Khao Yai Waterfalls Guide
Khao Yai National Park — Thailand's oldest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — contains several stunning waterfalls within a vast UNESCO-listed forest that is also one of Thailand's premier wildlife-watching destinations.
Quick Answer
What waterfalls are in Khao Yai National Park?
Khao Yai has three main waterfalls: Heo Narok is the largest and most dramatic — a 150-metre two-tiered cascade that is the highest in the park. Heo Suwat is a broad, beautiful waterfall made famous by the film The Beach (1999). Heo Phakad is a smaller, serene waterfall in a particularly photogenic jungle setting. All three are accessible on day visits with different trail lengths.
Heo Narok — The Biggest Fall
Heo Narok (meaning "Hell's Gorge") is Khao Yai's most impressive waterfall — 150 metres of water thundering over a two-tiered drop into a narrow gorge. The name is dramatic but apt: the scale and power of the falls, especially in the wet season (September–November), is genuinely awesome. Viewing platforms allow safe observation of the main drop.
Elephants are frequently spotted in the area around Heo Narok during early morning visits — the waterfall basin is a natural salt lick. The trail from the car park is around 2km through primary forest and takes 45–60 minutes. The lower viewpoint offers the best photography; the upper approach involves some scrambling over rocks.
Heo Suwat — The Famous Fall
Heo Suwat is the postcard waterfall of Khao Yai — a broad, 25-metre curtain of water that was used as a filming location in Danny Boyle's The Beach (the scene where Leonardo DiCaprio's character jumps from a waterfall). The falls are set in a pristine forest clearing and are perhaps the most photogenic in the park.
Swimming is occasionally permitted at the base of Heo Suwat but is restricted during high-water periods and when elephant activity is detected nearby — rangers will advise. The trail from the car park is shorter than Heo Narok and suitable for most fitness levels. Heo Suwat is the busiest of the three falls on weekends.
Combining Waterfalls with Wildlife
Visiting Khao Yai: Practical Tips
Park entrance fees are 400 THB for foreigners and 100 THB for Thais. The park is open daily from 6am to 8pm. Accommodation is available inside the park (bungalows at the park headquarters) and in the Pak Chong and Khao Yai town areas outside. Khao Yai has become a popular short break from Bangkok; weekend visits in October–January are extremely busy — a mid-week visit is recommended.
The Khao Yai area beyond the park boundaries has developed significantly with wine tourism (several vineyards including PB Valley) and farm experiences. Pak Chong town has good hotels and restaurants. The drive from Bangkok through the approach roads passes attractive hill scenery — combine with a Khao Yai winery visit for a full weekend itinerary.