Tiilikkajärvi National Park (Finnish: Tiilikkajärven kansallispuisto) is a national park in Finland. It is located in two areas: Rautavaara, North Savo, and Sotkamo, Kainuu. The park was created in 1982. After expanding in 2023, it covers 72 square kilometers (28 square miles), making it the second largest national park in southern Finland.

The Tiilikkajärvi lake is a large body of water covering 400 hectares (1.5 square miles). It has beaches around its edges and is divided in the middle by long, narrow landforms called eskers.

Fauna

The park's forests are home to northern bird species such as the brambling and rustic bunting. The most common bird in the bogs is the yellow wagtail. The Eurasian whimbrel also nests in the bogs. The barren Tiilikkajärvi lake is inhabited by the black-throated diver, and its beaches are home to the little ringed plover. Other species found in the area include the lesser black-backed gull, capercaillie, willow grouse, bean goose, Eurasian golden plover, and Siberian jay. In the summer of 1993, the pine grosbeak nested in the area. The beaver lives in the nearby rivers.

Notable Sights and Visitor Experiences

Tiilikkajärvi National Park is famous for its natural beauty and important historical places. One of the park’s most important areas is Venäjänhiekka, a long, golden sandy beach along Tiilikkajärvi lake. This beach is well-known for its soft, beautiful sand and its connection to history. Its name and location are linked to the 1595 Treaty of Teusina, which set the border between Sweden and Russia through the lake. A stone marking the original border, carved with a crown and a cross to represent the two countries, still remains and is a common place for visitors to visit.

The park’s landscape includes esker ridges, such as Pohjoisniemi and Kalmoniemi. These long, narrow landforms created by glaciers extend for several kilometers and nearly split Tiilikkajärvi lake in two, forming a striking natural view. Hiking trails are available to explore these areas. The eskers are covered in pine trees and provide wide views of the lake and nearby aapa bogs. Kalmoniemi, which is sometimes only a few meters wide, is especially popular for hiking.