🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Kham Hom Waterfall is in Phu Phan National Park, in Huai Yang sub-district of Mueang Sakon Nakhon. It's the waterfall locals know best because it's closer to town than any other fall in Phu Phan. The water comes from a stream high in the sandstone Phu Phan range, stepping down the rock layers in stages. The falls aren't a tall, steep drop like the big-name waterfalls — instead it's a wide rock slab that water runs across, leaving platforms and shallow pools you can wade into easily. That makes it good for families with kids, or anyone who'd rather soak than scramble up a high waterfall.
What to know before you go. Kham Hom is a rock-slab waterfall that only has water in the rainy season. The flow is strongest and fullest from roughly July to October. Once the dry season sets in from late in the year onward, the water gradually thins until only the bare rock is left. If you're coming specifically to swim, check whether the rain has been steady before you set off. The waterfall is open daily, roughly 06:00–18:00. There's a national park entry fee of a few tens of baht per person for Thai visitors, plus a separate vehicle fee — rates can change per Department of National Parks announcements. Bring cash, since signal and shops are scarce up the mountain.
What Kham Hom Waterfall is like
The waterfall splits into several tiers. The lowest tier, nearest the entrance, is a wide rock platform where the water runs gently — this is where most people sit to picnic and wade in. It's an easy walk and works fine for kids and older visitors. The upper tiers take a bit of a scramble over rock to reach; the water runs harder and the stone is more slippery, so rangers usually post warning signs. When the water is high, some tiers may be closed off for safety. If you're with kids or just here for an easy soak, the lower tier is plenty. People who like clambering over rock for photos can move up once the flow isn't too strong.
- Lower tier — wide rock platform, gentle flow, easy to reach. The main swimming and picnic spot and the most popular by far, good for families and kids.
- Middle–upper tiers — a bit of a scramble over rock, with stronger flow and slippery stone. Photogenic, but only go up when the water isn't too strong and watch the ranger warning signs.
- Pong Ngu bend — a curve on the mountain road before the falls, a viewpoint looking down over Sakon Nakhon town and the wide expanse of Nong Han. Worth a photo stop on the way.
- Picnic area and forest around the falls — shade from big trees and cool air, with space to sit and eat. Good for a relaxed half day.
When the water looks best
To see the falls running full, come in the rainy season, around July to October — that's when steady rain keeps the water strong and clear. In early cool season (November) there's still some water but it starts to ease off. From the dry season around February onward, the falls dry up to bare rock. The stone around the falls gets very wet and slippery, so wear shoes that grip and walk slowly, especially when crossing rock to the upper tier.
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Swimming and relaxing here
The appeal of Kham Hom is that you barely have to walk to reach the water. A few minutes from the car park and you're at the rock platform with clear water. Lots of people come for the day — lay out a mat, eat, soak, then sit in the cool breeze under the trees. The water here is cold because it comes from up the mountain, and even when it's blazing hot down in town, the forest around the falls is noticeably shadier and cooler.
Soak at the lower rock platform
Shallow pools on a wide rock slab — the water isn't deep, so it's good for kids to wade in with an adult watching. In the rains the cool, clear water runs through constantly, and this is where most people sit and soak.
Picnic under the trees
Find a spot under a big tree, lay out a mat and eat to the sound of the falls. Bring your own food and water. It's a quiet, calm setting for an unhurried break.
Photos at the Pong Ngu bend
Stop at the viewpoint on the way up the mountain, looking down over Sakon Nakhon town and Nong Han as a wide backdrop. The light is lovely in the late afternoon — a good photo stop before or after your swim.
What to pack
Bring shoes you can wear in the water that grip well — don't wear flat-soled flip-flops, since the rock is slippery. Pack a towel, a change of clothes, drinking water and your own food, since there aren't many shops up the mountain. Carry your rubbish back out, as this is national park land. If you're with small children, keep them close when the water is strong and avoid going up to the higher tiers when the flow is high.
Getting to Kham Hom Waterfall
Kham Hom Waterfall is very close to Sakon Nakhon town, and driving yourself is easiest. From town, take Highway 213 (the Sakon Nakhon–Kalasin road) heading uphill toward Phu Phan National Park. The road winds up the mountain past the Pong Ngu bend for about 18 kilometres, roughly half an hour, until you reach the turn-off for the falls. There are signs the whole way.
- Drive yourself — from Sakon Nakhon town take Highway 213 toward Kalasin, about 18 km uphill and roughly half an hour. The road winds up the mountain, so drive slowly and mind the bends.
- Rent a car or hire a driver — if you don't have your own vehicle, renting a car or hiring a van or sedan from town is the smoothest option, since public transport struggles to reach the falls.
- Combine with other Phu Phan stops — Kham Hom is on the same road as the park headquarters and other waterfalls, so you can carry on uphill and visit more in the same day.
- Fill up before heading up — there are few petrol stations on the mountain, so fill the tank in town before you set off.
How to plan a half day at Kham Hom
Half a day is enough for Kham Hom Waterfall, since it's close to town — slot it into a morning or afternoon and head back to eat in town. If you want a full day, carry on uphill to other spots in Phu Phan National Park.
Up the mountain for a late-morning swim
Carry on in Phu Phan National Park
Plan a full Sakon Nakhon trip covering both town and mountains
See the Sakon Nakhon travel guide →