National Parks in Chiang Mai

If you are planning to visit Chiang Mai, then don’t forget to go on Doi Inthanon National Park tour. Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai is famous for its beautiful scenery, great viewpoints, remote villages, a wide variety of bird species, and cool weather throughout the year. It is one of the most popular national parks in the area.

This national park has some of the most fantastic waterfalls, and the most popular one is Mae Ya Waterfall. In late January, there is a special seasonal attraction when the Siamese Sakura Blossoms bloom.

These pink flowers cover the whole area, making it look like a pink wonderland. It is a great time to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the park. In short, the Doi Inthanon National Park day trip must be on your bucket list while visiting Chiang Mai.

• Timings: 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Huai Nam Dang National Park is an amazing park popularly known for its breathtaking scenery and rugged mountain ranges along the Thai-Burmese border. The park attracts many tourists who come to see the magical sunrises. During sunrise, the peaks of Doi Chiang Dao Mountain are visible through the mist, creating a stunning and surreal view.

This makes it a popular destination for people nature enthusiasts. As this park offers a perfect backdrop for capturing amazing pictures, it is loved by photographers. The combination of mist, mountains, and sunrise creates unforgettable moments. The main attractions of this national park are the Tha Pai Hot Spring, the Huai Nam Dang Waterfall, rafting on the Mae Taeng River, and the Doi Chang Viewpoint.

• Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM

Doi Suthep Pui National Park, nestled in the mountains to the west of Chiang Mai, is popularly known for its iconic Doi Suthep Temple. Apart from this, there is another main attraction within this Chiang Mai National Park which is the beautiful Phuping Winter Palace, situated near the mountain's peak.

In addition, you will find a quaint hill tribe village known as Baan Doi Pui. If you explore further, near the Hmong village, you'll discover a cozy campsite where you can relax, and there is even a charming coffee house where you can savor a cup of freshly brewed coffee while enjoying the beauty of the serene surroundings.

• Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Ob Khan National Park is the closest park to the city and is considered to be one of the best National Parks in Chiang Mai for kids to spend a fun day outdoors. Nestled in a small gorge, it offers a wide variety of spots for picnics where families can enjoy delicious snacks while being surrounded by nature's beauty.

The park features numerous pools along the riverside where children can wade and play in the water, creating unforgettable memories. In addition, there is an exciting hiking trail that leads to caves, waterfalls, and stunning viewpoints which provides endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Bird watchers love visiting this destination as this park is home to a wide variety of bird species, adding to the park’s natural charm. For those who are seeking some adventure, the rocky rapids offer an exhilarating experience for river rafting enthusiasts of all ages.

• Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Si Lanna National Park is considered to be one of the largest National parks in Chiang Mai and is popularly known for the Mae Ngat Dam. This dam is a popular spot where you can enjoy many fun activities such as rafting, kayaking, and navigating water obstacle courses. A raft house accommodation option is also available here for the overnight stay.

Another popular attraction site in the park is Bua Thong Waterfall. The rocks in this waterfall have special minerals that make them sticky, which allows you to climb up the waterfall without slipping or falling. It is a unique and fun experience for visitors. The park is a great place for adventure and enjoying nature.

• Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

Nature lovers love to visit Ob Luang National Park in Chiang Mai. This park is filled with beautiful scenery and rivers. To make your visit more adventurous, you can cross a small wooden footbridge over the Chaem Gorge.

The park also has some ancient rock paintings and a burial site dating back from the Stone Age, which looks really amazing. You can witness a lot of things too, like Hot Springs, the deep canyon, Mae Tia Waterfalls, and Tupu Caves, making it a great spot to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

• Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

This national park is the best spot in Chiang Mai for day trips, hiking, and camping adventures. Doi Pha Hon Pok National Park is located about 200 km away from the city which offers a variety of attraction sites. If you wish you can explore Huai Born Cave, Pha Hom Pok Mountain, and visit several beautiful waterfalls like Tard Luang, Pong Nam Dung, and Na MaUrn. 

At the base of Pha Hom Pok Mountain, there is a campsite perfect for trekkers who want to spend the night under the starry sky. As this park is home to a wide variety of migratory birds and the stunning Blue Peacock, many bird watchers love to visit this park.

With its diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and numerous attractions, this park is an ideal destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. No matter whether you are camping, hiking, or simply exploring, there is always something amazing to see and do.

• Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Khun Khan National Park in Chiang Mai is an amazing destination with rugged mountains covered in dense tropical forests. The park's highest mountain, Doi Pung Kia, offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding area.

Some of the major highlights in the park include the Samoeng Forest Viewpoint, Mae Na Poe Waterfall & Tham Luang Mae Cave. While there is no accommodation option available within the park, tourists are welcome to bring their tents and food to set up camp and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.

• Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM

Mae Ping National Park in Chiang Mai is popularly known for its rugged terrain, winding rivers, and beautiful forested mountains, which makes it one of the most beautiful national parks in the region. A major attraction site in this park is the Bhumibol Dam, where visitors can enjoy various recreational activities.

There are floating rafts in the middle of the dam and boat trips up the river for excellent sightseeing. Other attraction sites include the fascinating Yang Wee Cave with its stalactites and stalagmites, the scenic Thung Kik area, and the breathtaking Koh Luang Waterfalls.

• Timings: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Khun Chae National Park is well known for its rich variety of plants, including pine forests, bamboo forests, and rainforests. One of the main attraction sites of this park is the Mae Tho Waterfall, which has seven levels, with the highest fall being 40 meters tall.

Another popular spot is the Khun Chae Waterfall, a two-level waterfall with campsites nearby where visitors can stay. The park also features the Mae Chang Khao Reservoir & a Buddhist monk dwelling which offers more sights to explore.

• Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM

Lam Nam Kok National Park in Chiang Mai is a great destination for nature lovers and those interested in studying plants. The park's main attractions include the refreshing Pong Phra Bat Waterfall with its ice-cold water, the Khun Kon Waterfall, which is over 70 meters tall and flows all year long, and the relaxing Huai Mak Liam Hot Springs.

In addition, the Mae Kok River & Mekong River offer ideal settings for exciting river rafting and scenic boat rides, making the park a wonderful place to explore.

• Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

Pha Daeng National Park is located in a bit remote area, but it is home to a wide range of plant and animal species. The park features mostly mountain ranges which offer magnificent views of the surrounding areas, along with many beautiful waterfalls and winding rivers.

The popular waterfalls here are Pang Tong, Huai Hok, and Si Sangwan. For those interested in seeing the rare Siamese Sakura blossoms, the best spots are the Doi Pha Tang and Huai Cha Khan caves.

There are campsites and bungalows available for night stays, but you need to book them in advance to avoid last-minute cancellations. This park is absolutely a great destination to enjoy nature, with plenty of opportunities to explore and relax amidst the natural beauty.

• Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM

Mae Tho National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the region, with many waterfalls, stunning mountains to climb, and magical caves. Thum Luang Mae Tum Cave is a fantastic limestone cave with amazing stalagmites that look like temple pillars.

If you want you can also take a river cruise along the Mae Tum River, which is an amazing experience. For adventure enthusiasts, the Mae Jam River is a great spot for white water rafting. You can bring your camping gear and have a fun outdoor camping trip in this park. It is a wonderful place to enjoy nature and explore.

• Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM