Ramkhamhaeng National Park Voyage Tips and guide

Ramkhamhaeng National Park lies in Sukhothai Province in Lower Northern Thailand. It is known as Khao Luang by local people.

This national park covers 341 km². High hills and steep cliffs soar up to 1,200 metres above sea level. Waterfalls, and different species of plants and wildlife are some of the major attractions in this park. There are also archaeological and historical sites with ancient remains and relics.

• Tourism Thailand. (updated Jan 2023)

It is named after Ramkhamhaeng the Great, the famous king of the ancient Sukhothai Kingdom.

A mountain range runs from the north to the south over the plain.

Wildlife includes Banteng, Barking deer, Bear, Wild Boar, Alcedinidae, and Swallow.

The important plants within the forest include Teakwood, Iron Wood, Sharea obtuse, Ingrin, and herbs (Elephantopus scaber, Black Tulipwood, Cardwell lily, Schefflera leucantha, and Betula alnoides).

The temperature at Ramkhamhaeng National Park is between 12 – 14 °C on average, and the most pleasant time that you can relax with the climate here is between December to January. At the top of the mountain, it is cold all through the year, while the place is covered with the misty blanket in the winter and the rainy season.

The best period to visit the national park is from September to February.

Get on a local minivan or Song Thaeo around the Khiri Mat junction in Khiri Mat District. The prices range from 350-400 baht.

If you drive from Bangkok, take the Highway No. 32 through Nakhon Sawan and take a left onto Highway No. 1 to Kamphaeng Phet. Then change to Highway No. 101 to Amphur Khiri Mat. Drive about 20 km. It is located at Km 414 before reaching the municipality.

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.

All the major attractions (Khao Luang and surrounding waterfalls) in the national park are far apart. You will need a car to go between them.

• 16.82652499.6379611 Sai Rung Waterfall (น้ำตกสายรุ้ง). A beautiful located 45 km from the national park headquarters. There is only water during the raing season. The entrance is located near Sai Rung Waterfall Temple (วัดน้ำตกสายรุ้ง) (updated Aug 2025)
• Suan Lum or Suan Lumpiniwan botanic garden with lots of herbals plant in the foothills of Khao Luang. It is home to the Ramkhamheang National Park Office.
• Sai Ngam (the Beautiful Banyan Tree). This is the largest Banyan tree in the world. It is an amazingly huge tree on the way to climb up to the peak of Khao Luang.

• 16.86786999.6568841 Khao Luang (เขาหลวง). This is the main attraction of the national park.
  Khao Luang is composed of 4 mountain tops:
  Narai Peak or also called “Pha Narai” (Narai Cliff) is the prettiest location to witness the sunrise over the Khao Luang. 1,160 meters high.
  Phra Mae Ya Peak is 1,200 meters above the sea level.
  Khao Phu Ga is also 1,200 meters above the sea level.
  Khao Phra Chedi is 1,185 meters above the sea level
  The hike to the top is around 3.7 km, but it is very steep with almost no water refill stops. After that the hike to the four peaks is relatively flat. Please note that the mountain is not open for the whole year. It usually closes during the hot season but the extact dates vary each year. This hike can be done either as a day trip or overnight. Porters are also availabe for hire (they can run out during crowded periods). (updated Aug 2025)
• Nature Trail (เส้นทางศึกษาธรรมชาติ). A sign-posted nature trail starts from the national park office and passes the herb garden, dry evergreen forest, Sai Ngam (Banyan Tree), soil horizon, and stratum, and ends at Hin Rang Waterfall. The journey is approximately 3 km with about 2 hours for the trip. This trail is much shorter than the hike to Khao Luang. (updated Aug 2025)

There is a shop that sells gifts, snacks and drinks near the national park headquarters.

There is a restaurant around the national park headquarters that sells standard Thai food.

At the campsite at the top of Khao Luang, there is also a restaurant that serves only fried eggs and rice, other dried food like instant noodles and cold drinks.

There are no bars in the national park as alcohol is banned in Thai national parks.

There are three bungalows available for rent. Reservations can be made through the national park official website. The bungalows can hold up to six people and costs around 1,800 baht.

There is a campsite at the summit of Khao Luang and at the national park headquarters. Camping equipment can be rented at the summit of Khao Luang (no rental gear for the bottom campsite). Campsite and gear reservation can be done online in advance or upon arrival.

Backcountry camping is not permitted in the national park.

While the hiking trail is short, the trail is very steep and can drain a lot of energy. Be sure to bring enough food and water during the hike.

Khao Luang is known to be one of the steepest mountains in Thailand. Be sure to take the necessary precautions, especially during the raining season when the trail can become very slippery.

• Sukhothai. Large ancient ruins of the Sukhothai Kingdom.
• Si Satchanalai. Sukhothai's twin city. Ancient ruins and a nice national park with waterfalls and caves.
• Kamphaeng Phet. Province next close by with a smaller but much quieter historical park.