Erawan National Park

Understand

History Erawan became a national park in 1975 and was the area was slightly reduced in 1995. This was part of then-Prime Minister Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat's initiative to establish a forest in the Salop Mountain range in Kanchanaburi.

Landscape The national park consists of mountainous karsts with the highest point being 996 metres. These hills act as waterways that flow into Erawan and other waterfalls in the area.

Flora and fauna Most of the trees are mixed deciduous forest, followed by dry evergreen forests and deciduous diptarocarp. Many animal species inhabit the area including the Asiatic elephant, Asiatic black bear, serow, barking deer, sambar deer, gibbon, and many other birds and reptiles found all over Thailand.

Climate Like the rest of Thailand, there are three seasons, hot (February - April), wet (May - October), and cool/dry (December - January). The best time to visit the national park is during the dry season where the weather is cool and not so muddy. However, this is also the most popular time to visit the national park, so it can get very crowded.

Getting there

By bus As of August 2025, here is a bus that leaves from Kanchanaburi bus station to Erawan National Park around every 1.5 hours between 8AM until 5:40PM for 60 baht person.

By car From Bangkok, take either Route 323 (via Phet Kasem Road or Highway 4) or the newly opened M81 high way to Kanchanaburi. Once in Kanchanaburi town, take Route 367 and then turn onto Route 3199 which will take you all the way near to the entrance. Once close to the national park, there should be signs pointing to it.

Getting around

All the waterfalls are walking distance of each other, however, the first few levels can be also be reached by a golf cart which is provided by the national park for a fee. However, to get between the waterfalls and the caves around the area, you will need a car.

See

1 Phra That Cave (ถ้ำพระธาตุ) (from the national park headquarters, follow way out to Kanchanaburi until you reach an intersection; take left and continue to follow signs for the cave). 8AM - 4PM. A cave that is accessible via a short hike to the entrance. A guide is required to enter the cave, as there are no lights inside. (updated Aug 2025)

Do

1 Erawan Falls (น้ำตกเอราวัณ). 8AM - 4:30PM. This is a seven-tiered waterfall, the main attraction in the national park. All tiers have a turquoise blue colour. The whole walk is 2.2 km and can be steep at points. A lifevest is required to go into the falls. (updated Aug 2025) Nature Study Trails (ทางเดินศึกษาธรรมชาติ). There are three nature study trails located along the main waterfall hike. The first trail is the Mong Lai Dry Evergreen Forest Trail (เส้นทางป่าดิบแล้งม่องไล่) which is around 1.1 km long. This trail starts at the bridge near the starting point of the hike and then comes out at the 3rd waterfall.The second trail is the Bamboo Forest (เส้นทางป่าไผ่) which is around 1 km long.The third trail is the Million Year Mountain (เส้นทางเขาหินล้านปี) which is 1.9 km long, starting near the parking long and ends near the 4th waterfall.Please note that these trails bypass many of the waterfalls, so if you choose to do these trails, you will not see all seven levels of Erawan Falls. (updated Aug 2025)

Buy

The national park headquarters has a small giftshop selling souvenirs.

Eat

There are a few restaurants selling Thai food right outside the entrance of the national park.

Drink & nightlife

There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks.

Sleep

Lodging There are cabins available for rent at the national park headquarters ranging between 800 - 1,500 baht per night. Reservations must be done in advance and online via the national park website.

Camping There is a camping spot plus basic camping equipment available for rent at the national park headquarters.

Backcountry Backcountry camping is not permitted in the national park.

Go next

Khuean Srinagarindra National Park (Srinagarindra Dam). More waterfalls and floating hotels on the dam. Bridge over the River Kwai, made famous by the movie and novel of the same name.