🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phu Foi Lom sits in the Phan Don–Pako reserve forest in Nong Saeng district, about 40–50 kilometres from Udon Thani city. It's an eco-tourism project that opens the highland forest up to everyone. The name "Foi Lom" comes from the wispy grey lichen that grows on tree branches in this damp, cool forest — it hangs like tassels drifting in the wind, and it's a sign the air up here really is clean. What makes people fall for the place is that it packs several things into one spot: flower gardens, a museum, waterfalls, and places to stay close to nature. It suits families bringing kids to learn as much as campers looking to escape the city.
Why make the trip up Phu Foi Lom
What sets Phu Foi Lom apart from other spots around Udon is the air. Once you climb to around 600 metres, the temperature drops several degrees below the city. On winter mornings mist floats through the treetops, and on some days you'll catch a thin sea of fog from the viewpoint. This isn't a steep mountain you have to scramble up — it's an easy forest to wander, with a road running all the way to the top. It's a good fit for anyone who wants the mountain mood without wearing themselves out.
- Cool air all year — at 600 metres it's always cooler than the city, and winter brings fog and a sharp cold wind.
- Lots to do in one place — flower gardens, dinosaur museum, waterfalls and nature trails all in the same spot.
- Works for the whole family — kids love the dinosaurs, adults love the garden and the views, and campers have the tent field.
- Still off most people's radar — quieter than the Red Lotus Sea or Kham Chanot, with a genuine forest feel and no crowds.
Want more out of Udon Thani? 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.
The botanical garden and seasonal flowers
The heart of Phu Foi Lom is the Queen's 60th Anniversary Botanical Garden, which gathers local plant species and plants seasonal flower beds. The interesting part is that the flowers here change month to month — go at different times and you'll see something different. If you're coming specifically for the flowers, check what's blooming that period before you set off.
- July–August — fields of pink and white krachiao (Siam tulip / curcuma) flowers in full bloom, during the late rains when the forest is at its greenest.
- December — the tulip festival, with beds of colourful tulips greeting the cold air; it's the highlight people wait to photograph.
- All through winter — cold-climate flowers and ornamental plants bloom along with the cool weather, so you can wander the whole garden.
Check the blooms before you go
The krachiao flowers and the tulips bloom at different times, and the exact timing shifts year to year depending on the rain and weather. If you're coming mainly to see the flowers, it's worth checking the Phu Foi Lom botanical garden's Facebook page first so you know whether things are actually in bloom that week — otherwise you might arrive to beds that haven't flowered yet.
The dinosaur museum and Million-Year Park
Another part kids love is the Million-Year Park zone, with life-sized dinosaur models dotted along the paths and a museum displaying fossils, the story of how life evolved, and replica skeletons. The Isan region is one of Thailand's important dinosaur fossil sites, so this zone is a real learning stop — kids leave having actually picked something up, not just having posed for photos.
Waterfalls and nature trails
Phu Foi Lom has nature study trails that thread through several forest types — mixed deciduous, dry evergreen, dry dipterocarp — alternating with grassland. Along the way there are small waterfalls and caves to stop at. The waterfalls here aren't huge, dramatic ones, but rather forest streams that run cool from the rainy season into early winter. It suits people who like a relaxed walk in the forest more than chasing big waterfalls.
- Nature study trail — walks through several forest types with information signs along the way, good for kids and easygoing walkers.
- Forest waterfalls — small streams along the trails, flowing well from the late rains into early winter.
- Caves along the route — small caves to stop at while walking, a spot to rest and take photos.
- Viewpoint — looking out over wide forest and the city of Udon in the distance; on winter mornings you can hope for a sea of fog.
Get ready for the trails
Wear comfortable walking shoes — some stretches are dirt and tree roots. Bring drinking water and insect repellent. In the rainy season the paths can get slippery, so watch your step, and don't leave rubbish in the forest. This is a conservation area, so carry it back and bin it at the service point.
Camping and winter cabins
Phu Foi Lom is busiest in winter, when plenty of people come up specifically to sleep in the cool mountain breeze. There's both a camping field and cabins to choose from. The camping field is an open lawn where you wake up to fog and soft morning light, while the cabins suit anyone who doesn't want to pitch their own tent and would rather sleep comfortably but still get the forest atmosphere. For either option you should book ahead, especially on long winter weekends when they fill up fast.
Bring your own tent
There's a lawn for pitching tents, with a fee charged per tent. If you don't have gear, you can rent tents, sleeping bags and blankets at the service centre. Prices are easy on the wallet, so it's good for budget campers.
Project cabins
There are cabins for people who don't want to camp. Book ahead and pick up the key at the visitor centre. Good for families or anyone who'd rather sleep comfortably.
Book ahead
Winter and long weekends get crowded, so both tents and cabins should be booked first. Call the service centre or message the page in advance to be sure.
It's colder than you'd expect — pack enough warm gear
Winter nights up on Phu Foi Lom are much colder than in the city — some nights drop below 15°C, and the wind can be strong. Pack a thick jacket, socks, and a spare blanket. If you're sleeping in a tent, bring enough cold-weather gear so that when you wake up you can sit and sip coffee in the morning fog without suffering for it.
Entry fees and what to bring
Phu Foi Lom charges a small entry fee plus a vehicle fee. The estimates below are based on previously posted rates, which may be tweaked slightly each year. It's best to bring cash and check the latest with the service centre first.
- Entry fee — around 20 THB per person and about 20 THB per vehicle, which is very cheap for what you get to see.
- Camping fee — around 60 THB per tent if you bring your own, or about 250 THB to rent a tent; sleeping bags and blankets are a few tens of baht extra.
- Bring cash — signal and card/transfer points are limited up on the mountain, so have cash ready for entry, lodging, and food at the canteen.
Getting there from Udon city
Phu Foi Lom lies south of Udon Thani city, in Nong Saeng district, about 40–50 kilometres away — roughly a 1-hour drive, since it's up in the hills and the final stretch climbs uphill. Your own car or a rental is the most convenient way, as there's barely any public transport that goes all the way to the top.
Drive yourself / rental
From Udon city take Highway 2 (Udon–Khon Kaen) and turn off toward Nong Saeng district; signs point the way up to Phu Foi Lom the whole route. You can just drop a pin on Phu Foi Lom or Phu Foi Lom Botanical Garden in Google Maps.
Hire a car from the city
If you're not driving, you can hire a car or van from the city for a round trip. Agree on the price and pickup time clearly, because it's hard to find a ride up top.
Stay overnight on the mountain
If you've booked a tent or cabin, drive up in the afternoon, drop your things, stroll the garden, then stay the night for the morning fog — no need to drive up and down in one day.
A 2-day, 1-night Phu Foi Lom trip
You can do Phu Foi Lom in a single day, but the real charm is staying overnight — you get the evening light, the stars, and the morning fog. Here's an easygoing 2-day, 1-night pace, with room to stop at other spots along the same route.
Up the mountain, the garden, an overnight in the cool breeze
Morning fog, a forest walk, a waterfall stop before heading back
Wat Pa Phu Kon
A white marble reclining Buddha set in the forested hills, over in Na Yung district — an easy temple add-on to the same nature trip.
Add it onThan Ngam Waterfall
Another waterfall in the Nong Saeng area near Phu Foi Lom, easy to tack on along the same route for waterfall lovers.
Into the cityBack to the city for a meal
Once you're down the mountain, head into Udon for bold Isan food or pull into a café to rest your legs and close out the trip in a relaxed way.
Plan your whole Udon Thani trip — where to eat, stay and explore
See the Udon Thani guide →