Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary
Bueng Kan's Big Forest, Waterfalls and Treks

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

When people talk about waterfalls in Bueng Kan, almost all of them sit within one stretch of forest — the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, a large sandstone range in the east of the province. It covers several districts including Bung Khla, Seka and the areas nearby, and feeds a number of streams that spill over the cliffs as waterfalls scattered around the range. Because it's a broad sandstone slope, the waterfalls here tend to fan out across rock terraces with natural slides, rather than the tall, sheer drops you get on limestone mountains.

The first thing to understand is that Phu Wua is a wildlife sanctuary, not a national park. That means its main job is protecting wildlife and the ecosystem, and tourism is only open at certain spots and on certain routes. Some waterfalls are easy enough to visit on a day trip, but the deeper treks — like Lan America or the hike to Tad Chanaen — need a permit and a ranger or guide, because there are genuinely wild elephants living in this area.

What is Phu Wua, and why are nearly all of Bueng Kan's waterfalls here?

Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary is the biggest forest in Bueng Kan. The main office is on the Bung Khla side, with several ranger stations spread out to cover the area. Its standout feature is broad sandstone terraces with dry dipterocarp forest mixed with evergreen forest, so in the rainy season the forest floor fills with wildflowers and green moss carpeting the rock, while the cool season brings comfortable, crisp air. It's a forest that really gives you that upland Isan feel when you walk it.

Because it's the source of so many streams, Bueng Kan's well-known waterfalls almost all sit inside this sanctuary. Each one is in a different corner of the range — some you reach from the Bung Khla side, others from the Seka side — and they're a fair distance apart. So if you want to tick off several waterfalls in one trip, plan your route and leave plenty of driving time.

Which waterfalls are in Phu Wua, and how do they differ?

Phu Wua has several waterfalls open to visitors, ranging from the easiest to reach to the ones that need an overnight trek. Here's how they line up and who each one suits.

The Lan America trek — the prize for adventurous hikers

Ask any nature lover what in Phu Wua is worth walking at least once, and the answer is Lan America — a broad sandstone terrace in the middle of the forest that fills with wildflowers and green moss carpeting the rock in the rainy season. The odd name dates to the war years, when American soldiers used to land helicopters on this wide rock terrace, so locals took to calling it Lan America (the 'America terrace') ever since.

This is a round-trip trek of about 7 kilometres, passing through forest, rock terraces and small waterfalls like Tham Noi along the way. Most people do it as a two-day, one-night trek, camping in the forest. You'll need a permit to enter the area and a ranger or guide to lead you. There are no shops in the forest, so bring your own food and gear.

How much is entry to Phu Wua, and what are the hours?

Phu Wua doesn't have one single gate that collects a fee. Each waterfall sits under a different ranger station, so entry fees and management vary by spot. Overall, they're local prices and not expensive.

• Tham Fun Waterfall — free or a small maintenance fee as set by the station. Open during the day, roughly 08:00–16:30. Busy in the rainy season.
• Chet Si / Tham Phra Waterfall — entry around 60 THB per person. Open during the day, roughly 08:00–16:00. Wat Tham Bucha is right out front, with parking and toilets.
• Tad Chanaen Waterfall — fee around 20 THB per person, but it's a long trek, so most people go as an overnight trip.
• Lan America trek — you need to arrange a permit in advance and have a ranger as a guide. Trips run by trekking tour groups usually include the fees, food and gear already.

Wild elephants and other wildlife — what you need to know

Phu Wua has a genuine herd of wild elephants living in it, and rangers run regular elephant-monitoring patrols. At times the elephants forage near farmland and tourist routes. That's exactly why the deeper trekking routes need a ranger to lead, and may close temporarily. If you stick to the waterfalls that are open as normal — like Tham Fun or Chet Si — during daytime, the chance of running into an elephant is very low, but always follow the rangers' advice.

• Don't leave the marked trail — especially while trekking, stay with your guide and group.
• Avoid being in the forest at dusk — wildlife forages at nightfall, which is why most waterfalls close in the late afternoon.
• Keep food sealed — food smells attract wildlife. On overnight trips, manage your supplies as the rangers advise.
• No littering, no taking forest material — this is a conservation zone, so pack your rubbish back out every time.

When does it look best — rainy season or cool season?

The waterfalls in Phu Wua depend entirely on the rain. The window when they're full and flowing hard is the rainy season into early cool season, roughly July to November. That's when every waterfall looks its best, the rock terraces are covered in green moss, and wildflowers bloom across Lan America. The trade-off is slippery trails and the risk of flash floods. In the dry season, roughly February to May, the water drops a lot — some waterfalls thin to a trickle or run nearly dry — so if you're set on seeing waterfalls in full flow, don't come in this stretch.

How to get to Phu Wua from Bueng Kan town

Phu Wua covers a wide area, and the entry point differs depending on which waterfall you're after. Tham Fun on the Bung Khla side is closest to Bueng Kan town, about a 40–50 min drive. Chet Si, Tham Phra and Tad Chanaen are on the Seka side, further out, about a 1.5–2 hour drive. Every spot is easiest with your own vehicle, since there's no public transport that runs right up to the waterfalls.

• Own car / rental car — the easiest option. Rent a car from Bueng Kan town or drive in from Udon Thani, and use navigation to the ranger station or the temple at the front of each waterfall.
• Hire a local car — if you're not driving yourself, you can hire a car to put together a trip covering several waterfalls on the same side. Agree the price with the driver in advance.
• Group trekking tour — for Lan America and Tad Chanaen, trekking tour groups offer two-day, one-night packages that include transport, food, a guide, fees and camping gear, from around 3,000 THB per person.
• Allow travel time — waterfalls close in the late afternoon and the round trip is long, so set out early to have a relaxed day out.

Getting ready before you enter Phu Wua

• Shoes with good grip — the sandstone is mossy and algae-covered, very slippery in the rainy season. Strap-back sandals or hiking shoes beat flip-flops.
• Swimwear + a change of clothes — if you're heading to swimmable waterfalls like Tham Fun, Chet Si or Tham Phra, bring a towel and a waterproof bag for your phone.
• Drinking water and snacks — most of the forest and the waterfalls have no shops, so bring your own and pack your rubbish back out.
• Mosquito and insect repellent — this is real forest, with insects and leeches in places during the rainy season. Better to apply some and relax.
• For overnight trips — tent, sleeping bag, headlamp, personal medication, a warm layer, and have your permit sorted in advance.
• Check the rain and trail status — ask the Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary page before you go about water levels, trail openings and closures, and wild-elephant activity.

Where to go next from Phu Wua