National Parks & Waterfalls Within Reach of Pattaya
What are the best national parks and waterfalls in Pattaya?
Five national parks and waterfalls in and around Pattaya, Thailand, compared on rating, price and area. Erawan National Park is the highest rated at 4.6★ from 16,730 Google reviews, with Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park close behind at 4.5★. They spread across Chanthaburi (2), Kanchanaburi (1) and Khao Yai (1). Every entry carries a first-person verdict from Rob, who lives in Pattaya.
You do not have to go far from the coast to be in proper jungle. Khao Chamao is the nearest, a little over two hours out in Rayong; Khao Yai is the famous one, Thailand's first national park and a UNESCO site where elephants and gibbons are regularly seen from the road; Erawan is the furthest but has the best-known falls in the country. Most gates open around 6am and close at 6pm, and several charge a foreigner entry rate, so go early and carry cash.
| Place | Rating | Price | Area | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erawan National Park | ★ 4.6 | — | Kanchanaburi | Seven tiers of emerald swimming pools, with each level offering different scenery |
| Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park | ★ 4.5 | — | Rayong | Layered waterfalls and cool swimming pools, still flowing even in the dry season |
| Khao Khitchakut National Park | ★ 4.5 | — | Chanthaburi | Lush, green forest scenery and rangers described as polite and helpful |
| Khao Yai National Park | ★ 4.5 | — | Khao Yai | Widely called a must-visit for nature lovers; easy to fill a full day |
| Phlio Waterfall National Park | ★ 4.5 | — | Chanthaburi | Short, easy walk to the falls — around 500 m of shaded, mostly paved path |
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“The best waterfall within reach of Pattaya, and also the furthest thing on this site from it — 340km, which makes it an overnight in Kanchanaburi rather than a day out. Seven tiers of emerald pools you can actually swim in. Be at the gate for opening, because the lower three fill fast, and push on to the fourth and above where almost nobody bothers.”
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“The nearest of the waterfall parks worth the drive, and doable in a day at just over two hours out. The climb past the tiers is steeper and rockier than the photographs suggest, so wear proper shoes and take one of the walking sticks left at the trailhead. Water still runs in the dry season, and the pools are cold enough to justify the effort. Gates shut mid-afternoon.”
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“Come for the road rather than the park — the run out to Chanthaburi is one of the best rides in this part of Thailand and the surface is smooth the whole way. The waterfalls are thin outside the wet season and several of the upper trails are closed, so don't build the day around them. Buy food before the gate, because nothing is sold inside.”
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“Thailand's first national park, and the best chance you'll get of seeing wild elephants from a road — three hours from Pattaya, so either start before dawn or stay over in Pak Chong. Go early: the animals move at first light and the viewpoints are clear before the haze builds. Haew Suwat is the waterfall to aim for. Never feed anything, whatever it does to your bonnet.”
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“The easiest waterfall trip on this site — a flat 500-metre walk through shade to cold clear pools full of mahseer barbs that nibble your legs while you swim. That accessibility is why it's heaving at weekends, so come midweek, or walk one of the longer forest trails and have the place to yourself. Pairs neatly with Chanthaburi old town.”
Common questions
- What are the highest-rated national parks and waterfalls in Pattaya?
- Erawan National Park (4.6★), Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park (4.5★) and Khao Khitchakut National Park (4.5★), on Google rating. The best waterfall within reach of Pattaya, and also the furthest thing on this site from it — 340km, which makes it an overnight in Kanchanaburi rather than a day out.
- How many national parks and waterfalls are covered in this guide?
- Five, chosen and written up individually rather than scraped from listings. Ratings and opening hours come from Google and are refreshed periodically; the verdicts are Rob's own.
- Which is closest to Pattaya?
- Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park, about 133 km from central Pattaya by road. Distances are driving distances, not straight lines.
- Where in Pattaya are they?
- Across Chanthaburi (2), Kanchanaburi (1), Khao Yai (1) and Rayong (1). Pattaya here means the greater Pattaya area of Chon Buri province, which stretches from Naklua in the north to Bang Saray in the south.
- When was this list last updated?
- September 2026. It is maintained by Rob, who lives in Pattaya, and revisited as places open, close or change.
Top of our list: Erawan National Park, rated 4.6★.
Curated in Pattaya · Last updated September 2026