Neil Aronson Many of the best waterfalls in Thailand happen to be located in Northern Thailand, and near Chiang Mai. Fortunately for myself and my wife, we are lucky to live within minutes of Doi Inthanon National Park, which has several on this list.
If your like me and can spend hours watching and hanging out by these amazing natural wonders, then Northern Thailand is a good place to visit. Even better, most of the best waterfalls in the region are not far from Chiang Mai city, giving you one more reason to visit this wonderful city. We are fortunate to live near Mae Klang Waterfall and Doi Inthanon, where the biggest ones are.
Most of the best waterfalls are also located near main roads, making then easy to get to, which does also cause them to get crowded at times. Most of them also have great hiking trails and camping sites. Some are amazing places to have a picnic, and offer locally grilled food options right there at the picnic sites along the rivers.
Resources
Agoda is the best place to book cheap affordable hotels in Thailand, especially near national parks. They also book flights as well.
Expedia is my favorite place to book flights, hotels, cars, and more. Their group includes Hotels.com and Vrbo for vacation rentals.
Viator is the top choice for activities. Book everything from a waterfall tour to scuba diving, jungle trekking to cooking classes. Do the Chiang Mai Golf Challenge from Viator.
12Go is the top transportation source for Asia. From busses to trains to regional flights.
Contents:
Tips For Visiting
The main difference between the best waterfalls in Northern Thailand and the best waterfalls in Southern Thailand is the mountainous region. Waterfalls tend to be steeper and larger, and affected by the seasons.
For Northern Thailand the best time to visit is during or just after the rainy season (July to November) for the most dramatic flow. November and December are the best as the weather is also great. The waterfalls of Doi Inthanon National Park stay good all year, but many of the smaller ones on this list almost disappear.
Doi Inthanon Waterfalls
For sure the most famous part of this National Park is it’s large waterfalls, which attract thousands of tourists each year. They flow all year around, but September through December is the best time. It is still rainy season through October, however since there are well maintained roads and parking next to them, so you can visit in the rain. November the sun is out and typically the best month. We live by Mae Klang, and I love going in the rain.
Mae Klang
Two of the best three waterfalls are not up the mountain in the main part of the park. One of them, and my favorite, is Mae Klang. Besides the fact the waterfall and river below are amazing, the fact you don’t have to drive up the mountain to get to it is a huge bonus.
Our house is very close by, so we frequent this waterfall often just to hang out and have lunch. Just before you turn to go up the hill to the main part of the park, you will take a slight left to this waterfall. And the parking lot is just right there.
They have an amazing picnic area along the river. You get get grilled food at one of the several stands. Eat along the river on picnic areas that are set up with matts and maintained by someone working there. Or you can sit at the covered tables overlooking the river. Order some chicken, sticky rice and a cold beer and you are set.
Pass the parking lot you will go up a small paved road to the waterfall, about 100 meters. You pass the entrance booth to pay, however the last couple times we were there no one charged us. Along the way there are nice restrooms and more picnic areas. You can also find a lot of butterflies. Once you reach the waterfall, there is a trail that goes up to the right and an observation tower.
Mae Ya
Although technically inside the park, for the purposes of this article I’ll consider it an outside attraction. That is because to get there you need to go to another entrance, 17km southwest of the main one. You will have to pay the standard entrance fee, which is good for the rest of the park.
The road up however is a slow road with sharp turns up to the waterfall. Once at the parking area, you will have to walk a bit up the road to the falls, or take the trail along the river which is super nice. Well worth the effort getting there as this is considered one of the top waterfalls in all of Thailand.
Wachirathan
By far the most popular to visit in Doi Inthanon National Park, and perhaps all of Thailand. Reasons why it is so popular will become evident once you are there. It is also easily accessible, close to the main road with ample parking.
A spectacular waterfall with great vantage points, extensive tropical grounds and good Thai food, coffee, and facilities on site. A great spot to have a picnic. Many people enjoy swimming in the river below. This can be dangerous during the rainy season and the waterfall gets very large with fast moving water below and lots of large rocks.
Rainbows can be seen in the spray from the waterfall when the sun is angled in the afternoon. You will also get wet on the trail closest to the falls, when trying to take your selfie. It is a great place to cool off as you will get wet in the fall.
I enjoy sitting at the coffee shop writing and enjoying this amazing view. The Wi-Fi and coffee are great.
Sirithan
This one is past Wachirathan as you are going up the mountain. It is a mostly dirt parking lot and not very big. None of the tour busses stop here.
It is very impressive, however you cannot get too close. In the drier season there is a trail that lets you get closer. There is a fun and beautiful trail that goes from the road/parking down to the river to an observation platform. This is your only viewpoint.
No facilities at all.
Where To Stay
If you are visiting Doi Inthanon and Chom Thong area, these are some great suggestions for places to stay overnight.
These three resorts are all near each other and located just outside the park. I would recommend them all. They are located off route 1009 which goes from the main route 108 into Doi Inthanon.
Touch Star Resort. Highly Recommended by us. Located just 5 minutes from the first checkpoint. Very spacious grounds with lush landscape and various types of rooms. Wi-Fi, TV and all the modern amenities.
There are standard hotel rooms, small Chalets, as well as small and large group houses to rent. Wedding and banquet facilities if you’re going down that route! Friendly local staff. Good restaurant. My wife and I have stayed in both a deluxe room and chalet and loved it both times. Rates are 1,200 baht and up.
Inthanon Highlands Retreat. This resort is just across the road from Touch Star. Also has beautiful grounds, a great Thai restaurant we tried, and a quiet atmosphere. It is more booked by locals.
Doi Inthanon View Resort. Also located right outside the park entrance on route 1009. They have really neat looking individual chalets. This is a higher end resort offering small villa type rooms. The property features lush gardens, with restaurant and activities. There is a nice looking Thai restaurant. We have not stayed here, but walked around and it looks great.
Inthanon Golf and Natural Resort – Looking to play some golf while in the area visiting the park? There are a couple great options, this is my favorite and a good golf course. This golf resort is located before you reach Chom Thong off route 108. You go up a small side road for a couple Km before you reach the course. From there the park entrance is about 20 minutes.
22 Aquarius Glamping Cafe is a beautiful place to spend the night in the tents. Located not far off the main road (route 1009), and turn on to route 1284. Enjoy nature near the summit of Doi Inthanon. We like to go there for an hour just to enjoy a coffee and the scenery. There are amazing flower fields.
Close to Chiang Mai
You best bets for a couple nice waterfalls near the city are just as you start going up Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, on your way to its famous temple. There are a couple small but beautiful falls you can enjoy in just a couple hours trip. Both great for picnics and hiking. Both are easy to get to by scooter, taxi, bus, or tuk tuk.
Huay Kaew
Huay Kaew Waterfall is the first one, before you start up the mountain in Doi Suthep-Pui. Near Chiang Mai University. It is on the left hand side as you start to go up the mountain to Doi Suthep, just past Chiang Mai Zoo. A small but nice waterfall with lots of large rock areas and grass to have a picnic.
Just past the parking lot is a small road you take to get the the river area and then waterfall. Along the road are food stands and drinks, so if you don’t bring any food, there are plenty of local options. This is a popular area with the university students, since it is close by. Also of course there is a great hiking trail.
Montha Than – Doi Suthep
Montha Than waterfall is small but beautiful as is the location. It has two levels, so you hike a steep trail to get to the upper part. The upper falls is where the kids like to play in the water.
To get there, on route 1004, you will take a right turn into the entrance. There is a large sign from the road, but it does sneak up on you. Lots of grassy areas for a picnic, and best of all there is a big tree canopy, so it is almost all shady.
Enjoy a wonderful nature trail that is only 1.6Km but steep! Facilities here are good, as you will find a campsite as well.
North Of Chiang Mai
Mae Sa Waterfall
Mae Sa Waterfall is a popular 10-tiered cascading waterfall along a nearly 2.5 km trail into the forest. This is a very popular local attraction and one of the best waterfalls near Chiang Mai.
There is a very nice trail going all the way to the 10th tier. Some of it is boardwalk and bridges, giving you great views for photography. Each tier is marked by a sign. Since the individual falls are not that high or fast-moving, they are ideal—and popular—for swimming.
This is a favorite picnic spot for locals. Swimming is also good. Not actually swimming, just getting wet.
There is a minimal Entrance Fee. There may be a few food vendors in the parking lot, however don’t count on it. As a result make sure you bring water. It is also a great place to bring a picnic, but can get crowded with locals. The best two sections are five and six. Number five is called Wang Thao Promma.
Along the trail, there are no boundaries to keep you out of the river or falls, so you can get in the water. But a lot of it is granite, so it gets slippery, be careful. You will also encounter lots of butterflies and birds. And the occasional huge spider, as I found this one.
Bua Thong Waterfalls (Sticky Waterfalls)
Highlights of these Sticky Waterfalls are that its perfect for climbing, family-friendly, and surrounded by scenic jungle.
Known as Bua Thong Waterfall, is a remarkable natural wonder nestled in the Namtok Bua Tong-Nam Phu Chet Si National Park, just under 60 kilometers north of Chiang Mai. The porous limestone rocks of Bua Thong possess a rare quality – they’re astonishingly “sticky.” This allows visitors to climb directly up the waterfall without slipping, a phenomenon that has made it an internationally renowned attraction.
If you don’t have a car, the easiest way to visit is to book a tour. There is plenty of wildlife to try to see on the nature walk including some beautiful birds and monkeys! If you’re driving, take Rte 1001 east and look for the sign for the waterfall. Make a right, and it’s about 3km to the parking lot.
Surrounded by lush forest and vibrant flora, the Sticky Waterfall is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Chiang Mai. The waterfall is composed of multiple tiers, each of which offers a different climbing experience. The tiers can be climbed entirely at your own pace, with lower levels offering a gentle introduction to climbing while higher sections provide a more challenging ascent.
Mok Fa (Doi Suthep Pui NP)
Mok Fa Waterfall is accessible by car, bike or songthaew. The waterfall is located at the northmost edges of the park just 1.4 km from the highway 1095 to Pai. The waterfall is about 5-10 minutes walking distance from the car park.
Mok Fa Waterfall is part of the Doi Suthep – Pui National Park. It is a one-level cascade standing over 60 meters tall it is impressive even in the late dry season, and is a great place for a swim and to cool off if you are making the journey between Chiang Mai and Pai.
The crystal clear water at the base is ideal for a refreshing swim on a hot day. From the park office you have a choice of two walking routes to the falls. Following the nature trail is highly recommended and not much further than the direct route. On the return follow the route by the river.
Proceeding the main Mok Fa Waterfall you will encounter a smaller waterfall called Ob Noi flowing through a mini gorge. Apart from the beautiful waterfall, there is also Tham Mok Fa (Bat Cave), the habitat of bats and the nature trail for nature lovers to join a lot of activities such as swimming, camping, surveying the nature, and bird watching.
Khun Korn Waterfall (Chiang Rai)
Khun Korn is east of Chiang Rai about 30 minutes, and is a 70m waterfall that is worth the drive. Plus it is a nice hike to the falls on the nature trail. It is a 1.4 km walk up a steep but pleasant forest trail to the highest and most scenic waterfall in Chiang Rai Province. Camping is available as well.
Along with your walk, you will have ample chances to photograph the tropical forest and its butterflies and flowers. Huge bamboo trees fill the scenery, and the path to the falls is easy to find. Many hikers say that the walk itself is worth making the trip, and the waterfall at the end only adds to the overall ambience of the adventure.
