Khaokao Keree Tara — streamside tents on Khao Kho, a few minutes' walk to the mist viewpoint
Wake up, step out of your tent, and a few minutes later you're on a ridge with mist filling the valley — Khaokao Keree Tara, or "Keree Tara Khao Kho," is a streamside tent stay in Nong Mae Na Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun, only about 0.4–1 km from the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint · what people talk about most is the quiet natural setting, the roomy, clean tents with en-suite bathrooms, and the breakfast served right to your tent so you can eat with the view · from around THB 1,460/night · 8.3 from real reviews on Trip.com.
The overview, and who it's for — to put it as simply as possible, Khaokao Keree Tara (Keree Tara Khao Kho) is a tent stay — what people call glamping — beside a small stream in Nong Mae Na Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun · it isn't a fully themed resort with a castle and a flower garden for photos, and it isn't a luxury hotel with an infinity pool. It's a small place of about 16 units selling a quiet natural setting: sleeping in a tent listening to the water and the night insects, then waking up to walk to the mist at a viewpoint nearby · pulling together real reviews on Trip.com, Agoda, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and several Khao Kho review pages, the picture lines up fairly well — the people it suits best are camping-minded couples, groups of friends who want to try sleeping in a tent without the hassle of pitching one, and small families who want their kids close to nature, more than anyone chasing in-town hotel convenience or a full set of amenities · the charm here is the friendliness and the closeness to nature — you get to sleep in a tent without hauling your own gear, with an en-suite bathroom, meals ready, and staff looking after you · but if you're expecting a spotless air-conditioned room, good soundproofing, or five-star hotel service, this may not be your answer, and a building-style stay in Khao Kho would be worth a look instead · put simply, if you're into sleeping in a tent among the hills, this is a worthwhile experience at a reachable price.
Location and getting there — Khaokao Keree Tara sits at 84 Moo 2, Ban Son Sa-ad, Nong Mae Na Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, a zone tucked deeper into the natural side of Khao Kho · the biggest draw of this location is that it's very close to the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint and forest monastery, only about 0.4–1 km, a few minutes on foot, which is Nong Mae Na's popular spot for sunrise and the sea of mist · plenty of real reviews agree this is an advantage — you don't have to get up before dawn to drive over and fight for parking; just walk out of your tent and you're on the ridge in time for the mist · as for Khao Kho's other main sights — Wat Phra That Pha Son Kaeo, the Khao Kho wind turbine field and the Khao Kho Royal Residence — they're on the upper Khao Kho side, about a 30–45 minute drive away, since Nong Mae Na is a separate zone · most people get here from Bangkok by driving themselves via the Saraburi–Lom Sak route, then turning onto the Nong Mae Na road, roughly 5–6 hours in total · one key thing real reviews warn about repeatedly is that the final stretch before the property is an unpaved dirt-and-gravel track that's hard to find at night, the signs aren't clear, so arrive before dark and call the property ahead for directions · ordinary sedans can make it, but drive slowly and carefully on the dirt stretch, especially if it rains, when the road gets slippery and more potholed.
"Sleeping in a tent to the sound of water and nature, then a few minutes' walk in the morning to the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint and the mist filling the valley — but the last stretch is a dirt road, a bit hard to find driving at night, so call ahead for directions."
Rooms and tent types — Khaokao Keree Tara has around 16 units in total, in several styles to suit your group size and taste · the headliner is the Pyramid Style Tent, shaped like a triangular tepee, cute and photogenic, good for couples or anyone who wants the full camp feel · there are also General Tents and family tents with more space, sleeping several people, good for groups of friends or larger families · for those who'd rather have a proper room than a tent, there are King Size Rooms with Garden View and Classic rooms that sleep up to 4, warmer options with slightly better soundproofing than the small tents · what real reviews consistently praise is that the tents are roomy, clean and well-equipped, with spacious en-suite bathrooms and strong water pressure, which is more than you'd expect from a tent stay at this price · most tents come with bedding, pillows, blankets, and a balcony or deck out front for taking in the view · that said, to be straight about it, some reviews note that a few units have semi-open bathrooms, without a fully covered roof between the shower area and the toilet, so the property provides umbrellas, and because this is genuinely sleeping in a tent out in nature, some insects do fly in, as you'd expect in the area · that's something to make peace with beforehand if you're not used to camping · as for the cold, since you're up on the mountain in a fabric tent, winter nights get very chilly, so bring warm clothes and ask the property about extra blankets.
Facilities and atmosphere — because it's a small nature-style stay, Khaokao Keree Tara doesn't have a swimming pool or gym like a big resort; instead it leans on atmosphere and friendliness · what many people love is the streamside open-air courtyard and the outdoor fireplace, where you can sit around in the evening, chat and catch the cool breeze · there's a garden and terrace to sit out on, looking at the mountains and trees around you · the basic essentials are all here: free Wi-Fi, free parking, luggage storage, room service, and staff on hand throughout · another thing reviews mention fondly is that the property has a dog wandering around, which kids and animal lovers adore — though if you're afraid of dogs or allergic to fur, factor that in · the overall feel is calm and close to nature, suited to a slow getaway rather than a stay packed with all-day activities · the real charm here is sitting still, listening to nature, drinking your morning coffee, and walking to the mist on the nearby ridge, rather than coming for a full slate of entertainment.
Food and the BBQ dinner — food is one of this place's own particular strengths · breakfast is included in the room rate on most packages, and staff serve it right to your tent so you can eat with the view, a small detail that really impressed reviewers, because you get your morning meal amid the mist and mountains without having to go anywhere · another highlight is the BBQ / grill-style dinner that fits the camp feel up in the hills perfectly; groups of friends and families often book dinner to gather around the grill in the cool air · there's a small restaurant and bar on site, but the menu isn't as broad as a big resort's — it's made-to-order cooking rather than a buffet · because the property is in the fairly quiet Nong Mae Na zone, where there aren't many restaurants outside at night, booking dinner with the property ahead is strongly recommended, especially if you're coming as a group or in high season · reviews on the taste are positive in a homey way — filling and tasty in a simple sense, not fancy but a fit for the setting · if you want a change of scene for lunch or are after a café, you can drive out to the Nong Mae Na viewpoint area or the upper Khao Kho side, which has several cafés with good views.
Service — service is a point that earns fairly steady praise in real reviews, especially given the modest size of the place · most voices say the staff and the owner are friendly, attentive, and treat guests like people they know · there are foreign reviews that call the service better than expected for a tent stay at this price — from serving breakfast to the tent, to helping with viewpoint and route tips, to looking after your comfort during the stay · because it's a small place, guests get more personal attention than at a big hotel · that said, to be straight about it, being small comes with limits, such as a small team, so when it's full or several groups arrive at once, attention can slow at moments, and some things a big hotel offers — like accepting credit cards or express check-in — may be less convenient · older reviews note that at times only cash is accepted, so check on payment with the property ahead and keep some cash in reserve · overall, service is still a strength that leaves many guests feeling warm and wanting to come back.
What real reviews say (the good and the bad) — pulling from Trip.com, Agoda, Booking.com, TripAdvisor and several Khao Kho review pages, the picture is fairly consistent · On the praise side: a quiet natural setting with a genuine camp feel, a location close to the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint where a few minutes' walk gets you to the sea of mist, roomy clean tents with en-suite bathrooms and strong water pressure, breakfast served to your tent to eat with the view, a fun BBQ dinner that fits the setting, friendly attentive staff, and the property's dog that kids love · On the watch-out side: the most-mentioned issue is that the final stretch is an unpaved dirt-and-gravel track that's hard to find at night, with unclear signs · next is that some units have semi-open, not fully enclosed bathrooms, and some insects fly in, as comes with sleeping in a tent; winter nights get very cold because it's a fabric tent, so bring warm clothes; food and amenity choices are limited given the size of the place; and at times only cash is accepted, so be prepared · most of these gripes are about "the nature of sleeping in a tent" and setting the right expectations, rather than quality problems — people who come understanding it's glamping, not a hotel, usually leave impressed.
"The tents are cleaner than I thought, the bathroom is roomy with strong water pressure, the staff are lovely, and they serve breakfast right to your tent to eat with the view · the only knock is the semi-open bathroom, the cold at night and some insects — but that's the charm of camping anyway."
Price and value — the starting rate here is around THB 1,460/night for a starter tent or room in the normal range, and it can climb in winter high season and on long weekends, when good-view rooms and tents may reach roughly THB 2,500–3,000+ depending on the package and timing · family tents and rooms that sleep several are priced by headcount · compared with Khao Kho stays at a similar price, the value of Khaokao Keree Tara is that you get the experience of sleeping in a tent out in nature without the hassle of pitching one, with an en-suite bathroom, breakfast to your tent, and a location within walking distance of the mist viewpoint, at a price lower than many building-style resorts · measured per head for people who love the camp atmosphere and want to be near the viewpoint, it's very good value · but if you weigh convenience, a well-soundproofed air-conditioned room, or a full set of amenities, the same budget might find you a building-style stay on upper Khao Kho that fits you better · in other words, the value here depends on whether you value "the experience" or "the comfort" more.
Good to know before you book — a few things help the trip go smoother · One, arrive before dark, because the final stretch is an unpaved dirt-and-gravel track that's hard to find at night, and call the property ahead for directions or ask for exact coordinates · Two, the best window for the sea of mist is late rainy / early cool season, around November to January, when good-view tents and rooms fill up very fast, so book several weeks ahead and lock in free cancellation if your plans aren't firm · Three, always pack warm clothes, because you're up on the mountain in a fabric tent and nights and early mornings get genuinely cold, especially in winter — and you can ask about extra blankets · Four, make peace with the semi-open bathroom and the insects that come with sleeping in a tent; bringing mosquito repellent and a small flashlight makes things easier · Five, book the BBQ dinner with the property ahead, because there aren't many restaurants outside in the Nong Mae Na zone at night · Six, check on payment ahead and keep some cash in reserve, since at times only cash may be accepted · Seven, if you're set on watching sunrise at Khao Takhian Ngo, just get up before dawn and walk over — it's very close, so no driving over to fight for parking.
The bottom line — from everything real reviews say, Khaokao Keree Tara is the stay that suits camping-minded couples, groups of friends, and small families who want to try sleeping in a tent out in nature on Khao Kho without the hassle, with a location within walking distance of the mist viewpoint · the clear selling points are the quiet streamside setting, roomy clean tents with en-suite bathrooms, breakfast served to your tent, a BBQ dinner, and being only a few minutes' walk from the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint, all at a reachable price · but if you're after hotel-style convenience, a well-soundproofed air-conditioned room free of insects, or a full set of amenities, this may not be your answer, and a building-style stay on upper Khao Kho would be worth considering instead · for anyone open to glamping who values being close to nature over luxury, though, Khaokao Keree Tara meets that need well at a good price — and that's why it keeps earning solid review scores from guests who come understanding its charm.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Quiet natural setting with a genuine streamside camp feel
- ✓ Close to the Khao Takhian Ngo viewpoint — a few minutes' walk to the mist
- ✓ Roomy, clean tents with en-suite bathrooms and strong water pressure
- ✓ Friendly staff, breakfast served to your tent
- ! The final stretch is a dirt road, hard to find at night
- ! Some units have semi-open bathrooms, and there are insects as in nature
- ! Limited amenities and food choices
- ✓ Good-value glamping with no hassle of pitching a tent yourself
- ✓ Location close to the sunrise and mist viewpoint
- ✓ Fun BBQ dinner that fits the camp atmosphere
- ✓ The property's dog is adorable — kids and animal lovers love it
- ! Winter nights are very cold in a fabric tent — bring warm clothes
- ! At times only cash is accepted, so prepare ahead
- ! No swimming pool or big-resort amenities
- 💡If you're expecting hotel-style convenience — this is a tent stay; some units have semi-open bathrooms, there are insects, and nights get very cold → if you want comfort and a soundproofed air-conditioned room, a building-style stay on upper Khao Kho fits better.
- 💡If you're arriving in the evening — the final stretch is an unpaved dirt-and-gravel track, the signs are unclear, and it's hard to find in the dark → arrive before dark and call ahead for directions or ask the property for coordinates.
- 💡If you want the mist and peak atmosphere — you need to come November–January, when good-view tents and rooms fill up very fast → book several weeks ahead, lock in free cancellation, and bring warm clothes.