Nature tourism in Nashik district is a truly refreshing experience. The district abounds in natural beauty all of which can be enjoyed by the tourists at leisure. Waterfalls, lakes, dams, beautiful picnic spots- all of it is can be enjoyed by the tourists at the famous Bhandardara and Kalsubai Peak. The Wilson Dam located here is one of the very few dams in India constructed at such a height. For those interested in trekking, the district has on offer the fort of Ratnagad. The Nandur Madhmeshwar sanctuary is a must-visit when on a trip here because of the great variety of bird species that can be seen here. A large number of resident and migratory birds congregate here in season, and the are is considered as an important water fowl habitat in the region by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. For those looking for some relaxation, the Saputara hill station makes for an ideal spot for soaking in nature`s beauty. These different places of nature tourism in Nashik district are declared below.

Bhandardara and Kalsubai Peak
Bhandardara, 750 meters above sea level and surrounded by a deep valley, large dam, great lake, roaring water falls, historical fort and an ancient Amruteshwar Temple is a true tourist`s paradise.

Wilson Dam is one of the very few Dams constructed at such a height. Encircled by a flock of the Sahyadri hills, and situated on the Lake Arthur, the Bhandadara dam is one of the largest in India.

The Randha Falls, cascading down from a height of 45 meters, is another beautiful gift here.

The Amruteshwar Temple, 9 Kms towards the interior of Lake Arthur, is known for its beautiful carvings. It can be traced about 1200 years back in history.

For the purposes of mountaineering and trekking, Ratnagad is a great favourite. It is one of the favourite forts of the legendry son of the soil, Shree Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (King).

Overlooking Bhandardara is Kalsubai, the highest peak of Maharashtra touching the sky at 1646 meters.

Another picnic spot with a panoramic view which has also been declared a wildlife sanctuary is the Konkankada at Ghatghar, 22 Kms away.

Nandur Madhmeshwar
Through the efforts of the Mumbai Natural History Society, World Wildlife Fund and Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra, this sanctuary which houses more than 220 species of birds, 400 species of vegetation, 24 species of fish and several smaller mammals came into existence along the Nandur Madhmeshwar dam at the confluence of the Godavari River and Kadwa River. Spread over the protected area of 10,000 hectares, lies the core area of 1765 hectares, where a large variety of water birds, resident and migratory birds congregate in season. It is now counted as one of the important water fowl habitats in the region by the International Union of Conservation of Nature. Aptly called Maharashtra`s Bharatpur, the region has been developed since 1950 and is a favourite among birdwatchers. It is mainly a wetland area surrounded by fields of sugarcane, grape and orchards. There are large lakes and islands abounding in aquatic vegetation making it a paradise for thousands of migratory birds, such as Ibis, Stork and a variety of colourful water birds.

The Madhmeshwar Temple on the river features prominently in Hindu mythology. Lord Rama is said to have killed the golden deer or Suvarnamrug at the spot where the temple stands today. The area around the lake is rich with fossils and visitors can find interesting pieces of these fascinating rocks scattered about. Ideal season to be here is from October to March.

Saputara
This famous hill station is equipped with adequate facilities, and lies on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Different hill points for getting a picturesque view of sunrise and sunset makes this an ideal tourist destination.

Thus mentioned are the various places of nature tourism offered by the district of Nashik to the various tourists.