🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
This plan is written for people driving themselves, because Prachinburi's nature spots are scattered across the mountain and deep in the forest, well beyond what public transport can reach. There are three main zones: the Khao Yai Nern Hom side (Mueang district, heading up the mountain), the Prachantakham waterfall cluster like Haew E-am, Ta Khro and Than Thip, and Kaeng Hin Phoeng over in Na Di district. We put the mountain on day one, rafting on day two, and a slow waterfall stop on day three before heading home. Swap the order around to suit the rain.
Check before you set off
Kaeng Hin Phoeng rafting only runs in the rainy season, roughly June to October, because it depends on the runoff pouring down from Khao Yai. Outside that window the rapids are just a dry rock platform — no rafting. The big waterfalls like Haew E-am are also at their best in the rain. Plan a Prachinburi nature trip for the middle of the wet season and you get the full set.
Why the Prachinburi side of Khao Yai
Khao Yai has several entrances. The Pak Chong side (Nakhon Ratchasima) is busy and packed with cafés, while Prachinburi's Nern Hom gate is the quieter way up. You enter from Prachinburi town and climb steadily, passing the Nern Hom visitor centre to pay your entry fee, and the main ridge road then links you to the park's big waterfalls, both Haew Suwat and Haew Narok. The upside: shorter queues, thicker forest, and a real chance of spotting wildlife along the roadside like gaur or gibbons in the early morning.
- Khao Yai entry fee — Thai adults 40 THB, children 20 THB; foreigners 200 THB adults, 100 THB children (paid at the Nern Hom gate). The ticket is valid all day.
- Gate opening hours — opens early, around 06:00, and stops letting cars up the mountain in the late afternoon, so head up early to leave time for the waterfall walks.
- Fuel up and pack everything before you go up — there are no petrol stations on the mountain and the mobile signal drops in and out.
- It's cool up top and rain comes easily — always carry a rain jacket and shoes with decent grip.
Book the activities in your Prachinburi 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.
The 3-day, 2-night plan, day by day
Up Khao Yai via Nern Hom — Haew Suwat & Haew Narok
Rafting at Kaeng Hin Phoeng, Na Di — the real fast water
Prachantakham waterfalls — Haew E-am before heading home
Prachinburi-side Khao Yai waterfalls you shouldn't miss
Haew Suwat Waterfall
A single-tier drop about 20 m high, a short walk from the car park and easy to photograph — the perfect first waterfall of the trip.
Haew Narok Waterfall
The tallest in Khao Yai, three tiers totalling over 150 m, with a trail down to the viewpoint that's steep and slippery in the rain.
Haew E-am Waterfall
A curtain of water about 25 m high hidden in the evergreen forest on the Prachantakham side; the walk in is long, so it's for the adventurous only.
Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall
A mid-sized waterfall on the park's nature trail, good for an easy walk soaking up the forest atmosphere.
Safety things you need to know
Waterfalls and rapids are at their most beautiful in the rainy season, but that's also when the rocks are slipperiest and the water rises fastest. Always heed the staff announcements, never swim above the lip of a waterfall, and if it's raining hard upstream, get out of the stream immediately. Wear a life jacket the whole way down the rapids even if you can swim.
Kaeng Hin Phoeng rafting — know this before you book
Kaeng Hin Phoeng is in Na Di district — a wide rock platform at the start before you raft down the clear Yai stream, running through 6 rapids in a row over about 2.5 kilometres in roughly 2 hours. The intensity is fun for beginners who want the real thing without it being too brutal. The key point is that it only opens in the rainy season, since it relies on the runoff from Khao Yai — June to October is when the rafting is best.
- Whole-boat charter price — around 2,500–3,500 THB per boat, seating about 6 people, usually including life jackets, a guide, insurance and park entry.
- What to prepare — strap-back sandals or shoes that won't slip off, clothes you don't mind getting wet, a waterproof pouch for your phone, and a spare set to change into once you're ashore.
- Valuables — leave them at the base or seal them tight in a waterproof bag, because the boat can flip on some rapids.
- Book ahead — long weekends in the rainy season get busy, so contact a local operator or resort in advance.
Streamside stays in the Kaeng Hin Phoeng zone
Many resorts in Na Di sit right on the water, from a few hundred to a couple thousand THB, and some offer a rafting package so you can sort everything in one place.
Campgrounds by the rapids
For campers there are pitches under the trees near the stream with toilet facilities — great for falling asleep to the sound of the water, and easy on the budget.
Tips for planning a Prachinburi nature trip
- The rainy season is the best value — you get both full waterfalls and rafting, but be ready for rain and slippery trails.
- Driving yourself is by far the easiest — the three main zones are far apart and public transport doesn't reach them.
- Spread your energy out — the mountain day and the rafting day both take a lot out of you, so don't pack both into one.
- Carry cash — many forest service points and small resorts still only take cash.
- Have a backup plan — if heavy rain cancels the rafting, switch to a small waterfall or the herbal spots in town instead.
Want a good place to stay near the Prachinburi side of Khao Yai and Kaeng Hin Phoeng?
See 10 Prachinburi stays →