National park · Thailand
Ramkhamhaeng National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติรามคำแหง
Go for one steep half-day: climb the 3.7 km (2.3 mi) trail to Khao Luang's four summits and camp or day-trip it, November to January; skip it in March–May, when the summit trail usually closes.Go for one steep half-day: climb the 2.3 mi (3.7 km) trail to Khao Luang's four summits and camp or day-trip it, November to January; skip it in March–May, when the summit trail usually closes.
- 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
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
341 km² (132 sq mi)132 sq mi (341 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Sep, Nov–Feb
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
- 341 km² (132 sq mi)132 sq mi (341 km²)
- 341 km² per the park's own figure; boundary details vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Sep, Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Sukhothai
Ramkhamhaeng National Park — Khao Luang to locals — is the mountain range that rises straight out of the Sukhothai plain, about 40 km south of the old capital. It is 341 km² of dry evergreen forest, cliffs and waterfalls, with a summit ridge at roughly 1,160–1,200 m and a trail that is short in distance and hard in gradient. Most visitors come for the Khao Luang climb and the giant banyan tree on the way up; the park also holds the Sai Rung waterfall and a botanical garden at the foot of the range. It is a stop for people already in Sukhothai, not a destination on its own.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
341 km² (132 sq mi)132 sq mi (341 km²) · national park since 1980
341 km² per the park's own figure; boundary details vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Sukhothai.
Why go
- A genuinely steep climb — one of the hardest short trails in Thailand — with a ridge of four summits at the top.
- Sai Ngam, a banyan tree of unusual size, sits on the lower part of the climb.
- Cold nights and morning mist on the summit from December to January, when the plain below is still hot.
- Easy to combine with the Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai ruins, 40–60 km (25–37 mi) away.Easy to combine with the Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai ruins, 25–37 mi (40–60 km) away.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanColdest, clearest; mist at dawn
- FebWarming; still dry
- MarHot season; summit trail often closed
- AprHottest month; closure likely
- MayHeat and first storms; closure likely
- JunRain starts; slippery rock
- JulWet; leeches on the trail
- AugWet; waterfalls at their best
- SepRain easing; green and quiet
- OctDrier; mist returns
- NovDry, cool, clear summit
- DecCold nights; best visibility
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banteng and barking deerNov–Apr · Forest animals; sightings are uncommon and mostly at dawn. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Birds, including kingfishers and swallowsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wild boar and bear signsAll year · Keep food sealed and out of tents. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on the wet trailJun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Wildflowers and herbs in the botanic gardenJun–Oct | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | 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 Sukhothai
Songthaew or minivan toward Khiri Mat, then a local ride to the park entrance at Km 414 on Highway 101.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Phitsanulok
Bus or minivan south on Highway 101 toward Khiri Mat, get off near the park turn-off.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Bangkok
Highway 32 to Nakhon Sawan, then Highway 1 to Kamphaeng Phet and Highway 101 south; the park is at Km 414.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Kamphaeng Phet
Highway 101 south toward Khiri Mat; the entrance is before the town.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters and botanic garden | Park office, Suan Lum botanic garden with herb plantings, shop and restaurant, and the start of the nature trail. | Open with a ticket; the easiest part of the park to reach by car. |
| Khao Luang summit ridge | Four summits — Phra Mae Ya and Khao Phu Ga at about 1,200 m, Khao Phra Chedi at about 1,185 m, and Narai Cliff at about 1,160 m. | On foot only, via the steep 3.7 km (2.3 mi) trail; closed part of the hot season, so confirm with the park before travelling.On foot only, via the steep 2.3 mi (3.7 km) trail; closed part of the hot season, so confirm with the park before travelling. |
| Sai Rung waterfall | A waterfall about 45 km (28 mi) from headquarters, near Sai Rung Waterfall Temple.A waterfall about 28 mi (45 km) from headquarters, near Sai Rung Waterfall Temple. | By car; water only in the rainy season. |
| Lower forest and nature trail | Signposted 3 km (1.9 mi) route past the herb garden, dry evergreen forest, Sai Ngam banyan and Hin Rang waterfall.Signposted 1.9 mi (3 km) route past the herb garden, dry evergreen forest, Sai Ngam banyan and Hin Rang waterfall. | Open with a ticket; about 2 hours on foot. |
Sketch map
- 1Park headquarters · Headquarters≈16.826, 99.638Approximate; near the Highway 101 entrance at Km 414.Map ↗
- 2Sai Ngam banyan tree · Trail≈16.845, 99.645Approximate; on the lower part of the summit route.Map ↗
- 3Khao Luang summit · Summit≈16.868, 99.657Approximate; ridge of four summits at roughly 1,160–1,200 m.Map ↗
- 4Narai Cliff · Viewpoint≈16.870, 99.655Approximate; sunrise spot on the ridge.Map ↗
- 5Sai Rung waterfall · Trail≈16.826, 99.638Approximate; about 45 km (28 mi) from headquarters, water only in the rainy season.Approximate; about 28 mi (45 km) from headquarters, water only in the rainy season.Map ↗
- 6Khiri Mat junction · Town≈16.833, 99.733Approximate; where local minivans and songthaews connect to the park.Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the summit and waterfall points are not survey-accurate.
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 (Thai adult) | THB 20–40 (≈ US$1–2) | person | 2026 estimate; Thai national park rates are set nationally (check). |
| Park entry (foreign adult) | THB 100–200 (≈ US$4–7) | person | 2026 estimate; the foreign rate is usually several times the Thai rate (check). |
| Park entry (child) | THB 10–100 (≈ US$1–4) | person | 2026 estimate; Thai child rate is lower than the foreign one (check). |
| Bungalow (sleeps up to 6) | THB 1,800 (≈ US$60) | bungalow | 2026 estimate; book through the park (check). |
| Camping gear rental at the summit | THB 100–300 (≈ US$4–10) | person | 2026 estimate; no rental gear at the headquarters campsite (check). |
| Porter to the summit | THB 500–1,000 (≈ US$16–35) | trip | 2026 estimate; porters can run out on busy weekends (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Bungalow or campsite reservation no permit
Summit trail access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ฿20–40≈ US$1–2
- ฿100–200≈ US$4–7
- ฿10–100≈ US$1–4
- ฿1,800≈ US$60
- ฿100–300≈ US$4–10
- ฿500–1,000≈ US$16–35
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 Tourism Authority of Thailand — Ramkhamhaeng National Park (Khao Luang) before you go.
Park rules
- Alcohol
- Banned in Thai national parks; there are no bars inside.
- Backcountry camping
- Not permitted; camp only at the summit campsite or the headquarters campsite.
- Fires and litter
- No fires outside designated areas; carry out all rubbish.
- Water refills
- There are almost no refill points on the summit trail; carry what you need from the bottom.
- Trail closures
- The summit trail closes for part of the hot season, roughly March to May; dates change each year, so confirm with the park before you travel.
Where to stay
In the park
Park bungalows
Three units sleeping up to six, booked through the park; the simplest base inside the boundary.
In the park
Summit campsite
Tents and gear for rent at the top, plus a stall selling rice with fried egg, instant noodles and cold drinks.
In the park
Headquarters campsite
Camping at the bottom; bring your own gear, as there is no rental here.
Near the park
Sukhothai town
The widest choice of guesthouses and hotels, 40–60 km (25–37 mi) away.The widest choice of guesthouses and hotels, 25–37 mi (40–60 km) away.
Safety
Steep, draining climb high
Slippery trail in the rainy season medium
Cold nights at the summit medium
No water or food on the upper trail 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
- The headquarters, botanic garden, shop and restaurant are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The nature trail is the only walking route with easy gradients; the Khao Luang summit trail is steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry out everything you carry in; the summit campsite has no waste collection beyond basic bins.
- Use the park's own bungalows and campsites so fees stay with the park.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife; banteng and deer are shy and easily disturbed.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ramkhamhaeng National Park?
Thai national parks charge two rates: roughly 20–40 baht for Thai adults and about 100–200 baht for foreign adults, with children paying less (2026 estimate, check current rates). Bungalows are around 1,800 baht for up to six people, and camping gear at the summit can be rented.
What are the best hikes in Ramkhamhaeng National Park?
The Khao Luang summit trail is the main one: about 3.7 km, very steep, 3–5 hours up, finishing on a ridge of four summits. The 3 km nature trail from the headquarters is the easy alternative, passing the herb garden, Sai Ngam banyan and Hin Rang waterfall in about two hours.
When is the best time to visit Ramkhamhaeng National Park?
November to January, when the air is dry and cool and the summit is clear; December and January bring cold nights and morning mist. The park is green and quiet in September–October. The summit trail usually closes for part of the hot season, roughly March to May, so confirm before travelling.
Can I climb Khao Luang without a guide?
Yes. The trail is marked and most people walk it independently, as a day trip or with a night at the summit campsite. Porters can be hired, but they run out on busy weekends.
Is the summit trail open all year?
No. It usually closes during the hot season, with the exact dates changing each year. Check with the park before you plan a climb in March, April or May.
Where can I sleep in or near the park?
Inside the park there are three bungalows sleeping up to six, a campsite at the headquarters, and a campsite at the Khao Luang summit with gear rental. Sukhothai town, 40–60 km away, has the widest choice of guesthouses and hotels.
Do I need a car inside the park?
For the waterfall and the far corners, yes — the attractions are spread out and there is no shuttle. The headquarters, botanic garden and nature trail are walkable once you arrive.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go