Dachigam is a national park situated within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Wild fruit trees and beautiful animals add to the natural beauty of the place. Wild cherry, pear, plum, peach, apple, apricot, walnut and chestnut are some of the plant species that are found in this national park. 

It is found at a distance 22 kilometers from Srinagar. The national park stretches over an area of 141 square kilometers. The height of this place varies from 5500 feet to 14000 feet. The months from May to August is the best time to visit the upper area and for the lower area, it is the months from September to December. This national park houses the rare Kashmir stag.it is the world’s most endangered species of red deer. 

The Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir started the protection of Dachigam National Park in the year 1910. The state government is responsible for the park. Dachigam literally means ‘ten villages’. The park was made by relocating these 10 villages. In the year 1981, it was renamed a National Park. The primary motive of the national park was to supply clean drinking water to the city. The most peculiar feature of the place is that it changes in appearance with every season.

Wildlife : Twenty unique species of mammals are found in the Dachigam National Park. Kashmir stag (also known as Hangul), Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan black bear, leopards, snow leopards, leopard cats, musk deer, jackals, fox, long-tailed marmots are some of the mammals found in the park. It also provides home for 150 species of birds. Many kinds of pheasants are found such as crimson tragopan, monal pheasant, blood pheasant and Koklass pheasant. Other birds such as golden eagles, bearded vultures, cinnamon sparrows, black bulbuls, woodpeckers, pygmy owlets, babblers, orange bullfinch, golden orioles, Kashmir flycatcher and Himalayan Rubythroatds are also found.

Trout fishing is an important activity in the Dachigam River which flows through the park. It drains into the Dagwan River.

Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit Dachigam National Park depends on the region of the park one chooses to visit. 

Upper Dachigam:  June to August 

Lower Dachigam:  September to December 

The most colorful month is during the Fall / Autumn month of October when the leaves on trees (except evergreens) change colours and begin to shed them in advance of Winter.