Tham Saken National Park

Open Days: Open Daily

Opening Hours: 08:30 AM–04:30 PM

 

Tham Sakoen National Park is a remote and highly scenic national park on the mountainous border area of Nan and Phayao provinces in Northern Thailand. The park is known for its limestone caves, waterfalls, cool mountain climate, forested watershed areas, and quiet natural atmosphere. It is especially suitable for travelers who prefer peaceful landscapes, forest trails, cave exploration, waterfall visits, and misty mountain viewpoints rather than crowded tourist routes.

 

The park lies along the southern end of the Luang Prabang Range, a long mountain chain that continues toward the Lao border. Its landscape is dominated by complex highland terrain, valleys, dense forest, streams, caves, and waterfalls. The area forms part of an important watershed forest and plays a major ecological role in preserving water sources for the upper Yom, Yao, and Lao river basins, which connect to major northern river systems.

 

The terrain of Tham Sakoen National Park ranges from about 300 to 1,752 meters above sea level. The highest peak is Doi Chi, which rises to approximately 1,752 meters. Because of this elevation, the park has a cooler atmosphere than many lowland areas, especially during the winter months. The combination of high mountains, forest cover, and watershed streams gives the park a refreshing and relatively untouched character.

 

One of the main highlights is Tham Luang Sakoen Cave, a medium-sized cave in Yot Subdistrict, Song Khwae District, Nan Province. The cave is about 600 meters deep and contains beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. It is also home to a large number of bats. Visitors who plan to enter the cave should bring a flashlight, wear proper shoes, and follow park staff instructions for safety and conservation.

 

Tham Pla Kang is another cave in the same area. It is smaller than Tham Luang Sakoen but still worth visiting for travelers who enjoy quiet natural sites. For waterfall lovers, Pha Than Waterfall is a convenient highlight near the park headquarters. It is a medium-sized waterfall with several tiers, surrounded by shaded forest and a peaceful natural setting.

 

Pha Lat Waterfall is located about 500 meters from the park headquarters. It is a larger waterfall where water flows over numerous rocks, creating many small cascades along the slope. A dirt path follows the waterfall toward the upper levels, but visitors should be cautious during or after rain because the rocks and trails can become slippery.

 

Huai Hat Waterfall, also known as Ban Yot Waterfall, is a medium-sized waterfall with water flowing throughout the year. It has around 3 main tiers and is located in Yot Subdistrict, Song Khwae District. Another important waterfall is Hong Wiang Chan Waterfall, which has around 6 larger tiers and flows year-round, making it one of the notable natural attractions within the park area.

 

The park has a tropical monsoon climate with 3 main seasons. The hot season runs from March to April, the rainy season from May to October, and the cool season from November to February. The cool season is the best time for misty mountain views and comfortable hiking, while the rainy season and early cool season are best for waterfalls because the forest is lush and the water levels are higher.

 

The forest types found in the park include evergreen forest, moist evergreen forest, dry evergreen forest, and mixed deciduous forest. Wildlife recorded in the area includes serow, barking deer, wild boar, squirrels, tree shrews, wild dogs, hawks, hill mynas, doves, and other bird species. The park is therefore a good destination for travelers interested in forest ecology, birdwatching, and watershed conservation.

 

To reach Tham Sakoen National Park from Nan city, take Highway 1080 toward Tha Wang Pha District. From Tha Wang Pha, turn onto Highway 1148 toward Song Khwae District. After reaching Song Khwae, continue on Highway 1097 toward Chiang Kham until you arrive at Ban Sakoen in Yot Subdistrict. From there, follow the village road for about 6 kilometers to the park headquarters. Private transportation is the most practical option because public transport to the park is limited.

 

Travelers should prepare practical outdoor items such as walking shoes, drinking water, a flashlight for cave visits, rain protection during the rainy season, and warm clothing during winter. Visitors should avoid touching stalactites and stalagmites, keep noise levels low, take all trash back out, and respect the park’s conservation rules.

 

 

A: Tham Sakoen National Park is located mainly in Yot Subdistrict, Song Khwae District, Nan Province, with protected areas extending toward Phayao Province.

 

A: The park is known for caves, waterfalls, watershed forests, mountain scenery, mist viewpoints, and quiet nature-based travel.

 

A: The cool season from November to February is best for misty views and cool weather, while the rainy season to early cool season is suitable for waterfall scenery.

 

A: Drive from Nan city via Highway 1080 to Tha Wang Pha, continue on Highway 1148 to Song Khwae, then take Highway 1097 toward Ban Sakoen and continue about 6 km to the park headquarters.

 

A: Yes. The park has accommodation and a camping area. Travelers should contact the park before arrival for current availability.

 

A: Bring walking shoes, a flashlight, drinking water, rain protection in the rainy season, and warm clothing during winter. Follow park rules and avoid touching cave formations.