Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park is a perfect day trip if you’re up for an adventure and want to be back at your hotel by the end of the day. It is a relatively small, covering 125 km² of lush tropical forest. Its headquarters is south of La On (Khao Lak Center). You will find its entrance on the right side through the curvy Khao Lak Mountain roads (see GMaps). It’s only a 3-5 minute ride from La On, depending on where you are staying.
When to visit and entrance fees
The park is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm except on government holidays. The best time to visit is during December-January. The ticket price is 100 THB per adult and 50 THB for children. The ticket also grants you access to other sights within the park. For example, visit Ton Chong Fa Waterfall on the western side of the park, Lampi Waterfall in the south, and Lam Ru and Hin Lad Waterfall at Kapong in the east. To make the ticket worthwhile, include some of these other places in your plan. The National Park ticket is valid for 72 hours.
Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park is famous for…
This Khao Lak National Park is famous for its nature trails and secluded small beaches, of which Small Sandy Beach is a favourite (see on Gmaps).
Hike the Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park Trail
From the Khao Lak Lam Ru headquarters, go for a 3 km (1 hour) walk along a Hat Lek Nature Trail and end up at the beautiful Small Sandy Beach. The trail isn’t for everyone. You need to climb up tree-rooted paths and steep steps with rope handrails. If you are in for a small adventure, definitely try this out. Put on some good (hiking) shoes, mosquito repellent, and bring plenty of water because you will sweat a lot. The views you get along the trail are stunning. If you don’t want to walk the adventurous trail and simply want to get to the Small Sandy Beach, there is another parking spot closer to the beach (see on Gmaps), from where you only walk 10 minutes.
If hiking is your thing, there are several other trails, such as the 5 to 7-km-long Namtok Ton Fa Nature Trail. However, you will need a guide (park ranger) if you want to do this. Consult with the staff at the headquarters to arrange this.
Ton Chong Fa Waterfall lies within the Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park
The Ton Chong Fa Waterfall also lies within the perimeters of the Lam Ru National Park. It is 12 km away from the headquarters. Ton Chong Fa waterfall is easy to reach from Bang Niang. Once you find the side road off Highway 4, heading to the waterfall, you follow the road as it ends at the waterfall. It’s best to look on the map to spot its location (see on GMaps). You will need a taxi or a motorbike to get yourself around.
Read more about the waterfalls around Khao Lak here “Waterfalls near Khao Lak you have to see“.
Accommodation near Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park
There are four accommodations at the visitor centre area, 560 Baht for each on weekdays and 800 THB from Friday to Sunday. Camping is also available there. Tents are a little bit expensive to rent and there are only a limited number of tents for 2 to 3 people from 225 Baht per night. If you bring your own tent, you still have to pay for the campsite fee of 30 THB. If you like to stay at nearby hotels and resorts: here is the list,
- Baan Krating Khao Lak Resort
- Khao Lak Bayfront Resort
- Khao Lak Paradise Resort
- Khao Lak Sunset Resort
- Khao Lak Palm Beach Resort
- Moracea Khao Lak Resort
