Dzūkija National Park is the largest protected area in Lithuania. It was established to protect:

• The unique hydrographical network of the confluence of rivers in the Dainava region‘s river-basin and the Nemunas, Merkys, Ūla, Grūda and Skroblas River valleys with their typical plant and animal migratory pathways, the Skroblas River midsection which is of immense scientific value, the natural complexes of the Musteika and Povilnis streams and surrounds, the impressive continental dune expanses of the Dainava forest, the Liškiava, Strauja, Ucieka and Pakrykštė erosional geomorphological complexes, the Merkinė moraine plug, the Netiesai, Glynas and Ežerynas hydrographical objects, the Imiškia, Didžbalė, Bakanauskai and Dėlynas wetlands, biotic communities typical of the forests in Dzūkija, and other natural territorial complexes and objects;
• The notable Merkinė and Liškiava historical archeological and architectural urban complexes, the ethnocultural values of the forest and riverside villages of the Dzūkija region, some by the Nemunas (Musteika, Zervynas, Žiogeliai, Dubininkas, Margionys, Kašėtai, Lynežeris etc...), the ancient encampment sites around Glynas Lake, the Subartoniai memorial landscape complex, and other cultural heritage values;
• The stability of the Dainava river basin natural ecosystem, the components of its biotic community and their diversity.

It is a national park of a typical valley-type landscape structure characterised by originality and abundance of natural and cultural heritage objects as well as particularly high recreational, educational tourist and ethno-cultural potential. The Dzūkija National Park is classified under the top category from the perspective of exceptional value of the landscape.

The landscape diversity of Dzūkija National Park is created by the following major landscape types: wide terraced and steep-sloped washed forested little urbanised and natural valleys, erosional forested valleys and slopes, forested old and new inland dunes, swampy waterholes and lakes, fra gmented laky forested or agrarian tunnel valleys, forested Morning dawn at the Dzūkija ethnographic region pine forest small tunnel valley systems, forested glacio-fluvial terraces, sandy terraced sub-valleys, forested and cultivated morainic hill massifs and ridges. 

The major habitats of European Community importance (code, title) found in the park: 3260 Water courses of plain to montane levels with the Ranunculion fluitantis and Cal litricho-Batrachion vegetation; 6120 Xeric sand calcareous grasslands; 9010 Western Taïga; 9080 Fennoscandian de ciduous swamp woods; 91D0 Bog woodland; 91E0 Alluvial forests; 91TO Central European lichen Scots pine forests.

The total number of plant species is 1,978, of these 9 are protected by the European Community, 79 are included in Lithuania’s Red Data Book. The total number of animal spcies is 2108. Mammals – 54, of these 14 are protected by the European Community, and 10 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Birds – 200, of these 52 are protected by the European Community, and 57 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Fishes – 38, of the se 6 are protected by the European Community, and 4 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Amphibians and reptiles – 19, of these 11 are protected by the Europe an Community, and 7 are included into the Lithuania’s Red Data Book. Invertebrates – 1797, of these 11 are protec ted by the European Community, and 52 are included in the Lithuania’s Red Data Book.

Quite a few plant species came to Lithuania via the river valleys and sandy plains, from the South-Eastern and Cen tral Europe, which is why many species found in the Dzūkija National Park can be found nowhere else in Lithuania, otherwise are very rare.

The following reserves have been established in the Dzūkija National Park to protect its natural and cultural values: 3 strict nature reserves and 29 reserves (9 landscape, 9 geomorphological, 2 hydrographical, 1 botanical, 4 telmological, 1 genetic, 2 ethno-cultu ral, and 1 urban reserve(s)). Strict nature reserves and nature reserves

The strict nature reserves in the national park have been established to protect the following: Musteika – the natural Musteika Stream and the unique mixed forest ecosystems, the forest and wetland habitats of the European Community importance, populations of the protected plant, animal, and fungi species (Boros schneideri, Hamatocaulis vernicosus), and habitats of Lynx lynx, Ciconia nigra, Glaucidium passe rinum, Picus canus, etc.; Povilnis – the natural Povilnis Stre am that flows through a scenic tunnel valley, forest and we tland ecosystems with the natural habitats of the European Community importance, and habitats of the protected plant, animal and fungi species (Cypripedium calceolus populati on, Cephalanthera rubra, Lutra Lutra, Cottus gobio, Peltis grossa, Phellinus nigrolimitatus, Fomitopsis rosea); Skroblus – the unique ruptured canyon valley nature complex, the hydrographical structure of the Skroblus Stream and its tributaries, the hydrological regimen, the river, wetland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance, po pulations of the protected plants, animals, and fungi (Lam petra planeri, Cottus gobio, Hamatocaulis vernicosus), and habitats of Cephalanthera rubra, Botrychium multifidum, Carex paupercula, Andrena rugulosa, Sparassis crispa.

The landscape reserves have been established to protect: Glynas – the scenic Glynas Lake tunnel valley, the natural Glynupis Stream, a collection of ancient archaeologically valuable encampments, the wetlands and forest habitats of the European Community importance, populations of Lullula arborea, Boros schneideri, Rhodeus importance; populations of the protected plant and animal species (Lutra lutra, Lampetra planeri, Cottus gobio, Lycaena dispar, Saxifraga hirculus, Liparis loeselii, Hamatocaulis ver nicosus, Thesium ebracteatum), and habitats of Grus grus, Vertigo geyeri, Maculinea arion, Scolia hirta, Neotinea ustu lata, Orchis militaris; Kapiniškiai – the headwaters of the unique in Lithuania Skroblus Stream, the individual homestead valley-type land use structure of the Kapiniškiai village, the ethnographic Margionys village, The site of Margioniai Stone Age flint mines; the river, grassland, wetland and forest habitats of the European Community; Lynežeris – the unique lakeshore village of Lynežeris and its surroundings typical of the Dzūkija region with the rich Lynelis Lake forest ecosystems; grassland, wetland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance, the populations of the protected animal and plant species (Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Bom bina bombina, Pulsatilla patens), and habitats of Botrychium matricariifolium, Trifolium lupinaster; Liškiavos – one of the most beautiful landscapes in Lithuania, set on a curve of the Nemunas River with the unique riverside ravines and the Krūtis Stream valley, the Liškiava mythological stones, mound and the manor site, the Liškiava church and monastery ensemble; the wetland and forest habitats of the European Community importance; the populations of the protected plant and animal species (Lutra lutra, Alcedo atthis, Aspius aspius), and the habitats of Zygaena angelicae and Zygaena ephialtes, Polyommatus dorylas and Polyommatus cori don, Cephalanthera longifolia, Pernis apivorus; Lizdai – the distinctive landscape of morainic hill massif with deep ter mokarst tunnel valleys, riverside wetlands, the unique Bedu gnis lake, and the Bukaverksnis Stream that vanishes deep under the land surface; the landscape of the Lizdai villages; the wetland habitats of the European Community importance, the populations of the protected animal, plant, and fungi species (Liparis loeselii, Bombina bombina); habitats of Milvus milvus, Coturnix coturnix, Geoglossum sphagnophilum, Lycopodiella inundata, Hydrilla verticillata, Gentiana cruciata; Merkys – one of Lithuania’s most beautiful landsca pes of great natural and cultural value – the lower reaches of the Merkys and Skroblus River valleys with forest villages typical of the Dzūkija region, stone and early metal period campgrounds; the river, grassland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the pro tected animal and plant species (Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Alcedo atthis, Lutra lutra, Lampetra planeri, Lycaena dispar, Ophiogomphus cecilia), the habitats of Zygaena angelicae ir Zygaena ephialtes, Polyommatus coridon and Glaucopsyche alexis, Erynnis tages, Allium angulosum, etc.; Nemunas – the ruptured Nemunas River midsection landscape with the unique landforms and shapes of hydrographic network, the riverside villages typical of the region; archaeological and historical values, ravine-rich valley fo rest ecosystems; grassland, wetland, and forest communities of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal species (Lutra lutra, Alcedo atthis, Aspius aspius, Cottus gobio, Rhodeus); habitats of Haliaeetus albicilla, Milvus milvus and Milvus migrans, Sternula albifrons; Subartonys – the landscape of the Lithuanian cultural and public figure V. Krėvė-Mickevičius (1882-1954) hometown with the V. Krėvė-Mickevičius’ homestead-museum, V. Krėvė-Mickevičius’ grave, and other sites and objects related to the writer’s life and creation; the Gelovinė sacred places forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal and plant species (Hama tocaulis vernicosus, Bombina bombina); and the habitats of Accipiter gentilis, Grus grus, Glis glis; Ūla – the landscape of the unique in Lithuania the distinctive and valuable valley of the Ūla River lower reaches with the active exposures; the ethnographic villages of the ethnic group called šiliniai dzūkai – Zervynai, Mančiagirė, Žiūrai, Trakiškiai and Paūliai, with the archaeological values; river, wetland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance, the populations of the protected animal and plant species (Alcedo atthis, Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Lutra lutra, Lampetra planeri, Cobitis taenia, Lycaena dispar, Pulsatilla patens), and habitats of Upupa epops, Coronella austriaca, Arnica montana. 

The geomorphological reserves have been established to protect: Alkūnės kampas – parabolic continental dunes massif; forest habitats of the European Community impor tance; habitats of the protected animal and plant species (especially populations of Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Boros schneideri, Aegolius funereus, Pulsatilla patens; habitats of Bubo bubo, Coronella austriaca; Dravių kampas – the ridged continental dunes’ massif; habitats of the European Community importance; populations of Tetrao urogallus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Aegolius funereus, Pulsatilla patens; Gudeliai – the lower part of the largest in Lithuania Panara terraced river system with its unique structure of terraced interseams; habitats of the protected animal species, especially Milvus migrans, Crex crex; Marcinkonys – the continental dunes’ massif with highest dune in the national park; grassland and forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal and plant species (Tetrao urogallus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Aegolius funereus, Boros schneideri, Dianthus arenarius, Pulsatilla patens); Merkinė – the distinctive morainic roll formed by the preultimate gla ciation; the benchmark relief of the Dzūkų upland southern slopes with the habitats of protected animal species, especially Emys orbicularis, Coturnix coturnix, Lanius excubitor; Pakrykštė – the unique fragment of the old Nemunas valley in Lithuania with the Pakrykštė erosional cirque, and habitats of the protected animal and plant species (Crex crex, Bom bina bombina); Strauja – the unique Strauja deep valley with distinctive landforms, Lauja lake; the river, wetland and forest habitats of the European Community importance, populations of the protected animal, plant and fungi species (Lutra lutra, Lampetra planeri, Cottus gobio, Hamatocaulis vernicosus); habitats of Misgurnus fossilis, Glis glis, Urnula craterium, Hypericum montanum, Unio crassus; Šunupis – the distinctive continental dunes’ massif; forest habitats of the Europos Community importance; populations of Tetrao urogallus, Caprimulgus europaeus, Lullula arborea, Aegolius funereus; Ucieka – the unique erosional Nemunas River slopes with scars, cirques and deep tributary valleys; river, wetland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance; the habitats of the protected animal and plant species (Milvus migrans, Glis glis, Mustela erminea, Lutra lutra, Dentaria bulbifera, Zygaena angelicae and Zygaena ephialtes).

The hydrographical reserves have been established to protect: Grūda – the unique structure of the Grūda riverine; the ethno-cultural Kašėtos village; river and forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal and plant species (especially Triturus cristatus, Lampetra planeri, Cottus gobio, Lycaena dispar); habitats of Dactylorhiza majalis, Vertigo angustior and Verti go geyeri; Netiesos – the Apsingė and Kempė Streams, the unique Netiesos lakes; lake, wetland, and forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal and plant species (Lutra lutra, Lampetra planeri, Cottus gobio, Lycaena dispar, Saxifraga hirculus); habitats of Neottianthe cuculata, Vertigo angustior, Haliae etus albicilla. 

Subartonių Subartonys Forest Botanical Reserve has been established to protect the forest benchmark typical of Dzūkija upland geobotanical district with the unique biological diversity; forest habitats of the European Community importance; habitats of the protected animal, plant, and fungi species, especially Ciconia nigra, Clanga pomarina, Glis glis, Verti go angustior, Polyporus umbellatus.

The telmological reserves have been established to protect: Bakanauskai – the typical swampy waterhole with the eutrophic Bakanauskas Lake; forest and wetland habitats of the European Community importance; populations of the protected animal, plant and fungi species, especially the population of Bombina bombina; habitats of Geoglossum sphagnophilum, Lycopodiella inundata, Salix lapponum; Dėlinas – the natural system of small forest swamps and lakelets located in the interdune Dėlynas tunnel valley; lake and wetland habitats of the European Community impor tance; populations of Saxifraga hirculus, Tetrao urogallus; habitats of protected animal and plant species, especially Vertigo angustior and Vertigo geyeri; Didžiabalė – the Didžiabalė wetland complex with the wetland habitats of the European Community importance; habitats of the protected animal and plant species, especially Salix lapponum, Haliaeetus albicilla, Tringa glareola, Oeneis jutta, etc.;; Imškai – one of the largest wetland complex in the sou theastern Lithuania with the wetland and forest habitats of the European Community importance; populations of Lynx lynx, Canis lupus, Tetrao urogallus, Tetrao tetrix, Aegoliusfunereus, Boros schneideri, Dianthus arenarius, Pulsatilla patens; habitats of the protected animal and plant species, especially Circaetus, Lepus timidus, Grus grus.

Stėgalios Forest Pine Tree Genetic Reserve has been established to protect the genetic diversity of the Pinus sylvestris population.

The ethno-cultural reserves have been established to protect: Musteika – one of the most valuable ethnographical ly and finest surviving examples of a typical Dzūkija forest village, the old road network, the old cemetery, historical system of land use and ethno-cultural traditions, ethnic customs and traditional lifestyle; Žiogeliai – one of the most ethnographically valuable and finest surviving examples of a typical Dzūkija riverside village, ethnic traditions and traditional lifestyle, the old road network, historical land use system.

The Merkinė Urban Reserve has been established to protect the old planning and spatial structure of the historical part of the Merkinė town, one of Lithuania’s best known castle mounds, the unique archaeological cultural layer as well as other historical, memorial and architectural values.

There are 43 natural heritage objects in the Dzūkija Natio nal Park of which 18 are nature monuments. The most si gnificant includes the following: Skroblaus spring, the spring Ūlos akis, Mančiagirė scarp, Netiesos lakelets, hollow trees (19), etc. There are also 27 cultural heritage objects.

In the Visitors’ centres in the Dzūkija National Park, there are exhibitions displayed to present the values of the national park, there are also Čepkeliai Nature Museum and ethnographic homestead in Marcinkonys, Hollow tree bee-keeping apiary in Mustei ka village, and Nature School in Marcinkonys. In additi on, there is a tatar household museum in Subartonys as well as Merkinė Local History Museum with the branches Vincas Krėvė-Mickevičius memorial museum in Subartonys and memorial monument for the Dainava district guerilla fighters in Merkinė.