The National Park of the Calabria region is very similar to its famous American counterparts since it is totally without inhabited centres and 87% of the grounds are State property. The presence of man and his activities is very limited both in the Great and the Small Sila; in fact nearly all the visible structures and infrastructures are those built for tourists. Noteworthy are the walks, organized and managed by the park organization and by the Forest Guards, some of which are specifically educational for schoolchildren.

The sole representative of the endemic fauna is the wolf, which after nearly reaching extinction, now counts approx. thirty specimens. In order to increase the wolves' population, in the last years, repopulation campaigns of roebucks and deer have been implemented. In the park there are also foxes, hares, polecats, wild cats and squirrels, while the park of Calabria numbers important bird species such as the black woodpecker and several diurnal birds of prey and night-birds such as owls. The mountains are populated by precious Corsican pines, replaced in the colder areas by beech woods. The undergrowth consists of bushy vegetation and in the Small Sila there is also the fir-tree that contends for space, at higher altitudes, with the beech.

Another protected area of the region is the Aspromonte, a land that has a lot to offer from the naturalistic point of view. Rocky massifs, beautiful terraces and verdant plains characterize the National Park of Aspromonte, in the province of Reggio Calabria. This land, extreme southern extension of the Apennines, includes the Tyrrhenian versant, characterized by terraces divided into levels that end in vertical slopes, and the Ionic versant, rich in sandy coasts. These places also abound in historical findings: on these coasts many colonies were founded during the peak expansion of Magna Grecia, and the hills and plains, always abundant in water and vegetation, were conquered also by the Romans. The descendants of these different civilizations are the inhabitants of our times who have not forgotten the traditions and the skills in several artisan trades. The most well-known and famous craftsman products typical of the place is the construction of pipes, appreciated all over the world for their uniqueness due also to the ageing process, that can last up to ten years, as well as the weaving of coloured cloths and laces and the creation of ceramic products and the chestnut and straw wicker basket weaving.

In the Aspromonte park several sports can be practiced: it is possible to participate in long walks, mountain bike rides, or treks on the rocky walls. In wintertime those who love snow will find in Gambarie d'Aspromonte a ski resort that dominates the coast with the island of Sicily and the Aeolian islands in the background. The black corals that are present only in Scilla and the Red Sea and that live on the sea beds are a sure attraction for scuba divers. And in Aspromonte, a land bound to peasant culture, even the cuisine does not come short of expectations: one can enjoy pasta with mixed pork and beef or sheep meat sauce, vegetable soups made with beans and broad beans. The second courses are those characteristic of the Calabrian area such as salted meat; not to be missed is also Parmigiana di melanzane, fried zucchini flowers, truffled mushrooms, Peperonata. All the dishes have a strong taste and are always spicy. In the parks of the Calabrian area many food festivals are organized, particularly in summer. In August many small towns prepare feasts in order to show off their own folklore and handicraft traditions.