Paid parking introduced at four Finnish national parks

Paid parking will be introduced at four national parks and one protected area in Finland, state forest management agency Metsähallitus announced on Thursday.

The affected sites are Kolin, Urho Kekkosen, Sipoonkorpi, and Riisitunturi national parks, as well as the Korouoma protected area. The trial begins in late summer and runs until spring 2027.

Parking will cost €1 per hour, with a daily maximum of €5. The first 30 minutes remain free. Payments will be made via a mobile app.

Revenue will cover maintenance costs for parking areas, roads, and hiking infrastructure. Trails and other services at the sites will stay free of charge.

Metsähallitus selected the locations due to their popularity and proximity to major population centers. In Sipoonkorpi alone, annual parking and road maintenance costs reach approximately €11,000.