In September, a paid parking pilot will begin in Sipoonkorpi National Park in Helsinki Metropolitan Area, in Koli National Park in Northern Karelia, and in Riisitunturi National Park, Urho Kekkonen National Park, and the Korouoma protected area in Lapland. The parking fees will go towards the maintenance of the destinations. Ideally, the collected fees will cover the costs of maintaining the parking areas, roads, and hiking structures.
The parking fee will be 1 euro per hour or at most 5 euro per day in the following parking areas at the pilot destinations:
- Sipoonkorpi National Park: The two Tasakallio parking areas (accessible parking spaces by the trailhead to the Storträski accessible trail continue to be free of charge) and the two parking areas in Kalkkiuunintie road. For now, the other parking areas in Sipoonkorpi National Park will continue to be free of charge.
- Koli National Park: Ylä-Kolintie parking areas P1, P2 and P3 (accessible parking in the P1 area is still free of charge). Parking will continue to be free of charge for the guests and visitors of Hotelli Koli. The other parking areas in Koli will continue to be free of charge for the time being.
- Urho Kekkonen National Park: Metsähallitus’ parking area in Kiilopää. The other parking areas in the national park will continue to be free of charge for the time being.
- Riisitunturi National Park: the parking area.
- Korouoma: the Saukkovaara parking area. Parking in Koivuköngas will continue to be free.
Parking in these areas is paid between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. with the first 30 min free of charge. Payments are made on the Easypark app. The option to pay with a text message may also become possible later this autumn. Other parking apps might also be added as payment options while the pilot is ongoing.
The paid parking pilot will run until spring 2027. Metsähallitus is working together with Parkkipates Oy in parking control.
“As the state budget is allocating less funds for the maintenance of Metsähallitus’ destinations, we have to find new ways to cover the costs. In public conversation, many have expressed their willingness to pay for the services of national parks. We are interested to see how this paid parking pilot will go. The trails, campsites, and other services in national parks will continue to be free of charge for visitors”, says Elias Haapakorva, Account Director at National Parks Finland.
Further information for the media:
- Account Director Elias Haapakorva, tel. +358 401 831 214