Sri Nakarin Dam National Park

Sri Nakarin Dam National Park is located north of the Erawan National Parks in Sai Yok, Sri Sawat and Tong Pha Phum districts of Kanchanaburi Province. The park is mainly known for the Huai Mae Khamin waterfalls, which are easier to walk through than the Erawan waterfall.

Perhaps Erawan is more beautiful and, more importantly, not as crowded--it is in a relatively remote area. The park also has several caves, hot springs, and the Sri Nakarin Dam itself, which contains a reservoir to the east of the park.

Sri Nakarin Dam National Park covers 1,532 km and was designated a national park in 1981.

Visit

Huay Mae Khamin Falls, which is the park's main attraction, is located 240 km northwest of Bangkok, 110 km from Kanchanaburi and about 43 km from Erawan Falls Junction. Due to its remote location, the park is not as popular or as crowded as Erawan National Park, making it a fantastic destination for those willing to put in a little effort to get there.

There is no public transportation in the park, so visitors must arrange their own private transportation. The road from Erawan Falls to Huai Mei Khaming Falls is quite narrow, but is now paved and can be traveled by regular cars or motorcycles.

Park hours are 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (entrance), the park closes at 5 p.m. Restaurants are open irregularly, closing at 5pm on weekdays and around 6-19pm on weekends and holidays, depending on occupancy.

Tents can be rented on arrival - small tents for 150 baht and larger tents for 225 baht (does not include additional accessories). A sleeping set costs 60 baht per person.

There are several concrete bungalows that can be rented from 900 baht per night. This accommodation is available on arrival on weekdays, Monday through Friday (except holidays).

Entry prices for foreigners are 300 baht for adults and 200 baht for children.

Sightseeing of the Sri Nakarin Dam

Huai Mae Khamin Falls

The Huai Mae Khamin Falls are the main attractions of the park and are located at its eastern end, just one kilometer from the Sri Naharin Reservoir. It is a multi-level waterfall with 7 main tiers and many small compartments (ponds).

The main trail starts from the east campground near the reservoir and continues upstream, mostly along the embankment, for almost 2.3 km upstream. The trail extends from 195 meters above sea level to 275 meters above sea level. Along the way, you can swim in one of the many ponds.

Huai Mei Khamin Falls is full of water year-round, but during the dry season of 2017, the river that feeds the falls completely dried up for the first time, and the park was closed to visitors until the rainy season.

Huai Mae Khamin Falls

Campgrounds

The national park has two campsites in the Huai Mae-Hamin waterfall area at a distance of almost 1.5 km. Both campsites have a restaurant, toilet/shower facilities, and a small buffet. Cell phone service can sometimes be a little slow, but overall it is relatively good.

Camping #1

The first campsite is at the eastern end of Huai Mae-Hamin Falls, where the main visitor center is located and where the trail that leads to the falls begins. Visitors who do not intend to stay overnight are encouraged to reach this location for further hikes through the waterfall levels. The campground is only a few hundred yards from Si Sawat Reservoir.

The main trail starts right behind the visitor center. The first few hundred meters of the trail is a dirt road through bamboo forest, the rest of the trail is a walk along the river upstream to the 2nd camp, about 1.1 km long. The trail continues after the 2nd camp upstream for another 1.2 km through the bamboo forest.

The campsite is quite spacious, with a restaurant, buffet, toilets and showers. The restaurant is open irregularly, closing from 5 pm on weekdays and from 6 to 7 pm on weekends and holidays.

Camping #2

This campsite is on the west side. It is a little more spacious and located on a higher elevation with a great view of the Sea Sawat Reservoir. Visitors are encouraged to go to this campground for recreation. The most impressive waterfall level is right next to this campground.

The campsite also has a restaurant, buffet, toilet and shower. The restaurant is open irregularly and closes from 5 pm on weekdays and from 6 to 7 pm on weekends and holidays.

Pha Tat Waterfall

Another beautiful 3-level waterfall located in the western part of the national park. The waterfall is easily accessible and is located 140 km from Kanchanaburi. It is not just another waterfall in the park, it is quite popular with local tourists and the place can be crowded on weekends and holidays. The waterfall has a low water level in the dry season.

Next to the waterfall is a spacious campsite.