Wild, magnificent, endless… there are no shortage of words to describe the beauty of Mongolia's landscapes. Located at the far end of the world, this country makes for an ideal destination for travellers seeking adventure and a change of scenery. If that's what you're after, here's a list of 10 national parks to explore in this remarkable land, so you can make the most of your stay.

Gorkhi-Terelj National Park

Among the national parks not to miss during your trip to Mongolia is the Gorkhi-Terelj park. Perched at 1,600 m elevation in the protected Khentii region, it lies just 55 km east of Ulan Bator. An asphalt road makes it easy to reach the park. If you're starting from the capital, allow 1.5 to 2 hours of driving time. Near the park entrance, admire magnificent rock formations including the famous Melkhii Khad, a 24 m high rock shaped like a tortoise, as well as the rock of an old man reading.

At Terelj, vast steppes, forests and rivers await you—the perfect introduction to what Mongolia has to offer. Several ger camps as well as hotels and guesthouses allow you to stay on site and spend a few days to recharge.

Khustain Nuruu National Park

Nestled at 1,843 m elevation in Altanbulag district, 90 km southwest of the capital, Khustain Nuruu National Park is also a must-see on any circuit through the land of Genghis Khan. The park boasts exceptional fauna and flora. You'll find over 450 plant species, 85 lichen species, 90 moss species and 33 fungal species. The park is home to 44 mammal species, including red deer, Mongolian gazelle, roe deer, grey wolf, lynx and red fox. It also welcomes 217 bird species, including golden eagles, bearded vultures, great bustards, whooper swans, black storks and partridges. But above all, the park's Przewalski's horse reintroduction programme has earned it considerable renown among travellers from around the world.

Khorgo – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur Nature Park

If it's your passion for beautiful landscapes that led you to visit Mongolia, the Khorgo – Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur nature park is perfect for you. The site is home to the splendid Terkhiin Tsagaan lake and the extinct Khorgo volcano. This park offers the opportunity to enjoy many sporting activities such as hiking. Furthermore, the area surrounding the lake has retained its wild character, which increases your chances of encountering axis deer, marsh deer, wild boar, wild ducks or great cormorants. You can also undertake the ascent of the Korgho volcano to admire, from its 2,140 m peak, the magnificent geological formation of solidified lava bubbles that dominates the surrounding landscape.

Khögnö Khan National Park

Located 250 km from Ulan Bator, on the road to Karakorum, Khögnö Khan National Park is well worth a visit. Established in 1997 as a nature reserve, it became a nature park in 2003—a state-protected area designated for its educational, historical, cultural or environmental value. What makes the site unique is its location at the meeting point of steppe and taiga (a landscape characteristic of continental climate regions with very long cold seasons). As a result, the park hosts fauna and flora typical of each of these two ecosystems.

Naiman Nuur National Park

Located in the Khangai mountain range, in Övörkhangai province, Naiman Nuur National Park is also among the must-see destinations in Mongolia. Perched at 2,400 m elevation, it displays the typical landscapes of Mongolia's high mountains, with its vast larch forests. It is also known to be home to over fifty bird species, including Arctic divers, great cormorants, bar-headed geese and whooper swans.

Khövsgöl Nature Park

Nicknamed "the blue pearl of Mongolia," the Khövsgöl nature park is mainly composed of the Khövsgöl lake and its surroundings. It owes its nickname to the lake's water, so pure and so clear you could drink from it. Khövsgöl Lake alone contains 2% of the world's freshwater reserves. It is home to numerous bird and mammal species, such as sable, beaver, Mongolian elk, Siberian roe deer, brown bear, and lynx. Between January and April, when the lake freezes over, you can enjoy dog sledding or troika rides (large sleighs pulled by horses).

Tsambagarav National Park

Located at Mongolia's far western extremity, in Bayan Ölgii province, Tsambagarav National Park appears magnificent with its picturesque landscapes. Established in 2000, it covers an area of 1,110 km² in a glacial-type region encompassing the Tsambagarav Mountains. These mountains are home to a particularly rich fauna, including a population of the famous snow leopards.

Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park

Established in 1993, Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park constitutes the largest protected zone in Mongolia. Indeed, it extends over roughly a hundred kilometres in Ömnögovi province and encompasses part of the Gobi-Altai range. It takes its name from the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains, the three highest peaks in a section of the Gobi-Altai range: Baruun Saikhan, "the Beautiful Western"; Dund Saikhan, "the Beautiful Central"; and Züün Saikhan, "the Beautiful Eastern."

Altai Tavan Bogd National Park

Located at the far southwestern corner of the country, Altai Tavan Bogd National Park harbours an exceptional ecosystem hosting magnificent landscapes, rare wildlife, argalis (wild sheep), ibex (wild goats), reindeer, snow leopards, as well as birds such as eagles, condors, bearded vultures, falcons, and more. Part of its renown stems from the Mongolian Altai petroglyphs collection, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. These consist of three sites containing several thousand rock paintings and Turkish monoliths, including the Tsagaan Salaa rock paintings displaying over 10,000 drawings across 15 km of valley.

Dariganga Nature Park

Established in 2004 with the aim of protecting several natural sites, including Ganga Lake, the Moltsog Els sand dunes and the extinct Altan Ovoo volcano, the picturesque Dariganga nature park is located in the region of the same name, close to the Sino-Mongolian border. Still infrequently visited by tourists, this site presents itself as a haven of authenticity. The richness and diversity of the landscape make Dariganga park one of the must-see destinations in Mongolia.