National park · Thailand
Khao Sok National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติเขาสก
Give Khao Sok two nights: one day on the west-entrance trails from the park HQ, one day on Cheow Lan Lake from Ratchaprapha Pier — the two gates are 65 km apart, so don't try both in one day.Give Khao Sok two nights: one day on the west-entrance trails from the park HQ, one day on Cheow Lan Lake from Ratchaprapha Pier — the two gates are 40 mi apart, so don't try both in one day.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
738 km²285 sq mi
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jan–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
- 738 km²285 sq mi
- 738 km² per the park's own figure; boundary revisions mean older sources quote slightly different numbers (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Khao Sok is a 738 km² rainforest park in Surat Thani province, between the Gulf coast and the Andaman side. It has two separate halves: the west entrance at park HQ, where the hiking trails and waterfalls are, and the east entrance at Ratchaprapha Pier, the boat launch for Cheow Lan Lake and its floating raft houses. They are 65 km and over an hour of driving apart, so most visitors pick one as a base and day-trip to the other. The forest is old and wet, the wildlife is real but shy, and the lake is the postcard.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
738 km²285 sq mi · national park since 1980
738 km² per the park's own figure; boundary revisions mean older sources quote slightly different numbers (check).
Why go
- One of the oldest rainforests in the region, with trails you can walk without a guide from the park HQ.
- Cheow Lan Lake: limestone cliffs, emerald water and raft houses you sleep on, reached by longtail from Ratchaprapha Pier.
- Real wildlife odds — gibbons calling at dawn, hornbills, and the Rafflesia kerrii flower in bloom around Dec–Feb.
- A genuine two-night stop between the Gulf islands and the Andaman coast, on the Surat Thani–Phang Nga road.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecGo
- JanDry, clear lake; busiest month
- FebDry; Rafflesia often in bloom
- MarHot and dry; trails firm
- AprHottest month; start walks early
- MayWet season starts; afternoon rain
- JunTrails past Wang Yao closed
- JulWet; leeches and mud
- AugWet; lake trips still run
- SepWet; some tours cancelled
- OctHeaviest rain; closures likely
- NovHeaviest rain; waterfalls closed
- DecTrails reopen mid-month; quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-handed gibbons (heard at dawn, rarely seen)All year · Listen from the HQ trails in the first hour of light. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hornbills and forest birdsDec–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Rafflesia kerrii in bloomDec–Feb · Brief and unpredictable; ask locally whether a flower is open. | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Asian elephants, tapirs, sun bears (camera-trap sightings)All year · Very unlikely on a day walk; do not go looking at night. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on wet-season trailsMay–Nov | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Surat Thani Airport (URT)
Minivan with Phantip Travel from the ground-floor desk beside the exit; buy direct, not from the airport tourism kiosk.
2 h
From Surat Thani town
Minivan from the Phantip office on Talad Mai Road, or the hourly local bus from Talad Kaset 2.
2.5 h
From Surat Thani railway station (Phunphin)
Minivan from the Phantip desk at the station.
3 h
From Bangkok
Fly to Surat Thani, or one overnight bus a day that stops at Khao Sok — book it at the southern bus station in Bangkok, not through an agency.
10–12 h by bus
From Phuket or Khao Lak
Hourly bus along Highway 401; the last useful one leaves Phuket around 14:00.Hourly bus along Highway 401; the last useful one leaves Phuket around 2:00 PM.
4 h from Phuket, 2 h from Khao Lak
From Krabi
One minivan a day, leaving Krabi around 11:00.One minivan a day, leaving Krabi around 11:00 AM.
3 h
From Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta or Koh Jum
Combined boat-and-minivan tickets sold on the islands.
4–6 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| West entrance / park HQ | Visitor centre, camping, the western and northern walking tracks and their waterfalls. | Open with a ticket; trails past Wang Yao and San Yang Roi closed 1 Jun – 14 Dec. |
| Khao Sok Village | The 2 km road from Highway 401 to the HQ: guesthouses, restaurants, tour offices, bike and motorbike rental.The 1.2 mi road from Highway 401 to the HQ: guesthouses, restaurants, tour offices, bike and motorbike rental. | Open; walkable. |
| Cheow Lan Lake (east entrance) | Ratchaprapha Pier, longtail boats, floating raft houses, caves and viewpoints on the water. | Boat access only; entry and boat fees at the pier. |
| Nam Talu and the lake caves | Water caves reached by boat and hike from the lake. | Guided only; Nam Talu closed 1 Jun – 14 Dec and on any rainy day. |
Sketch map
- 1Khao Sok National Park HQ (west entrance) · Headquarters≈8.915, 98.528Map ↗
- 2Khao Sok Village · Village≈8.911, 98.523Map ↗
- 3Bang Hua Rat Waterfall · Trail≈8.911, 98.507Map ↗
- 4Ton Kloi Waterfall · Trail≈8.919, 98.491Map ↗
- 5Sip Et Chan Waterfall · Trail≈8.946, 98.526Map ↗
- 6Ratchaprapha Pier (Cheow Lan Lake, east entrance) · Gate≈8.978, 98.820Map ↗
- 7Diamond Glitter Cave · Cave≈8.999, 98.713Map ↗
- 8Nam Talu Cave · Cave≈8.982, 98.596Map ↗
- 9Surat Thani Airport (URT) · Ranger station≈9.136, 99.139Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (west entrance, park HQ) | THB 200–300 | person | Thai nationals pay a lower rate; 2026 estimate, confirm at the gate (check). |
| Cheow Lan Lake entry / boat fee at Ratchaprapha Pier | THB 200–300 | person | Charged on top of the park entry for lake visitors; usually bundled into a tour (check). |
| Longtail boat, Ratchaprapha Pier to raft houses | THB 1,500–2,500 (≈ US$50–80) | boat | Per boat, not per person; shared boats bring the cost down. 2026 estimate. |
| Guided day tour (trails or lake) | THB 1,200–2,500 (≈ US$40–80) | person | Includes transport and often lunch; overnight raft-house packages cost more. |
| Camping at park HQ | THB 100–300 | person | Tent rental extra; bring your own or hire at the visitor centre (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry ticket permit or guide
Guide for trails beyond Wang Yao permit or guide
Overnight on Cheow Lan Lake permit or guide
Nam Talu Cave permit or guide
Park rules
- Seasonal trail closures
- The western track past Wang Yao and the northern track past San Yang Roi close each year from 1 Jun to 14 Dec; Nam Talu Cave closes for the same window and on rainy days.
- Guides
- Required beyond the marked sections, for Nam Talu Cave and for jungle camping.
- Camping
- Allowed at park HQ; jungle camping only Dec–Apr and only with an English-speaking guide and a park ranger.
- Wildlife
- No feeding or approaching animals; keep food sealed and do not follow elephants or monkeys off-trail.
- Litter and fires
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires outside designated areas.
Where to stay
Near the park
Khao Sok Village guesthouses
The 2 km road to the HQ: rooms from basic fan bungalows to mid-range resorts, plus the restaurants and tour offices.The 1.2 mi road to the HQ: rooms from basic fan bungalows to mid-range resorts, plus the restaurants and tour offices.
In the park
Park HQ camping
Tents and simple facilities inside the west entrance; the cheapest way to be on the trail at first light.
In the park
Cheow Lan Lake raft houses
Bamboo rooms floating on the water, reached by longtail from Ratchaprapha Pier; sold as packages with meals.
Near the park
Ratchaprapha Pier area
A few resorts and homestays on the east side, useful if you want an early boat without the 65 km drive.A few resorts and homestays on the east side, useful if you want an early boat without the 40 mi drive.
Safety
Flash flooding in Nam Talu Cave high
Getting lost on unmarked trails medium
Wet-season slips and leeches medium
Heat and humidity medium
Boat transfers on the lake low
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, the first stretch of the western track and the village road are walkable on firm ground.
- The waterfall trails, the lake caves and the raft-house boats involve steps, roots and getting in and out of longtails; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Raft houses have basic bathrooms and no step-free access.
Visiting lightly
- Choose no-riding elephant sanctuaries that only feed and observe, and skip camps that offer rides or shows.
- Book raft-house operators that carry waste back to the pier rather than dumping it in the lake.
- Buy food and hire guides in Khao Sok Village so the park's neighbours earn from it.
- Take refillable bottles; the village shops sell refills and the park has little waste collection.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Khao Sok National Park?
Budget about 200–300 THB per person for the west-entrance ticket at park HQ, with Thai nationals paying less; the lake side charges a separate entry and boat fee at Ratchaprapha Pier, usually bundled into a tour. Treat all of these as 2026 estimates and confirm at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Khao Sok National Park?
From park HQ, the Western Track to Bang Hua Rat and Ton Kloi waterfalls is the easiest real walk, about 9 km return on a marked path. The Northern Track to Sip Et Chan waterfall is steeper and quieter. Anything past Wang Yao or San Yang Roi needs a guide and is closed 1 Jun – 14 Dec. On the lake side, the walks are short cave and viewpoint stops reached by boat.
When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park?
December to April is the dry window, with January and February the clearest and busiest. The wet season runs roughly May to November, heaviest in October and November, when trails and waterfalls close for safety. Even in the dry season, expect a short afternoon shower.
Can I visit the park HQ and Cheow Lan Lake in one day?
Not comfortably. The two entrances are 65 km apart and over an hour of driving, so plan one day at the HQ trails and a separate day for the lake, or sleep on the lake.
Do I need a guide in Khao Sok?
No for the marked trails from park HQ. Yes for the sections beyond the seasonal closure points, for Nam Talu Cave, and for jungle camping, which also needs a park ranger.
Where should I stay near Khao Sok?
Khao Sok Village, on the 2 km road to the HQ, has the widest choice of guesthouses and restaurants. Camping at park HQ is cheapest. On the lake, you stay in floating raft houses sold as packages from Ratchaprapha Pier.
Will I see elephants or gibbons?
Gibbons are often heard calling at dawn from the HQ trails but rarely seen. Elephants, tapirs and sun bears mostly appear on camera traps. Do not join any tour that promises close wildlife encounters.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go