The 1789 ha Garkalnes meži area is located in Garkalne parish, Ropaži municipality, and the town of Vangaži. Established in 2004, the territory is included in the European Union (EU) Natura 2000 network of protected nature areas for the protection of specially protected species and habitats, with the aim of preserving the territory's main natural values – the European roller and wooded coastal dunes with old pine forests.

Nine habitats specifically protected in the EU and Latvia are found in Garkalnes meži, including one coastal, one grassland, and three forest habitats of priority protection status in the EU. In total, protected habitats cover 73%, or 1310 ha, of the entire territory, with the Wooded coastal dunes habitat occupying the largest area.