The park features natural sulfur springs that create a distinct, pungent smell often noticeable near the resort town area.
The Great Ķemeri Bog is estimated to be over 8,000 years old.
The park's territory includes Lake Kaņieris, a former lagoon of the Littorina Sea that is now a Ramsar wetland of international importance.
It is one of the few locations in the Baltic region where you can observe migratory birds resting during their long-distance journeys.
The park sits on a unique geological site where mineral-rich water flows through deep dolomite layers, surfacing as sulfurous springs.
Ķemeri National Park is distinguished by its vast raised moss bogs, which are among the largest and most well-preserved in Europe. The park encompasses 38,165 hectares of diverse ecosystems, including swamp forests, mineral springs, and coastal meadows. The Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk is the primary attraction, offering a raised wooden path through a landscape of acidic pools and stunted pines. Birdwatchers frequent the area to observe rare species like the lesser spotted eagle and black grouse, particularly during spring and autumn migrations. The park's historical mineral springs have been used for therapeutic purposes since the 18th century, influencing the region's development as a balneological resort. Visitors can access the area via the 'Meža māja' visitor center, which serves as an information hub for trail maps and ecological exhibits. The park’s unique hydrological conditions support a high density of protected plant species, including carnivorous sundews. It remains one of the few places in Latvia where sulfur-rich groundwater reaches the surface naturally.
The viewing platform at the end of the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk overlooking the landscape of pools and pines.
Bring insect repellent, as the bog environments are home to high populations of mosquitoes and horseflies during summer.
Wear waterproof, comfortable walking shoes, as the wooden boardwalks can be slippery after rain.
Use binoculars for birdwatching, especially if visiting the Lake Kaņieris observation tower.
Do not attempt to walk off-boardwalk in the bog, as the ground is unstable and deep with peat mud.
Boardwalks are open year-round, but can be closed temporarily for maintenance or during extreme weather conditions; check local park status before arrival.
Stay strictly on designated boardwalks to protect the fragile moss layers; do not pick plants or disturb wildlife.
