Code of conduct

If you wish to explore the national park on your own rather than as part of a guided tour, there are no fees to pay. The area is freely accessible for private purposes on all marked routes, some waters are open for navigation with non-motorized boats.

The Donau-Auen National Park protects a diverse flora and fauna and offers guests impressive nature experiences. However, both can only be achieved by observing certain rules of conduct, which we inform you about here. Please note that these regulations underlying recreational use are covered by legal provisions. They are controlled by the supervisory bodies of the Donau-Auen National Park GmbH and the National Park Forestry Administration.

In addition to these rules of conduct, we ask all visitors to generally avoid noise in the protected floodplain area, in the forest and on the waterways, out of consideration for wildlife and recreation seekers. As soon as it gets dark, we ask you to stop recreational activities in the area and to wait for daybreak before visiting the Donau-Auen National Park. This serves in particular to protect the needs of the animals which are active at twilight or by night.

Individual visitors to the national park should always be on alert for rising water levels and flooding on and near the Danube. Please avoid those areas in which you may be trapped by rapidly rising waters!
Learn more about current and predicted water levels before you visit by checking the water level website Online Pegel.
Keep in mind that a mobile phone may be of great assistance in case of emergency.

Furthermore, please note: In the event of force majeure such as strong winds and storms, there is a danger to visitors' lives due to possible falling trees or branches! Check the current weather forecast before visiting the national park area.

Some guests also follow their passion for filming and photography in the Donau-Auen National Park - Note to all amateur photographers and filmmakers: Please also always observe the binding path requirement and the nature conservation regulations for all guests.

The holding of professional shootings, filming or workshops in the area without previous permission or commissioning from the landowners - on the majority of the areas these are the Forestry and Agricultural Enterprise of the City of Vienna or Austrian Federal Forests - is not allowed. Please also note the current tariffs for commercial use in film and photography for ÖBf areas.

Similarly, it is prohibited to hold other organized and/or commercial events on the national park areas without a prior permission, commissioning or cooperation. Please contact the national park administration in a timely manner. For further information: Tel. +43 2212/3555, schlossorth@donauauen.at

Help protect nature - fair behavior in the national park:

Boating, docking and swimming

Austria's last remaining wetlands environment of significant proportions may be found between Vienna and Bratislava. As in the Wachau, the Danube still flows freely for long stretches. It constantly shapes and reshapes the surrounding riverine landscape, replenishing its side channels and arms, and giving new life to its tranquil backwaters. The best way to experience this landscape is on the water.

For this reason, specially designated bodies of water in the national park have been opened to boating. As an international waterway, the Danube itself may of course be visited by boat. Certain banks along the Danube and specific bodies of water within the national park are designated natural swimming areas. Please note: The use of Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) is not permitted.

Yet other areas in the national park are reserved for flora and fauna alone. Only in this way can the Donau-Auen National Park fulfil its mandate to protect and conserve nature while offering its numerous guests the recreational activities and nature experience they expect.

For your own safety we urge you to heed the following recommendations and tips:

Please keep in mind that safe boating on the free-flowing Danube requires not only experience with paddles and boats, but with the Danube itself
Protect yourself and your children by wearing lifejackets
Be sure to heed maritime traffic: small boats must always yield to shipping vessels and barges!
Boating on the side arms during low-flow conditions is prohibited for reasons of nature conservation. Likewise, boating is prohibited in times of flood or high waters due to life safety concerns
In accordance with waterways traffic regulations, pleasure boats may not navigate the Danube at water levels exceeding 600 cm (Pegel Wildungsmauer)
During flood conditions and/or strong winds, there is risk of falling trees and branches near the shore. In the interest of nature conservation and the preservation of the authentic experience of the habitat, toppled trees are not removed from the banks. For this reason, no liability is assumed for the safety of visitors
Be informed about Danube water levels before you begin your boat tour. For up-to-date information click here: Online Pegel

Boating, docking and swimming on the Danube

From the east of Vienna to the Austrian border, the Danube current is part of both the Donau-Auen National Park and the international Danube waterway
Vessels are permitted to navigate the main Danube
Docking, swimming and bathing on the Danube's shores are only allowed in certain areas. On site, these areas may be recognized by the current kilometre marks
Download the corresponding map
We recommend visiting one of the swimming areas which may be conveniently accessed from land: Orther Islands and the Stopfenreuth Auterrasse

Boating on the side branches

Motor boats are prohibited, except for in authorized harbour access areas
The following Lower Austrian Danube branches may be navigated, at least in part, by non-motorized boats only: Schönauer Arm, Kleine Binn, Grosse Binn, Stopfenreuther Arm, Spittelauer Arm, and the Johler Arm. On the water, the respective end of each boating area is marked by a sign
On all side arm branches, docking and disembarking are prohibited, except when crossing over traverses on those bodies of water on which non-motorized boating is permitted
Several mooring spots are available for boaters
Boating is not permitted on the side branches located within the Viennese section of the Donau-Auen National Park
The use of Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUP) is not permitted in the National Park area

Natural swimming & bathing areas in the wetlands

Swimming is permitted in the following waters in the Upper Lobau (Obere Lobau): the Dechantlacke, Panozzalacke, Danube-Oder canal pools II + III, and the Stadler Ford (Stadler Furt)
With the exception of the natural swimming area in the Schönauer Au, swimming is prohibited in all Lower Austrian tributaries
Recommended swimming areas located directly on the Danube's banks: Orther Islands and the Stopfenreuth Auterrasse
Scuba Diving is forbidden

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