Köprülü Canyon National Park

Köprülü Canyon Overview

Köprülü Canyon National Park, known locally as Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parkı, is located in the Antalya Province of southwestern Turkey. It spans approximately 144 square miles or 373 square kilometers and is centered around the impressive Köprüçay River, which winds through a dramatic canyon that gives the park its name.

This canyon stretches for about 14 kilometers and reaches depths of up to 400 meters in places, showcasing sheer rock faces and rugged cliffs carved by centuries of water flow. The terrain is a diverse blend of steep gorges, pine-covered hills, and high plateaus, with the Taurus Mountains creating a dramatic backdrop. Towering peaks and ridges, such as those of the Bozburun and Dedegöl mountain ranges, lend a sense of grandeur to the park’s topography.

Vegetation in the park is predominantly Mediterranean, featuring dense forests of red pine, black pine, and cedar trees, interspersed with cypress, juniper, and wild olive. The underbrush includes fragrant shrubs such as sage, thyme, and laurel, while alpine plants grow at higher elevations.

The Köprüçay River is lined with plane trees and provides a lush, green corridor that contrasts beautifully with the stony cliffs surrounding it. Seasonal wildflowers add splashes of color in spring and early summer.

Köprülü Canyon is home to a variety of wildlife. Mammals such as wild boar, red fox, and the elusive Anatolian lynx roam the park’s forests and hills. Mountain goats navigate the steep cliffs, while hares and badgers are commonly spotted in the underbrush.

Birdlife is rich and includes species like golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and various owls. Songbirds fill the forested areas, and the river environment supports kingfishers and herons, making it a notable destination for birdwatchers.

The park is known for its stunning natural beauty as well as its historical landmarks. The ancient Roman Oluk Bridge, still in use today, spans the canyon and offers panoramic views of the gorge below. Remnants of the ancient city of Selge are located nearby, with ruins including an amphitheater and stone buildings that reflect the region’s deep historical roots. These features make the park a unique blend of natural wonder and cultural heritage.

Visitors often experience the park through rafting, which is one of the most popular activities along the Köprüçay River. The white-water rapids attract adventure seekers, especially during the summer months.

Hiking and trekking along the canyon rim and forest trails are other popular ways to explore the area. Guided tours often include visits to archaeological sites, and the park is also a haven for nature photography and picnicking.

Conservation efforts have helped maintain the ecological integrity of Köprülü Canyon National Park. Forest preservation and the protection of native wildlife species have been largely successful, though challenges remain.

These include the impacts of increased tourism, illegal logging, and the potential threat of water pollution from recreational use. Ongoing management strategies aim to balance visitor access with long-term sustainability, helping to preserve this Turkish natural treasure for generations to come.

Park Map

Köprülü Canyon National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Köprülü Canyon National Park is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with cliffside nests, river habitats, and dense woodlands attracting a wide variety of birds of prey and songbirds.

Golden Eagle
This majestic bird patrols the canyon skies, scanning for prey such as wild goats and hares. Its keen vision and broad wings make it a master of the cliffs.

Peregrine Falcon
Known for its diving speed, the peregrine falcon nests on rocky ledges and preys on smaller birds mid-flight. Its shrill call can often be heard echoing off canyon walls.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture
A scavenger with an enormous wingspan, this vulture soars high above the park, often in groups, searching for carrion. It nests in cliff cavities and ledges.

Bonelli’s Eagle
A relatively rare and powerful raptor, Bonelli’s eagle hunts birds and small mammals across the park’s rocky hills and pine forests. It is a territorial and solitary hunter.

Wallcreeper
With crimson wings and spider-like movements, the wallcreeper is often seen on vertical rock faces. It feeds on insects hidden in the cracks of cliffs.

Blue Rock Thrush
This striking blue songbird prefers open rocky areas and high ledges. Its melodic call and graceful flight make it a favorite among birdwatchers.

Chukar Partridge
A ground-nesting bird, the chukar blends well into the dry slopes of the park. It forages for seeds and insects and is often spotted in small coveys.

White-throated Dipper
Living along the Köprüçay River, the dipper is known for diving into fast-moving water to catch insects and small fish. It often perches on rocks midstream.

Alpine Swift
These swift aerial acrobats are almost always in flight, catching insects over the canyon. They nest in high crevices and are recognizable by their sickle-shaped wings.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
This eagle specializes in hunting reptiles, particularly snakes, in open rocky areas. It hovers mid-air and swoops down with precision when it spots movement.

Köprülü Canyon National Park offers a spectacular combination of rugged wilderness and flowing rivers, making it a haven for both wildlife and bird species across its diverse habitats.

Köprülü Canyon National Park, located in the Antalya Province of southern Turkey, is renowned for its dramatic river gorge, ancient Roman bridges, and rich pine forests. The park’s diverse habitats—from canyon cliffs to fast-flowing rivers—support a wide range of wildlife, particularly well-adapted mammals and reptiles.

Wild Goat (Bezoar Ibex)
These nimble climbers are frequently seen scaling the steep rocky walls of the canyon. With their strong hooves and impressive horns, they are perfectly suited to life on rugged terrain.

Grey Wolf
A key predator in the park, the grey wolf roams in small packs and preys on wild goats, deer, and smaller animals. It is rarely seen but often leaves behind tracks or howls.

Brown Bear
Though elusive, brown bears inhabit the deeper forested areas of the park. They are omnivores, feeding on fruits, roots, insects, and the occasional small animal.

Red Fox
This adaptable predator is common throughout Köprülü Canyon, especially near the forest edge. Its intelligence and agility make it successful in a variety of environments.

Eurasian Otter
Found along the Köprüçay River, the Eurasian otter is a skilled swimmer that hunts fish, amphibians, and crustaceans. It prefers clean, fast-flowing water with plenty of cover.

Anatolian Wild Boar
These strong, tusked mammals are often seen foraging in wooded and scrubby areas. They are omnivorous and dig through soil in search of roots, insects, and fallen fruit.

European Pine Marten
Agile and secretive, the pine marten hunts small mammals and birds in the forest canopy. It is distinguished by its slender body and creamy-yellow throat patch.

Striped Hyena
Occasionally spotted in more remote parts of the park, the striped hyena is a scavenger that also preys on small animals. Its nocturnal habits and shy nature make sightings rare.

Hedgehog (Eastern European Hedgehog)
This small, spiny mammal is a nocturnal insectivore that thrives in the undergrowth of the park. It plays an important role in controlling insect populations.

Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoise
Well-camouflaged among dry grass and scrub, this slow-moving reptile is active during warm months, feeding on vegetation and flowers. It hibernates in winter in shallow burrows.