Mae Ping National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Mae Ping National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง) is in Lamphun, Thailand, along the Ping River, one of the four rivers that form the Chao Praya River.

Mae Ping National Park became Thailand's 32nd national park in 1981 as part of the Tourism Board of Lamphun to establish a national park in the region to boost tourism. The national park was initially named Mae Hat-Mae Ko National Park, which was the forest reserve areas that it encompasses, but it was later changed to Mae Ping National Park to reflect the major river that is in the area.

Most of the national park is mountainous terrain on average between 400 - 800 m. The highest point is 1,334 m. These mountains serve as streams that feed into many major rivers including the Ping River.

The national park also has many bodies of water, fed via the various mountains further north.

Deciduous forest accounts for around 80% of the trees in the national forest, but the national park also has some rainforest and mixed forests.

Various animals inhabit the national park including Asiatic bears, guars, barking deers, bantengs, various species of woodpeckers, reptiles, including the highly venomous Malayan pit viper, and birds.

Notable fish species that inhabit the waterways include tilapia, striped catfish, sheatfish, barb, goby and giant goby.

The national park has a similar climate to that of Northern Thailand. September is the wettest month.

From Tak province, there is a boat leaving at Bhumibol Dam in Sam Ngao district. The boat will go all the way along the Ping River, stopping over at Kaeng Ko before continuing to Doi Tao District in Chiang Mai

The closest airport is Lampang Airport, from there take Route 1 before turning onto Route 1274 at around 30 km in, and then turn onto Route 106 at Li town in Lamphun for a short while before finally turning onto Route 1087 which leads all the way to the national park.

From Chiang Mai take Route 106 all the way until Li town and then turn onto Route 1087.

For Thai nationals the entry fee is 20 baht for children and 40 baht for adults. Monks, children under 3 years old, elderly and disabled people enter for free. For foreigners, the entry fee is 100 baht for children and 200 baht for adults.

There is also an extra free for transport as follows: bicycles - free, motorcycles - 20 baht, four-wheeled vehicles - 30 baht, six-wheeled vehicles - 100 baht, and vehicles with more than six wheels but less than 10 wheels - 200 baht.

The best way to get around the national park is by car. At Kaeng Ko, boats can be rented to travel along Ping River.

• 17.58362198.8179141 Ko Luang Waterfall (น้ำตกก้อหลวง). A multiple-storied turquoise waterfall deep in the hills. (updated Aug 2025)
• 17.56118498.8794292 Thung Kik (ทุ่งกิ๊ก). A large field surrounded by dry dipterocarp forest and mixed deciduous forest. Great place to see a variety of wildlife including rabbits, barking deers and a variety of bird species such as woodpeckers. During the dry season between March and May, the flowers in the area will blossom. (updated Aug 2025)
• 17.48847798.8713253 Yang Wee Cave (ถ้ำยางวี). A cave filled with stalagmite and stalactites. (updated Aug 2025)

• 17.66564698.7688031 Kaeng Ko (แก่งก้อ). A scenic body of water that is a part of Bhumibhol Dam. Boats can be rented near the docks for a scenic ride through the valley. (updated Aug 2025)
• 18.32901398.9757612 Pha Daeng Luang (ผาแดงหลวง), ☏ +6685-528-4324. A hill overlooking the Kaeng Ko. It is a 1 hour drive to the starting point and another 2-km hike. Reservations must be made in advance by calling the national park. One can't go up this viewpoint alone without a guide. 3,500 baht. (updated Aug 2025)

There are no giftshops in the national park's premises, but there are shops that sell basic provisions.

There are two restaurants in the national park's premises, one at the national park headquarters that is open between 8AM and 4:30PM, an the second one along Kaeng Ko that is open between 8AM and 8PM.

There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks. However, there are bars around the area outside of the premises.

There are two cabins available in the national park, however reservation must be done online via the national park's website.

There are campsites in the national park near Thunk Kik.

Backcountry camping is not permitted.

During the rainy season, the national park is prone to flooding. Take extra precaution, check the weather and the national park on the conditions before visiting during this time of the year.

Tak - Remote province bordering Myanmar.