National park · Thailand
Phu Kradueng National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติภูกระดึง
Spend a day on Phu Kradueng: hike the 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail to the summit plateau in 4–5 h, pay the entry fee (200–300 THB), and stay overnight in park bungalows or a tent; avoid June–Sept when closed.Spend a day on Phu Kradueng: hike the 3.4 mi (5.5 km) trail to the summit plateau in 4–5 h, pay the entry fee (200–300 THB), and stay overnight in park bungalows or a tent; avoid June–Sept when closed.
- 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
348 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (348 km²)
approximate
Established
1962
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
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
- 348 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (348 km²)
- 348 km² (217,575 rai); the summit plateau is about 60 km².
- Established
- 1962
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Phu Kradueng is a 1,300 m sandstone mesa in Loei Province, the second national park of Thailand (1962). Its summit plateau is a flat pine savanna with waterfalls, cliffs and a network of hiking trails. The park is closed June–September for the rainy season. The main draw is the 5.5 km climb from the park office to the top, followed by walks to viewpoints and waterfalls on the plateau. Wildlife includes elephants, bears, sambar deer and a variety of birds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1962.
Size and age
348 km² (134 sq mi)134 sq mi (348 km²) · national park since 1962
348 km² (217,575 rai); the summit plateau is about 60 km².
Why go
- Climb a 1,300 m mesa with pine‑savanna plateau and waterfalls.
- Spot wildlife such as elephants, bears and diverse birds on a forest‑tiered mountain.
- Watch sunrise from Pha Nok Aen cliff and sunset from Pha Mak Duk.
- Walk the 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail with eight rest stations (Sam) and ladders on the steepest sections.Walk the 3.4 mi (5.5 km) trail with eight rest stations (Sam) and ladders on the steepest sections.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; good for trekking.
- FebCool, dry; low crowd levels.
- MarTemperatures rise, still dry.
- AprWarm, clear skies; peak season.
- MayWarm, dry; ideal for summit.
- JunPark closed for safety.
- JulPark closed; heavy rain risk.
- AugPark closed; typhoon season.
- SepPark closed; flash‑flood risk.
- OctRe‑opens, dry and cool.
- NovCool, low humidity.
- DecCool, occasional frost at night.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElephantsOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| BearsOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Sambar and barking deerOct–May | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (e.g., White‑rumped Shama, black eagle)Mar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
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 Bangkok
Drive north via Rte 1‑2‑201 to Loei, then turn onto Hwy 2019 to the park gate (≈495 km (308 mi)).Drive north via Rte 1‑2‑201 to Loei, then turn onto Hwy 2019 to the park gate (≈308 mi (495 km)).
7–8 h
Open the page →
From Bangkok
Train to Khon Kaen, then bus to Pha Nok Khao or Phu Kradueng bus terminal, then songthaew to the park.
8–9 h
Open the page →
From Bangkok
Direct bus from Mo Chit 2 (Northeastern Bus Terminal) to Pha Nok Khao, then songthaew.
7–8 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park office (Tram) | Ticket counter, rest area, start of the main 5.5 km (3.4 mi) trail.Ticket counter, rest area, start of the main 3.4 mi (5.5 km) trail. | Open daily when park is open. |
| Summit plateau | Flat area with pine savanna, waterfalls, and viewpoints. | Reached by walking the main trail. |
| Campsite / visitor centre (Wang Kwang) | Bungalows, terrace houses, food stalls, toilets. | Open for overnight stays; reservation required. |
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 are approximate centre points of main facilities.
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 | THB 200–300 (≈ US$7–10) | person | Check latest rate on DNP website. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Alcohol
- No alcohol allowed in any Thai national park.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking stoves only.
- Camping
- Only park‑run bungalows or designated campsite; backcountry camping not permitted.
- Stay on trail
- Leave the forest floor to protect fragile vegetation.
- Leeches
- Wear long sleeves and apply insect repellent in humid periods.
Where to stay
In the park
Park bungalows
Simple rooms on the summit plateau; reservation required.
Near the park
Loei town
Hotels and guesthouses 70 km (43 mi) south, good base if park is closed.Hotels and guesthouses 43 mi (70 km) south, good base if park is closed.
Safety
Leeches low
Elephant encounters medium
Weather 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
- Park office reachable by car; trail is steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out all rubbish; no fire pits.
- Support park‑run bungalows to fund conservation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Phu Kradueng National Park?
The entry fee is about 200–300 THB per person (check the latest rate on the DNP website).
What are the best hikes in Phu Kradueng National Park?
The classic 5.5 km trail from the park office to the summit plateau, the waterfalls loop on the plateau, and the cliff trail to Pha Nok Aen (sunrise) and Pha Mak Duk (sunset) are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Phu Kradueng National Park?
Visit from November to May; the park is closed June‑September for safety and forest regeneration.
Can I camp anywhere on Phu Kradueng?
Backcountry camping is not allowed; stay in park‑run bungalows or the designated campsite at Wang Kwang.
How do I get to the park from Bangkok?
Drive north via Rte 1‑2‑201 (≈495 km) or take a train to Khon Kaen then a bus to Pha Nok Khao, followed by a songthaew to the park office.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Phu Kradueng National Park
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