Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, is famous for Erawan Falls: seven tiers of turquoise pools tumbling through the forest, where you can swim among small fish. It is one of Thailand’s most popular national parks and an easy trip from Kanchanaburi town, or a long day trip from Bangkok.
Plan your visit to Erawan National Park
- Entry: 300 baht for foreign adults (cash)
- Open daily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; upper tiers close earlier
- Time needed: 3 to 5 hours in the park
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History of Erawan National Park
Erawan was declared Thailand’s 12th national park on 19 June 1975. It covers about 550 square kilometres of limestone hills in the Tenasserim range, rising to almost 1,000 metres.
The waterfall is named after Erawan, the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, because the top tier is said to resemble an elephant’s heads. The park is run by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
Attractions at Erawan National Park
- Erawan Falls, tiers 1 to 3: the lower levels are close to the visitor centre and have the easiest swimming pools, so they are also the busiest.
- Tiers 4 to 6: quieter pools in the forest, reached by an increasingly rough trail.
- Tier 7: the top level, about 1.5 km from the start, with a large pool beneath the “elephant head” falls.
- Phra That Cave: a large cave with stalactites in another part of the park, reached by road and a concrete path.
- Srinagarind Reservoir: the huge lake next to the park, with viewpoints and floating rafts.
Things to Do at Erawan National Park
- Hike to the top: allow 1.5 to 2 hours to climb to tier 7 at a gentle pace. The upper section has steep, slippery steps and simple ladders.
- Swim: swimming is allowed in most pools. Small fish nibble at your feet; weaker swimmers should use a life jacket.
- Photograph the pools: the water is at its most vivid turquoise in the dry season (roughly November to April).
- Join a tour: day tours from Bangkok usually combine Erawan with the Bridge over the River Kwai.
Erawan National Park – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Opening hours: daily 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Upper tiers close earlier in the afternoon, so start climbing by early afternoon at the latest.
- Entry fee: 300 baht for foreign adults, with reduced prices for children. Cash only.
- Rules: food is not allowed on the upper trail, and staff may check plastic bottles to keep the falls clean. Do not feed the fish.
- Who can visit: all ages for the lower tiers; the upper tiers need reasonable fitness and good footwear.
Tours to Erawan Falls
- Day tour from Bangkok with Erawan Falls and the River Kwai Bridge: on Klook
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How Long to Spend at Erawan National Park
Allow 3 to 5 hours in the park to hike to the top and swim. From Bangkok it is a full, long day.
How to Get There
- From Kanchanaburi town: the park is about 65 km away (around 1.5 hours by road). A local bus runs from Kanchanaburi bus station, or hire a car or driver.
- From Bangkok to Kanchanaburi: buses and minivans leave from the Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai), and slow trains run from Thonburi station; both take roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Day tour: an organised tour from Bangkok is the easiest option if you do not want to stay overnight.
Flying into Bangkok first? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel.
Eateries Nearby Erawan National Park
- Visitor centre stalls: simple Thai food, snacks and drinks near the park entrance; eat before you start the climb.
- Kanchanaburi town: riverside restaurants and an evening market for dinner after your visit.
Other Attractions Nearby Erawan National Park
- River Kwai and the Death Railway bridge: the historic WWII sites in Kanchanaburi town.
- Hellfire Pass Memorial: a moving museum and walking trail on the old Thailand-Burma Railway.
- Sai Yok National Park: more waterfalls and caves further north-west.
- Srinagarind Dam: lake views and rafts next to the park.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Bangkok if you are visiting on a day tour, or stay a night in Kanchanaburi to reach the falls early.
- Get a Thailand eSIM before you land, for maps and ride-hailing apps.
Erawan National Park is one of Thailand’s best waterfall trips: seven tiers of turquoise pools, a fun forest hike and plenty of places to swim. Arrive early, bring cash, swimwear and good shoes, and start climbing well before the upper tiers close.
Combine it with the war history of the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi town.
