Pong Arng Hot Spring

Open Days: Generally daily (recommended to check the latest “open/closed status” with Pha Daeng National Park before visiting, as access may change due to official notices and weather conditions)

Opening Hours: Recommended 08:00 – 18:00 (best to visit during daylight and leave before dark)

 

Pong Arng Hot Spring is a natural mineral hot spring spot in the Ban Pong Arng area, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai. Most people stop here to properly “reset the body” rather than rushing in for a quick check-in, because the atmosphere is quietly forest-open, calm in a good way, and you can often see warm steam drifting above the water. The site lies within Pha Daeng National Park, where surrounding nature attractions include caves, waterfalls, and short study trails scattered across the landscape.

 

According to local information, Pong Arng Hot Spring has around 2 main warm pools, each with an opening roughly about 10 x 10 meters. The area around the pools has been landscaped to support relaxation and light tourism. The water temperature is genuinely hot, so the best way to enjoy it is to soak with a time limit, choose a comfortably warm spot, avoid forcing yourself into the hottest sections, and be cautious around slippery edges. If you are visiting with children or seniors, close supervision is essential throughout.

 

What many visitors remember most is the mild sulfur smell and the steam that rises in intervals — both are normal characteristics of natural hot springs. The key rule is not to drink the mineral water and not to use soap, shampoo, or any chemicals in the pools, because they can degrade water quality and accelerate environmental damage. If you want this place to stay worth visiting, the simplest “best practice” is to keep your visit gentle, take your time with nature, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived.

 

Getting There If you are starting from Chiang Mai city, drive up toward Chiang Dao District, then continue to the Ban Pong Arng area / the entrance zone of Pha Daeng National Park. Based on local guidance, Pong Arng Hot Spring is about 3 km south of the park headquarters. This is a mountain-road area with many curves and some narrow sections, so drive at a steady, safe speed, leave extra braking distance, and avoid traveling at night for safety.

 

 

A: Yes. Choose a comfortably warm spot, soak with a time limit, avoid the hottest sections, and be careful around slippery edges.

 

A: Local references commonly describe the temperature around 58 – 64°C, so it should be used carefully and not entered in areas that feel too hot.

 

A: Yes, but children must be supervised very closely near the pool edges, and they should avoid any sections that are too hot.

 

A: Winter and late-rainy to early-winter season usually feel the best — cooler air makes soaking more comfortable. Always check official access notices before traveling.

 

A: Bring non-slip shoes, a towel and spare clothes, drinking water, and a small bag for your trash. Do not drink the mineral water from the pools.