Did you know that Thailand has some INCREDIBLE national parks? I never thought much about it until I moved to Chiang Mai two years ago. The best national parks in Thailand reveal so much raw beauty, and I’ve been lucky enough to experience three of the best: Doi Inthanon in the north, Khao Sok in the south, and the coastal islands of Ang Thong. Each one is a unique paradise, where you feel like you’re on another planet. Thailand has some of the best natural beauty in the world, & these three national parks are worth it to check out — as approved by me! So, let’s get into it.

The 3 best national parks in thailand

Doi Inthanon national park: Thailand’s highest peak

I’ve visited Doi Inthanon twice, and every trip has been a mix of discovery and spirituality. Known as the “Roof of Thailand,” Doi Inthanon is the country’s highest peak, and both times I’ve been here, I was captivated by its massive waterfalls and lush lush (did I say LUSH?) green mountains.

Planning Your Trip: Getting There and Best Time to Visit

Doi Inthanon is about a two-hour drive from Chiang Mai. While many tourists opt for guided tours, I’ve found that exploring at your own pace offers more freedom to savor each location. Whether you rent a car or motorbike, the route is scenic and worth it to do it yourself!

For the best experience, aim to visit between October and January. My first visit in December was timed perfectly, with clear skies, green lush landscapes, and crisp air. On my second visit in early November, I saw the same beauty with fewer tourists—perfect for a more relaxed vibe right after rainy season.

If you can, spend a night in one of the surrounding villages. I stayed at Chadaporn Rentroom in Mae Chaem, a cozy homestay surrounded by rice fields, which gave me a peaceful, immersive experience. At around $30 per night, it’s super duper affordable, and the sunrise views over the fields are a magical way to start the day.

Doi Inthanon’s Must-See Spots

The park has a million and one waterfalls, scenic spots off the road, sacred temples, and more. Get off the beaten path and explore on your own. Here are a few guidelines to get you started:

Wachirathan Waterfall

Wachirathan Waterfall is a showstopper and one of my favorites! The falls are huge, with perpetual rainbows shimmering in the mist. It’s the kind of place where you feel the power of nature—it’s stunning though quite popular, so getting there early for a quiet moment is worth it.

Mae Pan Waterfall

Hidden deep in the park, Mae Pan Waterfall is a lesser known HIDDEN GEM of Doi Inthanon. Reaching it requires a 30-minute hike, but once there, I felt like I’d stumbled upon a fairytale. This spot has two distinct levels, and we had it all to ourselves—a peaceful experience that felt intimate. See what I mean about a spiritual air to this park?

Doi Inthanon Summit

Standing at Thailand’s highest point brings a calm, spiritual feeling. Doi Inthanon summit has a moss-covered path leading to a nature trail where Thai native plants thrive. Both times I visited, the air was cold and misty which was so refreshing after the heat in the city. I recommend taking time here to soak in the tranquility and let time stop for a moment.

The King & Queen Pagodas

King & Queen Pagodas  are stunning monuments that feel like they’re floating in the clouds. While the complex can get super duper crowded, we lucked out and arrived just after a rain shower, finding it beautifully empty. These were built for the king and queen and honor Thai culture with beautiful mosaics and artistry. Also, these temples are sacred, so dressing modestly is required.

Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail

Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail was an unexpected highlight! You don’t need to pay the main park fee for access here (PSA!) which was a pleasant surprise. Our local guide took us through two hours of pristine nature, pointing out native Thai wildlife like camouflaged snakes, massive spiders, and lush banana leaves –creepy, but your guide knows the way!

Our journey ended at a local Karen village, where we enjoyed fresh coffee and locally made goods. This experience felt authentic and sustainable (more than some other ‘local tribes’)—a great way to support the community.

Khao Sok national park: Limestone cliffs and floating bungalows

Located in southern Thailand, Khao Sok is an ancient rainforest that is known for towering limestone cliffs and the magical Cheow Lan Lake. When I arrived, it felt like stepping into another world. It absolutely deserves to be on the list for best national parks in Thailand.

Getting to Khao Sok and Best Time to Visit

December to April is the ideal season for clear skies and calm lake waters. From Surat Thani, you can reach the park by bus or private transport, and I highly recommend staying on the lake itself in a floating bungalow. The one I stayed in offered complete tranquility—no phone signal, just the sounds of nature. Take an adventurous friend and go vibe on the bungalows … it’s the experience of a lifetime.

Cheow Lan Lake

Kayaking and swimming on Cheow Lan Lake are surreal experiences. You’re surrounded by HUGE limestone cliffs and emerald-green waters that stretch endlessly. We took a boat tour, which allowed us to explore secluded spots far into the waters and see unique Thai wildlife along the lake’s edge.

Coral Cave

This adventure took us deep into the forest to a hidden coral cave. I’m not going to lie—seeing bats, spiders, and even a snake freaked me out a bit (okay a lot), but it was thrilling. In some areas, we had to wade through waist-deep water, which added to the freakiness!

One thing to keep in mind is that guides may not provide extensive safety warnings (unlike the USA). In fact, ours spent a good part of the tour casually playing games on his phone, which had us both laughing and feeling very much in “true Thailand” mode lol!

Ang Thong national marine park: A slice of paradise in the gulf

Located near Koh Samui, Ang Thong Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands, each with stunning beaches, coral reefs, and scenic trails. It’s an ideal day trip if you’re seeking a beach escape mixed with adventure. It is maybe (?) the most beautiful and absolutely one of the best national parks in Thailand.

Getting There and When to Visit

From Koh Samui or Koh Phangan, you can take a speedboat tour to the park. I recommend visiting from February to October when seas are calm, making it easier to enjoy with clear skies.

Emerald Lake (Thale Nai)

This saltwater lake on Ko Mae Ko is a short climb up, and the views are totally worth it. The water is a brilliant emerald color, and the surrounding cliffs frame it beautifully. A must-see to the top!

Snorkeling and Diving

The waters around Ang Thong are filled to the brim with colorful coral and marine life. I snorkeled among schools of fish and coral formations, which made me appreciate the preservation efforts in this area !!

Panoramic Viewpoint on Ko Wua Talap

For the ultimate Ang Thong experience, hike to the viewpoint on Ko Wua Talap. It’s a steep climb, but you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views I’ve ever seen. The sight of the turquoise water dotted with untouched islands was something I’ll never forget — I mean, just look at the photo above. Sometimes, words don’t do nature justice. Neither do cameras, you must see it for yourself.

Final Thoughts

Thailand’s national parks provide experiences that range from tranquil to thrilling — just like Thailand itself! Doi Inthanon has majestic mountains and serene pagodas, Khao Sok gives a sense of raw, ancient nature, and Ang Thong reveals the pristine beauty of Thailand’s islands. My trips to these parks left me with a deeper appreciation of Thailand’s natural wonders. I hope my guide gives you major inspo you to explore them too. These are the 3 best national parks in Thailand, in my humble opinion.

Have you visited any of these parks? I’d love to hear about your experiences about the best national parks in Thailand!

If you enjoyed this post on the best national parks in Thailand, you might like my others:

Best Hidden Spots in Chiang Mai Province

Chiang Dao Northern Thailand Guide

Guide to The Best Veggie Restaurants in Chiang Mai

The King and Queen pagodas are some of the most beautiful temples you’ll ever see, and the peak of the mountain has a spiritual calmness that you feel in the air. It’s a majestic place, and I would most definitely recommend it if you’re traveling through Chiang Mai.

Exploring more of the native vegetation and animal species here in northern Thailand is another huge perk of this well-maintained national park. Out of all the national parks in Thailand, this one may be the best, solely based on resources and beauty. So, are you ready to go exploring? Here is my guide to Doi Inthanon National Park.

Guide to Doi Inthanon National Park Logistics

I know there are many tours you can take from Chiang Mai, but I’d recommend going to the national park on your own if you have the time. Either rent a car or drive up on a motorbike (although beware, the drive is pretty long at ~2 hours).

The first time I went was in early December, prime time to visit this stunning park.

The second time I went in early November, which is another prime time to visit. The weather is cool, the sun is out, the mountains are green and lush. I’d recommend going between October – January.

Though the Doi Inthanon tours are convenient, I’d recommend making your own adventure and being on your own time to thoroughly enjoy each spot. This is where my true guide to Doi Inthanon begins, by exploring on your own.

You can do Doi Inthanon for a day trip, or stay in a village for a night. I’ve done both, but I recommend staying in a village if you have the time. The secluded towns scattered in the mountains are a unique experience that make Doi Inthanon even more special.

I’d recommend Chadaporn Rentroom in Mae Chaem if you’re going to stay a night. It’s ~$30 / night. This homestay is in a cute lil village in the middle of rice fields, ~30 minutes to 1 hour from the summit of Doi Inthanon. The drive there is also really beautiful, and the homestay is cozy with a beautiful view of rice fields.

We arrived as the sun was setting and it was so lovely to be in an authentic place after exploring the naturally stunning national park. The whole experience felt like coming back to Mother Nature, a whole reset of the mind body and spirit.

The national park fee is 300 baht for foreigners. You have to stop at the rest stop to buy tickets before proceeding into the park.

Guide to Doi Inthanon Gems

Here are all the hotspots (some common, some hidden) that I’ve explored in Doi Inthanon National Park.

Wachirathan Waterfall

Wachirathan Waterfall is the most stunningly beautiful waterfall I’ve ever seen! It’s massive, with different levels and springs to look at. The waterfall makes perpetual rainbows, which are awe-inspiring to take in. It feels like a fairy-tale! Unfortunately, it’s usually swarmed with tourists, so definitely go early if you want a peaceful moment alone with this natural beauty.

Mae Pan Waterfall

Mae Pan Waterfall is a HIDDEN GEM of Doi Inthanon. When we turned a corner and saw it, we started whooping and hollering. This waterfall has two levels, unlike any other naturally formed waterfall I’ve ever seen. It’s so so so tall, and the sounds of water crashing to the pool at the bottom is calming and beautiful.

It takes around 30 minutes to walk here through rough terrain (prepare to get a little dirty) and there was only a few locals who came as we were leaving. We had the whole place to ourselves, and it was a special moment.

Doi Inthanon Summit

Another popular spot, Doi Inthanon summit (tallest in all of Thailand) is where I felt the most spiritual energy. There are moss covered paths to a nature trail, where you can view native flowers and plants. It was really cold when we went, so the mist and moss added to the spiritual energy. Make sure you go on the nature trail, it was really beautiful and well-preserved!

King & Queen Pagodas

The King & Queen Pagodas are the iconic draw of Doi Inthanon, for good reason. These temples are quite literally floating in the clouds, with stunning flowers growing as far as you can see. The complex of these two temples are huge, so you can walk around and take in the beauty for a while.

It costs an additional 100 baht (cash) for foreigners to enter.

Make sure you dress appropriately, as this is a very sacred place in Thailand. When we went it wasn’t very busy because it had just rained a few minutes early. We lucked out, but I’m sure it is usually super crowded during peak seasons. So, go early really early in the morning or right as it’s closing.

Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail

PSA: You do not need to pay the 300 baht entrance fee to do the Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail. If you’re just coming to Doi Inthanon for this trail, then don’t pay the entrance fee! The booth where they check your tickets is just after the entrance to this trail. Win!

Show up at the trail head here and you’ll meet local guides ready to take you through the trail (you must have a local guide to do this hike).

It costs 220 baht / group for the 2 hour hike (in cash). I went with one friend, so it was just us two and our super nice guide. There were a few other tour groups here, but nothing too overly crowded. Still, I’d recommend coming early, before 10am, so you’re the only ones on the beautiful trail.

It takes ~2 hours, through stunning waterfalls, rice fields, native plants & animals. Look at the poisonous snake in the picture below! It camouflages so well, and we were all freaking out about how close it was to us! There were also spiders the size of my hand, and banana leafs the size of human beings.

The local guides will point all this cool & freaky stuff out to you. It’s so cool to explore the native vegetation and animal species in the national park!

You’ll pass beautiful rice fields, and finish at the indigenous tribe’s village, called the Karen tribe. They will serve you local coffee and teas, and you can buy sustainable goods like candles or soaps to support the local people’s efforts. It feels more sustainable & ethical than other tourist indigenous tribe spots, like the long-neck villages.

To Conclude

So, there my guide to Doi Inthanon, a glorious national park. It’s a special place that the Thai people are very proud of. Like I said before, I find exploring on my own more fun than organized group tours, so I hope these recommendations can be an outline for your own explorations at Doi Inthanon.

Comment below if this article helped you, & until next time!

xx Gracie

If you liked this article, you may enjoy my others about northern Thailand:

Gracie’s Guide to Chiang Dao

Gracie’s Guide to Hidden Gems in Thailand

Gracie’s Guide to Pai