Rating: 3.2/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Generally daily (this is a community public area; avoid heavy rain/flood periods and check local announcements before you go)

Opening Hours: Recommended 06:00 – 18:00 (morning–evening is cooler, better light for walks and photos)

 

Huai Ka Reservoir is a small community reservoir in Mae Pong Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai. Its vibe is clearly that of a “local community dam” rather than a staged photo spot. The charm here is simplicity and open space, and it matters to local life in a real way. From the start, it was intended to store water and support agriculture under rural development planning at the time. In 1981, construction was pushed forward so the stored water could be used continuously, not only as a seasonal natural water source.

 

What makes this reservoir worth a stop on a “Chiang Mai / Northern Thailand trip” is the calm, small-lake atmosphere that lets nature do its thing. You get reflective water, a dam edge that feels easy to stroll along, and that airy, uncluttered feeling that helps your head feel lighter for a half day. On cooler or breezy days, the place feels more like a riverside community park for locals than a tourist check-in point.

 

Today, the area has been developed further as a public relaxation space, with local public agencies helping manage and improve the landscape so it is easier to access as a community park. The idea is straightforward: “make it usable for people,” whether that is walking, resting, enjoying the view, or bringing kids out for a change of scenery. At the same time, the reservoir still keeps its core role as a storage basin tied to irrigation and local water use in surrounding communities.

 

In a practical, everyday conservation sense, Huai Ka Reservoir works like a “buffer space” where community and nature can coexist without forcing it. It is not deep wilderness, but it shows how a nearby water source and green space can steady the rhythm of local life. You will see people jogging slowly, others sitting quietly, looking up from screens, and letting wind and water do the work instead.

 

Getting There Huai Ka Reservoir is in Mae Pong Subdistrict, Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai city, head northeast toward Doi Saket, then continue into Mae Pong. The route passes through Mae Pong Subdistrict Municipality, and from the municipal area to the reservoir is roughly 13 km (actual distance may vary slightly depending on your starting point). Use navigation, drive carefully on curves and narrow sections, especially after rain.

 

A small tip: mornings give you the best air and fewer people, perfect for a slow walk along the water. If you like golden light before sunset, late afternoon is also beautiful in a simple, local way. If you are traveling with kids or elderly visitors, choose easy-access resting spots and avoid slippery edges, especially in the rainy season.

 

To keep the visit comfortable and respectful, avoid littering, keep noise down, and do not enter the water in areas without safety management. Places like this last because people who use them help protect them. When it is cared for, a small reservoir can become a long-term “resting place for the mind” for both locals and visitors passing through.

 

 

A: Morning and late afternoon are the best, with cooler weather, softer light, and a more relaxed walking experience along the water.

 

A: Generally no, since it is a community public area. If there are special zones or activities, follow local/on-site announcements.

 

A: Yes. Choose easy-access resting spots, be careful on slippery surfaces after rain, and keep away from water edges in areas without safety barriers.

 

A: Good add-ons nearby include Wat Phra That Doi Saket, Doi Saket Hot Springs, Mae Kuang Udom Thara Dam, and Tweechol Botanical Garden (Horizon Village).

 

A: Watch for slippery roads/edges after rain, avoid littering or loud noise, and do not enter the water in areas without clear safety management.