Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park
Named after two mountains and designated as a national park in 1975, Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park is a very small national park covering an area of 84 km². The forest covering the national park is part of a much bigger forest complex including many other protected sites in Thailand and Cambodia. The park is situated mainly in Rayong Province and a smaller part in Chanthaburi Province. It is a popular destination for its waterfalls, viewpoint, caves, limestone mountains, cliffs and hiking possibilities.
The mountains of the national park reach an elevation of about 1,000 meters asl, covered with broad-leaved evergreen forests on higher altitudes. The montane forests are the source of water that flows down to Prasae River, providing surrounding agricultural areas with water.
The central south-east of Thailand where the park is located has rainy season from May till October, cold season November to February and hot season March to April.
Wildlife
Despite the small size, thanks to the extension of the mountain range and adjacent protected sites, the park has some exciting animals to offer. Animal sighting is very rare on low elevations near the villages and along the trails to the waterfalls due to high amount of daily visitors, but deeper inside the park and specially on higher altitudes animals like elephants, gaurs, Indochinese serows, bears, leopards, leopard cats, pileated gibbons, banded langurs and boars can be found.
There are about 40 confirmed bird species in the park of which some are; blue pittas, brown wood owls, Van Hasselt's sunbirds, Siamese firebacks, great hornbills, common hill mynas, lineated barbets, Indochinese rollers and thick-billed green pigeons.
Visiting
The park is very popular among local tourists and can be extremely busy on holidays and week-ends during the high season. Even on normal days during the rainy seasons a lot of tourists may show up.
The visitor center area is located around 70 km from both Rayong and Chanthaburi towns and nearly 125 km from Pattaya, only 1 km off from highway 3377.
There is a spacious campsite, accommodations, various facilities, 2 restaurants and a few kiosks mainly selling beverages in the campsite from 8 am until 4:30 pm. There are few other restaurants outside the park towards the main road, these can be open up until 6 pm to 8 pm depending on day of the week or amount of seasonal tourist activity, busier times are normally week-ends.
Getting there & stay
There are no public services to the national park. It is possible to arrange a private transportation to the park from most hotels, hotel reception teams will gladly call and arrange a driver for you for various prices. There is no need for a guided tour as the trails are relatively short and well signposted.
Drive from Pattaya, Rayong and Chanthaburi
Take Sukhumvit road (east from Pattaya or Rayong and west from Chanthaburi) until Thung Khwai Kin and turn north to Khao Chamao (highway 3377) where you will see a signpost to Khao Chamao. Drive about 16 km until you see a signpost to Khao Chamao Waterfall. Turn right and drive another 1 km until you reach the checkpoint.
Entrance fees & opening times
As of June 2022, the entrance fees are 200 Baht for adults and 100 Baht for children 3-14 years old. Thai citizens pay 40 Baht for adults and 20 Baht for children. When staying inside the park in park accommodations or at the campsites, the same ticket can be used for 3 days/2 nights, otherwise, for multiple visits from outside, new tickets must be obtained on every entrance.
Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park is open 8:30 am to 4 pm every day.
Stay & eat
There are 17 accommodation options in the visitor center area, from 600 Baht with fans only, 800 Baht with a/c for two people and 1,200 Baht with a/c for 4 people. There are only two large ones at Klong Pla Kang Waterfall area for 3,000 Baht per night, for 23 people. A significant discount will apply when booked...
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