If you’re in Hua Hin or Cha Am and looking for a change of pace from the beach, consider a trip inland to Kaeng Krachan National Park. As Thailand’s largest national park and as part of a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaeng Krachan is a haven for nature lovers and one of the country’s top destinations for wildlife viewing.
The park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including wild elephants, bears, deer, gibbons, and leopards. And with over 400 species of birds, the park is especially popular with birdwatchers and photographers. Visitors can also enjoy the park’s scenic highlights, such as the tranquil Kaeng Krachan Reservoir and the picturesque Pala-U Waterfall.
UNESCO World Heritage status
The vast Kaeng Krachan National Park spans the provinces of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, extending west to the border with Myanmar. Recognised for globally significant biodiversity and multiple endangered species (such as the Siamese crocodile, the Asiatic wild Dog, and the Asian giant tortoise), the park was part of a larger area that was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2021 under the listing, Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex. However, the park’s UNESCO listing was controversial for its impact on the indigenous Karen people.
What to see and do
A visit to Kaeng Krachan is all about enjoying the natural environment with the opportunity to spot an array of wildlife.
Visiting the park for the first time, it is strongly recommended to use a local guide. They can drive you to the best areas for spotting wildlife and take you on guided hikes. There is no substitute for using a specialist guide who can use their local knowledge to point out wildlife and things like leopard tracks, bear scratches, and bird roosts.
The main dirt road from Ban Krang to Phanoen Thung is a scenic route and one which gives you a good chance of seeing hornbills, gibbons, sun bears, and other wildlife. For water-based exploration, take a boat tour over the Kaeng Krachan reservoir. These scenic boat journeys can be arranged by campsites and resorts near Kaeng Krachan. Rafting is also possible on the river near Kaeng Krachan Dam.
There is a viewpoint at the Phanoen Thung campsite which provides expansive views. This is popular in the mornings to witness the ‘Sea of Mist’, and the viewpoint is also a good location to experience the sunset.
Where to stay
With a range of accommodation options in and around the park, choosing which is the best one for you will depend on how much comfort you want.
Camping
The cheapest option is to camp inside the park. At the Kaeng Krachan National Park Headquarters area, there is a basic campsite which overlooks the dam and lake.
The Ban Krang Campsite is popular for early morning wildlife watching and has the advantage of a small restaurant with tasty and cheap local food.
Higher up the hillside with a 1,000 m elevation, Phanoen Thung Campsite is surrounded by trees and provides tents and sleeping bags at a reasonable cost (around 200 Baht). Another option is the campsite located near Pala-U Waterfall.
Book a campsite
Bookings for any of the Kaeng Krachan campsites can be made at the park headquarters when you arrive. You will often be OK without an advanced booking unless you arrive on a weekend or a Thai public holiday. To book in advance, you can use the Department of National Parks (DNP) official website. The site can be clunky to use, and you will need to be patient when trying to book online.
Resorts
For more comfort, several resorts are located outside the park with many offering transport, organised excursions, and the option to book a local guide for hiking. Options include:
How to get to Kaeng Krachan National Park
Although travelling to the park is possible via public transport, be aware that you will need to transfer at Phetchaburi. Please also note that public transport does not run into the park itself and will only take you as far as the National Park HQ. Motorbikes and bicycles are not allowed inside the park.
From Phetchaburi
The main entrance to the park is 60 km (38 miles) southwest of Phetchaburi and takes around an hour to drive there.
Frequent minibuses travel to Kaeng Krachan National Park HQ from Phetchaburi. There is an hourly service from around 8 am until 7 pm (cost approximately 100 Baht). The most convenient place to catch the minibus is in front of Big C on the main Phetkasem Road. Location here
From Bangkok
Minivans from the Southern Bus Terminal travel to Phetchaburi, where you need to transfer to another service to Kaeng Krachan as detailed above.
From Cha Am and Hua Hin
By public transport, you would need to get to Big C at Phetchaburi and take the minibus from there to the park HQ. An alternative would be to book a private taxi to the park HQ (cost approximately 2,000 Baht one way).
National Park HQ transfer to campsites
From headquarters, expect to pay around:
Ban Krang 1,200 THB one-way (1,400 THB round trip)
Phanoen Thung 1,800 THB one-way (2,500 THB overnight round trip)
Other options
Although day-trip packages as part of a group tour can be arranged from Hua Hin, check to see what they include; many will only stop at Pala-U Waterfall and Ban Krang. For more freedom, you will need to book a private tour and agree on a price with the driver.
You could rent a car from Cha Am or Hua Hin and drive to Kaeng Krachan. However, only four-wheel-drive vehicles are permitted on the road from Ban Krang up the mountain to Phanoen Thung. There are also restrictions on the access times in each direction of travel. The difficulty of the roads inside the park means this option is not recommended for most drivers.
Tour company
The easiest option for most tourists will be to use a tour service. Some resorts near the park, such as Baan Maka, can arrange all transportation and guides for you. Other alternatives include:
For more information and tips for visting Kaeng Krachan, there is a useful Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaeng.krachan/
Good to know
Entrance fees to the park are 300 THB for foreigners (150THB for children).
Kaeng Krachan National Park is open all year. However, the upper levels of the park, including Phanoen Thung campsite, are closed for August, September and October.
The dry season (late November to March) offers clearer skies and easier trails, while the rainy season brings lush greenery and active waterfalls, but can cause muddy roads. Accommodation can get fully booked up on public holidays and weekends during the dry season months.
The main road in the park between Ban Krang and Phanoen Thung operates on a strict one-way schedule (e.g. up 5–8 am, down 9–11:30 am, then up 1–3 pm, down 4–5 pm).
For food and drinks inside the park, there are restaurants at the National Park HQ and campsite areas where you can get good-value Thai meals.
What to pack
If you’re camping or hiking in the park, be prepared with lightweight, breathable layers. Items to pack include:
- Waterproof outerwear (for rainy season)
- Hiking shoes
- Insect repellent
- Binoculars for wildlife spotting
- Headlamp for early jungle walks
- Sun protection
- Water, snacks, and any personal medication
- First-aid essentials
Responsible tourism
- Choose ethical local guides
- Always stay with your guide or group on trails
- Be cautious near wildlife (especially elephants)
- Don’t disturb wildlife
- Avoid flash photography, especially at dawn or dusk
- Take all rubbish with you
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