Khao Yai National Park
Thailand's first national park (est. 1962) and a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, waterfalls and grassland viewpoints across the Dong Phayayen forest.
- Category
- National Parks
- Entrance fee
- As of 2026, foreigner day fee ~400 THB adult / ~200 THB child (Thai nationals pay less), plus ~50 THB per car; confirm at the gate (thainationalparks.com).
- Hours
- As of 2026, open daily roughly 06:00–18:00 for day use; overnight only with camping/lodge booking. Confirm locally.
- Best time
- Cool dry season Nov–Feb for wildlife and clear trails; waterfalls fullest Jul–Oct (rainy). Early morning best for wildlife.
- Time needed
- Full day (can extend to 2 days with camping).
- Difficulty
- Easy to moderate (drive-up viewpoints plus optional forest trails).
About Khao Yai National Park
This is the real reason most people come to Pak Chong, and it lives up to the billing. As Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO-listed slice of the Dong Phayayen forest, it packs wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, waterfalls and open grassland viewpoints into one huge protected area. The wildlife here is genuinely wild, not caged, so sightings are luck and patience rather than a guarantee.
Because the interior is so large, you really need a car or a hired driver to get around. The northern gate is only the start; the visitor centre and the good spots are further in, and there's no public transport once you're past the gate.
A couple of honest cautions. Ignore any tout promising 'guaranteed' elephant sightings, that's not how a wild park works. Come early for the best chance of animals, and give yourself a full day so you're not rushing between the viewpoints and waterfalls.
Highlights
- Wild elephants, gibbons and hornbills in their natural habitat
- Waterfalls that run fullest during the rainy months
- Grassland viewpoints across the Dong Phayayen forest
- UNESCO World Heritage status and Thailand's first national park
- Mix of easy drive-up spots and optional forest trails
Tips
- Come at first light for the best wildlife odds; midday is quiet for animals.
- Rent a car or hire a driver; public transport stops at the gate and the interior is big.
- Skip anyone offering 'guaranteed' elephant sightings, it's a wild park.
- Visit Nov–Feb for clear trails, or Jul–Oct if you want the waterfalls at full flow.
How to get there
From Pak Chong town centre: songthaew or taxi ~25 km south up Thanon Thanarat to the northern gate, then ~14 km more to the visitor centre. Car/taxi ~40–60 min; a rented car or hired driver is by far the easiest way since public transport stops at the gate.