Khao Sok National Park is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand. With its turquoise lake surrounded by limestone karsts, and a rainforest teeming with a thriving ecosystem, Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park offers both relaxation and adventure.
With its secluded overwater bungalows that will make you feel far away from civilization to the sound of nature’s symphony surrounding you in the dense rainforest, the park is a magical escape from Thailand’s bustling cities like Bangkok or Phuket.
If you’re planning your Thailand itinerary and wondering whether to include Khao Sok National Park, this guide to visiting the gem of southern Thailand includes what to do in Khao Sok, where to stay, how long you need, and how to get there.
About Khao Sok National Park
Known as the 3 Sisters, this is one of the most popular vantage points in Khao Sok National Park.
Located in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand, about 2 1 ⁄ 2 hours north of Krabi, Khao Sok National Park encompasses a sprawling lush rainforest, tall limestone cliffs and karsts, and the most beautiful freshwater lake you’ll ever see.
The towering trees within the park are home to elusive wildlife like gibbons and macaques, Occasionally, you may even spot a wild Asian elephant within the park.
Perhaps best known for the maze-like emerald lake, Cheow Lan Lake, this Thailand national park, with its dramatic karst formations, offers opportunities for boating and exploration, unveiling hidden caves and secluded coves.
Adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike are drawn to Khao Sok’s jungle trails, caves, and emerald waters.
How to get to Khao Sok National Park
The roads to Khao Sok are easy to navigate, although you will have to drive on the left side of the road.
Khao Sok National Park is easily accessible from either Krabi or Khao Lak. You can book a guided tour, private transfer, or rent a car and drive from either destination.
A day trip to Khao Sok is one of the best things to do in Krabi. From Krabi, you’ll take Route 4 to 415.The drive will take roughly 2 hours.
You’ll want to head directly to Rajjaprabha Dam if arriving from Krabi and plan to spend your first day on Cheow Lan Lake. The village of Khao Sok and the national park’s headquarters are an hour’s drive away.
Rajjaprabha Dam is also where you will go to board a boat to take you to any of the floating bungalows, if you are staying at one of the lake’s overwater accommodations.
From Khao Lak, it is also a 2 hour drive to the dam or only about an hour and 15 minutes to the village of Khao Sok and the park’s headquarters. You’ll take Route 4 to 401 to get to the national park from Khao Lak.
We rented a car and drove from Krabi to Khao Sok. If you plan to rent a car, there are a few things you should know beforehand.
In Thailand, you need an international driver’s permit, which you can easily get at AAA in the United States, CAA in Canada, or at the post office in the United Kingdom.
Thai motorists also drive on the left side of the road and the driver sits on the right side of the car, like in the UK. This can take some getting used to for those who are used to the opposite, but the routes to Khao Sok are mostly on uncrowded highways and smaller rural roads. You won’t have to worry about driving through cities.
Many visitors to Khao Sok plan to spend at least one night in an overwater bungalow. | Photo by Woraphong Rak from Pixabay
Despite being a quiet area where crowds seem non-existent, you’ll find plenty of unique accommodations ranging from luxury overwater floating bungalows to jungle lodges, and even treehouse resorts.
Here are our top recommendations for lodging in Khao Sok.
Khao Sok National Park offers an array of unforgettable experiences.
Whether you want the thrill of spotting elusive creatures on a nature hike or night safari or prefer the tranquility of floating on serene waters, there are so many things to do in Khao Sok National Park.
Cheow Lan Lake tour
A long tail boat ride on Cheow Lan Lake allows you to see the brilliant water and limestone karsts that Khao Sok is famous for.
One of the most popular things to do in Khao Sok National Park is to take a longtail boat ride around Cheow Lan Lake.
You’ll want to turn off the main road, 401, onto 3062 and head to Rajjaprabha Dam. Here, you can pay your park admission fees of 300 THB (about $9 USD) per person, and book a longtail boat tour.
All the longtail boats arrive and depart from Rajjaprabha Dam, so if coming to Khao Sok National Park from Krabi and want to explore Cheow Lan Lake, it is important to head directly to the dam instead of the national park headquarters, which are located an hour’s drive away from the dam.
Exploring the emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake by boat reveals a surreal landscape punctuated by towering limestone cliffs and hidden grottoes. From the boat you’ll see monkey’s playing in the trees near the water’s edge, and stop at some of the lake’s most scenic photo spots.
Your guide will also take you to some floating raft houses owned by the national park, where you can swim and feed the fish.
Go on a Cave Tour or Nature Hike
A cave tour is a great way to get a different perspective and view of Khao Sok. | Photo by Jugro Scarlett from Unsplash
The park’s mystical caves, like Nam Talu Cave or Coral Cave, beckon adventurers to traverse their intricate passages and witness the stunning beauty beneath the earth’s surface.
Inside the caves you can admire impressive stalactites and stalagmites, and feel truly off the tourist path in Thailand.
In fact, tours to the caves involve a walk along a jungle trail, and floating down the Khlong Saeng River on a bamboo raft boat.
Embarking on a jungle trek unveils a world of wonder as ancient trees and exotic flora line the trails, harboring a diverse range of wildlife.
Hiking through Thailand’s oldest evergreen rainforest gives you a closer view of the native plants and jungle animals that call Khao Sok National Park home.
Some guided hikes include a canoe or bamboo raft tour along the Sok River, which is a perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery after your morning trek. Tours also take you to Khao Sok Viewpoint, where you’ll get a panoramic look at the park’s surrounding mountains and forests.
Stay in an Overwater Floating Bungalow
Staying in a floating bungalow is one of the most relaxing things to do in Khao Sok National Park. | Photo by Robert Collins from Unsplash
Khao Sok is one of the best places in Thailand to stay in an overwater bungalow. There are several remote hotels on Cheow Lan Lake accessible only by boat that are made up of floating bungalows and raft houses.
These unique all-inclusive accommodations offer a true retreat from the world, situated far from towns and boasting beautiful views.
These floating hotels are great places to recharge, swim, kayak, enjoy seclusion and be alone with your thoughts entirely surrounded by the most incredible scenery on the planet.
The overwater bungalows range from luxury accommodations to budget raft houses. Plan to spend one night in one of the floating hotels and then consider switching it up and staying in a jungle lodge or treehouse.
With treehouse accommodations and cozy river lodges, the chance to slumber amidst nature’s symphony is a rare privilege. In Khao Sok National Park, you can book a memorable night in a treehouse for an authentic experience surrounded by the jungle.
A night in a treehouse is a great experience for those visiting Thailand with kids, but it will also bring out the kid at heart in you, as you go to sleep in your private and stylish treehouse.
For an equally memorable trip under the tree canopy instead of in it, there are also several cozy jungle lodges in Khao Sok.
There is an elephant sanctuary in Khao Sok that visitors to the national park might want to visit if they didn’t already go to an elephant sanctuary elsewhere in Thailand. | Photo by Teodor Kuduschiev from Unsplash
Thailand is known for its ethical elephant sanctuaries, likeInto the Wild Elephant Camp or Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
If you didn’t visit an elephant sanctuary elsewhere in Thailand, you will find one in Khao Sok, as well. At the elephant rescue center in Khao Sok, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with these gentle creatures, walking them and feeding them, while also learning more about the significance of elephants in Thai history and culture.
The village of Khao Sok is lined with cute, outdoor bars and restaurants with a laid back vibe.
Just outside the gates to the national park’s headquarters, the village of Khao Sok is both fun and relaxing. It has a quirky bohemian vibe, with treehouses, riverside cottages, and jungle resorts lining the dirt road to the park.
Along the road, you’ll also find a smattering of restaurants and open-air bars inviting travelers to unwind and connect with the serene pace of rural Thailand. It is a great place to situate yourself for a few days and recharge at the end of a busyThailand itinerary.
Other useful resources for visiting Thailand
Planning a trip to Thailand? Check out these other articles to help you plan your trip.
If you’re planning a visit to Khao Sok National Park, here are a few frequently asked questions you might have, as well.
Is Khao Sok National Park worth visiting?
While many people visit Khao Sok for its beautiful lake, there are a lot of other things to do in the national park, as well.
If you want to see some of the most stunning landscapes in Thailand, Khao Sok National Park is definitely worth visiting.
The park’s dense rainforests, towering limestone cliffs, serene lakes, and diverse wildlife offer a unique and immersive experience.
Despite its jaw-dropping scenery, Khao Sok feels remote and isolated and off the main tourist path. There were times we felt all alone in this serene place.
How long do you need for Khao Sok National Park?
While many people do a day trip to the national park Khao Sok, there are so many things to do in the area that really need at least one night and two full days in Khao Sok.
It was such a relaxing place to visit, we didn’t want to leave and wished we had about 5 days in this national park village.
What is there to do in Khao Sok National Park?
From long tail boat rides and kayaking on clear turquoise lakes to rainforest hikes, wildlife watching and river rafting, Khao Sok National Park is great for both visitors looking to relax or seeking adventure.
Khao Sok is one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks.
Khao Sok National Park is one of Thailand’s best national parks. Home to the largest rainforest in southeast Asia and oldest evergreen rainforest in the world, the Khao Sok offers visitors a glimpse at Thailand’s rich biodiversity and remarkable landscapes.
It’s a place where you can reconnect with nature, escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and marvel at unmatched natural beauty that has been shaped over millions of years.
Overall, Khao Sok National Park’s beauty and ecological significance make it a destination that’s well worth the visit.
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