National park · Cambodia
Bokor National ParkPreah Monivong Bokor National Park
Do Bokor as a half-day from Kampot: leave by 7:30, drive the 32 km (20 mi) up to the 1,080 m plateau, walk the old station and Popokvil falls, and be back before the afternoon cloud; skip it entirely in heavy rain or thick mist.Do Bokor as a half-day from Kampot: leave by 7:30 AM, drive the 32 km (20 mi) up to the 1,080 m plateau, walk the old station and Popokvil falls, and be back before the afternoon cloud; skip it entirely in heavy rain or thick mist.Do Bokor as a half-day from Kampot: leave by 7:30, drive the 20 mi (32 km) up to the 1,080 m plateau, walk the old station and Popokvil falls, and be back before the afternoon cloud; skip it entirely in heavy rain or thick mist.Do Bokor as a half-day from Kampot: leave by 7:30 AM, drive the 20 mi (32 km) up to the 1,080 m plateau, walk the old station and Popokvil falls, and be back before the afternoon cloud; skip it entirely in heavy rain or thick mist.
- 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
1,400 km² (541 sq mi)541 sq mi (1,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1993
Best months
Nov–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Drug 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.
- Cambodia ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal; lookalike sites charge extra. Some nationalities can also get a visa on arrival.
- Cambodia ↗Angkor Wat and other active temples enforce a dress code: shoulders and knees covered, or you are turned away at the gate.
- Cambodia ↗US dollars are used for most tourist prices; carry clean, undamaged small notes and some riel for change under one dollar.
At a glance
- Country
- Cambodia
- Area
- 1,400 km² (541 sq mi)541 sq mi (1,400 km²)
- Roughly 1,400 km² of the Elephant Mountains and coastal plain; boundary figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1993
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Preah Monivong Bokor National Park sits in the Elephant Mountains above Kampot and Kep. The French built a hill station on the 1,080 m plateau in the 1920s; the casino, church and royal residence are now ruins or rebuilt, and a smooth road runs all the way to the top. The park is large, the trails are unmarked, and the main reason to go is the temperature drop and the views on a clear morning. Most travellers visit as a day trip from Kampot, 8 km from the turn-off on Highway 3.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1993.
Size and age
1,400 km² (541 sq mi)541 sq mi (1,400 km²) · national park since 1993
Roughly 1,400 km² of the Elephant Mountains and coastal plain; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- A 1,080 m plateau that is 10–15 °C (18–27 °F) cooler than Kampot, with cloud and pine forest instead of rice fields.A 1,080 m plateau that is 18–27 °F (10–15 °C) cooler than Kampot, with cloud and pine forest instead of rice fields.
- Ruins you can walk through: the 1920s casino, the old Catholic church and the Black Palace.
- Popokvil falls and the cliff above the church are the two reliable viewpoints.
- It is the easiest mountain day in Cambodia: a paved road to the top, no trekking required.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanCool, clear mornings; cold at night
- FebDry and clear
- MarHotter below; haze builds
- AprHottest month; haze and heat before the rains
- MayFirst rains; cloud on the plateau
- JunWet; falls running, views often closed in
- JulWet and muddy
- AugWet; best water at Popokvil
- SepWet; road spray and mist
- OctRains easing; green and quiet
- NovDry, clear, cool nights
- DecCool and clear; busiest weekends
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants and tigers (recorded in the park, almost never seen)All year · Do not hike into the bush at dusk or at night. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Forest birds and butterfliesNov–Apr | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Leeches and mud on the trailsMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | 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 Kampot
Highway 3 to the turn-off 8 km (5 mi) west of town, then 1 km (0.6 mi) to the headquarters and 32 km (20 mi) uphill on the rebuilt road.Highway 3 to the turn-off 5 mi (8 km) west of town, then 0.6 mi (1 km) to the headquarters and 20 mi (32 km) uphill on the rebuilt road.
1.5–2 h
From Kep
Road to Kampot, then the same Highway 3 turn-off and climb.
2–2.5 h
Open the page →
From Sihanoukville
Highway 3 north about 95 km (59 mi) to the turn-off, then up.Highway 3 north about 59 mi (95 km) to the turn-off, then up.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Phnom Penh
Bus to Kampot, then a tour or a hired car up the hill.
5–6 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Plateau and old hill station | The casino, church, Black Palace and Lok Yeay Mao statue, all within a short walk of the road. | Open; drive up and park. |
| Popokvil falls | Waterfall reached by car and a short walk; thin flow outside the wet season. | Open; small entry charge may apply (check). |
| Forest trails | Several walking tracks of 2–8 hours through the interior. | Unmarked and unmaintained; ranger recommended. |
| Deep park and poaching areas | Remote forest where elephants and tigers are recorded but rarely seen. | Do not enter without a ranger. |
Sketch map
- 1Park turn-off (Highway 3) · Gate≈10.610, 104.180Approximate; about 8 km (5 mi) from Kampot.Approximate; about 5 mi (8 km) from Kampot.Map ↗
- 2Park headquarters · Headquarters≈10.612, 104.175Approximate; about 1 km (0.6 mi) off the main road.Approximate; about 0.6 mi (1 km) off the main road.Map ↗
- 3Lok Yeay Mao statue · Viewpoint≈10.621, 104.076Map ↗
- 4Old Catholic church · Viewpoint≈10.627, 104.023Map ↗
- 5Bokor Hill Station casino · Sleep≈10.624, 104.028Map ↗
- 6Popokvil falls · Trail≈10.645, 104.045Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Ranger station · Ranger station≈10.625, 104.030Approximate; on the plateau.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 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 on the plateau and along the access road, for orientation only.
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 | Free | person | No separate gate fee is charged on the main road; you pay for transport and any guide (check). |
| Guided day tour from Kampot | US$13–15 | person | 2026 estimate; usually includes a simple lunch and several stops, mostly spent in the vehicle. |
| Ranger for a walking trail | US$10–20 | group | 2026 estimate; arrange at the ranger station, price by negotiation (check). |
| Ranger station dorm bed | US$5 | person | Simple rooms; one double available. Bring your own food. |
| Scooter or car with driver from Kampot | US$25–60 | day | 2026 estimate; a local driver knows the road and takes about 1.5 h to the top. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Ranger guide for trails permit or guide
Overnight stay no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$13–15
- US$10–20
- US$5
- US$25–60
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. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on paths
- The plateau has been cleared of landmines twice, but the wider park has not; do not walk off marked ground.
- Ranger for trails
- Trails are unmarked and unmaintained; hire a ranger if you have any doubt about the route.
- Dusk and night
- Avoid hiking into the bush at dusk and at night, when animals are most active.
- Camping
- Allowed, but there are no facilities; carry water, food and take all rubbish out.
- Poaching areas
- Poachers operate deep in the park; do not go into remote forest without a ranger.
Where to stay
In the park
Ranger station dorm
Simple dorm beds and one double; you may cook simple meals if you are staying.
In the park
Le Bokor Palace
Hotel in the renovated casino on the plateau; expensive rooms, good views.
Near the park
Kampot
Guesthouses and hotels of every level, 1.5–2 h from the plateau.
Safety
Mist and cloud closing the view medium
Cold nights on the plateau low
Unmarked trails high
Landmines off-path medium
Road conditions in the wet season 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 plateau sights, the church and the casino are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- Popokvil falls and the forest trails involve steps and rough ground; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Hire local rangers and drivers so the park's protection work pays for itself.
- Take all rubbish down with you; there is little waste collection on the plateau.
- Do not buy wildlife products or bushmeat anywhere around the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Bokor National Park?
There is no separate gate fee on the main road up, so entry itself is free; you pay for transport instead. A guided day tour from Kampot runs about US$13–15 per person (2026 estimate) with lunch, a scooter or car with driver costs about US$25–60 a day, and a ranger for a walking trail is roughly US$10–20 per group by negotiation. A dorm bed at the ranger station is US$5.
What are the best hikes in Bokor National Park?
The walking tracks run 2–8 hours and none are marked or maintained, so hire a ranger. The easiest outing is Popokvil falls, reached by car and a short walk. For anything longer, start early from the plateau with a ranger and stay on paths.
When is the best time to visit Bokor National Park?
November to February for clear, cool mornings and the best chance of a view. March and April are hazy and hot below the plateau. June to September is wet: the falls run properly but cloud often hides the view and trails turn to mud.
Can I visit Bokor as a day trip from Kampot?
Yes, and most people do. The turn-off is 8 km from Kampot on Highway 3, then 32 km uphill. A tour takes about six hours round trip, most of it in the vehicle; with your own driver you can do it in half a day.
Is it worth going if it is cloudy?
Usually not. On a cloudy day you may see nothing but mist, and the main draws are the views from the church cliff and the plateau edge. Check the sky before you commit and keep the day flexible.
Can I stay overnight in the park?
Yes. The ranger station has simple dorm beds for US$5 per person and one double, and there is a hotel in the renovated casino on the plateau. Nights are cold, so bring warm clothes. Camping is possible but there are no facilities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go