Thailand is famous for its beaches, but its national parks also have forest trails, waterfalls and mountain viewpoints. This guide covers well-known trails, with each park's fees, seasonal closures, guide rules and transport.
Park fees and opening hours were checked in September 2026. They can change, so confirm them with the park before you go. Thai national parks charge foreign visitors more than Thai visitors, and you pay in cash at the gate.
Trails at a Glance
| Trail | Park | Length | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kew Mae Pan | Doi Inthanon, north | 2.5 km loop | Local guide required; closed June–October |
| Phu Kradueng climb | Phu Kradueng, northeast | 5.2 km to the plateau | Closed June–September; trail closes at 13:00 |
| Haew Suwat waterfall | Khao Yai, centre | About 100 m from the car park | Easy; the waterfall from the film "The Beach" |
| Haew Narok waterfall | Khao Yai, centre | 600 m from the car park | Easy; three tiers |
| Erawan waterfall trail | Erawan, west | About 1 km, then about 1.5 km more to tier 7 | No entry after 15:30 |
| Ton Kloi waterfall | Khao Sok, south | 7 km | Guide needed after the first 2.9 km |
Northern Thailand: Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon has the highest point in Thailand, 2,565 metres above sea level. The summit is at kilometre 48, at the end of road 1009. As of September 2026, the park's published fees for foreigners are 300 THB for an adult and 150 THB for a child, plus 30 THB for a car. The visitor centre is open from 08:00 to 16:00.
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Kew Mae Pan is a 2.5 km loop trail. You must walk it with a local Hmong guide, and the guide fee is 220 THB. This fee is in addition to the park entrance fee.
The trail is closed from June to October every year and reopens on 1 November.
Start early. Bring a warm layer, because the mountain is much cooler than Chiang Mai. Carry cash for the park, car and guide fees.
Northeastern Thailand: Phu Kradueng National Park
Phu Kradueng, in Loei province, is one of Thailand's classic hikes. The trail climbs 5.2 km from 285 metres to the plateau at 1,275 metres. It is a long climb, so start early in the morning.
The park's rules shape your plans:
- Season: the park is closed from June to September every year. You can climb from October to May.
- Trail hours: the ascent trail is open from 06:00 to 13:00 Monday to Thursday, and from 05:00 to 13:00 Friday to Sunday. If you arrive after 13:00, you cannot start the climb that day.
- Porters: porters carry your bags up to the plateau for 30 THB per kg.
- Fees for foreigners: 200 THB for an adult and 100 THB for a child.
Park accommodation is booked through the Department of National Parks system, which was reported down for long periods up to June 2026, so confirm your booking before you travel.
Central Thailand: Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai is part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its gates are open daily from 06:00 to 18:00.
Fees for foreigners are 400 THB for an adult and 200 THB for a child aged 3–14. Thai visitors pay 40 THB and 20 THB. Keep your ticket: it covers more than one day only if you stay overnight in the park.
Haew Suwat and Haew Narok Waterfalls
- Haew Suwat is a 20-metre waterfall about 100 metres from its car park. It appeared in the film "The Beach" and is an easy stop for families.
- Haew Narok is reached by a 600-metre trail from its own car park. Its top drop is about 80 metres, and it falls about 150 metres over three tiers.
Khao Yai also has longer forest trails. Ask at the visitor centre which trails are open that day and whether you need a guide.
Western Thailand: Erawan National Park
Erawan, in Kanchanaburi province about 200 km west of Bangkok, combines a waterfall walk with swimming. The trail is about 1 km on flat ground to the lower falls, then about 1.5 km more to the seventh and top tier. You can swim in the pools along the trail up to tier 6.
- Hours: open daily from 08:00 to about 16:30. There is no entry after 15:30, and rangers start clearing the top tier at about 15:00.
- Fees for foreigners: 300 THB for an adult and 150 THB for a child aged 3–14; 30 THB for a car.
- Food and drinks: no food is allowed above the second tier, and bags are checked. Drinks bottles need a 20 THB deposit per bottle, refunded when you bring the empty bottle back.
Arrive when the park opens at 08:00 if you want to reach the top tier without hurrying. By public transport, local bus 8170 runs from Kanchanaburi bus terminal to Erawan in about 1.5 hours for 60 THB. The last bus back to Kanchanaburi leaves Erawan at 16:30.
Southern Thailand: Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok is about 160 km from Phuket and 150 km from Krabi. Its visitor centre is open daily from 08:00 to 16:30.
| Trail | Length | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Wing Hin waterfall | 2.8 km from the visitor centre | Ask at the visitor centre |
| Bang Hua Rat waterfall | 3 km | Ask at the visitor centre |
| Sip Et Chan waterfalls | About 4 km | Needed past the boardwalk |
| Ton Kloi waterfall | 7 km | Needed after the first 2.9 km |
| Look Nam cave loop | 8.5 km | Required |
The Look Nam cave is closed when rain is forecast. The entrance fee for the jungle area is 200 THB for a foreign adult and 100 THB for a child. Cheow Lan Lake needs a separate ticket, 300 THB for an adult, so budget for both if you plan to visit the lake as well.
What to Bring
- Cash in Thai baht for entrance fees, car fees, guide fees and porters
- Enough water for the whole walk, a hat and sunscreen
- Shoes with a good grip, because rocks near waterfalls can be slippery
- A light rain jacket, and a warm layer for the mountains, such as Doi Inthanon
- Insect repellent and long trousers for forest trails
- Swimwear and a dry bag for Erawan
- A charged phone with an offline map
Safety and Emergency Numbers
- Start early: walking is easier in the cooler hours, and some trails close in the afternoon.
- Stay on marked trails and tell someone where you are going.
- Check that your travel insurance covers hiking.
Save these numbers before you set off: Tourist Police 1155, police 191, ambulance 1669 and fire 199.
Getting to the Trailheads
Buses are the cheapest option where they run, such as bus 8170 to Erawan. A private car lets you start early. Smile Taxi Service fares are fixed per vehicle, one way, with expressway tolls included.
- Khao Yai: Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao Yai costs 2,000 THB by sedan, 2,300 THB by SUV or 2,800 THB by van: book a sedan from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Khao Yai. The Khao Yai Tour, a car with a driver for up to 10 hours, costs 3,200 THB by sedan, 3,500 THB by SUV, 4,000 THB by van or 4,600 THB by VIP van; a pickup in another province adds 500 THB. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Khao Yai.
- Erawan: Bangkok to Kanchanaburi city costs 2,000 THB by sedan, 2,300 THB by SUV or 2,800 THB by van: book a sedan from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi. There is no fixed fare to Erawan itself, so ask for a quote. See also How to Get from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi.
- Doi Inthanon: the Chiang Mai + Doi Tour, a car with a driver for up to 10 hours from Chiang Mai, costs 3,300 THB by sedan, 3,500 THB by SUV, 4,000 THB by van or 4,500 THB by VIP van. When you book, ask the team to confirm that the day can include Doi Inthanon: see the tours and day trips.
- Khao Sok and Phu Kradueng: there is no fixed fare. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp. For the journey south, see How to Get from Bangkok to Khao Sok.
You pay the driver in cash (THB) at the end of the trip. If you can only pay by card, message the team for a PayPal payment link (a 5% fee is added). Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pickup. After that, a cancellation or change costs 25% (less than 24 h), 35% (less than 12 h) or 50% (less than 2 h) of the price, and a no-show 100%, also when you pay the driver in cash (details). See all fares on the price list.
FAQ
When is the Kew Mae Pan trail open? From 1 November to the end of May. It is closed from June to October, and you must walk it with a local guide (220 THB).
When can I climb Phu Kradueng? From October to May; the park is closed from June to September. Start in the morning, because the trail up closes at 13:00.
How much is Khao Yai National Park for foreigners? 400 THB for an adult and 200 THB for a child aged 3–14. The gates are open from 06:00 to 18:00.
Can I swim at Erawan? Yes, in the pools along the trail up to tier 6. There is no entry after 15:30.
Do I need a guide in Khao Sok? Yes for Ton Kloi after the first 2.9 km, for Sip Et Chan past the boardwalk, and for the Look Nam cave loop.
To reach a trailhead by private car, open the Smile Taxi booking page or message the team on WhatsApp.