Getting to the gate is half the journey
Rajaji has multiple entry gates spread across three districts — the route you take depends on where you're starting from and which safari zone you're booked into.
How to reach Rajaji National Park
Rajaji National Park spans Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal districts, which means there's no single "front gate" — instead, several entry points (Chilla, Motichur, Ranipur, Mohand, and Jhilmil Jheel) are scattered around the park's edges. Most visitors reach it via Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun, all well connected by air, rail, and road, and then drive on to whichever safari zone they've booked.
Rajaji National Park location
The park sits in the Shivalik foothills of Uttarakhand, wrapped around three well-known towns.
Rajaji effectively forms a green corridor between Haridwar and Dehradun, with Rishikesh sitting just across the Ganga from the Chilla range — which is why most travel guides describe the park "from" one of these three towns rather than by a single address.
How to reach by air
- Nearest airportJolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED) — the only functioning airport serving this region, with regular domestic flights from Delhi and other major cities.
- Airport infoLocated on the Dehradun–Rishikesh road, roughly midway between the two cities, making it a convenient landing point whichever zone you're headed to.
- Taxi / cabPrepaid taxis and app-based cabs are available right outside the terminal for onward travel to Haridwar, Rishikesh, or directly to a safari zone.
- Road journey to safari zonesFrom the airport, Motichur and Chilla zones are a shorter drive than Ranipur or Mohand — confirm your exact gate before booking a cab so the driver takes the correct route.
How to reach by train
Three railway stations serve as practical gateways to Rajaji National Park.
Haridwar Railway Station
Well connected to Delhi and major Indian cities; the most popular gateway for Chilla and Motichur zones.
Rishikesh Railway Station
Smaller station, convenient if you're already staying in Rishikesh or heading to the Chilla side.
Dehradun Railway Station
Useful for the Motichur and Mohand approach, and for onward connections toward the airport.
How to reach by road
Delhi
Via NH334 towards Haridwar/Rishikesh — a well-travelled highway route, typically driven in one long day.
Haridwar
Short local drive to Chilla or Motichur gate — among the quickest approaches to the park.
Rishikesh
A quick drive along the Rishikesh–Haridwar road to reach the Chilla range.
Dehradun
Head out via the Dehradun–Haridwar road toward Motichur, or via the Delhi–Dehradun highway toward Mohand.
Meerut
Drive north via Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee onto the Haridwar road — a manageable half-day drive.
Chandigarh
South-east via Ambala and Saharanpur towards Haridwar or Dehradun, depending on your target gate.
How to reach each safari zone
Each zone has its own gate and its own most convenient approach.
How to reach Chilla Safari Zone
The most visited zone, reached via the Haridwar–Rishikesh road (near Chilla Hydro Power Station). It's the shortest drive from both Haridwar and Rishikesh, and the usual first choice for visitors without their own transport.
→ See the full Chilla Safari guideHow to reach Motichur Safari Zone
Located along the Haridwar–Dehradun stretch, close to Raiwala. Convenient if you're travelling between Haridwar and Dehradun and want to fit in a safari en route.
How to reach Jhilmil Jheel
Reached via a separate approach road off the Haridwar side, best known for its wetland habitat. This zone operates on a somewhat different access route from Chilla and Motichur, so confirm directions with your operator in advance.
How to reach Ranipur
Situated closer to Haridwar's outer edge, accessed via local roads distinct from the Chilla route. A good option if Chilla bookings are full.
How to reach Mohand
On the Dehradun–Saharanpur side of the park, reached via the Delhi–Dehradun highway. This is the most convenient zone if you're arriving from Delhi/Meerut and don't want to detour through Haridwar first.
Which entry gate should you choose?
A quick starting point based on where you're staying — but always confirm your exact zone allotment and current gate access with your safari booking, since routes and openings can change.
| If you're staying in / coming from | Consider |
|---|---|
| Haridwar | Chilla, Motichur, or Ranipur — all a short local drive away |
| Rishikesh | Chilla — the nearest and most convenient zone |
| Dehradun | Motichur or Mohand, depending on which side of the city you're on |
These are general starting points, not fixed rules — your safari operator assigns a specific zone and gate at booking, so treat this as a planning guide and verify against your actual booking confirmation.
Rajaji National Park distance guide
Approximate road distances to the park area — actual distance depends on which specific gate you're headed to.
| Route | Approx. distance |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Rajaji | ~200–230 km |
| Haridwar → Rajaji | ~5–10 km |
| Rishikesh → Rajaji | ~10–15 km |
| Dehradun → Rajaji | ~15–20 km |
| Jolly Grant Airport → Rajaji | ~15–25 km |
| Haridwar Railway Station → Chilla | ~8–10 km |
Figures are approximate and rounded for planning purposes — exact distance varies by which gate (Chilla, Motichur, Ranipur, etc.) you're travelling to. Always cross-check the specific gate name on your maps app before setting out.
Google Maps & navigation tips
Search for your exact zone or entry gate name — for example "Chilla Gate, Rajaji National Park" or "Motichur Range Office" — rather than just "Rajaji National Park." A generic search can drop the pin on the wrong side of this large, multi-district park and send you toward the wrong approach road entirely.
If you're travelling with a hired taxi, share the gate name with the driver in advance rather than just the park name, since local drivers may default to whichever zone they know best.
Taxi & local transport
Taxi
Widely available from Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun railway stations and the airport.
Cab apps
App-based cabs work well for city-to-gate transfers, though coverage can thin out near the actual gate.
Private vehicle
Self-driving is straightforward on the main highways; note that private vehicles aren't allowed inside the safari zones themselves.
Local transport
Shared autos and local buses cover the towns, but a private taxi is the practical choice for the final stretch to a safari gate.
How to reach Rajaji for safari
The full journey, start to finish.
- Travel to the region — fly into Jolly Grant Airport, or take a train to Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun.
- Reach your zone — book a taxi or drive to the specific gate (Chilla, Motichur, Ranipur, Mohand, or Jhilmil Jheel) confirmed in your booking.
- Arrive at the safari gate — reach the gate at least 30–45 minutes before your slot to allow time for check-in.
- Booking & check-in — carry ID proof and your booking confirmation; complete entry formalities at the gate counter.
- Safari — board your assigned Gypsy or elephant for the morning or evening safari slot.
Frequently asked questions
How do I reach Rajaji National Park from Haridwar?
Haridwar is one of the closest gateways — a short taxi ride reaches the Chilla, Motichur, or Ranipur gates, all within about 5–10 km of the city.
How do I reach Rajaji National Park from Rishikesh?
Rishikesh is closest to the Chilla zone, a short drive away along the Rishikesh–Haridwar road.
How do I reach Rajaji National Park from Dehradun?
From Dehradun, Motichur and Mohand are the most convenient zones, reached via the Haridwar or Delhi–Dehradun highway respectively.
How do I reach the Chilla safari zone?
Chilla is reached via the Haridwar–Rishikesh road near the Chilla Hydro Power Station — it's the most accessible zone from both towns.
Which entry gate should I search for on Google Maps?
Search the specific zone or gate name (e.g. "Chilla Gate, Rajaji National Park") rather than just "Rajaji National Park," to avoid being routed to the wrong side of the park.
Is the nearest airport to Rajaji National Park Jolly Grant?
Yes — Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, with taxis available for onward travel to any safari zone.
Know your gate before you set out
Confirm your safari zone, then plan your route from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun accordingly.
Check safari availability