National Park
Una National Park
Home to the emerald-green Una River and Štrbački Buk waterfall, with Class II-III rafting through some of the country's most scenic, untouched forest.
Founder, from Ruma, Serbia
Una National Park, established in 2008, is the largest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, protecting the upper Una and Unac rivers in the country's northwest. It's a landscape of deep canyons, dense forest and travertine waterfalls, with some of the cleanest river water in Europe.
Štrbački Buk is the centrepiece, a powerful cascade thundering over travertine terraces, with viewing platforms right beside the falls. Downstream at Martin Brod, the Unac and Una meet in a maze of small waterfalls, pools and old mills around the village. Rafting and kayaking trips run Class II-III sections, and quiet forest roads make the park good cycling country too.
Bihać is the gateway, around half an hour from Štrbački Buk, with guesthouses and outdoor operators. Entry fees apply at the main sites. Late spring brings the most powerful falls, while summer is best for swimming in the permitted spots. Plitvice Lakes in Croatia is close enough to visit on the same trip.
When to go
May through September for the fullest waterfalls and warmest river temperatures.
Getting there
Bihac is the main gateway town, roughly 3 hours from Sarajevo by car.
Plan your visit
What it costs, how long to allow, and where to base yourself.
Family rafting from €49
Full day to 2 days
Bihać
Zagreb, 2.5 hrs
Where to stay for Una National Park: Bihać as your base
Bihać is the gateway to Una National Park, about half an hour from Štrbački Buk, with the widest choice of hotels and outdoor operators. Hotel Opal Exclusive Bihać is the comfortable riverside pick, and Hotel Paviljon puts you in the centre on a tighter budget. Rafting on the Una River runs from the same base, so one stay covers the waterfalls and a day on the water.
Hotel Opal Exclusive Bihać
Hotel
Price Range:
Upscale
Quiet riverside hotel on the Una with a free gym and a restaurant terrace. The upscale pick in Bihać.
By the Una in Bihać
Hotel Paviljon
Hotel
Price Range:
Budget
Central hotel on the bank of the Una, so the river and the town are on your doorstep after a day on the water.
On the Una in Bihać centre
Hotel Kostelski Buk
Hotel
Price Range:
Mid-range
Hotel and restaurant right beside the Una waterfalls at Kostela, a quieter base outside town for river days.
8 km from Bihać centre
Who it's for
Best for: Families and anyone who wants waterfalls without Plitvice's crowds. You can walk to viewing platforms, swim in permitted spots, raft Class II-III sections and cycle quiet forest roads, all in one park.
Skip it if: You are short on time. The park sits in Bosnia's far northwest, three hours from Sarajevo, so it works best combined with a Croatia crossing rather than as a detour.
Nearby places
Easy to combine on the same trip.
Una National Park questions
Can I hike within the park?
Yes, marked trails run alongside the river and through the surrounding forest, separate from the rafting routes.
Where should I base myself for Una National Park?
Bihać. It is the closest town to the park, about 2.5 hours from Zagreb.
Is the park good for a family visit?
Yes, alongside rafting, the park offers gentler walking trails and swimming spots suited to families.
How much does it cost to enter Una National Park?
Entry fees apply at the main waterfall sites, including Štrbački Buk. They are low, but rates change, so check at the gate. Family rafting trips from Bihać start around €49 with food and drinks included.
How long do I need?
A full day covers Štrbački Buk and Martin Brod. Two days lets you add a rafting trip and explore the forest roads by bike.
Is Una National Park worth visiting?
Yes. Bosnia's largest national park has some of the cleanest river water in Europe and a chain of travertine waterfalls, with a fraction of the visitors Plitvice gets an hour and a half away.
What is Štrbački Buk?
The park's centrepiece, a wide cascade thundering over travertine terraces with wooden viewing platforms alongside. It is reachable on foot, so you do not need to get on the water.
Can I swim in the park?
Yes, in the permitted spots and on rafting trips, though not directly at the main waterfalls. The water is cold even in August.
Ready to explore Una?
Family-friendly rafting from Bihać: mild rapids and calm stretches on the emerald Una, with food, drinks and tour photos included.
