National park · Thailand
Doi Inthanon National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติดอยอินทนนท์
Spend a day at Doi Inthanon: buy the 300 THB entry ticket, drive 2 h from Chiang Mai to the km31 headquarters, hike the Ang Ka Luang (0.4 km (0.2 mi)) or Kiu Mae Pan (2.5 km (1.6 mi)) trails, and visit the summit viewpoint before 2 PM; avoid the rainy season (May‑Nov) for waterfalls and bring rain gear.Spend a day at Doi Inthanon: buy the 300 THB entry ticket, drive 2 h from Chiang Mai to the km31 headquarters, hike the Ang Ka Luang (0.2 mi (0.4 km)) or Kiu Mae Pan (1.6 mi (2.5 km)) trails, and visit the summit viewpoint before 2 PM; avoid the rainy season (May‑Nov) for waterfalls and bring rain gear.
- 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.
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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
800 km² (309 sq mi)309 sq mi (800 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Dec–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
- 800 km² (309 sq mi)309 sq mi (800 km²)
- Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 800 km² (check).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon National Park protects Thailand's highest peak and the surrounding Himalayan foothill forest, with cool summit temperatures, short nature trails, and several large waterfalls. It is a day trip from Chiang Mai, best visited December–February for clear skies and wildflowers, or September–October for strong waterfalls and fewer crowds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
800 km² (309 sq mi)309 sq mi (800 km²) · national park since 1975
Figures vary by source; the park covers roughly 800 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Chiang Mai.
Why go
- Thailand’s highest peak with cool summit forest and panoramic views.
- A network of short and longer trails lets you see waterfalls, rhododendron blooms and hill‑tribe farms.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanCool, clear; wildflowers in bloom.
- FebCold, clear; peak views.
- MarMild, fewer crowds.
- AprWarm, dry roads.
- MayStart of rains; roads to waterfalls may be slick.
- JunFrequent rain, some trails closed.
- JulRainy, possible landslides.
- AugRainy, muddy trails.
- SepRain eases, waterfalls strong.
- OctDrying, good for hikes.
- NovCool, dry, birdwatching good.
- DecCold, wildflower peak.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (e.g., Eurasian Woodcock, White Wagtail, Scarlet Finch)Mar–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rhododendron and other alpine flowersDec–Feb | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | 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 Chiang Mai
Drive 115 km (71 mi) west via Hwy 108 then Hwy 1009 to the summit; the road is steep but paved.Drive 71 mi (115 km) west via Hwy 108 then Hwy 1009 to the summit; the road is steep but paved.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Chiang Rai
Bus to Chiang Mai then follow the Chiang Mai route.
4–5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park headquarters (km31) | Visitor centre, ticket office, camping sites, information desk. | Open daily; entry ticket required. |
| Summit area | Doi Inthanon peak, King and Queen Pagodas, radar station. | Reachable by paved road; short walk from parking. |
| Waterfall zone | Wachirathan, Mae Pan, Mae Ya, Huai Sai Lueang waterfalls. | Roads to some require 4WD in rainy season. |
| Royal Project & hill‑tribe farms | Khun Klang village, temperate‑crop gardens. | Open to visitors; no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 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 for major features; use a map for precise navigation.
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 (km8 gate) | THB 300 (≈ US$10) | person | Covers access to headquarters, trails and waterfalls. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Trail permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for any trail longer than 1 km (0.6 mi); obtain permit at km31.Required for any trail longer than 0.6 mi (1 km); obtain permit at km31.
- Camping
- Allowed only at designated sites near the headquarters.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited throughout the park.
- Roads
- During heavy rain, some access roads may be closed; check conditions before travel.
Where to stay
In the park
Park headquarters camping
Basic campsites with toilets and a small shop.
Near the park
Chiang Mai city
Hotels, hostels and guesthouses 2 h drive away.
Safety
Slippery rocks and steep steps medium
Road closures in rainy season high
Cold temperatures at summit 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
- Headquarters area and short trails are reachable by car with short walks.
- Summit road is paved but steep; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Royal Project by buying local produce.
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile alpine vegetation.
- Carry out all waste; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Doi Inthanon National Park?
The entry fee is 300 THB per adult; children under 12 enter free.
What are the best hikes in Doi Inthanon National Park?
Ang Ka Luang (0.36 km, easy), Kiu Mae Pan (2.5 km, moderate, Dec‑Feb flowers), and the longer trail to Wachirathan waterfall (3 km, easy).
When is the best time to visit Doi Inthanon National Park?
December to February for cool weather and wildflowers; September to October for strong waterfalls and fewer crowds.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Yes, any trail longer than 1 km requires a registered guide and a permit from the park office.
Is camping allowed in the park?
Camping is permitted only at the designated site near the headquarters; other areas are prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Doi Inthanon National Park
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