The Nagarahole National Park is primarily composed of mixed deciduous forests. A unique and intriguing feature of these forests is that the trees are leafless in summer rather than in winter. In the northern and western parts of the park there is high rainfall (above 1,200mm) and hence are clothed by moist deciduous forests.

Dense bamboo clumps are scattered through the forests and together with tall trees whose upper canopies may be as high as 30 m, provide excellent food and cover for herbivores. Valuable timber trees such as the Mathi (Terminalia tomentosa), Nandi (Lagerstroemia lanceolata) and Tadasalu (Grewia tilaefolia), as well as expensive timbers such as Rose Wood (Dalbergia latifolia) and Teak (Tectona grandis) form the upper canopy of the forest.

In the lower canopy are found the prolific fruit yielders such as the Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica), Cooli (Gonclina arborea) and Kadutega (Dillenia pentagyna), which attract a large number of animals and birds. In particular, the bark of the Bende is a great favourite of the Elephant, which are found in the southeastern part. The dry deciduous forest in the southeastern part of the park has a relatively lower canopy and trees that are more widely spaced. Varieties such as Flame of the forest (Butea monosperia), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) and Dindalu (Anogeissus latifolia) are all common here.