Getting around in nature is limited in the restricted areas. Take a look at the restricted areas in the national park on Maps pages and in Excursionmap.fi.
Respect Nature
Pets
Getting Around in National Park
Camping
Lighting Campfires
Litter-free Hiking
Fishing
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Biking
Horse Riding
Other Rules and Instructions
Forbidden Activities
Peak Seasons
Safety
Respect Nature
The outdoor activities in the Isojärvi National Park are guided with the rules and regulations. When getting around in nature, let’s show respect for it. Take a look at the Outdoor Etiquette.
Please don’t share any such contents on the Internet that break the rules of the national park.
Letting pets running at large is forbidden. Dogs and other pets are welcome in the national park but only on a leash.
Getting Around in National Park
In the Isojärvi National Park, you may freely walk, ski, row and canoe, except in the restricted areas:
- In the restricted areas of Lortikanvuori and Latokuusikko, movement is only allowed on trails, during the time when there is no snow. On the islands of Kaatselkä area on Lake Isojärvi, landing and moving around is forbidden 1.5. - 31.7.
Camping
Camping out temporarily is allowed in the sites indicated, and in the vicinity of campfire sites and shelters.
Lighting Campfires
Lighting a fire is allowed at the maintained campfire sites that have been marked on the map and in the terrain. You are only allowed to use the firewood that has been reserved for the purpose. The person who lights the campfire is always responsible for the fire.
Lighting any campfires is strictly forhibited if the forest fire warning or the grass fire warning is in effect. Always check the current warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi). The ban does not apply to the fireplace with a flue at Kannuslahti cooking shelter, in which a fire can be lit with special care.
The use of a portable camping stove is allowed in areas where hiking is allowed. During the forest and grass fire warning, the use of hobo stoves is not allowed, as sparks may be created.
Litter-free Hiking
There are no waste-bins or recycling points in the park. Measures should be taken in advance to avoid taking unnecessary waste into the area. Take away everything you brought along.
You can put leftovers and other biowaste in a dry toilet at rest spots.
Small amounts of clean paper and cardboard may be used as kindling at a campfire site. Other waste, such as packages that contain aluminium foil or plastic, may not be burned in a fireplace, as they may form non-biodegradable waste and toxic gases.
Read more about Hiking without littering.
Fishing
Hook and line fishing and ice fishing are allowed under everyman's rights, except where specific restrictions apply.
Lure fishing with a single rod is permitted, but the access restrictions must be observed. Persons aged 18-64 years must pay the fisheries management fee (eraluvat.fi). Fishing permits are available from Metsähallitus' online shop (eraluvat.fi).
Fishers need to check the restrictions on fishing sites at kalastusrajoitus.fi (In Finnish).
Picking Berries, Mushrooms and Wild Herbs
Picking berries and edible mushrooms is allowed.
It is prohibited to pick or damage other than edible mushrooms and trees, bushes or other plants or their parts. Picking wild herbs is therefore forbidden.
Biking
Mountain biking is allowed only along the roads and the Isojärvi mountain biking trail (julkaisut.metsa.fi).
Horse Riding
Riding horses is allowed only along roads.
Other Rules and Instructions
Other Forbidden Activities in the Isojärvi National Park
- Damaging soil or rock, and extraction of earth material or minerals.
- Killing, catching or disturbing wild vertebrates, or damaging their nests.
- Catching or collecting invertebrates.
- Driving motor vehicles, except on roads designated for motor vehicles.
- Leaving waste in the area, or damaging structures.
- Covering, changing, damaging, removing, violating or excavating in archaeological sites.
- Activities that disturb other people.
Rules and Regulations for Isojärvi
The rules and regulations of Isojärvi National Park (pdf 306 Kb, julkaisut.metsa.fi, in Finnish).
Peak Seasons
The most popular times to visit the National Park are the weekends in the spring and autumn, and the summer months of June and July.
Safety
It is important that you get as much information as possible about your hiking destination in advance and prepare for your trip thoroughly. Knowing your route and sticking to it and knowing what the weather and warnings in effect (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) has in store, will help make your trip a success.
- Visitors need to carry their own food and drinks. There is a well in Heretty. To check the current situation of drinking water in this well, click here.
- Please note that there is no toilet paper in the toilets.
- Suitable footwear depends on the weather. When it is dry, trainers will be fine, although the trails are rocky at some places, so study outdoor boots may be more practical.
- In Isojärvi, floods created by beavers are quite common on the trails.
- Dress for hiking in colorful clothes and according to the weather.
- Make sure you pack a first-aid kit. If you face an emergency on your hike, e.g. get lost, get injured or observe wildfire, call 112 and report an emergency. More information on how to act in an emergency.
- Mobile phone coverage in Isojärvi National Park is reasonably good, but there are many areas with a weak signal. At Lortikka hut and campfire site, for example, mobile phones do not work. To get a better signal, hikers need to climb to the surrounding rocky outcrops. Read more about mobile phone coverage (112.fi).
- Hiking in Finland
When forest and grass fire warnings (en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi) are in effect, fire is only allowed at covered campfire sites that have a flue. A fire can be also lit in fireplaces at wilderness and other huts. Always use extreme caution when handling fire. The one who lights a fire is always responsible for its safe use. Please note, that making fire at these campfire sites can be banned locally. 
