Erawan National Park

Why Erawan National Park? A seven-tiered waterfall of turquoise pools in the forests of Kanchanaburi, one of the most beautiful swimming spots in Thailand.

Erawan National Park, in the forested hills of Kanchanaburi province, is home to one of Thailand's most beautiful waterfalls: seven tiers of limestone cascades tumbling through the jungle into pools of milky turquoise water. Named after the three-headed elephant of Hindu mythology, the falls make a superb place to hike, swim and cool off, with fish nibbling at your toes.

It suits nature lovers, families and active travellers. Spend one or two nights nearby so you can reach the falls when they open, before the day-trippers from Bangkok arrive, and combine it with the Srinagarind lake, Phra That Cave or the moving World War II sites around Kanchanaburi.

What to do in Erawan National Park?

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• NatureErawan WaterfallSeven tiers of limestone cascades and turquoise pools through the forest.
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• AdventureHike to the seventh tierA 2 km forest trail climbing past every level to the top.
• NatureSwimming at tiers two to fiveSwim in clear pools where small fish nibble at your feet.
• NaturePhra That CaveLarge limestone cave with impressive stalactites, a short drive from the falls.
• QuietSrinagarind ReservoirHuge lake with floating raft houses and quiet sunset views.
• AdventureKayaking on the reservoirPaddle calm water between forested hills from lakeside resorts.
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• NatureHuai Mae Khamin WaterfallAnother multi-level waterfall in neighbouring Khuean Srinagarindra National Park.
• QuietCamping in the parkPitch a tent or rent a park bungalow near the falls.
• CultureBridge over the River KwaiThe famous WWII railway bridge in Kanchanaburi town.
• CultureHellfire Pass MemorialMoving museum and walking trail along a rock cutting of the Death Railway.
• CultureKanchanaburi War CemeteryBeautifully kept resting place of Allied prisoners of war.
• CultureThailand-Burma Railway CentreClear, thoughtful museum telling the story of the Death Railway.
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• AuthenticTham Krasae viaductRide the historic railway along a wooden trestle hugging a cliff.
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• NatureSai Yok Noi WaterfallEasy roadside waterfall, best in and just after the rainy season.

Getting there & around

The park lies about 65 km north-west of Kanchanaburi town, roughly 1-1.5 hours by road, and about 3-3.5 hours from Bangkok. Most visitors travel first to Kanchanaburi by bus or minivan from Bangkok, or by the slow train from Thonburi Station. From Kanchanaburi bus station, local buses run to the park entrance several times a day, taking around 1.5-2 hours; check the last return time. Renting a scooter or car, or hiring a driver, gives you far more freedom to add Phra That Cave and the reservoir. Inside the park, everything is on foot.

The seven tiers

A forest trail of about 2 km climbs from the visitor centre past all seven levels of Erawan Waterfall. The first tiers are easy and busy; beyond the fourth the path gets steeper, with rocks, ladders and roots, so wear proper shoes. Tiers two to five have the best swimming pools, while the seventh tier is said to resemble the three-headed elephant Erawan. Allow 3-4 hours for the round trip with swims. Food is not allowed beyond the second tier, plastic bottles need a small deposit, and the upper tiers close in the mid-afternoon.

Caves, lake & where to stay

About 10 km from the falls, Phra That Cave has impressive stalactite formations and is reached by a short but steep path. Just north lies the vast Srinagarind Reservoir, where resorts and floating raft houses offer kayaking, swimming and very quiet nights. For accommodation, choose between simple park bungalows and camping near the falls, riverside resorts along the road between the park and Kanchanaburi, or a base in Kanchanaburi town itself, which has the widest range of guesthouses, raft hotels and restaurants for evenings out.

Kanchanaburi's war history

Most people combine Erawan with the sights of the Thailand-Burma Death Railway, built by Allied prisoners and Asian labourers under Japanese occupation. In Kanchanaburi town, visit the Bridge over the River Kwai, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery and the excellent Thailand-Burma Railway Centre. Further up the Kwai Noi valley, the Hellfire Pass Memorial museum and walking trail are deeply moving, and a ride on the surviving railway across the Tham Krasae viaduct is a memorable journey. These sites are a longer drive from Erawan, so plan an extra day.

When to go

The park is open daily from about 8:00 to 16:30, with an entry fee for foreign visitors of around 300 THB. The water is usually clearest and most turquoise from November to April, during the dry season, while the falls are fullest from roughly August to October, when heavy rain can occasionally make the water murky or close the upper trail. Weekends and Thai holidays are very busy, so come early on a weekday for the calmest pools and the best photographs.

Where to stay in Erawan National Park?

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Recommended: 1–2 nights

1-2 nights to hike all seven tiers early before the crowds and add a cave, the lake or Kanchanaburi's war history.

Erawan National Park guides

Go deeper with our complete Erawan National Park guides:

• The best things to do in Kanchanaburi

Nearby

KanchanaburiWest-Central Thailand

SangkhlaburiWest-Central Thailand

AyutthayaCentral Thailand

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