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TL;DR: Phrao Reservoir is located at Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, Thailand, open Daily, hours 08.00 – 17.00.
Phrao Reservoir

Open Days: Daily
Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00
Phrao Reservoir in Loei Province, also found in some local references as Huai Nam Phao Reservoir, is a small reservoir in Mueang Loei District. It is known for calm water scenery, a quiet local atmosphere, sunset views, casual photography, and short relaxation close to Loei town. This is not a large commercial attraction, but a simple local water landscape suitable for visitors who want a peaceful break, a quick nature stop, or a local-style evening rest by the reservoir.
Phrao Reservoir in Loei Province is a small and peaceful reservoir in the Mueang Loei area. In some local information sources, the place is also referred to as Huai Nam Phao Reservoir. The destination is best understood as a quiet local rest area rather than a major tourist complex. Its charm comes from open water, soft scenery, a calm neighborhood atmosphere, and easy access from Loei town. Travelers who enjoy simple landscapes and slow local moments will find this reservoir a pleasant short stop.
The reservoir is located in Mueang Loei District, making it convenient for travelers who are already staying in town. It does not require a long drive, mountain trekking, or complicated planning. Visitors can stop for a short time, take photos, sit quietly by the water, buy food or drinks from nearby local shops, and continue to other attractions in the city. This accessibility is one of the main reasons the reservoir is useful for half-day routes and relaxed travel plans.
The name appears in two common forms: Phrao Reservoir and Huai Nam Phao Reservoir. Travelers using online maps should try both names when navigating. This is useful because local attractions in Thailand often appear under slightly different spellings or names in different databases. The practical destination remains the same: a small water body in the Mueang Loei area where people come to rest, sit by the reservoir, and enjoy the view.
The main feature of Phrao Reservoir is its calm water scenery. The reservoir surface creates a feeling of openness, and on clear days it reflects the sky, clouds, and surrounding trees. The scene is simple but restful. It does not depend on large facilities or dramatic viewpoints. Instead, it offers an easy natural pause close to everyday local life. This makes the reservoir suitable for travelers who want a quiet place without the intensity of more famous attractions.
Morning is a good time to visit because the light is soft, the air is cooler, and the water surface often looks more peaceful. Visitors who enjoy photography can capture reflections, tree lines, quiet roads, and ordinary local scenery around the reservoir. Morning visits are also good for travelers who prefer a quieter atmosphere before the day becomes warmer and busier.
Midday is better for a short stop rather than a long visit, especially during hot weather. Travelers can use the area as a rest point, buy food or drinks nearby, and continue to other places in Mueang Loei. If visiting with children or elderly travelers, choose shaded and safe areas away from the water edge. The reservoir is a casual public space, but normal water safety should still be treated seriously.
Late afternoon and early evening are especially attractive at Phrao Reservoir. The warm light near sunset reflects on the water and gives the place a peaceful character. This is a good time for casual photos, sitting with friends, or taking a short break after exploring the city. Visitors should arrive before the light fades so they can choose a safe spot and enjoy the view within the recommended visiting hours.
Getting There is easiest by private car or motorcycle. Use the coordinates 17.5297222, 101.6994444 or search for both Phrao Reservoir and Huai Nam Phao Reservoir in online maps. Since the reservoir is in Mueang Loei District, it can be combined easily with Phu Bo Bit Forest Park, Kut Pong Public Park, Loei Walking Street, the Loei city museum area, local restaurants, cafés, and nearby hotels.
Visitors should bring basic personal items rather than heavy travel gear. Useful items include drinking water, a hat, a camera, insect repellent, a small mat or foldable chair, and a bag for carrying trash back out. If visiting in the evening, a light jacket may be useful when there is wind near the water. Photographers should protect cameras and phones from falling into the reservoir and avoid standing too close to the edge.
Responsible behavior is important because reservoirs are both water resources and public recreation spaces. Visitors should not throw trash or food scraps into the water, damage trees, disturb other visitors, or enter unsafe water areas. Keeping the area clean protects the local environment and helps the reservoir remain pleasant for residents and travelers.
Phrao Reservoir is not a place for high-adventure activities. Its value lies in simplicity. Visitors can rest, watch the water, take photos, enjoy a quiet local atmosphere, and support nearby shops. This makes it suitable for families, local residents, students, short-stay travelers, and anyone who wants a low-effort nature stop within reach of Loei town.
For families, the reservoir can be a pleasant short visit, but children should always be supervised closely. Areas near the water may not have fences in every section, and the reservoir edge should not be treated as a playground. Families should choose safe places to sit, keep children away from the water, and avoid any activity that could lead to slipping or falling.
Nearby food options make the visit more convenient. Local eateries and small restaurants around the reservoir and Mueang Loei area allow visitors to combine a short nature stop with a simple meal. This is part of the charm of local travel: the destination does not stand alone as a polished tourist site, but connects naturally with neighborhood shops, roads, cafés, and ordinary city life.
Accommodation is easy to find in Mueang Loei. Visitors do not need to stay directly beside the reservoir. Staying in town provides better access to hotels, restaurants, convenience stores, evening activities, and onward routes to Chiang Khan, Phu Ruea, or other districts. The reservoir can then be visited as a short side trip during the day or as a sunset stop before dinner.
Phrao Reservoir can be included in a half-day Loei city route. A morning route can begin at Phu Bo Bit Forest Park for a city viewpoint, continue to local cafés or restaurants, and end with a calm stop at the reservoir. An evening route can begin with the reservoir at sunset and continue to Loei Walking Street or restaurants in town. This flexible route works well for travelers who prefer relaxed movement rather than a packed schedule.
International visitors may find the reservoir interesting because it shows a local side of Loei that is not designed only for tourism. It is a small water landscape used by local people for rest, food, conversation, and evening views. This gives foreign travelers a more grounded impression of the province, beyond the well-known mountains, temples, and Mekong-side towns.
For photography, the most suitable subjects include the reservoir surface, sunset reflections, tree shadows, small local roads, and everyday scenes around the water. Morning and late afternoon provide the best light. Visitors should take photos respectfully, avoid blocking local access routes, and stay away from unsafe water edges.
Phrao Reservoir is valuable because it is modest, accessible, and calm. It may not have the scale of larger reservoirs or the tourism services of better-known sites, but it offers something useful: a quiet natural break close to the city. For travelers who enjoy simple places, this reservoir can be a meaningful stop in a Loei travel plan.
A good visit should end with clean and respectful behavior. Take trash back out, avoid damaging the surroundings, support local shops politely, and leave the place as peaceful as it was on arrival. With that approach, Phrao Reservoir can remain a pleasant local reservoir and a small scenic stop for Loei residents and travelers in the long term.
| Name | Phrao Reservoir / Huai Nam Phao Reservoir |
| Location | Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province, Thailand |
| Address | Huai Nam Phao, Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei 42000, Thailand |
| Coordinates | 17.5297222, 101.6994444 or search Google Maps for: Phrao Reservoir / Huai Nam Phao Reservoir Loei |
| Highlights | A small scenic reservoir with calm water, sunset views, local atmosphere, casual photography spots, and easy access from Loei town |
| Distinctive Features | A quiet local water landscape suitable for short relaxation, sitting by the reservoir, sunset viewing, and local-style travel near Mueang Loei |
| Main Purpose | Water management and local recreation for communities and visitors in Mueang Loei District |
| Travel Information | From Loei town, drive toward the Mueang Subdistrict area and use the place name or coordinates for navigation. Private cars and motorcycles are the most convenient options. |
| Current Status | Open as a reservoir-side rest area and small nature viewpoint near Loei town |
| Open Days | Daily |
| Opening Hours | 08.00 – 17.00 |
| Facilities | Reservoir-side rest area, water view spots, nearby local shops and restaurants, nearby parking areas, and road access from Loei town |
| Main Areas / Zones | 1. Reservoir-Side Area 2. Sunset Viewing Area 3. Water And Sky Photography Area 4. Nearby Local Shop And Food Area 5. Entrance And Nearby Parking Area 6. Huai Nam Phao Community Area 7. Irrigation-Related Waterway Area |
| Caretaker | Loei Irrigation Project, Royal Irrigation Department, together with local agencies and communities in Mueang Loei District |
| Main Contact Number | Loei Irrigation Project Tel. 042-811-111 |
| Visitor Guidelines | Keep the area clean, do not throw waste into the water, do not damage trees, keep noise low, supervise children closely, and avoid entering unsafe water areas |
| Nearby Tourist Attractions | 1. Phu Bo Bit Forest Park, about 6 km 2. Kut Pong Public Park / Naga Plaza, about 5 km 3. Loei Walking Street, about 6 km 4. Loei City Museum / Old Governor’s Residence Area, about 6 km 5. Loei City Pillar Shrine, about 6 km 6. Wat Si Sutthawat Royal Monastery, about 7 km 7. Lower Huai Nam Man Reservoir, about 9 km 8. Upper Huai Nam Man Reservoir / Huai Krathing, about 20 km |
| Nearby Restaurants | 1. Phi Ning Ang Nam Phao, about 0.2 km, Tel. 089-644-2500 2. Loei Ma Yum Tam Nua, about 2 km 3. Kuai Tiao Go Deng, Loei Rajabhat Branch, about 2 km 4. Kai Copy Mueang Loei Ban Kamnoet Phet, about 3 km 5. Krua Maduea, Mueang Loei, about 5 km, Tel. 042-861-114 6. Loei Danang, City Branch, about 6 km, Tel. 042-830-413 |
| Nearby Accommodations | 1. Crystal Box Hotel Loei, about 4 km 2. AU Place Hotel Loei, about 5 km, Tel. 065-237-7115, 042-813-441 3. Indiego Space Loei, about 5 km, Tel. 093-416-6295 4. Loei Village Hotel, about 6 km, Tel. 042-811-599, 084-785-2337 5. Muangmanee Boutique Hotel, about 6 km, Tel. 042-811-364, 042-811-365 6. The Bliss Loei Living Hotel, about 6 km, Tel. 042-812-988, 088-557-5435 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Where is Phrao Reservoir located?
A: Phrao Reservoir, also known in some sources as Huai Nam Phao Reservoir, is located in Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang Loei District, Loei Province. Use the coordinates 17.5297222, 101.6994444 for navigation.
Q: What is Phrao Reservoir known for?
A: It is known as a small scenic reservoir with calm water, sunset views, a quiet local atmosphere, and easy access from Loei town.
Q: What are the opening hours?
A: Phrao Reservoir opens daily from 08.00 to 17.00. Morning and late afternoon are the most pleasant times for scenery and photography.
Q: Is there an entrance fee?
A: There is no general entrance fee for a simple visit to the reservoir. Food, drinks, and local shop services are charged according to each operator’s prices.
Q: Is Phrao Reservoir suitable for families?
A: Yes, it is suitable for short family relaxation, but children should always be supervised near the water edge and should not be allowed to run close to the reservoir.
Q: What should visitors bring?
A: Bring drinking water, a hat, a camera, insect repellent, a small mat or foldable chair, and a bag for carrying trash back out.
Q: What nearby places can be visited on the same trip?
A: Nearby places include Phu Bo Bit Forest Park, Kut Pong Public Park, Loei Walking Street, Loei City Museum, Loei City Pillar Shrine, Wat Si Sutthawat, and Lower Huai Nam Man Reservoir.
Q: What type of trip is best for Phrao Reservoir?
A: It is best for a short relaxation trip, casual photography, sunset viewing, a local food stop, or a quiet break close to Loei town.
Category: ●Nature and Wildlife
Group: ●Dam, Reservoir, Lake
Last Update : 1 MonthAgo




