Chandoli National Park is one of the popular parks in Maharashtra. It is located near Sangli District and surrounded by the Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli and Ratnagiri districts. Spread more than 317 square km of area, Chandoli National Park was initially declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and later it secured the status of National park in March, 2007. Together with the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary it forms the southern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve.
The diversified vegetation found here makes it as an ideal habitat for different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Except a few tourist areas, entry to the national park is restricted and the temperature here is cool. Scenic places like Kandhardoh and Kandhardoh Falls, Tanali falls, Chandoli Dam and Vasant Sagar Reservoir, Kokna darshan, Zolambi sada and the forest of Rundiv add to the recreation value. And the historical places of the park include the 17th century Prachitgad and Bhairavgad forts of the Maratha kings Shivaji Maharaj and his son Sambhaji Maharaj, ruins of the Bhavani temples, Palatial buildings in Prachitigad and Kalavantinwhich which all depict the ancient glory of the Maratha Empire. Most of the protected area was used as an open jail for the 'prisoners of war' of the early Imperial Maratha Conquests during Shivaji Maharaj's rule.