The UK’s Largest National Park Has Gin-clear Waters, a Reindeer Herd, and Queen Elizabeth II's Favorite Castle

Heres everything you should know to plan a visit to Cairngorms National Park.

About half the size ofYellowstone, Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the United Kingdom.

I recommend slower travel.

A tranquil lake with two blue boats, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains in the distance

Canoes in a lake in Cairnsgorms Naitonal Park.Credit:EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

Take your time to really immerse and connect with this area.

Read on to plan your own trip to Cairngorms National Park.

Youll reach Pitlochry, considered a gateway town to the park, in about an hour and a half.

A straight rural road stretching into the distance surrounded by fields and crops, under a cloudy sky

A road leading to Cairngorms National Park.Chris McLoughlin/Getty Images

Alternatively, theCaledonian Sleeper trainruns between London to Inverness, with a stop in Aviemore.

Additionally, she says, its best to set up your campsite away from any buildings or roads.

In September, you have the pink heather blooming, she adds.

A small structure on rolling hills, a river weaving through a valley

Landscape scenes around Cairnsgorms National Park.Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure

The gorgeous shade is just one part of the autumn color palette, though.

To avoid crowds, youll want to plan your trip around any U.K. bank holidays and summer vacation.

Summer is also less than ideal due to what Brooks describes as Scotlands most common biting fly.

A lone house in a hilly landscape covered in purple heather in Cairngorms National Park

Spring flowers bloom in Cairngorms National Park.jacquesvandinteren/Getty Images

Best Things to Do

If youve ever wanted to see reindeer up close, book a hill walk with theCairngorm Reindeer Herd.

A herd of reindeer grazing on a hillside in a vast, open landscape

Reindeer grazing in Cairngorms National Park.Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure

If theres one must-do in the Cairngorms, its either go for a walk or a nice long hike.

Its possible to go alonejust pre-download your trail map beforehandbut following a guide may be more beneficial.

Two images side by side, one of an interior room with a sofa and table, and the other of a building exterior with a vehicle parked outside

Left: Bar interior; Left: Exterior of The Fife Arms.Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure

The five-star gem is certainly the most opulent property within the parkor in Scotland, for that matter.

A pub interior with a bar and a mounted stag figure on the left, a plate of fish and chips on a wooden table near a fireplace on the right

Left: Bar interior; Right: Fish and chips inside The Flying Stag.Lydia Mansel/Travel + Leisure