Rating: 2.7/5 (16 votes)

Open Days: Generally open daily (it is recommended to check weather conditions and road access to the village in advance, especially during the rainy season).

Opening Hours: Generally 08:00 – 17:00.

 

Pa Sak Ngam Waterfall is located in Village No. 1, Ban Pa Sak Ngam, Luang Nuea Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province. This area is known as a community-based natural recreation site and also serves as a visitor service point in the transition zone connecting the village, Mae Kuang Dam, and Phaen Din Wut Viewpoint. The overall atmosphere feels genuinely natural rather than artificially curated for tourism. The landscape features forested streams, high humidity along the watercourse, and undulating terrain with alternating slopes, which are characteristic of the surrounding valley.

 

What draws many visitors here is the environment of a moist mixed deciduous forest along the stream. During the hot season, the temperature near the water becomes noticeably cooler, making it an appealing destination for those seeking nature without the demands of strenuous mountain trekking. However, this is not a place where you simply park and arrive instantly. The charm of Ban Pa Sak Ngam lies in its community routes and access that require some planning, including consideration of transportation, road conditions, and weather.

 

For the sake of transparency with readers: reports from a recent field survey by one source indicate that the waterfall may no longer appear as a clearly cascading, multi-tiered fall, and instead consists mainly of a small stream. Therefore, if your primary goal is to see a dramatic waterfall curtain, it is advisable to contact local authorities or area coordinators to check current conditions before traveling. On the other hand, if you are visiting for the riverside forest atmosphere, gentle walks, photography, and quiet relaxation, the Ban Pa Sak Ngam area remains worth a visit, as its natural context and nearby connecting routes still offer several complementary attractions.

 

Visiting this area is often described as most suitable for water play or relaxing by the stream during the hot season (approximately March to May), when temperatures rise and people seek cool water. During the rainy season, extra caution is required due to slippery dirt paths, steep terrain, and the risk of flash flooding in the stream, especially after continuous heavy rainfall.

 

Getting There to Pa Sak Ngam Waterfall generally follows two main approaches. The first is traveling to the Mae Kuang Dam area and taking a boat across the reservoir, which takes about 30 minutes before continuing into the village. This option suits travelers who want the experience of crossing the water and prefer not to drive a long detour. The second option is to drive directly via village roads. The commonly cited distance is around 90 kilometers, taking approximately 2 hours, following the Chiang Mai – Phrao route before turning into Luang Nuea and Ban Pa Sak Ngam. In both cases, it is advisable to allow extra time, and during the rainy season, ensure your vehicle is in good condition with reliable tires and drive cautiously.

 

If you want to make the most of a single trip, it is recommended to plan a combined route of “Ban Pa Sak Ngam – Suspension Bridge – Phaen Din Wut Viewpoint.” This approach offers lakeside scenery, scenic walking paths, and a sense of local community life, without placing all expectations solely on the word “waterfall.”

 

 

A: The atmosphere is most suitable during the hot season, when visitors often come to cool off by the stream. Checking current conditions before traveling is recommended.

 

A: There are two main options: taking a boat across Mae Kuang Dam (about 30 minutes) or driving via village access roads.

 

A: It is advisable to check current site conditions in advance, as recent reports indicate the waterfall may not appear as a prominent cascade and may instead be a small stream.

 

A: Yes, but extra caution is needed due to slippery paths, steep terrain, and the risk of flash flooding. Avoid visiting after prolonged heavy rain.

 

A: A combined route including the Mae Kuang Dam suspension bridge and Phaen Din Wut Viewpoint is recommended, offering reservoir views and forested riverside scenery in a single trip.