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Pathum Thani to Nakhon Nayok
Waterfalls & Nature, 2 Days 1 Night

Based in Pathum Thani and craving waterfalls and green hills without the long haul to Khao Yai? Nakhon Nayok is your closest answer. Drive out from Rangsit along Route 305 (Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok) and you reach the foothills in about an hour and a half. This is a 2-day, 1-night trip that starts in Pathum Thani and picks up Sarika and Nang Rong waterfalls, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, and the rice-field cafes around Ongkharak, routed as a loop so you never double back.

💧 Khao Yai waterfalls, Nakhon Nayok side🚗 Self-drive, 1.5 hrs☕ Rice-field cafes on the way home

Pathum Thani to Nakhon Nayok Waterfalls & Nature, 2 Days 1 Night

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Nakhon Nayok sits right next to Pathum Thani to the east, separated by Ongkharak district. From Rangsit to Nakhon Nayok town is about 80–90 kilometres along Route 305 (which runs beside the Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok canal), a long straight shot through rice fields with almost no junctions to get lost at. Figure on roughly an hour and a half if you leave early to dodge traffic. What makes this area special is that several waterfalls fall inside Khao Yai National Park on the Nakhon Nayok side, yet they are far easier to reach than from the Pak Chong side.

We've planned this as 2 days and 1 night because if you want to actually enjoy the waterfalls, stop at the dam, and still linger at a cafe without rushing, one night over makes it far more relaxed. That said, if you'd rather do it as a day trip, you can: just pick Nang Rong Waterfall and the dam, then head back in the late afternoon.

Day 1 — Drive from Pathum Thani, hit two waterfalls

Day 1

Pathum Thani → Nang Rong Waterfall → Sarika Waterfall

07:30

Leave Pathum Thani (Rangsit) and get onto Route 305Fill up the tank and grab a coffee for the road before you go. The morning roads are clear and the drive through Ongkharak is easy.

09:00

Reach Nang Rong Waterfall for the day's first swimWater flows year-round here and the current is gentle, with shallow pools kids can wade into and a bridge to stand on for photos. Open 06:00–18:00, around 50 THB per car plus about 10 THB per passenger.

11:30

Lunch at a riverside restaurant near the foothillsThe Nang Rong–Tha Dan zone has several made-to-order spots and grilled-fish restaurants along the stream where you can sit with your feet over the water.

13:30

Head to Sarika Waterfall and climb its tiersA large multi-tier waterfall dropping from a high cliff, with pools at intervals. Wear water shoes so the slick rocks feel safer underfoot. Open 08:00–17:00, around 40 THB for Thai adults and 20 THB for children.

16:30

Pack up and check in around the Sarika–Hin Tang zoneThis area has riverside resorts and pool villas across a range of price points. Book ahead on weekends, since lots of people from Bangkok and Pathum Thani come up to visit.

18:30

Dinner in Nakhon Nayok town or at your resortThe town is about 15–20 minutes from the waterfall zone, with plenty of restaurants and an evening market to choose from.

What to know about the waterfalls

Waterfalls in Nakhon Nayok run strongest and look their best in the late rainy season (August–November). In the dry months (March–May) some have so little water you can't swim, though Sarika and Nang Rong hold water almost all year. Before you go, check the Sarika district page or a waterfall page to see whether the water has come in yet.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Pathum Thani trip ahead

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.

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Day 2 — Khun Dan Dam, then loop back via rice-field cafes

Day 2

Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam → Ongkharak cafes → Pathum Thani

08:30

Check out and drive up to Khun Dan Prakan Chon DamThe longest roller-compacted concrete dam in Thailand, with a crest 2,720 metres long and 93 metres high, at Ban Tha Dan in Hin Tang sub-district. No entry fee.

09:00

Walk the dam crest and take in the reservoir and hillsIf you'd rather not walk far, there's a tram for around 30 THB per person that loops the crest in about 20 minutes. There's a coffee shop up on the dam where you can sit with the view.

10:30

Optional: boat trip to Khao Chong Lom (when water is high)A boat ride to see the dam and waterfalls from the water, around 1,500 THB to charter for 1–7 people, or 200 THB per person for groups of 8 or more. It runs about 2 hours, and you can skip it if you're short on time.

12:00

Drive back down the hill, lunch in Nakhon Nayok townPick a spot along the way before you get on Route 305 for the drive home.

14:00

Stop at a rice-field cafe near Ongkharak before Pathum ThaniOngkharak falls right at the halfway mark and has several cafes with rice-paddy views, like the cafes around the field bridges and the loft-style spots out in the paddies. Sip a coffee and wait out the afternoon sun before the final stretch.

16:00

Arrive in Pathum Thani, trip doneTake Route 305 back into Rangsit the way you came. Round-trip over the two days comes to about 180–200 kilometres.

The main stops on this trip

1

Nang Rong Waterfall

Open 06:00–18:00 · swimmable all year

A mid-sized waterfall that flows year-round with a gentle current, plenty of pools to get into, and a bridge to cross for photos. Great for families and anyone who wants to swim without a long hike in.

SwimmingFamily

~50 THB per car + ~10 THB/passenger

2

Sarika Waterfall

Open 08:00–17:00 · water almost all year

A multi-tier waterfall dropping from a high cliff and Nakhon Nayok's best-known one, with pools to get into at intervals. You can climb to the upper tiers, though the rocky path is fairly slippery.

Big waterfallLight hiking

Thai adults ~40 THB · children ~20 THB

3

Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam

No entry fee · tram ~30 THB/person

The longest roller-compacted concrete dam in Thailand, with a crest over two kilometres long. Head up to walk it and take in the reservoir against the hills, with a tram, boat trips, and a coffee shop on the dam.

ViewpointPhotos

Boat charter ~1,500 THB (1–7 people)

4

Wang Takhrai / rafting zone

Rafting best in the rains (Aug–Nov)

A streamside nature park and a put-in for inflatable-raft rapids in the rainy season, good for active travellers who want a bit of a thrill. If you have time to spare on the first day, you can tack it on.

AdventureRainy season

Rafting packages vary by operator

5

Ongkharak rice-field cafes

Halfway between Nakhon Nayok and Rangsit

On the way back to Pathum Thani you pass through Ongkharak, scattered with cafes overlooking rice paddies. The green setting makes it a nice place to rest before the final leg of the drive.

CafePaddy views

Drinks from ~60–120 THB

Getting there and what to pack

Main route — From Rangsit, take Route 305 (Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok) straight through Ongkharak to Nakhon Nayok town, about 80–90 km and roughly 1.5 hours.
Driving yourself is easiest — The waterfalls and dam sit outside town and public transport barely reaches them. With no car of your own, rent one or charter a van.
Pack swimwear and water shoes — The waterfall rocks are slippery, so closed-heel sandals help a lot, and a waterproof pouch for your phone is worth it.
Carry cash — Waterfall entry, the tram, and many roadside spots take cash more readily than transfers.
Leave early — You'll dodge the mid-morning traffic on Route 305 and swim before the sun gets harsh.

You can do it as a day trip too

If you'd rather not stay over, take the short version: leave Pathum Thani early, swim at Nang Rong Waterfall mid-morning, have lunch by the foothills, head up to Khun Dan Dam in the afternoon, then stop at an Ongkharak cafe in the evening before driving home. It all fits in one day without feeling too rushed.

Check out where to stay and what to see on the Pathum Thani side before you set off

See the Pathum Thani travel guide →

FAQ

Is Nakhon Nayok far from Pathum Thani, and how long does it take?

Not far. From Rangsit, drive Route 305 (Rangsit–Nakhon Nayok) straight through Ongkharak, about 80–90 kilometres, roughly 1.5 hours if you leave early to avoid traffic.

When do the Nakhon Nayok waterfalls have the most water?

They run strongest and look best in the late rainy season, around August to November. Some have little water in the dry season, but Sarika and Nang Rong hold water almost all year. Check a waterfall page before you go to confirm the water has come in.

Is there an entry fee for Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam?

There's no entry fee, but some add-ons cost money, like the tram along the dam crest at around 30 THB per person and a chartered boat tour of the dam at around 1,500 THB for 1–7 people.

Can you do this trip without your own car?

You can, but it's awkward, since the waterfalls and dam are outside town and hard to reach by public transport. Renting a car to drive yourself or chartering a van with a driver is far more flexible.

Is this trip suitable for families with kids?

Yes. Nang Rong Waterfall has a gentle current and shallow pools for kids, while Khun Dan Dam has a tram and easy-walking viewpoints. Just pack water shoes and keep a close eye on kids while they swim.

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