Beyond the famous waterfall, this park offers pristine jungle trekking, cave exploration, and camping. Stay overnight to experience the falls without day-tripper crowds.
Erawan National Park covers 550 square kilometres in the Si Sawat and Nong Prue districts of Kanchanaburi Province, centred on the limestone karst terrain of the Tenasserim Hills on the Thai-Myanmar border. While the seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall is the park's headline attraction, the national park itself extends far beyond the waterfall trail into a wilderness of primary rainforest, cave systems, and river valleys that see relatively few visitors. The park's cave network includes Phra That Cave (with stalactites and a revered Buddha image shrine used by the area's Karen hill-tribe community) and Ruea Cave, both accessible on day hikes from the visitor centre with a ranger or guide. The Huai Khamin waterfall in the remote Srinakarin area of the broader park system offers a similar emerald-pool experience to Erawan but with almost no visitors. Overnight camping within the park is available at designated sites near the waterfall and at riverside areas deeper in the forest — camping gives access to the waterfall pools in the early morning before day-trip visitors arrive at 9–10 am. Wildlife in the park includes hornbills, gibbons, wild boar, deer, and the gaur (Indian bison). The river below the falls is populated by catfish, and the pools with the characteristic emerald colouring are home to several species of freshwater fish. A well-maintained visitor centre near the entrance provides maps, ranger information, and a café.
Highlights
- Seven-tiered Erawan Waterfall with mineral-stained turquoise-green swimming pools
- Phra That Cave with stalactite formations and a Karen community Buddhist shrine
- Overnight camping at riverside sites for access to the falls before day-trip crowds
- Remote Huai Khamin waterfall area accessible by boat — similar pools with far fewer visitors
- Primary rainforest with hornbills, gibbons, gaur, and freshwater fish in the river system
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at 8 am when the park opens to swim in the pools before day-trip buses arrive at 10 am
- Bring water shoes — the limestone pool floor is slippery and small fish nibble at feet
- Do not bring food near the water; feeding the fish is banned and monkeys will snatch bags
- Book camping spots through the national park system in advance for November to February
- The trail to the 7th tier closes at 3 pm to ensure all visitors descend before dark
When to visit
November to May provides the best pool clarity and trail conditions. The park is particularly beautiful from November to January when the forest is green from the recent rains but the water has cleared. Weekday visits avoid the weekend crowds significantly.
Accessibility
The first two tiers of the waterfall are on paved paths suitable for most visitors with reasonable mobility. Beyond tier two, the trail involves natural steps, roots, and rock scrambles unsuitable for wheelchair users. The visitor centre and parking area are flat and accessible.
Frequently asked questions
Is swimming allowed throughout all seven tiers of Erawan?
Swimming is permitted in most pools. However, some pools may be temporarily closed depending on water levels or conservation conditions — signage at the park entrance indicates current restrictions. The first three tiers have the most popular and accessible swimming spots.
How do visitors get to Erawan National Park?
Public buses run from Kanchanaburi bus station to the park entrance approximately hourly (1.5 hours, around 50 baht). Private minibuses are available from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to the park directly (about 3 hours, 200 baht).
Can visitors camp inside Erawan National Park?
Yes. Camping is available at designated sites near the waterfall and at riverside areas deeper in the park. Camping gear hire is available at the park. Bookings can be made through the national park system online.