Traveling to national parks worldwide cannot be missed in one's life. But did you know that Thailand itself has many national parks that are so gorgeous and wonderful? I have to say that if anyone has not been able to experience it with their own eyes, it is surely a big mistake.
When most people think of Thailand, they probably expect white sandy beaches, tasty tropical cocktails, stunning temples, and crumbling archeological sites. They also invoke images of delicious food and friendly people. There are also abundant chances for getting up close to nature in some fantastic national parks, where the local wildlife comes front and center of the experience.
To that end, check out my top 10 picks for the best and most breathtaking national parks in Thailand to give you an idea of what the country has to offer, especially for nature lovers.
Thailand is a treasure trove of natural beauty, with its national parks offering diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. From the iconic Khao Yai, known for its vibrant wildlife, to the serene waterfalls of Erawan, each park presents unique experiences that cater to nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. These protected areas not only showcase stunning scenery but also play a vital role in conservation efforts, preserving habitats for countless species. Whether you're hiking through lush forests or relaxing by crystal-clear lakes, exploring Thailand's national parks is an unforgettable journey that highlights the country's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. Let me take you through my top 10 picks for the most breathtaking national parks in Thailand.
The Pha Taem National Park is adjacent to Laos, with the Mekong River as the borderline. You can see the longest ancient paintings in the country, strangely shaped stone pillars, and a small field of colorful flowers at the end of the winter rain from here.
It looks like a scanty forest with hindered trees, but it is naturally beautiful and important. In addition, there are also beautiful flowering plants, such as sundews and silver buttons, in the common rock corner. There are many exciting attractions, such as Sao Chaliang, located about 1 kilometer before Pha Taem. It is a natural stone pillar formed by water and wind erosion for millions of years.
Pha Taem is a cliff with natural beauty. It is a breathtaking viewpoint and is also the point where the sun rises anywhere in Thailand. In addition, there are also about 300 prehistoric paintings lined up, and the park has already made a walkway for viewing.
Location |
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GPS |
15.3991142, 105.5060804 |
Telephone |
+66 45 252 581 |
Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 05:00 – 18:00 |
Business Address |
9GX5+J8R, Huai Phai, Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani 34220 |
Facebook Page |
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Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Pets |
Dogs Allowed |
Just seeing the picture of Huai Mae Khamin Waterfall makes anyone's heart flutter because it is stunning and magnificent. And who would have thought that the layered waterfall seen in the picture could be easily accessed by simply parking the car and walking a few steps?
You may be able to walk a few steps. But let's not forget to mention that the road to reach the car is difficult because you may have to go through the dirt road for over 40 kilometers from the ridge of the Sinakharin Dam. Or even easier than that, drive to Si Sawat District, get on a raft across the river, then drive ahead and go on a raft across the lake one more time. But for what it's worth, aside from an unforgettable experience, the Sinakharin Dam National Park is stunning!
Location |
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GPS |
14.6033069, 99.0231754 |
Telephone |
+66 34 574 248 |
Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 08:00 – 16:00 |
Business Address |
J23R+87F, Sinakharin, Mae Kra Bung, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 400 THB | Child 200 THB Thai Local: Adult 60 THB | Child 30 THB |
Amenities |
Public Restrooms |
Si Nan National Park is a small yet extraordinary national park in Nan province. There is a good place at the camping ground and the viewpoint named Doi Samer Dao. When sleeping on the open hill on a starry night, you could feel that the constellations were just within reach.
The camping ground is almost at the top of the mountain. You may walk a few steps in the morning and reach the peak. Looking to the left, another mountain top has a strange-shaped rock shed named Doi Hua Sing. Another remarkable fact about this national park is that it's the longest flag line in Thailand on duty. On the way back, you may also want to stop by Sao Din Na Noi to experience an excitingly strange natural phenomenon.
Location |
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GPS |
18.6128095, 99.9029495 |
Telephone |
+66 98 685 3293 +66 93 242 2914 |
Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 05:00 – 20:00 |
Business Address |
9R8R+X2M, Sisaket, Na Noi District, Nan 55150, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 100 THB | Child 50 THB Thai Local: Adult 20 THB | Child 10 THB |
Facebook Page |
อุทยานแห่งชาติศรีน่าน จังหวัดน่าน - Sri Nan National Park - เพจหลัก |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is popular among locals and tourists, especially at the beginning of the rainy season. The high mountains of the lower northern region, the left northeast, and the upper middle were the red areas of the Communist Party of Thailand for decades ago.
The unique Chaiyaphum breeze seldom hides the national park because of its overlapping stories, history, ideological battles, and wonderful natural beauty in the same area. The most iconic is the stone courtyard, which has beautiful cliffs with dazzling peng stone cliffs caused by the phenomenon of tectonic change.
Location |
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GPS |
17.0039133, 100.9920595 |
Telephone |
+66 81 596 5977 |
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Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday Open 24 Hours |
Business Address |
ทางหลวงแผ่นดินหมายเลข 2331 Noen Phoem, Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok 65120, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 200 THB | Child 100 THB Thai Local: Adult 40 THB | Child 20 THB |
Facebook Page |
อุทยานแห่งชาติภูหินร่องกล้า - Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park |
Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park attracts Thai and foreign tourists who want to relax uninterruptedly. For the most striking and eye-catching attractions in this park, you must not miss a visit to Maya Bay, a beautiful bay with clear turquoise water. It is surrounded by large limestone mountains, which were beautiful until they received the nickname Andaman Emerald.
The national park is located in Krabi, Muang District. It is a marine national park with beautiful natural features. Around the island are coral reefs and stunning underwater scenery. Its natural identity is limestone mountains with tiered cliffs, beautiful caves, and long, clean beaches. There are 40 million-year-old shell cemeteries, which have a total area of about 389.96 square kilometers.
Location |
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GPS |
8.0470726, 98.7969918 |
Telephone |
+66 75 661 145 |
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Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 08:30 – 16:30 |
Business Address |
79, Ao Nang, Mueang Krabi District, Krabi 81180, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 400 THB | Child 200 THB Thai Local: Adult 40 THB | Child 20 THB |
Facebook Page |
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Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Services |
Onsite Services |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei gives anyone a thrilling experience because of the need to walk for 9 kilometers up to the vast plains on the top of the northeastern mountain. It requires a lot of walking to go anywhere on top of the mountain, making every trip memorable. And no one seems to need to make the journey easier.
Anyone who likes to take pictures should fall in love with this national park because of its vast pine forest. In addition to dozens of small waterfalls, it is also gorgeous when the maple leaves are in full bloom. The stone courtyard has a variety of orchids with several cliffs that make looking at the same sun mean more than every day.
Location |
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GPS |
16.8744581, 101.6341026 |
Telephone |
+66 42 810 833 |
Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 06:00 – 16:00 |
Business Address |
หมู่ที่ 1 บ้านศรีฐาน Si Than, Phu Kradueng District, Loei 42180, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 400 THB | Child 200 THB Thai Local: Adult 40 THB | Child 20 THB |
Facebook Page |
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Services |
Onsite Services |
Erawan National Park is also a beautiful park and another riot in the West. Anyone visiting here must not miss, admire, and immerse themselves in the Erawan Waterfall. It is a beautiful waterfall rich in charm that attracts the eyes and fascinates tourists to visit this waterfall and national park uninterrupted. Therefore, I included Erawan National Park in 4th place on my list.
The national park is characterized by steep mountainous areas, 165–996 meters above sea level, and alternating flat spots. Most of the mountains are limestone. The east and west of the site will rise vertically, especially near the Erawan waterfall; it will look like a cliff.
You can take photos at closing time. This park is easy to get to because it is not far from the city of Kan Plus. There is a bus to access the park office, but it will allow a little time because it takes quite a bit of time to walk up to each waterfall level.
Location |
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GPS |
14.3754962, 99.141779 |
Telephone |
+66 34 574 222 |
Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 08:00 – 15:30 |
Business Address |
94GV+5HW, Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District, Kanchanaburi 71250, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 300 THB | Child 200 THB Thai Local: Adult 100 THB | Child 50 THB |
Facebook Page |
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Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Services |
Onsite Services |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Khao Sok National Park has stunning valleys, rivers, and streams. It attracts tourists, Thais, and foreigners who come to this national park uninterruptedly. Beautiful dams and clear water like emeralds, along with large and complex limestone mountains, attract anyone throughout the year.
Khao Sok National Park is a vast natural area covered with evergreen forests. It covers almost all areas of the national park. Most of them are complex high and low mountains. There are also a few flat areas, and the northern part is such a significant water source.
Location |
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GPS |
8.9873143, 98.6272442 |
Telephone |
+66 77 395 154 +66 77 395 139 |
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Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 07:00 – 19:00 |
Business Address |
62 Khlong Sok, Phanom District, Surat Thani 84250 |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 200 THB | Child 100 THB Thai Local: Adult 40 THB | Child 20 THB |
Facebook Page |
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YouTube |
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Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Services |
Onsite Services |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Located in Chiang Mai, the Doi Inthanon Mountain is the tallest peak in Thailand, but there is so much more to this stunning place than meets the eye.
In the Doi Inthanon National Park, you'll see a lot of worthwhile attractions, from mesmerizing waterfalls and conservation centers to viewpoints, summits, and temples. The park invites you to drive on the route from the foot of the mountain to the top through many waterfalls.
You may also love to pitch a tent and sleep under the shade of a pine park house or the beautiful villas around the area, which are delightful with the sound of the flowing water. In the morning, don't forget to wake up to see the sunrise and a sea of mist at the 41 km viewpoint while going up for a walk in the ancient forest on top of the mountain.
Location |
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GPS |
18.7945516, 98.352985 |
Telephone |
+66 53 286 729 |
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Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday Open 24 Hours |
Business Address |
119 Ban Luang, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai 50160, Thailand |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 300 THB | Child 200 THB Thai Local: Adult 100 THB | Child 50 THB |
Facebook Page |
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Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Services |
Onsite Services |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Picnic Tables, Public Restrooms |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes |
Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima is at the top of my list of most breathtaking national parks in Thailand. It is indispensable for Thailand's first national park. This large forest covers an area of 4 provinces in the northeastern and central regions.
There are many places to visit, including grasslands, cliffs, and trekking routes. In addition, this place is rich in beautiful nature, although it is a forest near Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok). There are other natural attractions such as mountains, waterfalls, sunrise viewpoints, and wildlife for us to get very close to. Therefore, many tourists come to live, breathe good air, and pitch a tent during the holidays in Khao Yai.
Location |
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GPS |
16.8744581, 101.6341026 |
Telephone |
+66 86 092 6529 |
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Business Hours |
Monday - Sunday 06:00 - 18:00 |
Business Address |
Hin Tung, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok 26000 |
Admission Fee |
Foreigners: Adult 200 THB | Child 100 THB Thai Local: Adult 40 THB | Child 20 THB |
Website |
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Facebook Page |
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YouTube |
|
Accessibility |
Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, Wheelchair Accessible Parking |
Services |
Onsite Services |
Activities |
Hiking |
Amenities |
Barbecue Grill, Picnic Tables, Public Restroom, Skateboarding Area, Swings |
Children |
Good for Kids, Kid-Friendly Hikes, Playground |
If you're eager to explore the natural beauty of Thailand, here’s a quick recap of the Top 10 Most Breathtaking National Parks featured in the article. Each park offers unique landscapes and experiences that showcase the country's rich biodiversity and stunning scenery!
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Thailand's national parks offer an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature while exploring some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. From the rich biodiversity of Khao Yai to the serene beauty of Doi Inthanon, each park presents a unique experience that caters to adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and those simply looking to unwind amidst nature's splendor. Visiting these parks not only enriches your travel experience but also fosters a deeper appreciation for Thailand's natural heritage.
So, what did you think about my list of the top 10 most popular and breathtaking national parks? It should be an impulse and a motivation for you to travel to see them at least once in your lifetime. Cheers!
Hi! I'm Rowan Travers (Guinness Bear), your go-to travel companion, always on the move to uncover the most breathtaking destinations. Join me as I share my recommendations for must-visit spots and memorable experiences. Dive into my immersive "Top 10" series, and let's explore the world together!
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