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Kalasin Nature Trip
Kaeng Ka Am–Pha Soei–Phu Phan

The Somdet district side of Kalasin is pure Phu Phan mountain country: stepped rock waterfalls, a clifftop viewpoint where King Rama IX once stopped for a meal, and a national park where you can camp under the stars. We've laid it out as a 2-day, 1-night self-drive trip with easy walking, good for couples and families alike, with a real time for each stop so you can actually follow along.

💧 Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall⛰️ Pha Soei Viewpoint🌲 Phu Phan Park
Kalasin Nature Trip Kaeng Ka Am–Pha Soei–Phu Phan

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

If Kalasin only brings to mind dinosaurs and the Lam Pao Dam, look up toward Somdet district instead. That side is the Phu Phan range that separates Kalasin from Sakon Nakhon, where Highway 213 climbs through waterfalls, cliffs and thick forest, and the air is noticeably cooler than in town. We've set this trip up as a self-drive, because the sights sit outside the city and public transport doesn't reach them.

It's about 40 km from central Kalasin to Somdet district, then a bit more uphill. The three main spots are Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall (around 55 km from town), Pha Soei (around 58 km) and Phu Phan National Park, which straddles two provinces. All three line up along the same road, so you can comfortably do them one after another in a single day.

2-Day, 1-Night Trip at a Glance

  • Day 1 — Leave town early, stop at Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall for a swim, head up to Pha Soei viewpoint in the afternoon, and overnight near Somdet district or at the Phu Phan campground.
  • Day 2 — Wake up to the cool mountain morning, explore Phu Phan National Park's viewpoints and waterfalls, then drive down to wrap up at the Lam Pao Dam before heading home.
  • Getting around — A private car or rental is best. Highway 213 is paved the whole way but it's a winding mountain climb, so daytime driving is safer.
  • Rough budget — Kaeng Ka Am and Pha Soei are free; Phu Phan National Park is around 40 THB for Thai visitors. Lodging runs 600–1,200 THB/night, and with fuel and food, expect roughly 2,500–3,500 THB per person over the two days.
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Day 1 — Kaeng Ka Am + Pha Soei

Day 1

Rock Waterfall + Clifftop Viewpoint

08:00
Leave central Kalasin; have breakfast before you set offFill the tank — there are fewer petrol stations up the mountain than in town.
09:00
Reach Somdet district; stop at the morning market or a roadside cafeThis is your last spot for a full range of food and supplies before the climb.
09:45
Enter Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall, Ban Kaeng Ka Am, Pha Soei subdistrictFrom Highway 213 there's a stone sign marking the turn; it's about 500 m in. Free entry.
10:00
Swim and walk the rock flats at Kaeng Ka AmThe falls are low, stepped boulders with pools and wide rock shelves; the water is clearest in late rainy season.
12:00
Lunch at a local restaurant around SomdetTry grilled chicken, som tam and larb — proper Isaan food at local prices.
13:30
Drive up to Pha Soei, a viewpoint on the Phu Phan rangeIt's right on Highway 213 at the Kalasin–Sakon Nakhon border, a rest stop with a parking area.
14:00
Walk the Pha Soei viewpoint and read up on the royal visitIn 1947, King Rama IX and the Queen stopped for lunch at this cliff, which is how Pha Soei ("the dining cliff") got its name.
15:00
Continue to nearby spots, Pha Li and Kaeng PhruchaiPha Li looks like a miniature canyon — good for photos, and it's a short walk.
16:30
Check in near Somdet, or head to the Phu Phan campgroundTo sleep under the stars you'll need to book the park campsite ahead and bring your own gear.
18:00
Watch the sunset from the mountain and have a light dinnerThe air on Phu Phan cools quickly after 6 pm, so pack a light jacket.

What to Know About the Waterfall

Kaeng Ka Am is at its best and fullest from late rainy season into early winter, roughly September to November. In the dry season (March–May) the water can drop to little more than pools, so if you're coming specifically to swim, skip the dry months.

Day 2 — Phu Phan Park + Lam Pao Dam

Day 2

Forest and Hills, Ending by the Dam

06:30
Wake up to the cool mountain air; catch the mist if you're luckyIn the cold season you might see a thin sea of mist along the ridgeline.
08:00
Have breakfast, then enter Phu Phan National ParkThe headquarters are on the Sakon Nakhon–Kalasin road; entry is around 40 THB for Thai adults, 20 THB for children.
08:45
Walk the nature trail and the clifftop viewpointsThere are the Lan Sao E rock flats and Pha Nang Moen, which faces west; the walking isn't very steep.
10:30
Stop at a waterfall inside the park, such as Kham HomIt's a waterfall deep in the forest and only runs in the rainy season; check with rangers before you set out.
12:00
Have lunch and pack up to leave the parkThere aren't many places to eat near the headquarters, so keep some drinking water in the car.
13:30
Drive back down toward Kalasin, heading for the Lam Pao DamFrom Somdet to the Lam Pao Dam is about an hour and a half, passing through the city.
15:30
Photograph the Thep Suda Bridge crossing the Lam Pao DamThe bridge is 2,040 m long — the longest freshwater crossing bridge in Thailand.
16:30
Take a raft cruise or eat prawns by the dam and watch the sunsetYou can charter a whole raft; small ones take 10–15 people and start around 1,000 THB/day.
18:00
Wrap up the trip and head back into central KalasinFrom the Lam Pao Dam into the city is about 36 km.

What Each Spot Has to Offer

Swimming

Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall

Low, stepped rock falls on the Huai Luea stream, fed from Phu Tum high in the Phu Phan range. There are wide rock flats to rest on and good swimming when the water's high. Free entry.

Viewpoint

Pha Soei

A clifftop viewpoint on Highway 213 at the Kalasin–Sakon Nakhon border, tied to a royal visit. Wide views over the Phu Phan forest, and only a short walk from the parking area to the lookout.

Forest & Hills

Phu Phan National Park

Forest straddling two provinces, with nature trails, clifftop viewpoints, forest waterfalls and a campground where you can sleep under the stars.

Waterside

Lam Pao Dam

A large Isaan reservoir with the Thep Suda Bridge, raft restaurants out on the water, and Dok Ket Beach for a swim — a good place to finish with the sunset.

Before You Go

  • Car — Driving yourself or renting is easiest. Highway 213 is a winding mountain climb, so check your brakes and tires beforehand.
  • Timing — Late rainy season into winter (September–February) is best: the falls have water, the air is cool and the views are clear.
  • Footwear — Wear sneakers or grippy rubber shoes; the rock flats at the falls get slippery when wet.
  • Food & water — Keep drinking water and snacks in the car; there aren't many shops at the mountain sights.
  • Star camping — If you want to camp at Phu Phan, book ahead and bring your own tent and sleeping bag — the nights are cold.

Straight Talk

This trip is about quiet nature, not hip cafes or trendy check-in spots. If you like calm, forest and hills and aren't fussy about fancy facilities, you'll enjoy this route. But if you want a luxury stay or a packed activity list, it's better to stay in town and drive out and back each day instead.

Want an easygoing plan by the water instead? Take a look at our laid-back Lam Pao Dam itinerary.

See the Lam Pao Dam chill plan →

FAQ

Do I need my own car for this Kalasin nature trip?

We'd recommend a private car or rental, because Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall, Pha Soei and Phu Phan National Park sit outside the city up in the mountains, and public transport doesn't reach them. If you're not driving yourself, you'd likely have to charter a van or local vehicle for the day.

What time of year is best for Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall?

Late rainy season into early winter, roughly September to November, when the falls have the most and clearest water. In the dry season from March to May the water is often low, leaving just pools, so if you're set on swimming, avoid the dry months.

Is there an entry fee for Kaeng Ka Am and Pha Soei?

Both Kaeng Ka Am Waterfall and the Pha Soei viewpoint are free. Phu Phan National Park does charge an entry fee — around 40 THB for Thai adults and 20 THB for children. It's worth checking the current rate at the headquarters again.

Can you camp at Phu Phan National Park?

Yes. Phu Phan National Park has a campground and spots where you can sleep under the stars. You should book ahead and bring your own tent, sleeping bag and a warm layer, as the nights up the mountain are cold.

Can this trip be done in a single day?

Yes, if you start early and drive yourself, since Kaeng Ka Am, Pha Soei and Phu Phan are all on the same road. But it'll feel rushed — if you want to sleep under the stars or add the Lam Pao Dam, it's better to stay one night as in this 2-day plan.

Related

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