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- Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (White Lake) — The star of the park: a clear, shallow lake created when lava dammed a river. Calm water, reed fringes and wide beaches make it great for swimming, fishing and easy shoreline walks; the reflections of the surrounding hills are excellent for photos in the morning and evening.
- Khorgo Volcano & Crater — A short but rewarding hike up to the rim of an extinct volcanic cone. You can peer into the crater, scramble across cool scoria, and get sweeping views of the lake and steppe — very accessible, even if you’re not a hardened hiker. (Personal favorite: the crater hike — I keep going back for the view at sunrise.)
- Lava fields and basalt formations — Black, jagged lava flows and columnar rocks radiate out from Khorgo, making a dramatic contrast with the green
- Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake (White Lake) — The star of the park: a clear, shallow lake created when lava dammed a river. Calm water, reed fringes and wide beaches make it great for swimming, fishing and easy shoreline walks; the reflections of the surrounding hills are excellent for photos in the morning and evening.
- Khorgo Volcano & Crater — A short but rewarding hike up to the rim of an extinct volcanic cone. You can peer into the crater, scramble across cool scoria, and get sweeping views of the lake and steppe — very accessible, even if you’re not a hardened hiker. (Personal favorite: the crater hike — I keep going back for the view at sunrise.)
- Lava fields and basalt formations — Black, jagged lava flows and columnar rocks radiate out from Khorgo, making a dramatic contrast with the green steppe and blue lake. Great for geology buffs, photographers, and weird-rock collectors who like textures.
- Birdlife and wetlands — Reedbeds and shallow bays attract lots of waterfowl and migrating shorebirds in spring and autumn, plus the occasional raptor. Bring binoculars for quietly spotting ducks, grebe-like birds and other migrants along the shore.
- Ridge and lakeshore hiking trails — Multiple easy-to-moderate trails loop around the volcano and along the lake, from 1-4 hour walks to full-day treks. Trails offer changing perspectives: volcanic silhouettes, quiet bays, and open steppe where marmots and hares show up.
- Horse trekking and nomadic ger stays — The surrounding steppe is prime country for short horse rides and overnight ger camps. It’s a low-cost way to stretch your legs, learn about herding life, and eat yak/horse milk tea beside a campfire.
- Sunsets and stargazing — Low light pollution and wide horizons mean dramatic sunsets and an incredible night sky. In summer the Milky Way is stunning; in winter the frozen lake and clear air make for crisp, otherworldly vistas.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.