“Stunning 8-tier waterfall amidst lush rainforest, featuring crystal-clear pools perfect for swimming. Marvel at large schools of Mahseer Barb fish and enjoy serene nature trails.”
Khao Chamao Waterfall is one of Rayong Province's most famous natural attractions. Located within Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park, which encompasses a large area of rainforest in Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces, this area was declared a national park in 1975 and is considered an important watershed forest for the eastern region. The area boasts abundant natural beauty, with tropical plants, ferns, mosses, vines, and large trees providing shade and humidity throughout the year. The air within the park is cool and comfortable even during the summer, maintaining the high humidity typical of a tropical rainforest.
Khao Chamao Waterfall originates from several streams in the Khao Chamao mountain range before cascading down eight natural rock formations. Each tier has its own unique features, including large pools, natural rock formations, and streams flowing through lush forest. The most popular tier is "Wang Matcha," a clear pool teeming with large schools of mahseer fish. Tourists can clearly see the fish swimming from the streambank, creating an iconic image of the waterfall. Additionally, there is the "Emerald Palace" level, notable for its water's emerald green color that reflects light during certain times of the day, and the "Orchid Cliff," a waterlogged rock cliff that serves as a natural habitat for wild orchids.
The Khao Chamao Waterfall nature trail is another major highlight. The main trail is approximately 2.5–3 kilometers long, connecting the bottom to the top. Tourists will walk along wooden bridges, streams, dense forest, and pristine natural rock formations. Along the way, they can spot small wild animals, various bird species, butterflies, and rare plants found in Thailand's eastern rainforest ecosystem. During the rainy season, from approximately May to October, the waterfall has an exceptionally high water volume, with strong currents and the surrounding forest at its lushest. Winter is the ideal time for hiking due to the cool weather. While the water volume decreases somewhat during the summer, swimming is still possible in several levels of the waterfall.
Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park offers relatively complete facilities for tourists, including parking, restrooms, restaurants, a convenience store, a campsite, and park bungalows for those who wish to stay overnight amidst nature. Many tourists prefer to travel with their families or groups of friends to swim, relax, and participate in outdoor activities. Especially on weekends and long holidays, the park has relatively strict environmental measures in place, such as prohibiting the use of styrofoam in the waterfall area, prohibiting littering, and banning the use of chemicals in the streams, in order to maintain the ecosystem and water quality.
In addition to its natural beauty, Khao Chamao Waterfall is also important for the conservation of natural resources in the Eastern region, as it is a vital watershed and habitat for many wildlife species. The forest area surrounding the park also helps maintain the balance of the ecosystem and serves as a natural learning resource for students, researchers, and ecotourists. Therefore, this waterfall is not just a recreational spot, but a truly valuable natural area in terms of both environmental and tourism value in Rayong province.
How to Get There
- Follow Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road), then turn onto Highway 3377 (Ban Bueng-Klaeng Road) heading towards Khao Chamao District. Clear signage for the National Park is provided along the way.
Travel Tips
- Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds.
- Wear non-slip shoes for wet rocky trails.
- Bring drinking water if hiking to the upper tiers.
- Avoid hiking during heavy rainfall.
Admission Fees:
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Thais: Adults 40 THB, Children 20 THB
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Foreigners: Adults 200 THB, Children 100 THB
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Vehicle Fee: 30 THB per car
Opening Hours:
- Open daily from 08:00 AM – 04:00 PM