access roads and during wet months.

• Hire a local guide to find the best birding spots - the lake is a prime wetland for migratory and resident species.
• Visit early morning for the clearest light on the lake and the highest bird activity.
• Pack waterproof footwear for marshland trails that can be muddy after rain.