Picnic and Recreation Areas in Çorum
Çorum is a multi-layered province for picnics and recreation, with urban parks, nature parks, canyons and highland pastures. The list below draws on the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, governorate announcements and the travel guides on our site.
Centre and Nearby
- Kentpark and Millet Bahçesi — The city’s main recreation spot with its artificial lake, beach and broad green lawns; open daily 08:00-24:00. See our Millet Bahçesi page.
- Sıklık Nature Park — 5-9 km from the centre depending on the source, on the Samsun-Ankara highway, covering 318 hectares; with wildlife-viewing areas, a botanical garden and a country restaurant, it is the most practical address for a family picnic. See our Sıklık Nature Park article.
- Bahabey Grove, Sağmaca and Gölün Yazı — Three smaller nature breaks closer to the centre: a historic pine grove inside the city, trout facilities in Kuşsaray village, and the Gölün Yazı Wetland, notable for birdwatching. See our Central Çorum’s Nature Breaks article.
Canyons and Nature Parks
- İncesu Canyon (Ortaköy) — The province’s most popular nature route with its walkways and river views; see our İncesu Canyon guide.
- Çatak Nature Park — A weekend classic close to the centre with picnic areas and walking trails; see our Çatak guide.
- Boğazköy-Alacahöyük National Park — For combining a picnic with a visit to the archaeological site; see our Hattuşa guide.
- Gemici Nature Park (Osmancık) — A family picnic area in Osmancık’s Gemici neighbourhood, renovated in 2024; see our Gemici Nature Park article.
Highland Pastures (Yaylas)
- Kargı Yaylası (Eğinönü) — In the high mountainous area north of Kargı; about 140 km from Çorum and 26 km from Kargı. Its cool air and meadows make it the capital of summer picnics (Provincial Directorate). See also our Kargı Yaylası article and Abdullah Yaylası.
- Bayat Yaylası — A quieter alternative with its forested texture in the Bayat district; see our Bayat Yaylası article.
- Başpınar Karaca Highland (Osmancık) — A pine-forested highland with a 15-km trekking route, suited to camping and hiking; see our Başpınar Karaca Highland article.
Dam Lakes and Waterfalls
- Obruk Dam — A reservoir on the Kızılırmak near the Dodurga-Oğuzlar-Osmancık boundary, known for birdwatching and boat tours; see our Obruk Dam article.
- Karayanık and Kızılcaoluk Waterfalls — Karayanık, a chain of five falls in İskilip, and Kızılcaoluk, near Başköy in Kargı; both lie on marked sections of the Kızılırmak Basin trail. See our Çorum’s Waterfalls page.
Recreation Areas in Sungurlu
- Akçalı Mesire, Kent Park, Mesire Kafe, Yılmaz Ergişi Parkı — Four social facilities run by Sungurlu Municipality, convenient stops for travellers visiting Hattusa. See our Sungurlu Picnic and Park Areas article.
Long-Distance Walking and Cycling Trails
For a longer nature experience than a day picnic, Çorum has two marked trail networks: Hitit Yolu, linking the Hittite sites, and the Kızılırmak Basin Gastronomy and Walking Trail, which runs the length of the province’s north.
Practical Tips
- Season: Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are ideal; July-August suits the highlands.
- Weekday advantage: Kentpark and Sıklık get crowded on weekends.
- Environment: Picnic areas and walking trails are separate in nature parks; follow fire rules.
- For other activities in Çorum, see our Things to Do in Çorum page.