🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First you have to make one decision: how do you want to sleep? If you want the sound of the forest, running water, and waking up to deer wandering past, pitch a tent inside the park at Lam Takhong or Pha Kluai Mai — but make peace with shared bathrooms and a stripped-down setup. If you're coming as a family, have young kids, or want the tent experience but still want air conditioning and your own bathroom, the tented resorts around Pak Chong do the job better. We'll cover both.
Camping inside the park — Lam Takhong and Pha Kluai Mai
Inside Khao Yai National Park there are two main official tent sites, both on the road toward Haew Suwat Waterfall. The atmosphere is genuine forest, not a resort — perfect for anyone who wants to be right in nature.
- Lam Takhong tent site — the most popular spot. It's a wide, terraced area right by the Lam Takhong stream where you can wade in the shallows. There's a welfare shop, shared bathrooms, and you'll often see herds of deer grazing in the evening. It gets crowded in the cool season and on long weekends.
- Pha Kluai Mai tent site — quieter and shadier, near the Pha Kluai Mai nature trail that continues on to Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall. Good for hikers and anyone who wants to dodge the crowds.
- Both sites have monkeys and wildlife wandering through, so keep your food sealed away — never leave it sitting out in front of your tent.
In-park costs (the real numbers)
Park entry for Thai adults is 40 THB, children 20 THB, plus 30 THB per car (foreign adults 400, children 200 THB). The camping fee is charged separately, per person per night. If you don't have your own tent, you can rent one from the park for around 30 THB/person/night, and add a bedding set (sleeping bag, mat) on top. Prices can change, so check on-site or on the park website first.
Want more out of Khao Yai? 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.
How to book an in-park tent site
During the cool season at the end of the year (November-January) and on long weekends, the tent sites fill up fast — especially Lam Takhong. If you want to be sure, book ahead rather than driving up and taking your chances.
- Book on the park website — the Department of National Parks accommodation and camping booking system at nps.dnp.go.th. Select Khao Yai National Park, then choose the Lam Takhong or Pha Kluai Mai site.
- The QueQ app — lets you buy park entry tickets in advance and cut your wait time at the gate.
- Call the park — 0-3731-9002 or 08-6092-6530 to ask about availability and conditions before you go.
- Have your booking confirmation and ID card ready to show at the checkpoint on the way in.
Things to know before driving up the mountain
The roads inside the park are winding and steep, with morning fog in places. Drive slowly and watch for wildlife crossing, especially in the evening and at night — you really do see barking deer, sambar deer, and even elephants. Don't honk to scare them off, don't feed them, and pull over to watch from a safe distance. The park gate usually stops admitting cars in the evening, so make sure you get in on time.
Tented resorts & glamping outside the park
If you want the tent feeling without the hardship, there are plenty of tented resorts and glamping spots around Pak Chong. Many are air-conditioned tents with their own bathroom and a soft bed, and some have a clear bubble dome for stargazing. Prices mostly start from around 2,800 THB per night and up, depending on the season and room type. On long weekends prices rise and they sell out fast. Here are a few that are actually open and get reviewed often.
Lalamukha Tented Resort Khao Yai
Big safari-style tents, nicely decorated, with a campfire activity. Good for couples and anyone who wants a luxe camp feel that's still comfortable. Book ahead in high season.
Mont Blanc Glamping Khao Yai
Air-conditioned tents with their own bathroom and mountain views. Good for anyone who wants to sleep in a tent but stay cool and skip the midday heat.
Oh La La Glamping Khaoyai
Dome tents wrapped in mountain views that photograph well. Good for groups of friends and photo lovers, with a chilled-out vibe.
Casa De Montana
Has dome rooms and a bubble igloo with a jacuzzi, so you can stargaze from inside your room. Good for special occasions and couples.
Berghaus 101
Large tents with their own bathroom and a quiet, calm setting. Good for anyone who wants real rest rather than a packed schedule of activities.
The Birder's Lodge Khao Yai
Comfortable tents with a private bathroom, set among the trees. Good for birdwatchers and anyone who likes plenty of shade.
Urban Camp Khao Yai
Private tent plots surrounded by gardens and an orchard, with plenty of space. Good for groups of friends or families who want their own area.
Caravans Club at Khaoyai
Stay in a motorhome with its own amenities — something different, good for anyone who wants to try an alternative to a regular tent.
In the park, or a tented resort?
Want the sound of the forest, deer sightings, a tight budget, and you're fine with shared bathrooms? Choose Lam Takhong or Pha Kluai Mai inside the park. Coming with young kids or older relatives, or worried about the cold and rain and want air conditioning with your own bathroom? Choose a tented resort around Pak Chong.
Packing for the cold at the end of the year
November through January is the high season for camping in Khao Yai. The nights up on the mountain really are cold — some nights drop into single digits. A lot of people underestimate the cold and end up not sleeping all night. Bring proper cold-weather gear, especially if you're camping inside the park with no air conditioning and no heater.
- A cold-rated sleeping bag — pick one that handles low temperatures. If you rent one from the park, ask whether it's thick enough; if not, add a blanket.
- A sleeping mat — the cold mostly rises from the ground, so a thick mat helps far more than you'd expect.
- Layered warm clothing — a t-shirt + a windbreaker/down jacket + a beanie and socks. Wear it in layers so you can add or remove as needed.
- A flashlight/headlamp + power bank — there isn't lighting everywhere in the park, and batteries drain faster in the cold.
- Food and hot water — a thermos or a small stove to make a warm drink makes the night a lot less miserable.
Safety in the rainy season
If you camp in the rainy season, the hiking trails and the paths down to the waterfalls get very slippery — wear shoes with good grip. Watch the Lam Takhong stream, which can rise quickly after heavy rain; don't pitch your tent too close to the water, and keep your gear off the wet ground.
What to pack for camping
- Tent + a rainfly against the dew (if you're not renting from the park)
- Sleeping bag + sleeping mat + an extra blanket
- Warm jacket, hat, gloves, thick socks
- Flashlight/headlamp, power bank, and charging cables
- Mosquito repellent, a basic first-aid kit, wet wipes
- Trash bags to carry your rubbish out, and a sealed food bag to keep monkeys out
- A folding chair, a small table, and an LED light if you want to relax in front of the tent
A 2-day, 1-night Khao Yai camping trip
Drive up, set up camp, watch wildlife in the evening
Wake to the morning air, visit a waterfall, head home
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