| Urho Kekkonen National Park | |
| Iucn Category: | II |
| Iucn Ref: | [1] |
| Map: | Finland |
| Relief: | 1 |
| Location: | Lapland, Finland |
| Coordinates: | 68.3333°N 28°W |
| Area Km2: | 2550 |
| Established: | 1983 |
| Visitation Num: | 289000 |
| Visitation Year: | 2009[2] |
| Governing Body: | Metsähallitus |
Urho Kekkonen National Park (Finnish: Urho Kekkosen kansallispuisto, Northern Sami: Urho Kekkonen álbmotmeahcci) is a national park in Lapland, Finland, situated in area of municipalities of Savukoski, Sodankylä and Inari. Established in 1983 and covering 2550km2, it is one of Finland's largest protected areas. It is named after Urho Kekkonen, late President and Prime Minister of Finland.
The Suomujoki river flows through the northern parts of the diverse park. The marked paths in its western part are an easy destination even for the inexperienced backpacker, whereas the wilderness is good for long and demanding trips.
Most trips to Urho Kekkonen National Park are started from the Kiilopää fell center, the Aittajärvi lake along the Suomujoki river, or Raja-Jooseppi, and backpackers usually end up nearby the Saariselkä fell line, for instance on the top of its highest fell, Sokosti. Reindeer herding is still a common livelihood in the area.