Khao Yai National Park: Where Nature Comes Alive

Thailand is not just known for its vibrant cities and rapidly developing islands. Beautiful wilderness and authentic regions can also be found there. Similar to Thailand's Isan region, this northern nation boasts a sizable national park that provides a range of outdoor activities, beautiful landscapes, and a clean air environment. Come explore Khao Yai National Park with us!

Written by Preetika Narula (Local Expert)Updated on 11-03-2025

Comments

Table of contents

1. An overview of Khao Yai National Park
2. Khao Yai National Park: A place for whom?
3. Best times to visit?
5. The nature of Khao Yai: What beauties does it offer us?
6. What are the must-do activities in Khao Yai?
7. Practical tips for a successful visit

1. An overview of Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai is located in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima and also extends over parts of the provinces of Saraburi, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok, 180 km northeast of Bangkok, Thailand. Established in 1962, Khao Yai is Thailand's first national park and the third largest in the country, covering 2,206 km² in four provinces. It is home to rainforests, grasslands, and plays a crucial role for many rivers. With an exceptional biodiversity, including more than 350 rare species, the park is a major tourist attraction offering beautiful scenery and interesting activities.

2. Khao Yai National Park: A place for whom?

Nature and outdoor activity lovers:

Khao Yai, popular with local and international travelers, is home to an exceptional diversity of wildlife. Its vast grasslands, rainforests, and mountains are home to a variety of species, including elephants. With its 200 km² and nature trails, the park is a paradise for adventurers who enjoy camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. Camps offer nighttime experiences, allowing you to explore animal life and admire the stars.

For families and children:

Khao Yai offers family packages including waterfalls, viewpoints, night safari, camping and hiking. Educational programs, from bird watching to forest survival, are designed to provide an enriching experience for children.

Photography enthusiasts:

The park offers striking views of mountains, meadows, and forests, with an abundance of photogenic subjects, including brightly colored birds. Khao Yai National Park, classified as an "Important Bird Area" (IBA), is home to more than 282 species, both resident and migratory. Among them are the Siamese Fireback, the Blue-winged Pitta, the Coral-billed Land Cuckoo, and four species of hornbills, offering a unique birdwatching experience. The wild shapes, mountains and spectacular waterfalls offer countless opportunities to capture memorable photographic memories.

bird photography — *The perfect place for photographic hunting*

3. Best times to visit?

Khao Yai National Park, with its dense forest cover, offers a cool and pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. The air is exceptionally pure.

June to October (Rainy Season): Fewer visitors, spectacular waterfalls, lush vegetation, active wildlife.
November to February (Winter): Mild temperatures, ideal for hikers, exploring without the summer heat.
March and April: Warm, but attractive for ornithologists, possibility of bird watching despite the risk of dryness of the waterfalls.
May: Maximum temperatures, around 26-27°C, a great time to visit.
December and January: Possibility of colder temperatures, sometimes below 10°C, dry air, strong winds.

5. The nature of Khao Yai: What beauties does it offer us?

Waterfalls to contemplate

Narok Waterfall: Famous for its beauty, this waterfall in the south of Khao Yai National Park offers an impressive view from its 150 meters in height. However, its steep slope and strong currents make it not suitable for swimming, but perfect for admiration.

Haew Suwat Waterfall: At a height of 25 meters, this waterfall made of volcanic rock creates a remarkable curtain of water. Located at the Lam Ta Khong River, it presents an exceptional visual spectacle, with a cave visible during the dry season.

Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall: With an average size of 10 meters, this waterfall fed by the Lam Ta Khong stream offers a picturesque landscape. In the dry season, it is surrounded by colorful orchids, creating a spectacular sight for birdwatchers.

Kong Kaew Waterfall: Small but beautiful during the rainy season, this waterfall marks the border between Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Ratchasima. A nearby rope bridge adds a relaxing touch to the ambience, creating a peaceful place to discover.

The fauna and flora to discover

The flora and fauna of Khao Yai National Park offer great diversity. As one of Thailand's richest conservation areas, the park is home to almost all tropical habitats. This makes for easy wildlife viewing, whether from your car or on the nature trails, where they roam the meadows throughout the day and night.

Mammals: More than 70 species, including elephants, gibbons,...
Birds: The park is home to more than 280 species of birds, both resident and migratory.
Insects: More than 105,000 species of insects have been discovered, with only 10% named and categorized.

>>> Did you know?

Wild elephants are an umbrella species and that they play a crucial role in the propagation of plants. Their droppings serve as food for insects and are an excellent fertilizer. In addition, the fact that elephants cut through tall grass while eating is beneficial for small animals. The trails they take have become routes that can be enjoyed by wildlife and humans alike. (Source: Khao Yai National Park website).

Elephants in Khao Yai Park — *Elephants grow up in better conditions in Khao Yai Park*

6. What are the must-do activities in Khao Yai?

Hiking

Khao Yai National Park offers 7 nature trails, ranging from 1.2 to 8 km in length, with walking times from 45 minutes to 6 hours. These trails offer an authentic experience through a mature forest, with signs to guide hikers. Ideal for beginners and nature students. Here are 7 tours that Khao Yai offers you:

1. Visitor Center – Kong Kaew Waterfall:

Shortest nature trail (1.2 km, 45 minutes to 1 hour).
Suitable for all ages.
Drive through rainforest and dry forest to reach Kong Kaew Waterfall.
Open all year round.

2. Camping Pha Kluai Mai – Haew Suwat Waterfall:

Connects two waterfalls (3 km, 2 hours).
Follows the course of the Lam Ta Khong stream, alternating between bamboo forest and dry forest.
Hiking possible all year round.

3. Km. 33 – Nong Phak Chi:

Highlights different types of forests (4.2 km, 2.5 to 3 hours).
Mature dry forest, secondary forest, grassland.
Open all year round.

4. Dong Tiw – Sai Sorn Reservoir:

One-way trail to Sai Sorn Reservoir (2.7 km, 1.5-2 hours).
Runs through dry and secondary forest, habitat of the Lar gibbon.
Open all year round.

5. Dong Tiw – Nong Phak Chi:

Starts at the same place as Trail No. 4 (5.5 km, 3 hours).
Nature study trail through various types of forests.
Open all year round.

6. Visitor Center - Haew Suwat Waterfall:

Long and demanding trail (8 km, 6 hours).
Passes through rainforest and dry forest, with detours for wild elephants.
Experienced guide recommended.
Closed in July and August.

7. Thailand-American Friendship Trail:

Passes through different ecological zones (2 km, 1.5 hours).
Dry forest, secondary forest, grassland.
Open all year round.

*Trees are hundreds of years old in Khao Yai Park*

Camping in Khao Yai National Park

Khao Yai National Park currently features one open campsite: Lam Ta Khong Campground. Nestled in a vast meadow along a riverbank, this peaceful spot is also home to a family of playful otters.

Surrounded by trees that shelter monkeys and gibbons, and with deer often seen grazing nearby, the campsite offers a true immersion in nature. Yet, despite its wild setting, it comes equipped with modern facilities to ensure a comfortable stay. Visitors can rent tents with full camping gear tailored to their needs.

Spending a night under the stars, in the heart of the forest, away from the noise of modern life, is a unique and unforgettable experience — a chance to reconnect with nature in its purest form.

Observe the Night Safari

The Night Safari is an experience that offers visitors the opportunity to observe wildlife during the night. Participating in a night safari allows visitors to learn about the nighttime feeding habits of many animals, such as sambar deer, Malayan porcupine, great Indian civet, Asian civet, wild elephant, owls, and nightjars. It's seeing these daily wildlife activities with one's own eyes take place safely, offering an immersion in the animal life that awakens when the sun goes down.

Stargazing

Stargazing is a popular activity during the cool season, enjoying clear skies and pleasantly cool air. Viewing sites include open grasslands, Mor Sing To Training Center, Mor Ton Jan, Lam Ta Khong Campground, and other wide open spaces. The national park offers an ideal setting for this activity.

Beginners can enjoy naked-eye astronomy with a guide or star map, without the need for expensive telescopes. For more experienced astronomers, the use of a high-resolution telescope allows for more detailed observation of the sky.

7. Practical tips for a successful visit

It is imperative to carefully follow the recommendations of the National Park, including: take your rubbish home, avoid bonfires, do not use polystyrene or toxic waste, smoke only in designated areas, do not take plants, animals or other forest products with you.
Don't forget to bring mosquito repellent and insect repellent...
The forest can be cooler than usual at night, so dress accordingly.
Be vigilant with regard to wildlife, especially elephants. Keep noise to a minimum, do not feed or touch wild animals. It is forbidden to observe them alone at night without the protection of the rangers. Avoid disturbing their natural behavior by not feeding them, and observe them in silence without disturbing other visitors. Avoid using your own flashlight to observe them, and do not take photos with flash, as this can be dangerous to their eyesight and surprise them, exposing you to the risk of attack.

*The perfect place for photographic hunting*

Other information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KhaoYaiNationalPark1962/
Website: https://www.khaoyainationalpark.com/en/about/get-to-know

Our last words,

With its immense area and exceptional biodiversity, this national park is a true haven for nature lovers wishing to discover wild beauty. A captivating destination in the Isan region of Thailand, offering stunning views and fresh air for an enriching experience.