Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.30 – 16.30

 

Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park, now widely managed and promoted as Na Yung-Nam Som National Park, is one of the most important natural attractions in northern Udon Thani Province. It is located at Village No. 2, Ban Sawang, Na Yung Subdistrict, Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province. The main highlight is Yung Thong Waterfall, a small 3-tier waterfall set on the mountain ridge of Phu Phan and Phu Ya U. Streams flow over complex rock formations, creating cascades, rocky pools, and shaded forest scenery. The area is suitable for visitors who enjoy waterfalls, short nature walks, forest landscapes, viewpoints, and a quieter natural side of Udon Thani.

 

The Na Yung-Nam Som area is important as a mountain forest and watershed landscape. It lies near the meeting zone of Udon Thani, Loei, and Nong Khai provinces, with steep and complex mountains rising around 200 to 500 meters above sea level. Phu Ya U is one of the important high points of the area. This mountain terrain creates streams, waterfalls, humid valleys, dry ridges, and forest transitions. Visitors therefore experience more than one type of natural setting in a single trip: waterfall, sandstone rocks, dry dipterocarp forest, mixed forest, evergreen streamside forest, and mountain viewpoints.

 

Yung Thong Waterfall is the central attraction of the park. The name is connected with local stories and the natural character of the area, which was once associated with peafowl habitat. The waterfall has 3 tiers, each with different rock forms and water movement. Water flows across sandstone ledges and drops into small pools, creating a refreshing contrast between white water, dark stone, and green forest. During the rainy season and early cool season, the waterfall is at its most beautiful. In the dry season, water volume becomes lower, but the forest and walking route remain pleasant for visitors who prefer a quiet nature experience.

 

The nature study trail is another major feature of Na Yung-Nam Som. The route is about 2,000 meters long and passes Yung Thong Waterfall, Tad Noi Waterfall, and Pha Daeng Viewpoint. Along the trail, visitors encounter forest plants, sandstone rocks, stream channels, and resting points. Walking the trail gives a fuller understanding of the park than visiting only the waterfall, because the route shows how the stream, forest, slope, and rock formations are connected.

 

Tad Noi Waterfall is a smaller waterfall along the same nature trail. Its charm comes from calm water flow, natural rock shelves, and a shaded forest atmosphere. Visitors walking from Yung Thong Waterfall toward Tad Noi can observe the continuous movement of water through the forest. Small cascades, exposed roots, wet rocks, and streamside plants show how mountain water shapes the landscape slowly over time.

 

Pha Daeng Viewpoint is located about 1.5 km from the park office. It is a steep sandstone cliff that offers a wide view of the mountains and forest below. The viewpoint is especially attractive in the morning, after rain, or during the cool season when the air is clearer. From Pha Daeng, visitors can see a side of Udon Thani that differs from the province’s better-known urban, archaeological, and faith-based attractions. The mountain view helps explain why this area is important as a forested highland landscape.

 

Near Pha Daeng is a small cave-like recess associated with the meditation history of Luang Pu Mun Bhuridatto. This gives the trail a deeper cultural and spiritual dimension. Many forested mountains in northeastern Thailand are connected with the Thai forest monk tradition because of their quietness, remoteness, and natural suitability for meditation. The trail from Yung Thong Waterfall to Pha Daeng therefore combines nature, viewpoint scenery, and a sense of contemplative quiet.

 

The forest of Na Yung-Nam Som varies according to elevation, slope, and moisture. Dry ridges and lower slopes contain dry dipterocarp forest with teng, rang, hiang, and phluang trees. More humid valleys and mid-slope areas contain mixed deciduous forest with chingchan, daeng, padauk, makha tae, and several types of bamboo. Along streams, dry evergreen forest appears, with yang, krabak, takhian, tabaek, and makha mong trees. Epiphytic orchids and bird’s nest ferns grow on larger trees in moist areas, while rattan, palms, herbs, and smaller forest plants occupy the lower layers.

 

This forest diversity supports wildlife, birds, reptiles, insects, and small mammals. Visitors may not always see wild animals directly, especially on busy days, but bird calls, tracks, and the quiet forest atmosphere show that the area remains a living ecosystem. Visitors should walk calmly, avoid loud noise, never feed wildlife, and never collect plants or animals from the park. The beauty of the area depends on the health of the forest, streams, and wildlife habitats.

 

The appearance of Yung Thong Waterfall changes strongly by season. The rainy season from June to October brings the strongest water flow, green forest, and the most active waterfall scenery. The cool season from November to February is suitable for walking, viewpoint visits, and a comfortable forest atmosphere. The hot season from March to May can be dry and warm, and water levels may be lower, but the route can still be visited by travelers who enjoy peaceful forest walking rather than water play.

 

Suitable activities include visiting Yung Thong Waterfall, walking the nature trail, visiting Tad Noi Waterfall, hiking to Pha Daeng Viewpoint, photographing natural scenery, studying plants, birdwatching, resting near the stream, and learning about sandstone mountain landscapes. Visitors should start in the morning or late morning to allow enough time before closing. Late-afternoon hiking to viewpoint areas should be avoided because forest routes become less safe when light is low.

 

Water play should be limited to safe areas with suitable water levels. Visitors should avoid strong currents, deep pools, slippery rocks, and unstable ledges. Children must be supervised at all times. Jumping from rocks into water is unsafe because depth and underwater surfaces vary by season. A good waterfall visit is one that combines relaxation with caution.

 

Basic visitor facilities include parking, restrooms, shops, food, a visitor service area, and the nature study trail. This is still a natural park rather than an urban tourist complex, so visitors should prepare properly. Drinking water, suitable walking shoes, a hat, rain protection during the rainy season, insect repellent, and a personal rubbish bag are useful. Families and groups should ask park staff about trail conditions before beginning longer walks.

 

Conservation is essential because Na Yung-Nam Som is a watershed forest. Visitors should take rubbish back, avoid throwing food waste into streams, avoid collecting orchids, ferns, wild plants, stones, or insects, and avoid writing on rocks or tree trunks. Noise should be kept low on the nature trail. Responsible behavior helps protect the forest, water quality, and wildlife habitats.

 

Getting There from Udon Thani city can be done by traveling through Ban Phue District and Nam Som District. From Nam Som, a road branches from Ban Nam Suem for about 17 km toward the park access road. The total distance from Udon Thani city to Yung Thong Waterfall is about 103 km. Travelers should use a private car, rental car, or hired vehicle for the greatest convenience, and should travel during daylight because parts of the route pass through rural and mountain areas.

 

The journey from Udon Thani city takes several hours depending on traffic and road conditions. Visitors should leave early in the morning. Those who want a slower trip can stay in Nam Som, Na Yung, or nearby districts before or after visiting the park. Travelers from Nong Khai or Loei can also connect to the area through mountain and local roads, depending on their route.

 

Visitors without private vehicles can travel from Udon Thani city to Nam Som or Na Yung by public transport, then continue to the park by local hired vehicle. This requires careful planning because public transport does not run directly to the natural attraction throughout the day. For families, provincial travelers, and educational groups, a private vehicle, rental car, or hired van with driver is more practical.

 

Main areas inside the park include the park office, visitor service area, beginning point of the nature study trail, Yung Thong Waterfall, Tad Noi Waterfall, Pha Daeng Viewpoint, the cave-like recess near Pha Daeng, streamside evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, dry dipterocarp forest, and the front service area. Visitors with limited time can focus on Yung Thong Waterfall and the first part of the trail. Visitors with more time and suitable fitness can continue to Pha Daeng.

 

For Thai visitors, Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park reveals Udon Thani as a province with forest, waterfall, mountain, and watershed landscapes, not only archaeology, temples, shrines, or city attractions. Yung Thong Waterfall and Pha Daeng show a quieter, greener, and more mountainous side of the province.

 

For international visitors, Na Yung-Nam Som offers a clear example of northeastern Thailand’s highland nature. The site combines a small waterfall, forest stream, sandstone rocks, viewpoint, and nature trail. It is a rewarding destination for travelers who want to understand Thailand beyond beaches and major cities.

 

Overall, Na Yung Nam Som Forest Park and Yung Thong Waterfall are suitable for travelers who want a nature trip that is meaningful but not overly complicated. The area offers waterfall scenery, a nature trail, viewpoint, rich forest, and a landscape connected with 3 provinces. Visitors who prepare properly, travel at the right time, and respect park rules will experience one of Udon Thani’s important forest and waterfall destinations.

 

 

A: It is located at Village No. 2, Ban Sawang, Na Yung Subdistrict, Na Yung District, Udon Thani Province.

 

A: The park is open daily from 08.30 to 16.30.

 

A: Yes. National park admission applies: adults 20 to 80 baht and children 10 to 40 baht, depending on the park rate.

 

A: Yung Thong Waterfall is a small 3-tier waterfall with streams flowing over complex sandstone rocks, surrounded by green mountain forest.

 

A: The main highlights are Yung Thong Waterfall, Tad Noi Waterfall, the nature study trail, Pha Daeng Viewpoint, the cave-like recess near Pha Daeng, and the surrounding mountain forest.

 

A: The rainy season to early cool season is best for waterfall scenery and green forest, while the cool season is suitable for hiking and viewpoint visits.

 

A: Travel through Ban Phue District and Nam Som District. From Nam Som, continue from Ban Nam Suem for about 17 km to the park access road. The total distance from Udon Thani city is about 103 km.

 

A: Visitors should bring proper walking shoes, drinking water, a hat, rain protection in the rainy season, insect repellent, a personal rubbish bag, and should begin the nature trail in the morning or late morning.