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Khao Yai National Park: Where to Go

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Khao Yai is one of Thailand's most popular natural attractions and a gateway to the lush expanse of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai World Heritage Forest. It features abundant forests, waterfalls, wildlife, and nature trails. For tourists starting from Pak Chong district, the first stop should be the Khao Yai National Park office to gather information on trails, check weather conditions, review safety guidelines, and plan activities accordingly.

Waterfall enthusiasts should not miss Khao Yai's significant waterfalls such as Haew Suwat Waterfall, Haew Narok Waterfall, Pha Kluay Mai Waterfall, and Kong Kaew Waterfall. Haew Narok is one of the largest and highest waterfalls in the park, while Haew Suwat is a popular waterfall for its convenient access, shaded atmosphere, perfect for nature viewing, photography, and relaxing close to the forest.

For those who enjoy natural activities, Khao Yai offers hiking trails, nature study paths, and wildlife watching spots of interest such as the Km. 33 area, Nong Phak Chi Wildlife Watching Tower, and night wildlife watching with the park's vehicle. It is advisable to contact the park staff in advance, especially during holidays or peak seasons, to arrange suitable timing and routes.

For wide views of the Khao Yai forest, you can visit the Km. 30 viewpoint near the Pak Chong entrance, as well as Pha Diao Dai and Pha Trom Jai, which are scenic viewpoints on the Khao Kiew route offering views of mountains, forests, and mist at times. For a more relaxed time, the Sai Sorn Reservoir offers a peaceful lakeside setting suitable for viewing, photography, and waiting for the evening light, finishing with the natural spring outside the park, which is another popular spot in the Khao Yai-Pak Chong area.

To ensure a fun and safe trip to Khao Yai, drive carefully, do not feed the wildlife, avoid swimming in risky areas, and keep updated with park announcements as heavy rain, strong currents, or wildlife may appear near tourist routes at times. With good planning, Khao Yai can be a complete nature trip, offering waterfalls, forests, viewpoints, wildlife, and the fresh atmosphere of a World Heritage forest that can be enjoyed repeatedly without getting bored.

If you've been to Khao Yai and have a favorite spot, feel free to share your experiences or photo tips to provide ideas for those planning their next trip to Khao Yai.

Suggestions

Start your trip at the park office or visitor center to check weather conditions, open attractions, and daily safety notices, especially during the rainy season or long holidays.
If time permits, plan at least a full day trip. Mornings are ideal for waterfalls and viewpoints, afternoons for nature trails or Nong Phak Chi wildlife watching tower, and evenings for Sai Sorn Reservoir or night wildlife watching, which should be booked in advance with park staff.
Drive slowly in Khao Yai, do not feed wildlife, avoid honking to move animals, and maintain a safe distance if encountering elephants or large animals on the road. For hiking and waterfall trips, wear suitable shoes, bring water, a raincoat, and avoid swimming during heavy rains or strong water flows.
The rainy season to early winter is ideal for seeing lush forests, waterfalls, and morning mist, while winter provides comfortable travel and pleasant photography. Khao Yai is a place to leisurely absorb nature, no need to rush to cover every spot in one day.

Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park is Thailand’s first national park, established on September 18, 1962, covering an area of over 2,168 square kilometers across four provinces: Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Nakhon Nayok, and Saraburi. In 2005, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex. The park features a mix of evergreen forests, grassland...

Haew Suwat Waterfall

Haew Suwat Waterfall is one of the most famous and easily accessible waterfalls in Khao Yai National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, it is geographically located southwest of the park headquarters. Geography and Origin This waterfall is part of the Huai Lam Takhong River, a major stream flowing down from the Big Mountains to join the M...

Haew Narok Waterfall

Haew Narok Waterfall is one of the most iconic and powerful waterfalls in Khao Yai National Park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Dong Phayayen–Khao Yai Forest Complex. The waterfall has a combined height_ of over 150 meters and consists of three major tiers, with the first tier dropping approximately 60 meters, making it the main accessible viewpoint for visitors. The waterfall is f...

Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall

Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall is located deep within Khao Yai National Park. It is a natural tourist attraction with high biological integrity. This medium-sized waterfall originates from the stream of Huai Lam Takhong, a major stream flowing through the park's rainforest and the source of the Lam Takhong River. Physical Characteristics of the Waterfall Height and Tiers: The waterfall is approximately...

Kong Kaew Waterfall

Kong Kaew Waterfall is more than just a small waterfall; it's ecologically and geographically significant. It originates from Huai Lam Takhong, which forms the natural border between Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces (with the waterfall itself located on the Nakhon Ratchasima side). The waterfall is a low cascade with a large pool of water, especially beautiful and full of water during ...

Nature trail km 33 Nong Phak Chi

Nature Trail, km 33, Nong Phak Chi is one of the most popular hiking trails and has a significant history in wildlife resource management within Khao Yai National Park. It begins at kilometer marker 33 on Thanarat Road, the main road through the park and connecting the dry evergreen forest with the savannah grasslands. History and Context of the Area Nong Phak Chi was once an area affected by...

Nong Phak Chi

The Nong Phak Chi Wildlife Observation Tower is a site with an interesting conservation history and a remarkable biodiversity center in Khao Yai National Park. The name "Nong Phak Chi" comes from its former location as a large natural swamp, which has long served as the heart of the wildlife ecosystem. Although the area was once part of agriculture, after the national park's establishment in 1962,...

Night Safari

The Night Safari activity at Khao Yai National Park has been established for a long time and is considered a significant nature conservation activity. It was inspired by the principles of ecotourism, aiming to allow the public to closely experience and learn about the behavior of wild animals, all while under strict supervision. The main objective is not merely to "show" animals but to educat...

Viewpoint Km 30 Khao Yai National Park

Viewpoint Km. 30 Khao Yai National Park is one of the most important rest stops and photo spots for tourists entering Khao Yai National Park via Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province (via the Chao Pho Checkpoint/Noen Hom Checkpoint). This point is located on Thanarat Road (Highway 2090), approximately 30 kilometers from the park entrance, according to the installed kilometer markers. Land...

Pha Diao Dai Cliff

Pha Diao Dai Cliff is one of the most famous natural viewpoints in Khao Yai National Park, located along the route leading to Khao Khiao Peak, the park’s highest point. Situated at approximately 1,292 meters above sea level, the area enjoys cool temperatures throughout the year, especially during the rainy and winter seasons, when thick mist often blankets the surrounding forest in the early...

Pha Trom Jai Cliff

Pha Trom Jai Cliff also known as the Khao Khiao Viewpoint, is located within the jurisdiction of Khao Yai National Park, a vast national park and World Heritage Site. This location is considered the most prominent and highest viewpoint in the Central region. With an elevation measured at approximately1,290 meters above sea level, visitors can fully experience the panoramic views of the c...

Sai Sorn Reservoir

Sai Sorn Reservoir, originally named Mosingto Reservoir, is situated at the heart of Khao Yai National Park, a globally recognized natural World Heritage Site. This reservoir was constructed in 1981 with the primary goal of establishing a crucial water source for consumption within the park boundaries and, more significantly, serving as a vital water source for the local wildlife. The reservoir wa...

Baan Tha Chang Spring

The Baan Tha Chang Spring is a unique geological phenomenon in the Khao Yai area of Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Locals call it "fountain" or "rotten pond," referring to the water that constantly bubbles up from beneath the ground. This site was discovered and developed into a natural tourist attraction through the cooperation of local community enterprises. Geological Origin ...