🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The Phu Phan range is the line of hills separating the lowland plain from the Sakon Nakhon basin. On the Kalasin side it takes in part of Phu Phan National Park across Somdet and Huai Phueng districts, along with several forest parks and waterfalls in the surrounding districts. The appeal of this side is that the crowds haven't found it yet — many of the viewpoints and waterfalls sit right by the road or only a short walk in, which makes it a good fit if you want to enjoy nature without a hard trek.
This article is organised by zone. We start with Pha Sawoei and the waterfalls in Somdet district, the easiest to reach, then move on to the Na Khu–Khao Wong cluster, which is deeper forest, and finish with the mist viewpoints and forest parks spread across the other districts — with linking routes so you can string them together over one day or two.
Pha Sawoei — a roadside viewpoint on the Phu Phan ridge
Pha Sawoei is the easiest viewpoint to reach on this side. It sits right beside the Somdet–Sakon Nakhon road (Highway 213), exactly on the Phu Phan ridge at the border between Kalasin and Sakon Nakhon. There's a large car park, and it's only a few steps from the car to the lookout. The cliff drops about 150–200 metres, and the view runs out over a long stretch of green forest as far as you can see.
The name "Pha Sawoei" (literally "the dining cliff") goes back to a royal visit when King Rama IX and the Queen toured to meet villagers in the Northeast and stopped here for lunch. Today there are two dinosaur statues at the entrance, which have become a popular photo check-in spot.
Best time to go
In the cool season (November–February), from before dawn until around 8am, there's a good chance of seeing a sea of mist drifting below the cliff, with a cool breeze all day. If you come later in the morning the mist will have burned off, but the view and the cool air are still there.
- Location — beside Highway 213, Pha Sawoei subdistrict, Somdet district, about 50 km from Kalasin town.
- Entry fee — none, free parking, with vendors selling snacks and drinks on hand.
- Good for — a stop on the way up to Sakon Nakhon, families who don't want to walk far, and anyone chasing sea-of-mist photos.
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Kaeng Ka-am Waterfall — a wide rock shelf near the main road
A short way down from Pha Sawoei is Kaeng Ka-am Waterfall, at Ban Kaeng Ka-am, Pha Sawoei subdistrict, Somdet district. What stands out here is the long line of rapids over rock, with a wide stone shelf where you can sit, rest and splash around comfortably. It isn't a tall, steep waterfall but rather a stream running across a rock shelf, which suits families and anyone who just wants to dip their feet and take it easy.
Getting there is easy. Take Highway 213 from Somdet district heading toward Phu Phan district (Sakon Nakhon); at Ban Kaeng Ka-am there's a left turn with a stone sign pointing to the waterfall — turn in and it's about 500 metres. It's roughly 55 km from Kalasin town and about 15 km from Somdet district.
What to know about the water
Waterfalls in the Phu Phan range run best in late rainy season (September–November). If you come in the dry season the water is low or dry, leaving just the rock shelf — fine for dipping your feet but not really for a proper swim.
The Na Khu–Khao Wong waterfalls — deeper forest, water year-round
If you want tiered waterfalls and greener forest, you'll need to cross over to Na Khu and Khao Wong districts in the northeast of the province. The waterfalls in this area sit deeper inside the forest, with a quiet, peaceful feel and few people — a good fit if you actually want a short forest walk.
Pha Nang Koi Waterfall (Na Khu district)
A large waterfall tumbling down from the Phu Phan ridge in three tiers. The standout point is that it runs almost year-round, even in the dry season. The lower tier near the car park has a pool to swim in, the second tier is the prettiest as the water drops over the cliff, and the third tier needs a further climb. Access is via the Khao Wong district turn-off along Highway 2291.
Tat Thong Waterfall (Khao Wong district)
A small-to-medium waterfall in Nong Phue subdistrict, Khao Wong district, notable for layers of stacked rock as the water drops over the cliff, with pools to swim in both above and below. It draws more locals out for a day off than visitors from elsewhere.
Near Pha Nang Koi Waterfall is Phu Faek Forest Park, home to dinosaur footprints around 140 million years old, in Phu Laen Chang subdistrict, Na Khu district. The three-toed prints on the rock in the middle of a stream average about 45 cm long, and the surroundings are dry dipterocarp forest that's easy to walk through — a good pairing with the waterfalls for a single day out.
Sea of mist and forest parks in other districts
- Phu Sing sea of mist (Sahatsakhan district) — a viewpoint many people still don't know about, with mist covering the hill in the cool season and cool air. It's in the same zone as the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum and Phra Phrom Phumi Palo, so you can pair them up.
- Phu Phra Forest Park (Tha Khantho district) — a large tract of dry dipterocarp forest in the far north of the province, with pretty colour as the leaves turn in the dry season, a viewpoint and a lot of quiet — very few people.
- Phu Phan National Park (covering Somdet–Huai Phueng) — the main forest of the range, with several waterfalls, caves and cliffs. Pha Sawoei and Kaeng Ka-am fall within the influence of this forest.
Routes for a Phu Phan nature trip in Kalasin
The spots are spread across several districts, so driving yourself is the most convenient option — public transport doesn't reach the waterfalls in the forest. We've laid out two routes so you can pick based on how many days you have.
The Pha Sawoei–Somdet route (doable as a day trip)
The Na Khu–Khao Wong waterfall route (deep forest, waterfall focus)
Before you go
- Season — sea of mist in the cool season (Nov–Feb); waterfalls run best in late rainy season (Sep–Nov); low water in the dry season.
- Car — you really want your own car. Some of the mountain roads are winding, so fill up before heading into the forest zone.
- What to pack — non-slip shoes for the waterfall rock shelves, a jacket in the cool season, and insect repellent for the forest zones.
- Phone signal — signal is weak at the deep-forest waterfalls, so save the route offline beforehand.
- Etiquette — take your rubbish back out, keep the noise down in park areas, and follow the warning signs at deep-water spots.
Food along the way
Somdet and Khao Wong districts have plenty of local Isan eateries. Try sticky rice with grilled chicken, som tam, and Kalasin-style jaew bong (a chilli dip) — easy to grab and take along while you're sitting by a waterfall.
See all the things to do in Kalasin and plan your own nature trip
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