Black Forest National Park

Black Forest National Park at Ruhestein, on the scenic Black Forest High Road between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt, is the first national park in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Here the dark fir and spruce forests of the northern Black Forest are left to grow wild, alongside open heathland ridges, glacial lakes and the Allerheiligen waterfalls. It is the wild side of the Black Forest.

About the park

Founded on January 1, 2014, the park was controversial at first, opposed by parts of the timber industry and some locals, and championed by conservation groups. It originally consisted of two separate sections; since January 1, 2026, they have been joined, bringing the total area to about 43 square miles (11,267 hectares).

In 1999, Hurricane Lothar flattened whole stands of forest on the ridges. Rather than replanting, the park lets these storm areas regenerate on their own, and you can walk right through them. Wildlife includes capercaillie, three-toed woodpeckers and red deer, and the occasional lynx and wolf now roam the region.

Top things to do

• National Park Center Ruhestein: a striking building shaped like fallen tree trunks, with a 1,000-square-meter multimedia exhibition narrated by "the forest itself." You can glide like a falcon over the park in a flight simulation.
• Lothar Path: a 900-meter (about half-mile) trail over boardwalks, ladders and stairs through a storm-damaged forest, with a viewing platform. Allow 30 minutes.
• Wildsee: a dark glacial lake below Ruhestein surrounded by old forest.
• Allerheiligen Waterfalls: the largest natural waterfall in the northern Black Forest, dropping nearly 100 meters through a mossy gorge next to a ruined monastery.

Tickets and opening hours

The park itself is free and always open. The exhibition at the center (as of October 2026) is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May to October and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November to April; it is closed on Mondays. Note: it is closed for maintenance from November 2 to December 4, 2026. Adults pay €8, families €20, and children under 6 enter free. Tickets are sold on site only and currently cash only. Entry is timed in small groups, so expect short waits on busy days.

How to get there

The center sits at about 900 meters (2,950 feet) on the B 500 Black Forest High Road, roughly an hour's drive from Baden-Baden. Without a car, take Deutsche Bahn to Baden-Baden, Achern or Freudenstadt, then regional bus X45, 400 or 100 to the "Ruhestein, Nationalparkzentrum" stop; from May to October these run about hourly. The parking lot costs €1 for 30 minutes, €3 for up to two hours and €6 for the day.

Good to know

Dogs must be leashed. Stay on marked trails; swimming in lakes and streams, drones and wild camping are prohibited, though bookable trekking camps exist for multi-day hikes. Several adventure trails close in icy conditions. Is it worth visiting? Yes, especially combined with a short trail.

Nearby

• Mummelsee and Hornisgrinde: a legendary lake and the highest peak of the northern Black Forest.
• Baiersbronn: a hiking village famous for its Michelin-starred restaurants.
• Baden-Baden: elegant spa town with historic thermal baths.