Saklıkent National Park protects Saklıkent Gorge, a narrow limestone canyon in the mountains of Seydikemer, about 45 km from Fethiye in Muğla Province. You follow a boardwalk along the cliff face, then wade upstream through ice-cold water between walls that rise around 300 m above you.
It is one of the most popular day trips from Fethiye, and a welcome cool escape on a hot summer day.
Plan your visit to Saklıkent National Park
- Entry: around TRY 250 (check for increases)
- About 08:45–19:00 in summer
- 2–3 hours, or a full day with Tlos
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History of Saklıkent National Park
Saklıkent means “hidden city” in Turkish. The gorge was carved over thousands of years by meltwater and streams draining the Taurus Mountains, and is around 18 km long, although visitors can only explore the first part. The area was declared a national park in 1996.
Much of the water reaches the gorge from springs near the entrance, which is why the river stays very cold, at roughly 5–8°C, even in midsummer.
Attractions at Saklıkent National Park
- The boardwalk: a wooden walkway fixed to the canyon wall leads into the gorge above the rushing spring water.
- The gorge walk: beyond the boardwalk you cross the stream and wade along the riverbed. Most people turn back after several hundred metres, where boulders and waterfalls make progress difficult without a guide.
- Riverside platforms: wooden platforms over the river at the entrance, where you can relax with tea or a meal.
Things to Do at Saklıkent National Park
- Wade the gorge: wear water shoes (they can be rented at the entrance) and clothes that can get wet and muddy; bring a waterproof bag for phones.
- River tubing: tubing on the river below the gorge is offered near the entrance in season.
- Rafting: rafting trips on the Eşen River nearby are often combined with a Saklıkent visit on organised tours.
- Combine with Tlos: the hilltop ruins of the Lycian city of Tlos are about 20 minutes away by car.
Don’t go deeper into the gorge after heavy rain, and always ask at the entrance about water levels.
Saklıkent National Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Ticket: around TRY 250 for adults in 2026, with reduced student tickets (check for increases).
- Hours: roughly 08:45 to 19:00 in summer, with shorter hours in the low season.
- Season: the walk into the gorge is best from late spring to autumn. In winter and early spring the water can be too high and access into the gorge may be closed.
Tours
- Saklıkent day tour from Fethiye (hotel pick-up, guide and lunch): on Klook
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How Long to Spend at Saklıkent National Park
- Boardwalk only: about 1 hour.
- Boardwalk and wading: 2–3 hours, including time to change and relax.
- Day trip: a full day if you combine it with Tlos, tubing or rafting.
How to Get There
- By car: about 45 km from Fethiye, roughly 45–60 minutes.
- By dolmuş: minibuses to Saklıkent run from Fethiye bus station area, frequently in high season; check the time of the last bus back.
- By tour: day tours from Fethiye, Ölüdeniz and Hisarönü include hotel pick-up and often Tlos or a rafting stop.
- From Dalaman Airport (DLM): around 1.5 hours by car.
Arriving at Dalaman Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel in Fethiye.
Eateries Nearby Saklıkent National Park
Several simple restaurants sit right by the entrance, many with wooden platforms and cushions above the river. Trout, grilled meats and freshly made gözleme (stuffed flatbread) are the usual choices. More trout restaurants line the road towards Tlos.
Other Attractions Nearby Saklıkent National Park
- Tlos: one of the oldest Lycian cities, with rock-cut tombs, a theatre and views over the Xanthos valley.
- Gizlikent Waterfall: a small waterfall in a side canyon, a few minutes from Saklıkent.
- Xanthos and Letoon: the UNESCO-listed Lycian sites, about an hour’s drive south.
- Patara Beach: a long sandy beach and ancient city further south, see our Patara Beach guide.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Fethiye: Fethiye town, Çalış or Ölüdeniz make good bases for a day trip to the gorge.
- Get a Turkey eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Saklıkent National Park is a refreshing day out from Fethiye: walk the boardwalk, wade up the cold river between towering canyon walls, then relax over trout or gözleme on the riverside platforms.
Spend the rest of your time on the coast at Butterfly Valley or Çalış Beach.
