I had thoroughly appreciated my time at Plitvice Lakes, enjoying the cascading waterfalls, lush landscape, and unique topography. Krka National Park is very similar, so many Croatia travelers choose to only visit one or the other.

I wanted to see both.

Throughout all of my journeys, I have come to realize that natural settings are unique. Even American national parks that share borders (Grand Tetons/Yellowstone; Sequoia/Kings Canyon) have key characteristics that set each space apart rendering them distinct from each other. Yes, on the surface there might be many comparisons, but it takes a keen eye and open mind to truly experience an outdoor area as an individual nature-place.

So with this mindset, I ventured into Krka National Park at 5 pm, when the air was feeling cooler and the throngs of people were leaving for the day. First of all, I noticed a fundamental difference between the two outdoor settings: Krka was a legit slow-moving river with multiple waterfalls and many cascades. This stood in contrast to Plitvice’s terraced lakes and interconnected water flow. Also, Krka had mountains on many sides hosting different areas within the park that were less frequented and more private. It felt like I was in a flourishing canyon, whereas Plitvice had a more open feel.

As I noted all these differences, I explored Krka’s serene landscape, taking time to enjoy each waterfall, from the less-impressive small ones to the large scenic vistas.

There was something special about being immersed in a gorgeous environment at dusk with practically no other people around. The constant sound of rushing water made my observations even more magical.

If I had to do it all over again, would I visit both parks? Absolutely. Each wild space was unique it its own way, and I relished the opportunity to seek out their extraordinary facets.