Khao Sok National Park

✅ Updated on 05.03.2026

Khao Sok is one of the most unique national parks in Thailand. The park is home to the large man-made Cheow Lan Lake, where dramatic limestone cliffs rise directly from the water, creating one of the most striking landscapes in southern Thailand. Beyond its famous lake, the park is rich in wildlife, birds, and tropical plants. One of its most remarkable inhabitants is Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, which can grow up to 80 cm (31 inches) in diameter.

Marat

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📌 Quick Facts About Khao Sok

• Khao Sok received national park status in 1980, becoming the 22nd national park in Thailand. Today, Thailand has 156 national parks in total.
• About a quarter of the park’s territory (185 km²) is occupied by the artificial Cheow Lan Lake. The lake was created after the construction of a hydroelectric dam, which flooded the valley. In some places, the lake reaches depths of around 90 meters.
• The entrance fee to Khao Sok National Park for foreigners is 200 THB if entering from the mainland and 340 THB when entering from the lake pier.
• The park is home to many of Thailand’s rare mammals, including Asian elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, sun bears, Himalayan bears, Malayan tapirs, macaques, gibbons, porcupines, wild boars, and Asian wild dogs.
• Khao Sok is also famous for the giant Rafflesia flower. Its diameter can reach up to 80 cm, and it usually blooms in February. The flower is well known for its unusual smell, often compared to rotting meat.

📍 Location and How to Get to Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is located in Surat Thani Province, about 130 km from Krabi and 170 km from Phuket.

The park has two main entrances:

• Cheow Lan Lake Pier — the starting point for boat trips across the lake and transportation to the famous floating hotels.
• Khao Sok National Park Headquarters — this is where most jungle trekking routes, Sok River tubing trips, and night safaris begin. Many riverside resorts and hotels are also located in this area.

The distance between these two entrances is about 65 km, which takes around one hour by car. There are several ways to reach the park.

🚘 By Car

If possible, the best option is to visit the park with your own car. This gives you the freedom to stop at scenic viewpoints and explore the area at your own pace without relying on tour schedules.

I rented a car through Local Rent, a convenient service where you receive your deposit when you return the car.

📢 Guided Tours

You can book a tour through the many local travel agencies on Phuket or Krabi, where tour offices are easy to find in tourist areas.

Another option is to book online through GetYourGuide, which offers trips to Khao Sok with departures from:

• Phuket
• Krabi
• Khao Lak

🚌 By Bus

You can also reach both park entrances by bus:

• From Krabi — about 475 THB (check tickets)
• From Phuket — about 400 THB (check tickets)
• From Khao Lak — about 350 THB (check tickets)

💰 Khao Sok National Park Entrance Fee

The entrance fee for Khao Sok National Park depends on which entrance you use.

Entrance via Cheow Lan Lake Pier:

• Adult — 300 THB
• Child (3–14 years) — 150 THB
• Pier fee — 40 THB for adults, 20 THB for children

Entrance via Park Headquarters:

• Adult — 200 THB
• Child (3–14 years) — 100 THB

If you have already paid the entrance fee when entering through Cheow Lan Lake Pier, you do not need to pay again if you enter through the park headquarters on the same day.

Keep in mind that Khao Sok National Park is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the ticket is valid for one day only.

If you visit the park as part of a guided tour, the park entrance fee and pier fee are usually included in the tour price.

📸 Things to Do in Khao Sok National Park

There are two main experiences in Khao Sok National Park: exploring Cheow Lan Lake and jungle trekking. Let’s take a closer look at both.

1️⃣ Cheow Lan Lake

About a quarter of Khao Sok National Park (185 km²) is covered by the artificial Cheow Lan Lake. It was created between 1980 and 1987 during the construction of the Rajjaprabha Dam and hydroelectric power plant.

The creation of the lake dramatically changed the landscape:

• Residents of five villages were relocated, and their homes, schools, and temples now lie beneath the lake.
• Around one hundred limestone karst cliffs now rise from the water, creating the breathtaking scenery that attracts visitors from all over the world.

🚤 Popular Boat Tours on Cheow Lan Lake

Two short boat trips are especially popular with visitors:

• 2-hour lake tour with photo stops — about 1,800 THB per boat
• 3-hour lake tour with photo stops and swimming — about 2,500 THB per boat

You can usually buy these tours directly at the ticket office at the pier on the day of departure. I recommend arriving around 7–8 AM, before the heat and before the lake gets crowded with tourists.

The pier area also has cafés, small shops, and convenient parking.

🏨 Floating Hotels on Cheow Lan Lake

One of the most memorable experiences in Khao Sok is spending the night on Cheow Lan Lake inside the national park.

Imagine the lake in the evening: almost no boats, only a few guests staying in floating bungalows, complete silence, wild nature, and a sky full of stars. Because there is almost no artificial light, the stars are much brighter than in the city.

Below on the map are hotels where you can stay overnight by the water.

Many floating hotels are located across the lake. Some of the more comfortable and well-known options include 360° Issara and 500 Rai, which can be booked online.

Other floating bungalows are simpler and cheaper, and are often booked as part of organized tours or directly at the pier entrance.

💪 Be prepared: accommodation on Cheow Lan Lake can be expensive. Budget options usually require sacrificing some comfort.

For example, we checked  a very simple floating hotel where a bed cost about 1,200 THB per night. The room had three mattresses on the floor and only fans instead of air conditioning.

But the price included three meals per day, and the lake water — perfect for swimming — was exactly the same as at the luxury resorts that charge $500 per night.

2️⃣ Jungle Trekking in Khao Sok

Many visitors come to Khao Sok National Park only for a boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake and don’t even realize the park has another entrance. From there, you can join a variety of jungle tours and trekking routes, including:

• 7 km trekking tour to waterfalls — 1,200 THB per person (groups up to 6 people)
• Night safari — 500 THB per person, where you can spot birds, insects, and other jungle creatures using flashlights
• Rafflesia flower trek — 700 THB per person, searching for the largest flower in the world

For most routes, a local guide is required. First, for safety — guides help you avoid dangerous wildlife and tricky terrain. Second, they know where and when to go to make the trek interesting and increase the chances of spotting wildlife.

You can book a guide in several places:

• At the Visitor Center, located just after the park entrance
• Through nearby hotels, which usually work with local tour agencies
• Online through platforms like GetYourGuide, where popular tours include:
  • Waterfall trekking tour — about 4 hours
  • Bamboo rafting and viewpoint trek — about 4 hours
  • Bamboo rafting and jungle cooking experience — about 4 hours
  • Elephant sanctuary visit, rafting, and lunch — about 8 hours
  • Day trekking, jungle dinner, and night safari — about 7 hours

⭐️ Popular Places to Visit in Khao Sok

1. Krai Sorn Viewpoint
   One of the most beautiful viewpoints overlooking Cheow Lan Lake and the Rajjaprabha Dam. From here you get a sweeping panorama of the reservoir, dense jungle, and dramatic limestone mountains.
2. Bang Hoi Waterfall
   A small natural waterfall located along a trekking route. The terrain here is relatively gentle, so it’s easy and safe to approach the water and even take a swim. It’s located not far from Krai Sorn Viewpoint.
3. Nam Talu Cave
   A large limestone cave with a stream flowing through it from one entrance to another. Inside you’ll find stalactites, stalagmites, and colonies of bats. It’s one of the most famous trekking routes in Khao Sok.
4. Sio Roo Cave
   Located about 2 km from Nam Talu Cave, this cave is home to many bats and has several exits. It’s less visited than Nam Talu but still an interesting stop along the trekking route.
5. Khao Sam Kler Rocks
   Three limestone karst towers rising directly from Cheow Lan Lake. These formations are one of the most recognizable symbols of Khao Sok and a popular photo stop during lake boat tours.
6. Pra Kai Petch Cave
   A cave famous for its sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. When illuminated by flashlights, the formations shimmer and resemble crystal structures.
7. Frog Island Trail
   A short nature trail on a small island in Cheow Lan Lake. The island is covered in dense jungle and offers opportunities to spot birds and wildlife.
8. Coral Cave
   A short 500-meter trail leads to Coral Cave. Inside, you’ll see unusual rock formations that resemble coral structures, which gave the cave its name.
9. Ton Kloi Waterfall
   A 7 km jungle trek from the Khao Sok park headquarters leads to this waterfall. Along the way you may spot animals, insects, plants, and reptiles. At the end of the trail, visitors can swim in the natural pool beneath the waterfall.

🏕️ Where to Stay Near Khao Sok National Park

If you want to spend more time exploring the park, you can stay inside the national park campground or in nearby resorts. Some good accommodation options include:

• Monkey Mansion
• Khaosok Good View Resort
• Khao Sok Riverside Cottages
• Khao Sok Green Garden Resort
• Our Jungle House — a great option for families
• Khao Sok Holiday Resort — a budget-friendly choice

🚌 When booking tours, hotel transfers are usually included, so transportation to and from your accommodation is typically part of the package.

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