🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Khao Yai sits within a national park that spreads across four provinces, but the main entrance used by people coming from Korat and Bangkok is the Pak Chong side. Drive up Thanarat Road and you'll reach the entrance checkpoint, after which the park roads lead you to viewpoints, waterfalls, and campsites. What makes it special is how intact the forest still is — some mornings the fog rolls in so thick you can barely see the road, and that's exactly why people keep coming back.
Check before you go — some spots close seasonally
In 2026 the park announced that the Pha Diao Dai viewpoint will be closed from 1 June to 30 September for nature recovery. If you visit during this window, Pha Diao Dai won't be open. Check the Khao Yai National Park's official page before every trip, since the open-and-close schedule changes from year to year.
Viewpoints and fog spots worth visiting
Khao Yai's viewpoints are scattered along the main roads, and each gives a different angle — some open onto wide forest, others catch the sea of fog in the early morning. We've ordered them by where people actually go and how easy they are to reach.
Pha Diao Dai
A rocky ledge jutting out from a cliff at around 900 metres, looking out over the ridgeline of Khao Rom and a long stretch of rainforest. It's the most famous fog-photo spot in Khao Yai. There's a fair walk in from the parking area, so wear shoes with good grip.
KM30 Viewpoint
The first spot you hit driving up from the Thanarat Road side. At sunrise and sunset the golden light hitting the forest is gorgeous, and there's a coffee shop right at the viewpoint so you can sip and take in the view. Watch out for the monkeys that like to hang around — don't leave food out in the open.
Pha Kluai Mai
A shady area that stays cool most of the day, with the Pha Kluai Mai waterfall and a big pool. It's an easy place for a stroll, good for families with kids and older relatives since you don't have to walk far. It's right next to the Pha Kluai Mai campsite.
Khao Khiao–Wildlife Tower
The high point of Khao Yai, cool even at midday. On still mornings you've got a good chance of seeing fog fill the whole valley, and there's a wildlife tower where you can stand and take in the wide view. The road up Khao Khiao is winding, so drive slowly and watch for fog cutting visibility.
Sai Sorn Reservoir
A sunset spot many people love. In the evening wild animals come down to drink, and you've got a chance of spotting deer and other wildlife. It's quiet and calm, a nice place to sit and catch the breeze to close out the day.
Nong Phak Chi Wildlife Tower
A viewing tower looking out over a wide grassland. You walk in from the main road around KM35 along a nature trail of about 1 km. There's a good chance of seeing wildlife out feeding in the field — a spot that birdwatchers and hikers love.
Lam Takhong Wind Turbines
Not inside the park but in the Lam Takhong area, where giant wind turbines line the ridge above the Lam Takhong reservoir. It's a popular photo stop for people driving the Mittraphap highway, and you can rent a bike to ride around.
When to go if you want the sea of fog
Khao Yai's sea of fog shows up clearly from late rainy season into early winter, roughly November to February. Your best odds are on still mornings after rain the night before. You need to reach the viewpoint before 7 a.m., because the fog burns off fast once the sun is up. Bring a warm layer — mornings on the mountain are several degrees colder than down below.
Want more out of Nakhon Ratchasima? 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.
Current Khao Yai park entrance fees
You pay the entrance fee at the Chao Pho Khao Yai shrine checkpoint on the Pak Chong (Korat) side, or the Noen Hom checkpoint on the Prachinburi side. One ticket is only valid for entry and exit within the same day. It gets crowded on holidays, so we'd suggest booking and paying ahead through the QueQ app to skip the long queue.
- Thai nationals — adults 40 THB · children 20 THB · seniors and people with disabilities free
- Foreigners — adults 200 THB · children 100 THB
- Vehicles — motorcycle 20 THB · 4-wheel car 50 THB
- Buses — up to 24 seats 100 THB · 24 seats and over 200 THB
Campsites inside the park
The park's main campsite, open year-round, is Lam Takhong. The Khao Rom site (Pha Kluai Mai) opens as overflow only during busy periods. Both have toilets, showers, parking, electricity, a convenience store, and a restaurant open from around 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you don't have your own gear, you can rent it on the spot.
Lam Takhong site
The main site along a stream, with plenty of space. In the morning you'll often see wild buffalo come down to splash in the water. It's close to all the facilities, so it's good for first-timers pitching a tent for the first time.
Pha Kluai Mai site (Khao Rom)
An overflow site that opens only during busy periods. Shady and pleasant, near the Pha Kluai Mai waterfall, and quieter than the main site.
Camping prices are split between a site fee and gear rental. The site fee is 30 THB for adults and 10 THB for children per person per night. A 3-person tent rents for 225 THB and a 2-person tent for 150 THB per night, a sleeping bag is 30 THB, a pillow 10 THB, and a mat, blanket, or groundsheet 20–40 THB. All in, two people renting the full kit usually lands in the mid-hundreds of THB per night.
Book ahead or just turn up?
On weekdays you can walk up and rent a tent on the spot, but long holidays get very crowded — book through the Department of National Parks' online accommodation booking system. You can book up to 60 days ahead, and up to 3 consecutive days at a time.
A 2-day, 1-night nature itinerary
If you want the viewpoints, the morning fog, and one night of camping all in one go, here's a rhythm that works well if you're driving up yourself.
Up the mountain–set up camp
Chase the fog–head home
Things to know before you go
- The weather turns fast — it's cool and foggy up on the mountain, so always pack a warm layer and a rain jacket, even in hot season
- Monkeys and wildlife — don't feed the animals and keep your food sealed up; the monkeys around the viewpoints are quick to grab things
- Drive carefully at night — wild elephants and other animals come out to feed in the evening, so drive slowly, keep your lights on, and never honk to chase off an elephant
- Take your trash back out — some spots have no bins, so bring your own bag and dispose of it down below
- Patchy phone signal — download maps and your booking details ahead of time, since some spots in the forest have no signal
Plan your full Korat–Khao Yai trip — where to stay, eat, and explore, all in one place
See the Nakhon Ratchasima travel guide →