Neil Aronson In this article we have another one of the best national parks to share, close to Chiang Mai. The province is home to many national parks, including the most famous one, Doi Inthanon. However, close to the city, Ob Khan is a unique one less than an hours drive from Chiang Mai, and popular with locals locals. They know where the best national parks are for family picnics, camping, and relaxing in nature.
Most tourists, rightfully so, go the Doi Inthanon and Doi Suthep-Pui national parks. However at many of the best national parks, you can experience beautiful scenery, waterfalls, rivers, hiking, camping, and of course wildlife.
Considered one of the best national parks near Chiang Mai. I probably would not have gone, however my Thai cousins took us. The drive out is easy, as it is just south of the city past Hang Dong. You could also hit up Royal Park Rajapruek on your way back, which is almost on the way.
Ob Khan features canyon like landscapes, which can get treacherous during the rains of the summer. In fact many parts of the park close during that time, and some hiking trails have to close. The Ob Khan river is the main feature, where most activities revolve around.
What And Where Is It?
Ob Khan is absolutely one of the best national parks in northern Thailand. It is located about 45 minutes south of Chiang Mai city center. Mae Wang national park is also in this direction to the south. So if your on a park tour, you can hit Doi Inthanon, Mae Wang, and Ob Khan in succession.
“Ob” is a word in the local language used to describe steep and narrow rock canyons with a stream of water flowing through (steep cliffs with rock surfaces on both sides) or in Thai, ‘Kroaktarn’. This type of geological characteristic can be found in very few places in Thailand. This is also what makes Ob Khan one of the best national parks. The river is called Khan, and hence became Ob Khan.
The topography is limestone and igneous mountains. It consists of various types of forests such as khao pine, pine, dry evergreen, mixed deciduous and deciduous dipterocarp. It is also the source of Mae Wang, Mae Win and Mae Khan rivers as well.
I would say the best time of the year to visit this amazing national park is during the dry season, November-May. In the winter months it can get cool, so be prepared. However it does not get nearly as cold as Doi Inthanon. Last time I was there in November, it was still very hot. During the rainy season however the river that runs through it can be very impressive. In fact the bridge that goes to the campsite frequently get washed out.
A great thing is that the drive out to most of Thailand’s best national parks are fairly easy. Ob Khan is very easy, and close to Chaing Mai, so you can easily make it a half day activity. You could ride a motorbike easily there. Unlike some other parks, you don’t go up very high in elevation, so it’s just a smooth gradual increase in elevation.
To get there take route 108 south out of Chiang Mai. Then you can will turn left on to route 121. You will make one more turn and here are signs. The drive is a beautiful country road through villages, and you will pass the Grand Canyon Waterpark. There is good signage leading you there, and Google maps worked great for us.
The park sits between route 1269 on the north side, Samoeng Loop, and route 1013 to the south, which goes out to Mae Wang, and has a couple waterfalls along the way. You can take these routes to access outer areas of the park.
If you don’t have a car or motorbike to take you to this or another amazing national park, there are other smart options. One would be to book a tour through Viator, which is an excellent Expedia company that focuses only on tours. Alternatively, try the transportation company 12GO, which is the top source in Asia for public and private transportation.
In the Park
This park is relatively small encompassing an area of approximately 484 square kilometers. However it does cover four districts in Chiangmai province such as Samoeng district, Hang Dong district, Mae Wang district and San Pa Tong district.
Entering Ob Khan, you need to pay the standard park entrance fee. 100 baht for foreigners, a small car fee, and my local wife was 30 baht. Off to the left once you pay is a nice area along the river where locals tend to picnic. I also noticed a lot of butterflies in this area and got some photos.
Entering in to the main parking area is where you will find a large visitors center straight ahead. There is not a whole lot of parking, so you may have to park somewhere back towards the entrance. To the left of the Mae Khan river, and next to the visitors center is a small restaurant/ coffee shop, with a nice patio overlooking the river.
Unlike most other of the best national parks, once you reach the visitors center, this is basically the ‘end of the road’. At least as far as driving goes. From there you need to explore the park on foot.
The topography is limestone and igneous mountains. It consists of various types of forests such as khao pine, pine, dry evergreen, mixed deciduous and deciduous dipterocarp. It is also the source of Mae Wang, Mae Win and Mae Khan rivers as well.
Most of the terrain is mountainous. The highest peak is Khun Tian Peak, at 1,550 meters high. There are beautiful natural features such as Ob Khan, Ob Hi, Pha Toob, Tham Tac Tan, Tham Huai Hok, and Mae Sapok Waterfall and Khun Win Waterfall.
Highlights
In Ob Khan is the only place in Thailand where you can find Dendrobium Wardianum (Orchid), which blooms in January.
Are is a lot of wildlife in the park, if you can find them. Butterflies were abundant. Other wild animals found are chamois, lizards, bears, water buffalo, tiger, fish, fire tiger, wild hare, wild boar, gibbons, mongoose, weasel, hedgehog, fox, squirrel, chipmunk, snapping turtle, turtles, pheasant and many birds.
Swimming in the Mae Khan river is a popular activity, especially with locals. When I was there I did see many local kids swimming, however we where there is November at the end of the rainy season. So with river was still murky. I was told in the winter months the water get very clear and much nicer to swim in.
The visitors center is a great source to be educated about the park. Inside there are walls of information plaques, also with QR codes so you can get the information on your phone. You can learn a lot about the geology, history, nature, and things to do.
Trails and Hiking
Without a doubt, besides playing in and around the river, hiking and trekking is one of the most popular activities. Since it is not a huge park, there are just a few options, but they are great.
The main trail only takes about 1- 1 1/2 hours each way if you go all the way. But you can just go as far as you want and turn around, but worth spending much more time enjoying the beauty of the gorge.
The trail will take you up along the river’s edge, and eventually will give you the option of continuing straight, or taking a rather precarious staircase up into the forest, where you can turn right and return to the parking.
Parts of the trail along the river don’t even look like a trail, especially after the rainy season. There is a bridge that goes across the river, but when I was there the trail was closed at that point, I assume from the rainy season.
Camping
Camping is popular with locals and tourists alike at both these amazing national parks. But you need to go during the dry season. Ob Khan is not even open for camping in the summer. You also need to bring your own supplies and food. I believe you may be able to rent camping equipment. There is no store or much else to buy in the park.
The largest camping area is along side the Mae Khan River. It is also used for scout camping as well. I would check if there are any large groups first.
Grasshopper Cave
If you go on route 1269 on the north side of the park towards Samoeng, you can visit Tukkatan (Grasshopper) cave. At the mouth of the cave, there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The depth of the cave has not yet been surveyed due to extreme coolness and humidity inside the cave.
If you do go up this way, be sure to stop for coffee at Valley Coffee by Lanna Resort. It is a spectacular setting, and an amazing resort hotel. This has nothing to do with Ob Khan, just thought I would mention it.
It is well worth it to make a visit to this amazing national park. If you are in Chiang Mai, it is an easy half day visit to Ob Khan. For more Mae Want next door, be sure to read our complete guide.
Please make sure you purchase travel insurance. Read our article to find out why you need it.
