National park · Thailand
Sam Phan Bokสามพันโบก
Visit Sam Phan Bok in the dry season (Nov–Apr) for a few‑hour walk among the river’s rock holes; entry fee about 30 THB, reach by road from Ubon Ratchathani and a short boat ride.
- 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
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Nov–Apr
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
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Approximately 5 km² of river‑side rock reef (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Ubon Ratchathani
Sam Phan Bok is a natural attraction on the Mekong River in Ubon Ratchathani Province, known as the Grand Canyon of Thailand; its thousands of water‑carved holes are visible in the dry season, offering short walks and boat trips along the river’s biggest rock reef.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximately 5 km² of river‑side rock reef (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Ubon Ratchathani.
Why go
- Walk among thousands of natural river‑carved holes on the Mekong’s biggest rock reef.
- Sunrise and sunset give low light and cooler temperatures for photography.
- Nearby attractions like Emerald Pool and Pak Bong add variety to a day trip.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanLow water, cool mornings
- FebClear skies, comfortable heat
- MarWarm, water still low
- AprEnd of dry season, good visibility
- MayWater starts rising
- JunRainy season, holes may be submerged
- JulHigh water, limited views
- AugPeak rains, many holes hidden
- SepWater still high
- OctWater receding, still good
- NovLow water, cool temps
- DecCool, clear mornings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River fish and occasional waterbirdsNov–Apr · Visible near the rocks during low water. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Ubon Ratchathani city
Drive 110 km (68 mi) north on Hwy 2050 to Hat Salueng, then a short boat ride on the Mekong to the rock reef.Drive 68 mi (110 km) north on Hwy 2050 to Hat Salueng, then a short boat ride on the Mekong to the rock reef.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Bangkok
Fly to Ubon Ratchathani (≈1 h) then follow road/boat route.
≈4 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hat Salueng access point | Parking, ticket booth, boat launch to Sam Phan Bok. | Open daily; fee payable at gate. |
| River rock reef | Main area of rock holes, walking paths along the riverbank. | Free after entry fee; boat may be hired for closer view. |
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 Wikidata; approximate for orientation.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee | THB 30 (≈ under US$1) | person | Check latest price at gate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.check
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no bins on site.
- Swimming
- Only in designated safe spots; currents can be strong.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ubon Ratchathani city
Hotels and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) away; easy base for day trips.Hotels and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) away; easy base for day trips.
Near the park
Hat Salueng
Simple roadside inns and homestays for early access.
Safety
Slippery rocks medium
River current low
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
- Parking area at Hat Salueng reachable by car.
- Walking routes are flat but can be uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use reusable water bottles; refill at local shops.
- Support local guides for boat trips rather than unregulated operators.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sam Phan Bok?
The entrance fee is about 30 THB per person; confirm at the gate as rates may change.
What are the best hikes in Sam Phan Bok?
A short, easy walk among the river’s rock holes (2–3 h) is the main trail; add a sunrise visit for cooler temperatures.
When is the best time to visit Sam Phan Bok?
Visit between November and April when water levels are low and the holes are visible; sunrise and sunset offer the best light.
How do I get from Ubon Ratchathani to Sam Phan Bok?
Drive 110 km north on Highway 2050 to Hat Salueng, then take a short Mekong boat ride to the rock reef.
Are there facilities for staying overnight near Sam Phan Bok?
No camping is allowed on the reef; stay in Ubon Ratchathani or nearby Hat Salueng inns.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
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Sources
Ask about Sam Phan Bok
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