🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The Nakhon Nayok side of Khao Yai refers to the route up through the Sala Naresuan gate on the southern edge of Khao Yai National Park — the opposite side from the Pak Chong gate that most tourists use. The highlights here are Haew Narok Waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Khao Yai, plus the foothill zone within Nakhon Nayok itself: Wang Takhrai, Sarika and Nang Rong waterfalls, and Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, all packed with cafes and resorts catching the cool breeze. All of it sits closer to Bangkok than the Korat side.
The Route — How to Drive in Quickly From Bangkok
From Bangkok, take Highway 305 (Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok) into Nakhon Nayok town, then connect to Highway 33 (Suwannasorn Road) until you reach the Sala Naresuan intersection. Turn onto Highway 3077 (Prachinburi–Khao Yai), pass the fee checkpoint at the foot of the mountain, then keep climbing. Total distance from Bangkok to the park headquarters is about 109 km, an easy drive of roughly 2 hours.
- Park entry fee — 40 THB for Thai adults, 20 THB for children, plus 50 THB per car (prices may change, so check on site).
- Opening hours — the park is open 6:00 AM–6:00 PM, but you can only drive up until mid-afternoon. Come back down before dark, because the mountain road is winding and wildlife comes out to feed in the evening.
- The foothill zone — if you'd rather not go all the way to the top, just looping around the Sarika–Nang Rong–Khun Dan foothills will get you plenty of cafes and mountain-view stays, with no park entry fee.
Before you set off
The Nakhon Nayok side gets more rain than the Korat side. During the rainy season (June–October), the waterfalls are at their fullest but the roads turn slippery. The truly cool stretch is November–February, when early mornings up the mountain can comfortably dip to 15–18°C. Bring a light jacket.
Want more out of Nakhon Nayok? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Mountain-View Cafes on the Nakhon Nayok Side and Foothills
The charm of this route is the cafes clinging to the foothills and lining the climb. Many open early, around 6–7 AM, catering to cyclists and people who want a coffee with a bit of morning mist. These are real, currently open spots that reviewers mention often.
Noen Homme Cafe
An earth-house cafe along the Khao Yai climb on Route 3077, just before the ascent. It opens early at 6 AM and is a regular stop for cyclists and passing drivers. The setting hugs the forest, the coffee is good, and drinks run about 60–90 THB.
Khun Khao Cafe & Camping
A cafe right beside a stream in Ban Na district. Sip coffee to the sound of running water. It shares the site with tent accommodation, so it works as a midway rest stop or an overnight stay.
Cafes in the Sarika–Nang Rong zone
All along the Sarika–Nang Rong road there are garden and hillside cafes, many of them newly opened, with mountains as the backdrop. Good for a long mid-morning sit — try to pick one that faces the hills.
Best time for photos
The mountain-view cafes on this side look their best before 9 AM, when there's drifting mist and soft light. By afternoon the sun is harsh and clouds start building, so if you want the misty shots you'll need to go early.
Foothill Resorts — Sleep in the Cool Air
Stays on the Nakhon Nayok side cluster around the foothills near Sarika–Nang Rong–Ban Na and along Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam. The draw is mountain views, streams, and prices that are gentler than the upscale resorts on the Pak Chong side.
Baan Pa Rim Khuean Resort
A stay right by Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, wrapped in mountains, with loft rooms, wooden houses, and a camping ground. A stream runs through it in the rainy season, and there's whitewater rafting, ATVs, and a water park. Good for groups or families.
Supannigar Resort
Set along the Sarika–Nang Rong lane, close to Sarika and Nang Rong waterfalls, Wang Takhrai, and Tha Dan Dam. Easy to push on into the foothill sights, so it makes a solid base for waterfall trips.
Khun Khao Cafe & Camping
Tents and accommodation beside a stream in the forest, split into hillside, riverside, and private zones. Good for campers who want to sleep comfortably yet stay close to nature, with a cafe on site.
Chonphruek Resort
A large resort beside the Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok road at km 63 in Ban Na, with a pool and plenty of space. Good for big groups and families who want a convenient base before heading up the mountain.
If you want a ranked list of stays with the latest review scores and room prices, see our Top 10 Hotels in Nakhon Nayok page.
Campsites — Sleep to the Sound of Water
Tent campers have two options: camping inside the park up on the mountain or camping in the foothills within Nakhon Nayok. The two have very different atmospheres — pick based on whether you want it really cold or really convenient.
- Pha Kluai Mai campground — a campsite inside the park on the southern side, about 1 km from the trail to Haew Narok Waterfall. Bitterly cold in winter. You need to book and buy a park ticket. Great for anyone who wants to wake up to mist.
- Foothill campsites within Nakhon Nayok — many resorts and cafes around Ban Na–Sarika let you pitch a tent beside a stream, with bathrooms and electricity ready. Far more convenient, and no need to enter the park.
- What to prepare — in winter, tents inside the park drop into the low teens, so bring a cold-weather sleeping bag. The foothills are warmer but have plenty of mosquitoes in the rainy season.
Book ahead
Campgrounds inside Khao Yai National Park fill up very fast on long winter weekends, so book through the national park department's system in advance. For private foothill sites, just call the resort directly to reserve.
Waterfalls and Viewpoints Not to Miss
Haew Narok Waterfall
Khao Yai's tallest waterfall, around 150 m over three tiers, on the southern side bordering Nakhon Nayok. You walk down a steep staircase to the viewpoint — your legs will shake, but it's worth it. In the rainy season the water is strongest and at its most beautiful.
Sarika Waterfall
A nine-tier foothill waterfall within Nakhon Nayok town where you can swim, no park climb required. Good for families and anyone wanting to cool off on a day trip.
Nang Rong Waterfall + Wang Takhrai
A low, swimmable waterfall paired with Wang Takhrai garden, shaded by big trees. Good for laying out a mat for a picnic and easygoing camping by the stream.
Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam
The longest roller-compacted concrete dam in Thailand, with lovely views of the reservoir and mountains. There are viewpoints and cafes around it, good for an evening photo stop.
A 2-Day, 1-Night Plan to Escape Bangkok for Cool Air
Foothills–Cafes–Check In
Up the Mountain–Haew Narok–Home
Driving safely on the mountain
The road on the Sala Naresuan side is more winding and steeper than the Pak Chong side. Use low gear going downhill instead of riding the brakes the whole way, and watch for wild elephants and deer that come out to feed at dawn and dusk. If you meet an elephant, stop and keep your distance — don't honk or flash your high beams at it.
Want a full Nakhon Nayok trip plan?
See the Nakhon Nayok travel guide →