National park · Thailand
Kaeng Krachan National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติแก่งกระจาน
Visit Kaeng Krachan for a 2‑hour waterfall walk (Namtok Pa La‑u, 200 THB entry) or a 6‑hour ridge trek (≈300 THB entry); go Nov‑Apr, avoid weekends.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,914 km² (1,125 sq mi)1,125 sq mi (2,914 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jan–Apr
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 2,914 km² (1,125 sq mi)1,125 sq mi (2,914 km²)
- Official park size varies by source; 2,914 km² is the commonly cited figure (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jan–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Hua Hin
Kaeng Krachan, Thailand's largest protected area, offers rainforest hikes, waterfalls and wildlife near Hua Hin; choose a short waterfall walk (≈2 h, 200 THB) or a guided ridge trek (≈6 h, 300 THB) and visit in the dry season to avoid crowds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2021Natural World Heritage Site.
Size and age
2,914 km² (1,125 sq mi)1,125 sq mi (2,914 km²) · national park since 1981
Official park size varies by source; 2,914 km² is the commonly cited figure (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Hua Hin.
Why go
- Thailand's largest protected area, spanning rainforest, mountains and waterfalls.
- Home to Asian elephants, gibbons and over 400 bird species.
- Accessible waterfalls and forest trails near Hua Hin.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; trails clear.
- FebCool, dry; good wildlife spotting.
- MarWarm, dry; waterfalls full.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayStart of rains; some trails muddy.
- JunRainy; higher flood risk.
- JulRainy, occasional storms.
- AugRainy, trail closures possible.
- SepRainy, still wet.
- OctTransition to dry, fewer crowds.
- NovDry, cooler; ideal for hikes.
- DecCool, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian elephantAll year · Often seen on ridge trail early morning. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Gibbon familiesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hornbills and other forest birdsMar–Aug | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Hua Hin
Songthaew or taxi 60 km (37 mi) west to Namtok Pa La‑u entrance.Songthaew or taxi 37 mi (60 km) west to Namtok Pa La‑u entrance.
1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bangkok
Bus to Hua Hin (2.5 h) then songthaew/taxi to park.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Phetchaburi
Local bus or taxi 30 km (19 mi) north to park gate.Local bus or taxi 19 mi (30 km) north to park gate.
45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Pala‑U waterfall area | Main visitor centre, waterfall, short forest loop. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Ridge and elephant trail | Longer forest routes, wildlife viewing points. | Guided access only. |
| Camping zones | Designated sites near the waterfall and in the northern forest. | Permit required; tent rental available. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from official park website; waterfall point precise, other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (general) | THB 200 (≈ US$7) | person | Covers main trails and waterfall access. |
| Ridge trek (guided) | THB 300 (≈ US$10) | person | Guide required for longer forest routes. |
| Camping tent rental | THB 250 (≈ US$8) | night | Tent hire at park office. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided ridge trek permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ฿200≈ US$7
- ฿300≈ US$10
- ฿250≈ US$8
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Thai National Parks – Kaeng Krachan before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trail longer than 2 km (1.2 mi) from the main entrance.Required for any trail longer than 1.2 mi (2 km) from the main entrance.
- Camping
- Only in designated zones; permits issued at park office.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves.
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed in the park.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hua Hin
Hotels, guesthouses and hostels 60 km (37 mi) east of park.Hotels, guesthouses and hostels 37 mi (60 km) east of park.
In the park
Pala‑U campsite
Basic tents with shared facilities.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Lost on ridge trek high
Flash floods medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main waterfall area reachable by car with short flat walk.
- Longer forest trails steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use park‑approved guides and stay on marked trails.
- Rent tents locally instead of bringing disposable gear.
- Support community lodges in Hua Hin.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kaeng Krachan National Park?
Entry is 200 THB per adult; guided ridge trek adds 300 THB per person. Camping tent hire is 250 THB per night.
What are the best hikes in Kaeng Krachan National Park?
The short 1‑km walk to Namtok Pa La‑u waterfall (easy) and the 5‑6 h ridge trek to Khao Phra (moderate, guide required) are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Kaeng Krachan National Park?
The dry season November to April offers clear trails and full waterfalls; avoid the rainy months May‑October, especially for longer treks.
Can I camp inside Kaeng Krachan?
Yes, at designated campsites near the waterfall and in the northern forest; a permit and a 250 THB nightly fee are required.
Is a guide mandatory for all hikes?
A licensed guide is required for any trail longer than 2 km from the main entrance, such as the ridge trek.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kaeng Krachan National Park
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