The Čepkeliai Marsh contains over 80 small islands, creating a complex ecosystem that is strictly protected and largely inaccessible to tourists.
The park covers an area of over 58,000 hectares, making it the largest national park in Lithuania.
Continental dunes in the park represent some of the highest and most prominent inland sand formations in the country.
The region is renowned for its traditional mushroom-gathering culture, which is deeply integrated into the local economy and social customs.
The Directorate office in Merkinė is located near the site of a historic 17th-century town square and former Jesuit monastery ruins.
The Dzūkija National Park and Čepkeliai State Nature Reserve Directorate serves as the central administrative and information hub for Lithuania's largest protected area. The park encompasses the vast Čepkeliai Marsh, which is one of the largest intact raised bogs in the Baltic region. The landscape is defined by extensive pine forests, continental dunes, and a network of traditional ethnographic villages. The Directorate provides essential maps, permits for restricted access zones, and information on educational trails. Visitors can explore the unique 'džūkai' cultural heritage, which remains preserved in local village architecture and traditions. The area functions as a critical sanctuary for protected bird species, including capercaillie and crane populations. The facility itself is situated in the historic town of Merkinė, near the confluence of the Nemunas and Merkys rivers. The surrounding region is characterized by sandy soils that support diverse flora rarely found elsewhere in the country.
The observation tower overlooking the Čepkeliai marshland.
Acquire necessary permits at the Directorate if you plan to visit the strictly protected zones of the Čepkeliai marsh.
Bring insect repellent, as the marshland environment is prone to high mosquito activity during warm months.
Prioritize visiting the ethnographic villages, such as Zervynos or Musteika, to see preserved wooden architecture.
Attempting to enter the Čepkeliai reserve core area without a guide or permit, as restricted zones are heavily monitored for ecological protection.
The visitor center may have reduced staffing during winter months and on national public holidays.
Strict adherence to marked trails is mandatory to protect fragile bog ecosystems; noise should be kept to a minimum to avoid disturbing wildlife.
