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Everything You Need to Know about Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang National Park is a serene mountainous paradise oozing with scenic splendor. Its vast mountainous terrain boasts some of the most stunning viewpoints, charming cascades, and unique hot springs in Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai.

This park’s numerous camping sections are also filled with food and welfare shops, so it has always been a big hit among casual and serious campers. It’s no surprise it’s a top tourist destination in the town of Pai

With various hiking trails to its name, not to mention diverse ecosystems, Huai Nam Dang National Park is definitely a gem every nature lover should grab.

Things to Know

Phone: +66 63 643 1744

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Website

Admission Costs: 

  • 300 baht (Adults)
  • 150 baht (Kids)

Where is Huai Nam Dang National Park?

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Image Source: Google Maps

Huai Nam Dang National Park is in Pai District’s east end. It’s bounded by Pai Town in the west, Wiang Haeng Town in the north, Kuet Chang Town in the east, and Mueang Kai Town in the southeast.

How to Get to Huai Nam Dang National Park

Bus: The regular way to get to Huai Nam Dang National Park from Bangkok is to board a provincial bus at the Mochit Bus Terminal to Chiang Mai City. This takes approximately 9 hours and you still need to catch another bus to Pai Town.

The national park’s entrance is along the road to Pai, so be sure to remain awake during this 3-hour trip.

Train: A cheaper option is to board a train at the Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to Chiang Mai Railway Station. This method takes approximately 10 hours so it’s slightly slower than riding a bus.

Also, you still need to catch a bus to Pai Town and get off at the park’s entrance along Highway 1095.

Plane: The fastest method to get from Bangkok to Huai Nam Dang National Park is to book a 1-hour flight to Chiang Mai. From there, head to the city’s bus terminal to board the next bus to Pai Town and get off at the park’s entrance.

This method is a lot more expensive but it only takes between 4 and 5 hours.

What to See and Do in Huai Nam Dang National Park

Explore Huai Nam Dang National Park’s nature trails

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Huai Nam Dang National Park is one of the more exciting hiking experiences you can get out of Mae Hong Son. This place is known for its numerous easy and challenging nature trails, making it a popular destination for casual and serious hikers.

Its most notable trails include the Aueang Ngoen Trail, Huai Nam Dang Trail, Pong Dueat Trail, and Pong Nam Ron Trail. These paths are over 1,000 meters, so expect an hour-long nature adventure with easy to moderate difficulty.

If you’re new to hiking, we recommend the Aueang Ngoen Trail for a straightforward hike that leads to a charming royal villa with a colorful garden. But if you like to see a serene river and water streams, the top pick is the 1,470-meter Huai Nam Dang Trail.

Admire the breathtaking mountain view at the Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint

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Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint is one of the most popular lookout points in Huai Nam Dang National Park. This attraction is also close to the entrance, so it’s typically the first stop for most park visitors.

It also boasts breathtaking natural scenery, from lush mountainscapes to colorful terraced flowerbeds, and a quiet grassy area with benches, perfect for picnics. 

There’s also a charming wooden pergola and viewing deck if you want to get the best view. This viewpoint also has a ranger station, so there are cabins for rent in case you like to stay for the night. 

Food service is also available, so you’re covered for food and drinks.

Hike to Mae Yen Waterfall

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Mae Yen Waterfall is a popular attraction in Huai Nam Dang National Park, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of cascades and hiking. The waterfall’s trailhead is east of Pai Town, about 700 meters past the Long Neck Karen Village.

This trail is flat and straightforward, so it’s suitable for casual and newbie hikers. Still, it’s approximately 3.7 miles, so be sure to gear up and bring plenty of water for the 2-hour hike.

During this hike, you’ll traverse lush forests and find numerous small streams before you reach Mae Yen Waterfall’s 30-meter cascade. There’s also a deep pool if you only want to go for a swim.

This waterfall is great for picnics so don’t forget to pack food! 

Check out the Aueang Ngoen Royal Villa

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If you’re hiking to Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint, Aueang Ngoen Royal Villa is an excellent stop along the way. This picturesque royal palace is known for its traditional Thai architecture, vibrant landscaped gardens, and chic concrete bridge. 

The shutterbugs on our team particularly like this place for the amazing photo opportunities it offers. Plus, most visitors don’t stay here for long so it’s perfect if you want to enjoy a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

If you swing by early in the morning, you’ll also get the chance to see thick and chilly mists covering the entire villa.

Discover the park’s diverse flora and fauna

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Huai Nam Dang National Park is well-known to people who frequent Mae Hong Son for its rich flora and fauna. The animal lovers on our team are particularly fond of the diverse wildlife within the park’s borders.

Common sightings include macaques, sambar deer, wild boars, civet cats, and more. This park is also among our favorite bird watching spots in Mae Hong Son because it has over 260 recorded bird species. 

Exploring the park’s general area gives you a chance to spot grey bush chats, Cook’s swifts, blacked-backed sibias, Yunnan fulvettas, etc. 

You may also spot vulnerable or near-threatened birds like the Himalayan griffon, rufous-bellied eagle, and great hornbill.

Visit the Pong Dueat Geyser

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Pong Duead Geyser, also known as Pong Duet Spring, is a unique attraction in Huai Nam Dang National Park. It has a geyser that constantly shoots hot water to the surface due to natural underground heat and pressure.

The water’s temperature is between 90 and 99 degrees Celsius so it’s not ideal for hot baths. Instead, they have several artificial pools that use the geyser’s water and cool it down to the perfect temperature for visitors who want to enjoy a relaxing dip.

Also, their facilities are free to use as long as you’ve already paid for your national park ticket.

Enjoy stargazing at the park’s campsite

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For serious campers who enjoy stargazing, Huai Nam Dang National Park is a must-visit. The park’s campsite offers a large elevated open space, so expect an unobstructed view of the vast night sky.

If you like star trail photography, the park’s secluded location also helps avoid light pollution messing up your composition. The breathtaking sunrise and sea of clouds you’ll witness the next day is also a massive plus.

Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang National Park Campsite

Address: Kuet Chang, Pai District

Phone: +66 63 643 1744

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for simple meals

Website

Huai Nam Dang National Park’s campsite is filled with small shops selling simple meals, so it’s the most convenient place to get food during your visit. The food options include rice, instant noodles, omelets, and basic meat dishes.

You can also get freshly brewed tea, coffee, and bottled drinks like water or soda. Just know that the park has multiple camping areas, so the closest shops to you may not have the items sold at the shops in other sections.

Scout the campsite before dark to know where to buy the food and drinks you like most.

Na’s Kitchen

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Address: 4024 Rural Road, Wiang Tai, Pai District

Phone: +66 81 387 0234

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Sunday – Friday)

Good to know: Good for authentic Thai cuisine

Website

If you’re staying at a hotel in Pai Town, Na’s Kitchen is one of the best places to swing by for a meal. This place focuses on authentic Thai food, so expect local specialties.

What made Na’s Kitchen’s popular is their curries, so you have to try these out! Just a heads up, they’re usually packed so it’s best to arrive before they open to secure a table.

Ci Xin Jai 

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Address: Pai, Pai District

Phone: +66 85 717 3628

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for vegans

Ci Xin Jai, also known as Chew Xin Jai, is arguably the most popular vegan restaurant in Pai. They also excel at fusion dishes, so expect their plant-based menu to take inspiration from Northern Thai and Chinese cuisine.

The serious foodies on our staff also like their buffet bar. Here, you can indulge in a wide range of dishes, from Chinese-style vegetable stir-fry to Thai noodles, spring rolls, and curries.

Also, everything is pre-cooked so you don’t have to wait for your food, perfect when you’re already famished.

Where to Shop in and Near Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang National Park Campsite

Address: Kuet Chang, Pai District

Phone: +66 63 643 1744

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for essential supplies

Website

The shops in Huai Nam Dang National Park’s campsite are also great for shopping. Item variety isn’t top-notch, so expect only to find basic merchandise items like clothes and accessories.

Our favorites are the shops selling winter clothes and hats, perfect for warming up during chilly and misty mornings.

Pai Walking Street

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Address: Wiang Tai, Pai District

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for souvenir, street food

Pai Walking Street is one of the nearest large traditional markets near Huai Nam Dang National Park. Here, you can buy cheap clothes, accessories, handicrafts, packed snacks, and more.

You can also find stalls selling fresh fruits and ready-to-eat meals in case you like to pack food for camping and picnicking at the park. 

The shops here, like Pai Republic, Rang Mantra Shop, and Siam Books, have you covered for good-quality souvenirs, traditional Thai apparel, and secondhand books.

Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai

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Address: 81, 1, Wiang Tai

Phone: +66 065 517 2372

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for groceries

Website

If you’re planning a camp cookout at Huai Nam Dang National Park, stop by Lotus’s Go Fresh Pai first. This supermarket has everything you’ll need, from fresh ingredients and spices to disposable utensils and basic toiletries.

They also offer membership benefits, so you can sign up on their website or the store’s cashier to earn coins for your purchases.

Where to Stay in and Near Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang National Park Campsite

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Address: Kuet Chang, Pai District

Phone: +66 63 643 1744

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for nature lovers

Website

At Huai Nam Dang National Park, you can rent affordable tents for two people, perfect if you have a travel companion! The visitor’s center also rents out sleeping gear like pillows and blankets. 

There are also rental cabins available that can accommodate up to eight guests. The price for the cabin is equal to a 2-person tent if all 8 guests split the rent. 

Keep in mind that you must book and pay for the cabin at least 2 days before your visit.

B2 Pai Premier Resort

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Address: 76 Moo 2, Wiang Tai, Pai District

Phone: +66 52 040 204

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for couples, families

Website

B2 Pai Premier Resort is known for its stylish rooms and modern amenities, so it’s definitely worth the 45-minute drive from Huai Nam Dang National Park. Their units also have private balconies or terraces, so expect relaxing views.

You also get a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, rainfall shower, high-speed WiFi, and more. Moreover, booking an upgraded room gets you a direct view and access to their outdoor pool.

Best of all, it’s tucked away in one of the town’s quiet and less busy neighborhoods, perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle.

Pai Village Boutique Resort

Address: 88 Moo 3 Vieng Tai Pai District

Phone: +66 53 698 152

Pricing: ฿฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for couples, families

Website

If you’re looking for a chic and cozy hotel near Huai Nam Dang National Park, Pai Village Boutique Resort is a solid option. It’s known for its neo traditional Thai and Lanna-style rooms with warm-toned interiors, flat-screen TVs, WiFi, and pool views.

Their charming, thatched wooden bungalows have private balconies and terraces but keep in mind that only some have mini-fridges and hammocks. 

They also have large suites and villas with multiple bedrooms and separate living areas, perfect for vacationing families. 

FAQs about Huai Nam Dang National Park

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