Una National Park was created on May 29, 2008, near the Upper Una River, Krka River, and Unac River. It is the largest national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The park’s main goal is to protect the natural Una River and its smaller rivers, Krka and Unac, which flow through the area.

Geography

The protection zone of the National Park covers an area of 198 km (76 sq mi). On the western side, the park begins at the source of the Krka River and follows its path until it meets the Una River at the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. From there, the park boundary follows the Una River and the border between the two countries until it reaches the town of Martin Brod and the point where the Una River meets the Unac River. On the eastern side, the park boundary starts where the Unac River enters its canyon, a few kilometers downstream from the town of Drvar. It then follows the Unac River and its canyon until it meets the Una River at Martin Brod. From there, the park boundary follows the Una River on the right and the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia on the left until it reaches the small town of Ripač, a few kilometers upstream from Bihać. The National Park Una’s area is located within the following geographic coordinates:

• Northernmost point: 44°44′33″N 15°57′58″E (inhabited settlement Podastrana)
• Southernmost point: 44°21′02″N 16°13′05″E (hill Gradina, 676 meters (2,218 feet))
• Westernmost point: 44°43′46″N 15°54′12″E (hill, 509 meters (1,670 feet))
• Easternmost point: 44°23′46″N 16°20′42″E (locality Vrtočke Bare, also known as Vrtočke Marshes).

Waters

The park is known for its waterfalls and fast-moving river sections. The most famous waterfalls are located at Martin Brod. Near this area, the Una River creates rock formations made from minerals and forms cascades, including the Milančetov buk waterfall.

A popular kayaking event called the "International Una Regatta" starts at Martin Brod. Further downstream, the Štrbački Buk waterfall is located.

Visitors can enjoy activities such as rafting, fishing, cycling, hiking, and camping throughout the park. Jumping from bridges in Bihać and Bosanska Krupa is also a common activity. The largest waterfall on the Una River is Štrbački Buk, and it is one of the park's main features.

Flora and fauna

Una National Park is known for its biodiversity. It is home to 30 fish species, 130 bird species, and other animals such as lynx, fox, wolf, bear, and chamois.

History

The area of the park has important cultural and historical heritage, with many archaeological sites that date back to the prehistoric period. Important historical and cultural sites within the park include the Roman fort Milančeva Kula, Rmanj Monastery, and the medieval fortress Ostrovica above Kulen Vakuf. Outside the park, notable sites include the Sokolačka Kula fortress in Sokolac village near Bihać and Ostrožac Castle located between Bihać and Bosanska Krupa.

Peace Park Plitvice-Una

The nearness of the Plješivica mountain untouched forest, which is located on both sides of the Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia border, to the national parks Una in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Plitvice Lakes in Croatia led to a plan. This plan involves working together to manage and promote the area by connecting the two cross-border parks through cooperation. The goal is to create a new shared park called Peace Park Plitvice-Una.