Khao Sok National Park
One of Thailand's oldest and wettest rainforests, older than the Amazon, wrapped around towering limestone karsts, with jungle trails, waterfalls, caves and abundant wildlife.
- Category
- National Parks
- Entrance fee
- As of 2026, foreigners ~300 THB adult / ~150 THB child at the HQ zone (some sources list 200/100); Thais ~40/20. Confirm at the gate.
- Hours
- Visitor centre daily ~08:00-16:30; night safaris in the HQ zone with a guide only.
- Best time
- Dry season Dec-Apr for easiest trekking; early morning for wildlife and cooler jungle walks.
- Time needed
- Half to full day (2-6 hours depending on trails)
About Khao Sok National Park
This is the real deal and the anchor of everything else you'll do in the area, not a tourist trap dressed up as a highlight. It's an ancient rainforest, older than the Amazon, folded around dramatic limestone karsts, and it delivers on the wildlife, the waterfalls and the raw jungle atmosphere.
The HQ nature trail is easy enough to do on your own, so if you just want a taste you can wander in from the visitor centre and turn back whenever. The deeper waterfall treks are a different animal and really do want a guide, both for route-finding and for spotting wildlife you'd otherwise walk straight past.
Go early. The jungle is cooler in the morning, the animals are more active, and you'll beat the heat before it settles in. If you only make one commitment in Khao Sok, make it this park.
Highlights
- Ancient rainforest wrapped around towering limestone karsts
- Easy self-guided HQ nature trail straight from the visitor centre
- Deeper guided waterfall treks into the jungle
- Abundant wildlife, best spotted early morning
- River tubing and canoeing from the village bridge
Tips
- Come early morning for cooler walks and the best wildlife sightings.
- Do the HQ nature trail solo, but hire a guide for the deeper waterfall treks.
- Confirm the entrance fee at the gate, sources disagree on the exact amount.
- River tubing and canoeing on the Sok River run best May-Nov when the water is high.
How to get there
You are already at the hub: the visitor centre and trailheads sit right off Route 401 in Khlong Sok village, walkable or a 5-min songthaew from most guesthouses.