Charyn Canyon rules: what is allowed and what is not

Tents only in designated spots, fires only in equipped ones, no swimming in the river. The full list, with its legal basis.

Verified: 2026-08

PhotoCharyn Canyon: general view · Ivo Stirling / Pexels

Short version for a weekend trip: tents only in designated spots, fires and barbecues only in equipped ones, no swimming, no driving off roads and trails, keep your payment receipt to the end. Photography is allowed; picking berries and mushrooms for yourself is too.

Not verified yet The edition of the rules available to us dates from 2019. We are requesting the current 2026 wording; such documents rarely change in substance, but we state the date honestly.

What is allowed

What	Condition
Vehicle movement	only on public roads and designated excursion roads
Organised tours and hikes	by prior arrangement with the administration
Movement on water	non-motorised craft only, by arrangement
Amateur fishing	permitted
Picking berries, mushrooms, herbs	for personal use, in permitted areas
Photography and filming	amateur and professional
Educational fieldwork	permitted
Herbarium and soil sampling	for study, except in the strict reserve zone

What is prohibited

Transport and parking

being on the territory without proof of payment
driving off public roads, excursion trails and tourist routes
parking outside designated places
parking and washing vehicles on the banks of water bodies
motor yachts, boats, jet skis and quad bikes on water bodies

Camping and fire

lighting fires and setting up barbecues outside equipped places
pitching tents outside designated places

Water

swimming in the river
crossing the river channel to the other bank
washing dishes and laundry on the banks

Engraving: mountain river along the floor of a rocky canyon — Illustration The Charyn river on the canyon floor: swimming and crossing are prohibited

Wildlife

taking wild animals without a permit
frightening or feeding wild animals
destroying nests, burrows, dens and anthills
felling, breaking or damaging trees and shrubs
collecting wild plants and medicinal raw material outside permitted areas

General conduct

writing or drawing on structures, trees, rocks and cliffs
damaging monuments of nature, history, culture and archaeology
littering the ground with household waste
noise beyond established limits

Safety requirements

stay on the trail and away from cliff edges
descend into the canyon only by the equipped paths
move as a group
report any discomfort to your group leader immediately
do not enter the forest in windy weather
observe fire precautions

About drones

The edition available to us makes no mention of unmanned aircraft. That is not automatic permission: flights are governed by separate aviation law, and protected areas are closed to drones by default in a number of countries.

We are checking this with the administration. Until then: ask at the checkpoint before flying.

→ Charyn Canyon overview

Frequently asked questions

Can I pitch a tent in Charyn Canyon?

Only in places specifically designated for it. Pitching tents elsewhere is prohibited by the rules.

Can I light a campfire or use a barbecue?

Only in specially built and equipped places. Fires and barbecues anywhere else are prohibited.

Can I swim in the Charyn river?

No. Swimming is explicitly prohibited, as is crossing the channel to the other bank.

Can I take photographs?

Yes. Both amateur and professional photography and filming are on the list of permitted activities, though professional shoots are charged separately as a park service.

Sources

Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Specially Protected Natural Areas of 7 July 2006, article 8, subparagraph 6-1
Rules for visiting the protected area of Charyn State National Natural Park, 2019 edition