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Everything You Need to Know About Phu Kradueng National Park

| Last Updated: August 2024

Phu Kradueng National Park is a top-tier hiking destination in Loei (Loei). It’s basically a backpacker’s paradise, with its long challenging nature trail through lush tropical forests, waterfalls, and panoramic sandstone cliffs.

Yup, this park should be part of your day trip as a perfect weekend getaway. What’s more, it’s also packed with local food stalls, cafes, and eateries, which should be a glorious boost in your journey through the mindblowing diverse flora and fauna.

But just a heads up because Phu Kradueng National Park is not open all year. So read on to know all the essential details here before planning your trip!

Where is Phu Kradueng National Park?

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Phu Kradueng National Park is in the southern tip of Loei. It’s along Highway 2019 and west of Huai Yang Lake in Phu Kradueng District.

Things to Know

Phone: +66 42 810 833

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Admission Costs: 400 baht (Adults), 200 baht (Kids)

Website

How to Get to Phu Kradueng National Park

Plane: The fastest way to get to Phu Kradueng National Park from Bangkok is to catch a flight from Don Mueang International Airport to Loei Airport. After landing, you can ride an airport taxi straight to the park.

The flight to Loei takes approximately 1 hour and the subsequent taxi ride takes another 1 hour.

Bus: The cheapest way to get to Phu Kradueng National Park from Bangkok is to ride a provincial bus at the Mochit Bus Terminal. You must board a direct bus to the Pha Nok Khao Bus Station in Phu Kradueng District.

Once you arrive, you can ride a songthaew or taxi to the park’s entrance. The entire trip takes approximately 7 hours, so it’s only suitable for travelers with plenty of time on their hands.

Rental Car: You can also get to Phu Kradueng National Park from Bangkok by driving north via the Sirat Expressway and turning right to Highway 9 after the Bang Pa-in Toll Plaza. Afterward, continue via Highway 1 and switch to Highway 2 at Saraburi.

Switch again to Highway 6 in Saithon and make another switch to Highway 201 in Sikhio District. Keep driving north via Highway 201 until you reach Phu Kradueng District and turn left to Highway 2019 to get to the park’s entrance.

Only travelers with a driver’s license and an International Driving Permit can rent cars in Bangkok. Also, the car trip should take you approximately 7 hours.

What to See and Do in Phu Kradueng National Park

Hike through the park’s challenging nature trails

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Hiking is the most popular activity at the Phu Kradueng National Park. Here, you can hike a 3 to 4-hour nature trail through the park’s lush deciduous forest and scenic sandstone cliffs.

The park has numerous rest stops along the way, so you can take your time and recharge as you hike to the summit. We particularly like soaking in the view from the park’s sandstone cliffs because they overlook the surrounding forests and hillscapes.

It’s also worth noting that the park’s visitor’s center offers rental bicycles in case you prefer to climb the top on a two-wheeler.

Soak in the breathtaking view from the park’s mountaintop

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Phu Kradueng National Park has one of the most scenic mountaintops in Loei, so it’s definitely worth the long hike. Its highest point is 1,316 meters above sea level, so expect a stunning panoramic view of the lush greeneries and mountains.

The top view is even more impressive during the sunset, so be sure not to miss it. Still, nothing beats the view during foggy mornings, especially with the thick sea of clouds covering the surrounding mountainscapes and the sun slowly rising to the sky.

It’s also one of the park’s most photographed spots, so expect many hikers when you get there at dawn.

Set up a tent at Phu Kradueng National Park’s campsite

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Camping gives you the best chance to enjoy the natural beauty of Phu Kradueng National Park to the fullest. After all, staying here means you can explore the park even when its entrance and visitor’s center are already closed.

This also lets you enjoy night activities like stargazing, animal spotting, and dinner cookouts. Animal spotting at night, in particular, is great because it lets you observe nocturnal creatures like the sambar deer, collared scops owl, Asian palm civet, etc.

Moreover, there are local porters at the park’s entrance who can help carry your belongings up to the campground. This is convenient if you brought many camping equipment and essential supplies.

Admire the park’s vibrant red maple trees

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Phu Kradueng National Park is well-known for its vibrant red maple trees, also known as acer calcaratum. These trees are some of the most photographed sights within the park, especially during the winter season between December and February.

During this time, the leaves of the maple trees turn bright red, making them beautiful subjects or romantic backdrops for your photos. The park’s bright red forest floor with countless fallen leaves is not only fun to stroll but also a sight to see.

Check out the park’s waterfalls

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A tour of Phu Kradueng National Park won’t be complete without seeing its stunning waterfalls: Than Sor Nuo, Tham Yai, Wang Kwang, Pen Phob, Phon Pob, and Pen Pob Mai. Tham Yai Waterfall, in particular, is a must-see, especially during winter.

This waterfall’s gentle cascade, water pool, and rocky terrain get an upgraded look thanks to the fallen red maple tree leaves.

Keep your eyes peeled for the park’s wildlife

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If you love animals, you’ll certainly enjoy Phu Kradueng National Park’s diverse wildlife. Some of the most common animal sightings within the park include sambar deer, wild boars, white-handed gibbons, Asian golden cats, and more.

The park’s nature trails also offer rare sightings of wild elephants. Bear in mind that these beasts can be dangerous when they feel threatened, so it’s recommended to only observe them from at least 100 meters away. 

Our team’s serious birdwatchers also like the park’s over 200 recorded bird species. Here, you can spot numerous avians, from bar-backed partridges to spotted-necked doves, mountain hawk eagles, great barbets, etc.

Stop by the numerous food stalls within the park

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Phu Kradueng National Park is an excellent place for foodie adventures. Most of the park’s rest stops and sandstone cliffs are packed with food stalls, cafes, and eateries, so you’re well-covered when it comes to food and drinks.

We also like that many of the food shops at the park’s upper visitor’s center and campground stays open until 10 p.m., perfect if you plan to camp for the night. You can also find restaurants that open early in the morning so you’re covered for breakfast.

Where to Eat and Drink in Phu Kradueng National Park

Shop Worth Trying (ร้านน่าลอง)

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Address: Phu Kradueng National Park, Si Than

Phone: +66 82 844 1655

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for Thai food

Shop Worth Trying is a small Thai restaurant at the Phu Kradeung National Park’s lower visitor’s center. It’s near the park’s entrance and parking area, so it’s definitely a great option if you need a quick meal upon arrival.

We like this eatery’s sizable menu which gives you plenty of affordable food options. This includes staple Thai food like tom kha goong, sun-dried pork, pork larb, and numerous stir-fried dishes.

Everything on their menu also tastes authentic which is a plus. Our top pick is their spicy seafood som tum. This papaya salad dish has intense seafood flavors, spiciness, and extra crunchy texture thanks to the peanut toppings.

ChompooMameaw

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Address: Moo 1, Tambon Sri Base

Phone: +66 83 025 6025

Pricing: ฿

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

Good to know: Good for sweets

Website

ChompooMameaw is our go-to cafe inside Phu Kradueng National Park. You can find this humble snack bar at the Lomsak Cliff so it’s a great place to stop by during your hike since you can also enjoy the stunning scenery.

However, this cafe only serves coffees and brownies so your options are limited. But we like their focus on quality since they also only use grade 1 imported coffee beans from Ethiopia, Panama, and Colombia.

Our team’s coffee fanatics like their Yirgacheffe and Sidamo coffee beans from Ethiopia the most. But their raspberry candy coffee is also a great choice if you want a milk-based roast with sweet berries and creamy white chocolate flavors. 

Boon Me Ocha

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Address: Phu Kradueng Park Campground, Si Than

Phone: +66 81 132 2254

Pricing: ฿

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

Good to know: Good for breakfast

Boom Me Ocha is one of the best breakfast spots in Phu Kradueng National Park. It operates at the campground, so campers have easy access to their affordable selection of Thai dishes.

Our go-to is their Thai congee, also known as jok. It’s an excellent hearty breakfast porridge made with jasmine rice and topped with poached egg, stir-fried pork, fried garlic, and green onions.

We also like their hot pot sets which includes pork belly slices, crab sticks, scallops, assorted veggies, and more.

Where to Shop in Phu Kradueng National Park

Phu Kradueng National Park Welfare Shop

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Address: Phu Kradueng National Park, Si Than

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for shopping essentials

The welfare shop near Phu Kradueng National Park’s entrance is a great place to shop for camping supplies. It has a nice selection of cheap clothes, bags, and various packed goods.

This shop also has a small cafe, so you can stop by for an ice-cold drink or hot coffee.

Boombootik Retails

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Address: 291/3 Phu Kradueng District

Phone: +66 87 234 0037

Pricing: ฿

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

Good to know: Good for clothes and home supplies

Website

Boombootik Retails is a budget-friendly retail store offering a wide range of affordable products, from clothes to accessories, stuffed toys, home decor, and more. Their decent selection of sports equipment and home appliances are also a plus.

This store is also convenient since it’s only a 6-minute drive from Phu Kradueng National Park. They post the products they sell on their Facebook page, so you can check them out before heading there.

Big C Supercenter Loei

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Address: 114 Moo 9, Maliwan Road, Na An

Phone: +66 2 267 0412

Pricing: ฿฿฿

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

Good to know: Good for all-around shopping

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If you’re traveling to Phu Kradueng National Park from the town center, stopping by Big C Supercenter Loei for supplies is an excellent choice. It’s a hypermarket, so expect a great selection of products typically sold at supermarkets and department stores.

Think grocery items, fashion and cosmetics, electronic products, hardware tools, and more. You’ll also find numerous restaurants and cafes so you can go on foodie adventures while shopping.

There’s also a large food court and a movie theater so it’s definitely a great place to take the whole family shopping.

Where to Stay in Phu Kradueng National Park

Phu Kradueng National Park Campground

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Address: Phu Kradueng National Park, Moo 1, Ban Si Than Si Than

Phone: +66 42 871 333

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 24/7

Good to know: Good for nature lovers

Website

The Phu Kradueng National Park Campground is a great option for travelers who like the company of nature and wants to make the most out of their visit to the park. Rental tents are also a lot cheaper than hotel rooms, so it’s perfect when you’re on a budget.

You can also rent a simple wooden bungalow with mattresses if you don’t mind spending extra, but you must call ahead to book your reservation. However, keep in mind that their bathroom facilities aren’t modern, so it can be a hit or miss.

But staying here means you don’t have to travel back and forth to the park which is a plus. Moreover, this lets you wake up to the park’s foggy mornings or hike early to the summit to witness its breathtaking sea of clouds and sunrise.

Phu Kradueng FamilyFarm 

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Address: 255 Phu Kradueng District

Phone: +66 88 551 9530

Pricing: ฿฿

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

Good to know: Good for couples and families

Website

Phu Kradueng FamilyFarm is a convenient farm stay accommodation because it’s only a 7-minute drive from the park. It’s also one of the most scenic properties in Phu Kradueng, so expect chic wooden walkways, lush gardens, and cute photo spots.

We also like that you can have garden cookouts and picnics which lets you soak in the farm’s relaxing atmosphere. They also have a small lake packed with lifelike statues of crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and other aquatic animals.

Guests can also fish here which is a plus. But that’s not all because their cutesy and tropical-style bungalows also have modern amenities, so you can enjoy a comfortable experience while you’re here.

Baan Srisunon Homestay

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Address: 44 Moo 8, Ban Non Sa-at

Phone: +66 82 116 2334

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 24/7

Good to know: Good for budget travelers

Website

If you’re searching for a budget-friendly place with comfy amenities, Baan Srisunon Homestay is solid option. It’s also has an excellent location near the Huai Yang Lake, and it’s only 7 minutes away from Phu Kradueng National Park.

We also like that they only have bungalow-type accommodation, so you get more privacy than standard hotel rooms with adjoining walls. This property also has beautiful gardens, perfect for pleasant morning or afternoon strolls.

It’s also worth noting that all their units have air conditioning, refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, water heaters, and more. The dedicated parking spot next to your bungalow is also a plus.

FAQs about Phu Kradueng National Park

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