Thailand

Crossed by caves, waterfalls, and abundant hot springs, the mountainous Chae Son National Park is a prime destination for ecotourism, just an hour's drive from Lampang.

Chae Son National Park: a tale of trekking and hiking

The mountainous terrain of Lampang is ideal for adventure tourism. During a road trip in Northern Thailand, consider stopping at Chae Son National Park, a protected area spanning 592 square kilometers overrun with dense vegetation of ferns and dipterocarps.

To access it, simply take Route 1252 connecting Lampang and Chiang Mai provinces. The park reception office is just 3 kilometers past the last signpost. While the waterfall trail is extremely popular, other activities are also available onsite. Climbing steep heights, exploring secret caves, cooling off in pools, boiling eggs in thermal springs—these are some of the leisure activities offered during an excursion to Chae Son National Park. Popular among Thai tourists, this destination remains relatively unknown to foreigners who prefer the mountain resorts of the Northern Rose. Yet another reason to visit!

Brief park description

Nestled in the Khun Tan mountain range, Chae Son Park boasts immense hydrological potential. Waterfalls cascade down cliffs, irrigating watersheds and lowland plots. This irrigation dictates agricultural success. Excluding agriculture, the thermal springs themselves are valuable. Up in the mountains, water temperatures range between 70°C and 80°C.

Swimming in natural pools has become popular among locals, who visit to treat various ailments. To preserve these natural treasures, the Royal Forestry Department has decided to protect the area.

Rich Biodiversity of the Park

Unsurprisingly, wildlife thrives within the park. The Malayan porcupine, bark deer, sambar, and Indochinese serow represent the mammals. Wild boars roam the underbrush and riverbanks. The avifauna offers some of the most unusual encounters. Over 140 bird species are recorded on site. As you traverse the deciduous forest, you may spot the spotted-wing grosbeak, streaked bulbul, sapphire flycatcher, Tickell's blue flycatcher, and yellow-crowned woodpecker, whose beak strikes echo continuously through the jungle. If luck is on your side, your binoculars may catch sight of the Himalayan thrush, brown-throated sunbird, and white-faced jay. Mountain peaks are the domain of large raptors like eagles and vultures.

Most species of reptiles and amphibians common in adjacent parks are found in Chae Son Park: Yunnan water snake, green tree snake, and big-headed turtle…

Activities to do on site

Given the vastness of Chae Son Reserve, attractions are kilometers apart. Private transport is essential if you plan to explore all its treasures.

Swimming in hot springs

Undoubtedly, the major draw of Chae Son is swimming. The hot springs are a stone's throw from the reception office and tourist accommodations. Emerging from a rocky mound, the upstream waters are too hot for a plunge. Fortunately, they spill into a small number of basins where the temperature, much more bearable, hovers around 40 °C. You can bathe outdoors or in covered spaces, inside wooden cabins converted into thermal stations, which you can rent for a modest fee.

Local tourists enjoy cooking eggs in these thermal waters. Simply place the basket on top, and the springs function like a gas stove. Unforgettable!

Hiking to Mae Son waterfall

The three waterfalls in the park serve as an excuse for hiking. Mae Son waterfall is the most popular and closest. You don't need a guide or ranger to traverse the 1.5 km. The waterfall cascades in six levels. In winter, flowering shrubs creep over cliffs, creating a magical walk.

Mae Mon and Mae Khun waterfalls

Moving from Mae Son to Mae Mon and Mae Khun waterfalls, the adventure becomes more challenging for hikers. The jungle reveals its wild side, and the trails are steep. A guide is required for this approximately 5-kilometer journey from the park reception office.

Exploring limestone caves

If spelunking intrigues you, head to the complex of natural caves located northeast of the park. They lie on either side of Wat Pha Ngam, a Buddhist temple nestled on a hillside. Some are easily accessible, while others require squeezing through narrow passes. Pha Ngam Cave, from which the temple derives its name, is the largest in the park. The hike is easy for the first four hundred meters. Impressive stalactites and stalagmites adorn the cave vaults. Six hundred meters from the main road, Tham Luk Cave is equally worth a visit for its fossilized remains.

Practical information

Opening hours and entrance fees

The park is open day and night, allowing ample time for exploration. However, it is closed from early July to late August due to heavy rains. The visitor center operates from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Park admission is charged. The toll fee is set at 200 baht for adults (€5.6) and half price (€2.8) for youths. If you're driving, expect parking fees: 30 baht per car and 20 baht per bicycle.

The best time to go

Chae Son Park's popularity is subject to weather conditions. Most tourists arrive between November and February, when the sky is clear and temperatures are more bearable. From March onwards, it gets very hot. Intense rains fall between May and November, making trails muddy and impassable.

How to get there?

Located in Northern Thailand, Chae Son Natural Park is 75 km northwest of Lampang city, 85 kilometers from Chiang Mai, and 180 km from Chiang Rai. Between public buses, songthaews, and private cars, you'll surely find a suitable mode of transport.

If driving, follow Route 1039 at the west end of Lampang. On the outskirts of the city, turn right onto Route 1157 towards Mueang Pan. After 57 km, you'll come across a sign pointing left towards "Chae Son National Park" on route 1252.

Where to stay?

Bungalows and camping facilities welcome visitors wishing to stay onsite. Tents are quite comfortable, with provided equipment and sleeping bags. Community toilets and bathrooms are available. For a higher standard, opt to stay in one of the ten bungalows near the entrance, even if it means paying a higher price. Overnight stays are relatively costly.