Namtok Huai Yang National Park

Namtok Huai Yang National Park protects a seven-tier waterfall dropping off Khao Luang mountain in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Thap Sakae district, about 30 km from the provincial town. Foreign visitors pay 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children; Thai nationals pay 20 THB for adults, 10 THB for children, with seniors 60 and over admitted free. A separate vehicle fee applies — 30 THB for a car, 20 THB for a motorbike. The park is open daily from 08:00 to 16:30.

Only the lower three tiers are set up for swimming, so that’s where to head if cooling off is the goal — the water is fed by forest streams and stays cool through the dry season. Higher up, the trail changes character: tier 4 has a side path branching off toward a sunrise viewpoint, and tier 5 gives a clear view of the water dropping roughly 15 metres off a limestone cliff face. The upper tiers are for looking rather than wading — treat them as a hiking payoff, not a swimming stop.

Watch out: After a period of closure, the park reopened for day visits and overnight camping in mid-2025. Thai national parks routinely restrict trail access or close sections during heavy rain, so a phone call to the park office before a long-distance trip is worth the five minutes, especially outside the cool season.

The forest here is genuinely dense — expect birdsong overhead through most of the walk, and don’t be surprised by the smell of wet leaf litter after rain. Trails between tiers are unpaved and can turn slick in the wet season, so proper grip on your shoes matters more than it would on a paved boardwalk.

Insider Tip: Aim to be at the park gate close to 08:00 opening — the lower swimming pools get crowded with day-trip groups by mid-morning on weekends, and the upper-tier trail is more pleasant to hike before the heat sets in.

Visit during or just after the rainy season (roughly June to October) for the strongest flow, keeping in mind trails get muddier then; dry-season visits trade a thinner cascade for easier underfoot conditions. Bring hiking shoes with grip, swimwear for the lower tiers, and insect repellent. The park sits on well-marked roads reachable by car or motorbike from Prachuap Khiri Khan or Hua Hin, and pairs easily with a coastal stop the same day — Hat Laem Kum beach and Koh Ram Ra are both in the same Thap Sakae district.