Plitvice National Park Croatia

We just went to Plitvice in October. We had a car and drove from Ljubliana to Split with a stop at Plitvice. We felt like we were able to explore all of Plitvice using the RS walking guide at a leisurely pace plus all the driving we did. So I guess what I am saying is I don't think you have to stay in that area to enjoy the park. I also think exploring on your own is the way to go. We were able to stop and explore at our own pace and if we had been in a group I think that would have been stressful.

I agree that you don't need a tour at Plitvice.

I'm glad Charles had a good visit in October, but the park is slammed by daytrippers in busier months. Even as far back as 2015, when Croatia didn't have as many visitors as it does now, the park was incredibly crowded when I arrived at 10 AM and had to spend an hour in the ticket line. The over-water walkways (most with no railings) were packed with people walking in both directions. My comment at that time was that if one person had stumbled, several people would have ended up in the water. I wouldn't recommend that anyone visit under those conditions. The park is really lovely if you avoid daytripping hours or--I guess--visit during the off-season.

If your trips falls at a busier time of year, I only recommend Plitvice if you spend one night in or near the park and see it late in the afternoon and/or first thing in the morning.

There are public buses from both Zagreb and Split; I think buses are more frequent from Zagreb.

I haven't spent the night at Plitvice; that wasn't necessary on my first two trips back in the 1980s/1990s. There have been a few recommendations for hotels in the area posted on this forum. If you're arriving by bus, my guess is that you'd need to stay at one of the in-park hotels. They aren't special, and they aren't cheap, but they are very practical.

Here are the earlier threads listed when I searched this forum for "Plitvice Hotel": https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=plitvice+hotel

We were there in October, and the park was not crowded when we arrived which was when they opened, but as the morning wore on it became increasingly and overwhelmingly crowded. I don’t think a tour guide would add very much to your experience at the park.
There are a lot of places to stay nearby in people’s homes/on their property which is what we did and it was great.

I think the OP is looking for a "tour" not a "tour". Just a way to get tgerr and back in one day in a small group to save on cost. Check out Viator. I bet there is a dozen to choose from.

I went i July. Arrived about 11am spent 3+ hours and saw enough and moved on. Not crowded when I arrived. I had a driver / guide and we made some interesting stops on the way to Split.

My point is that if what you're looking for is basically transportation, you can get that by public bus from Zagreb or Split, at what I'd assume is a lower cost. I admit I haven't checked bus frequency from and returning to Split. If buses are decently frequent, they'd offer more flexibility than a tour would provide.

We spent one night at Plitvice Lakes NP, and we stayed at the Plitvice Miric Inn, just outside the park. It was no more than a 5-minute ride to the park entrance. We loved staying here. Their breakfast buffet was one of the best we've had anywhere. We saw the Upper Lakes in the late afternoon on the day we arrived, and we visited the Lower Lakes the next morning. Got there no later than 9AM. By the time we left around noon, the park was mobbed.

Here is the link to Plitvice Miric Inn.
https://www.plitvice-croatia.com/

You do not need a tour guide for Plitvice.

Regarding the in-park hotels, when I was planning our trip in 2019, I had read many reviews from people that said the in-park hotels aren't anything special, as acraven says, and that they were filled with huge tour groups. One person wrote about huge and chaotic lines at the breakfast buffet. And the rooms are outdated.

In Oct 2019 we were there in the afternoon and crowds weren't a problem. The park is every bit as lovely as its reputation. We were on a bus tour(Gate 1) and spent the night in the park. I didn't find touring with the group stressful at all.