National Park Gold & Silver · Johto landmark

The National Park is a large walled park north of Goldenrod City, between Route 35 and Route 36. It is a quiet spot with a relaxation square, picnickers and a few trainers. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays it hosts the Bug-Catching Contest, where you get 20 minutes and 20 Park Balls to catch the strongest bug Pokémon you can.
- Wild Pokémon
- 7
- Items
- 7
- Trainers
- 4
Connects to: Route 35 · Route 36
National Park on the Johto map
Wild Pokémon
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Morning | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hoothoot | Normal | 10–14 | – | – | 100% |
Caterpie Gold | Bug | 10–12 | 50% | 30% | – |
Weedle Silver | BugPoison | 10–12 | 50% | 30% | – |
Metapod Gold | Bug | 10 | 30% | 30% | – |
Kakuna Silver | BugPoison | 10 | 30% | 30% | – |
Sunkern | Grass | 11–13 | – | 25% | – |
Pidgey | Normal | 10–14 | 20% | 15% | – |
Bug-Catching Contest
| Pokémon | Type | Lv. | Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
Caterpie | Bug | 7–18 | 20% |
Weedle | BugPoison | 7–18 | 20% |
Metapod | Bug | 9–18 | 10% |
Kakuna | BugPoison | 9–18 | 10% |
Butterfree | Bug | 12–15 | 5% |
Beedrill | BugPoison | 12–15 | 5% |
Venonat | BugPoison | 10–16 | 10% |
Paras | BugGrass | 10–17 | 10% |
Scyther | Bug | 13–14 | 5% |
Pinsir | Bug | 13–14 | 5% |
Chances are the game’s encounter slots for each time of day: morning 4:00–9:59, day 10:00–17:59, night 18:00–3:59 (grass and caves 30/30/20/10/5/4/1, surfing 60/30/10, Old Rod 70/15/15, Good Rod 35/35/20/10, Super Rod 40/30/20/10). Where Gold and Silver differ, a cell shows both (G and S); a version tag means the Pokémon only appears in that version here. Version exclusives · Where to find every Pokémon.
Trainers
| Trainer | Pokémon | Prize |
|---|---|---|
SchoolboyJack | Oddish 12 Voltorb 15 | ₽120 |
PokéfanBeverly | Snubbull 14 | ₽280 |
PokéfanWilliam | Raichu 14 | ₽280 |
LassKrise | Oddish 12 Cubone 15 | ₽90 |
Prize money is the trainer class’s base payout times the level of the trainer’s last Pokémon. Trainers with phone rematches call you when they want another battle; their teams grow as you progress.
Items
| Item | How | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Parlyz Heal | Item ball | National Park |
| TM28 Dig | Item ball | National Park |
| Full Heal | Hidden | National Park |
| Quick Claw | Gift | National Park |
| Parlyz Heal | Item ball | National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) |
| TM28 Dig | Item ball | National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) |
| Full Heal | Hidden | National Park (Bug-Catching Contest) |
Hidden items can be found with the Itemfinder from Ecruteak City.
Tips
- Enter the Bug-Catching Contest from either park gate; your first Pokémon competes, and the officer looks after the rest of your party.
- Scyther and Pinsir only turn up during the contest; you can hold one catch at a time, and you keep whichever one you are holding when time runs out.
- First place wins a Sun Stone, second an Everstone, third a Gold Berry, and everyone else gets a Berry.
- Sunkern appears in the grass only during the day (up to 25%), and Hoothoot takes over at night.
- A teacher in the park gives you a Quick Claw, and TM28 Dig is in an item ball in the park.
Walkthrough: Part 5: National Park to Ecruteak City and Morty
FAQ
When is the Bug-Catching Contest in Pokémon Gold and Silver?
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sign up with the officer in either National Park gate, on the Route 35 or Route 36 side.
How do you win the Bug-Catching Contest?
Catch the strongest bug Pokémon you can within 20 minutes. Higher-level and rarer bugs such as Scyther and Pinsir score best, and first prize is a Sun Stone.
Where do you get TM28 Dig in Gold and Silver?
It is in an item ball inside the National Park.
Where do you catch Sunkern in Pokémon Gold and Silver?
In the National Park grass during the day (10:00 to 17:59).
What Pokémon can you catch in National Park in Gold and Silver?
7 species: Hoothoot, Caterpie, Weedle, Metapod, Kakuna, Sunkern, Pidgey. Gold only: Caterpie, Metapod. Silver only: Weedle, Kakuna.
Sources & picture credits
Guide text is original retrogameindex writing, checked against Bulbapedia and the game data. Wild Pokémon and encounter chances for both versions and all three times of day, fishing, Headbutt and Rock Smash tables, items, trainers, gifts, trades and shops come from the pret/pokegold decompilation (pret/pokegold ef0201d8da). Maps and sprites © Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK, archived from the Bulbagarden Archives; the Johto and Kanto maps are drawn from the game’s own Pokégear graphics (listed on the image gallery).

























