Khao Yai National Park, Bangkok

National Park near Bangkok

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Nawit science

Just a few hours northeast of Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park is one of the must-see places in Thailand for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Spanning over 2,000 square kilometers, it's the country's oldest and one of its most diverse national parks, offering a lush retreat of rainforest, grassland, and rugged mountains. Visitors come here to escape the city heat, breathe fresh mountain air, and reconnect with nature in a landscape teeming with life.

Whether you're hoping to spot wild elephants, trek through misty jungles, or chase waterfalls, Khao Yai delivers an unforgettable experience. It's a great place to visit on a walking tour of central Thailand's natural wonders, combining wildlife encounters with scenic lookouts and cool, serene forest paths. The area surrounding the park also charms visitors with cozy resorts, vineyards, and rustic cafés overlooking rolling hills.

History and Significance of Khao Yai National Park
Things to See and Do in Khao Yai National Park
How to Get There
Practical Tips on Visiting Khao Yai National Park
Is Khao Yai National Park Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Khao Yai National Park
Nearby Attractions to Khao Yai National Park

History and Significance of Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park was established in 1962 as Thailand's first national park, setting the foundation for the country's modern conservation movement. In 2005, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and ecological importance. The park is home to more than 3,000 plant species and hundreds of animal species, from majestic elephants and hornbills to elusive tigers and clouded leopards.

Historically, the area was once a remote settlement where people lived off the forest. When it became a protected zone, these communities were relocated, allowing the land to regenerate naturally. Today, Khao Yai stands as a symbol of Thailand’s dedication to preserving its natural heritage, attracting researchers, photographers, and eco-tourists from around the world. Its name, meaning “Big Mountain,” perfectly captures the grandeur and wild beauty that define the park.

Things to See and Do in Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai’s landscapes are filled with highlights for explorers. Among the most popular attractions is Haew Narok Waterfall, a dramatic three-tiered cascade plunging nearly 150 meters through dense forest. It’s the park’s tallest and most impressive waterfall, reached via a short but steep trail that rewards visitors with spectacular views. Another must-visit is Haew Suwat Waterfall, made famous by the movie The Beach, where a refreshing pool invites travelers to cool off in the mist.

Wildlife watching is one of the top things to do in Khao Yai. The park’s varied habitats support elephants, sambar deer, gibbons, macaques, and hornbills. With a bit of luck and patience, visitors might also spot civets or porcupines during night safaris organized by park rangers. Birdwatching is especially rewarding here, as over 300 bird species-including the great hornbill and mountain hawk-eagle-thrive in the park’s ecosystem.

For hikers, Khao Yai offers a network of trails ranging from gentle nature walks to challenging treks. Popular routes include the Pha Diew Dai Cliff, offering breathtaking panoramic views, and the Nong Phak Chi observation tower, where wildlife can often be seen grazing in open fields at dawn or dusk. Those who prefer leisure can explore the scenic drives through the park’s rolling hills, visit local vineyards, or enjoy picnics amid cool mountain breezes.

How to Get There

Khao Yai National Park lies about 180 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, primarily in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The most convenient entry point is the Pak Chong entrance. Travelers can reach it by car via Highway 1 and Highway 2090, which takes around three hours depending on traffic. Alternatively, trains from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Station stop at Pak Chong Station, from where songthaews (shared taxis) and private transfers are available to the park. Organized day trips and guided tours from Bangkok are also popular and include transportation, entry fees, and a local guide.

Practical Tips on Visiting Khao Yai National Park

Best time to visit Khao Yai National Park: November to February for cooler weather and lush greenery, or May to October for dramatic waterfalls during the rainy season.
Entrance fee: Approximately €10 (400 THB) for foreigners, €1.25 (40 THB) for Thai citizens.
Opening hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Official website: nps.dnp.go.th.
How long to spend: 1-3 days for a full experience of the park’s trails and wildlife.
Accessibility: Roads are well-maintained, though some hiking trails may be steep or uneven.
Facilities: Visitor centers, restrooms, campgrounds, and food stalls within the park.
Photography tip: Visit early in the morning for misty landscapes and the best chance of wildlife sightings.
Guided tours: Available for night safaris, hiking routes, and wildlife spotting; best booked through the park office.
Nearby food options: Cafés and restaurants at the park entrances, plus scenic dining spots in nearby Pak Chong.

Is Khao Yai National Park Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt. Khao Yai National Park is one of the top attractions in Thailand for anyone who loves nature and adventure. Its combination of waterfalls, wildlife, and wide-open landscapes makes it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. Whether you're hiking through jungle trails or gazing at elephants crossing the road, Khao Yai offers a glimpse of Thailand's wild and unspoiled side-just a few hours from the capital.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.7 (4,366)

Khao Yai National Park Checkpoint - Pak Chong sits at the gateway to a large, scenic national park best explored by car; visitors note long distances between attractions, driving routes with great viewpoints and waterfalls (main waterfall viewing closes around 5pm with last entry ~4:45), and options for day visits, guided tours, night safaris and overnight stays in basic cabins or campsites with tent rental. The visitor center can provide English help, food and toilets are available at major sites, and rangers sometimes offer transport or guided walks for a fee. Trails vary—only a few can be walked solo while others require a guide—and wildlife sightings (elephants, deer, monkeys, birds, porcupines, wild dogs and monitors) are possible but not guaranteed; come prepared with sturdy footwear, sun protection, bug repellent and leech precautions if visiting in wet season.

Salvatore La Cagnina

2 weeks ago

"The park itself is nice but it's clearly intend to go there by car! It seems that most tourist are Thai themselves and were aware, but we weren't.You can hitchhike up, or get a "taxi" (usually a ranger or employee from the park). They drove us up to the campground for 500 baht, which was also fine. They definitely are willing to help, and in the tourist center there usually was at least one person who spoke English (thankfully!). The hiking trails are a bit 'weird'. There are only three trails you can go by yourself and the others you need a guide/ranger who costs extra (we paid 500 for a one hour trail), however the trails seemed pretty normal and not dangerous. Unfortunately we didn't see any elefants, but some nice birds, squirrels and a lot of monkeys. I definitely recommend going here, it's really pretty and camping was fun but don't expect the closest nature/animal experience, and consider getting a car or motorbike. (it was 22km from the gate to the camping ground)..."

See More See Less

Matthias Wiedenlübbert

3 months ago

"I was fortunate to visit Khao Yai multiple times. If you want to see some nature and wildlife, you can get both here. Cost: An adult foreigner willpay 400 THB (2025), access with a car will cost around 30 THB on top. For a one time trip I would recommend a guided tour. They will make sure that you will get the best experience. If you want to get around by yourself, take a car. The various locations are some kilometers away from each other, co ected by a normal road. You can also stay inside the park overnight. There are multiple cabins (nothing fancy but totally acceptable) available and if you want to, you can also camp there. Tents can be rented. Although it is not really necessary I would recommend to use good footware, especially if you would like to walk some trails. For some of them it is recommended to have a guide, some you can walk by yourself. I would also recommend to get some sun screen and good bug repellent. Also wear long clothes, leeches are a thing during the rainy season. You can get special leech socks at the visitor center or you can put your pants into your socks. You will look a little bit silly but it is helpingnYou can get some food at the visitor center or at the main waterfalls. Toilets are at every major location. With a bit of luck you can see wild elefants, mostly in the afternoon. In my experience the chances are better to see them in the "winter months"nCommon animals are deer, monkeys, monitors and all sorts of birds. In the evening you can have a chance to see wild dogs (nothing strays) and porcupine. If you can, bring so binoculars and a camera with a serious tele..."

See More See Less

UEM

4 months ago

"Khao Yai National Park is an absolute gem. We visited on a Sunday during a bank holiday, and as expected, it was crowded. The park is quite large,with long distances between attractions, so having a car is essential. Our entrance fee for two people and a car was 830 baht. It's well worth taking the time to stop at all the main sites to soak in the scenery, admire the landscape, and take plenty of pictures. For a different experience, there is also the option to do a night safari, which costs 600 baht per vehicle. This is a must-see destination when in Thailand...."

See More See Less

FAQs for Visiting Khao Yai National Park

Yes, it’s one of the most accessible national parks, perfect for day trips or weekend getaways from Bangkok.

Yes, several designated camping areas offer tent rentals and facilities.

Yes, though sightings are not guaranteed-they are most often seen in the early morning or late afternoon.

Yes, there are scenic roads suitable for private cars and motorcycles, but be cautious of wildlife crossings.

Yes, both half-day and full-day guided tours are available for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography.

Nearby Attractions to Khao Yai National Park

PB Valley Vineyard - One of Thailand’s best-known vineyards offering tours and tastings.
Primo Piazza - A Tuscan-inspired village with cafés, alpacas, and rustic scenery.
Khao Yai Art Museum - A cultural stop showcasing contemporary Thai art in a natural setting.
Palio Village - A European-style shopping complex with restaurants and boutiques.
Wang Nam Khiao - A scenic district known for cool weather and flower fields, ideal for a short side trip.

The Khao Yai National Park appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bangkok!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!