Chat Trakan Waterfall National Park

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Chat Trakan Waterfall National Park, also written Namtok Chat Trakan, protects a stretch of forested hills in northern Phitsanulok province around its namesake multi-tiered waterfall. It is a quiet, locally loved park where a single stream steps down through a series of falls and pools framed by sandstone cliffs.

This is the kind of national park where you can have a waterfall tier almost to yourself on a weekday. The falls are attractive across several levels, the walking is manageable, and the park's remoteness in Chat Trakan district keeps it far off the mass-tourism circuit.

The main waterfall descends in a chain of tiers, each with its own character, from broad curtains of water to secluded plunge pools. Sandstone rock faces and cliff shelters line parts of the trail, and the surrounding mixed forest is home to birds and butterflies.

Walk the trail linking the waterfall's tiers, cool off in designated bathing pools when water levels allow, and picnic at the shaded tables near the lower falls. Birdwatching, short nature-trail loops and simply enjoying the stream-side forest fill out a relaxed day.

The middle tiers of the waterfall are generally the most photogenic, where the stream drops over wide rock ledges into clear pools. The sandstone cliff formations along the trail deserve a look, and the lower pools are the favourite spot for a swim in season.

Continue past the busiest lower levels and the upper tiers reward the extra walking with quieter pools and closer forest. Early mornings bring good birdlife along the stream, and the drive through Chat Trakan district itself passes attractive rural scenery few tourists ever see.

The park sits in a deeply rural corner of Phitsanulok where farming life continues much as it long has. Villages along the approach roads offer glimpses of local markets and temple fairs, and visitors who stop for noodles in Chat Trakan town will find a warm, unhurried welcome.

The park protects mixed deciduous and evergreen forest over rolling sandstone terrain, with the waterfall stream as its centrepiece. Wildlife is mostly small and shy, but birds, butterflies and forest plants make the trails rewarding, and the water runs clearest in the cool season.

Families do well here: the lower tiers sit close to the parking and picnic areas, paths are short, and shallow pools suit supervised paddling when conditions are safe. Rangers post warnings in the rainy season, and children should always be watched closely near the water.

There is no nightlife at the park; evenings mean camping under the trees or returning to a guesthouse in the district or Phitsanulok city. Nights are dark and quiet, which makes for good stargazing when skies are clear.

Long-exposure shots of the tiered cascades work well in soft morning light, and the sandstone cliffs give texture to wider compositions. The rainy season delivers the most powerful flow, while the cool season offers clearer water and easier footing for carrying equipment.

The area was gazetted as a national park in the 1980s wave of Thai conservation, protecting the waterfall and surrounding forest from logging. Chat Trakan district itself is an old rural settlement area of northern Phitsanulok, historically linked to the hills bordering Uttaradit and Loei.

Local life revolves around rice farming, orchards and small markets, with the waterfall serving as the district's favourite weekend escape. Visitors will see Thai families picnicking in numbers on holidays, and joining that easy-going scene is part of the park's charm.

The end of the rainy season through the cool months, roughly October to February, offers full waterfalls, clear pools and comfortable temperatures. The hot season sees the flow weaken, while peak rainy months bring impressive volume but occasional trail closures and murky water.

Expect hot, dry conditions from March to May, heavy showers between June and October, and pleasantly cool, dry weather from November to February. The forest is at its greenest late in the rains, and stream levels swing markedly between seasons.

The park has no festivals of its own, but Thai public holidays and Songkran in April bring crowds of local families to the pools. District temple fairs and merit-making events happen through the year in surrounding villages, worth joining if your visit coincides.

Leave Phitsanulok city early, reach the park by mid-morning, and walk the full chain of tiers before the day heats up. Swim and picnic at the lower pools, then return via Chat Trakan town for a late lunch, reaching the city by evening.

Half a day inside the park is enough for the falls and a swim, but the long drive from Phitsanulok city makes it a full-day outing in practice. Campers or those exploring the wider district may prefer a relaxed overnight stay.

The park lies in Chat Trakan district in the far north of Phitsanulok province, a drive of roughly two hours or more from the provincial capital. Private car or motorbike is the practical option, as public transport reaches the district town but not conveniently to the park gate.

Once inside, everything centres on the waterfall trail, so you move on foot along maintained paths and steps between tiers. A vehicle is only needed to arrive and depart; wear shoes with grip, as rock surfaces near the water stay slick.

Phitsanulok city hosts the nearest airport, railway station and main bus terminal. Local buses and songthaews connect the city with Chat Trakan district town, but the final stretch to the park normally requires a chartered vehicle, motorbike or your own transport.

The park opens daily during daylight hours, typically from morning until late afternoon, with swimming areas supervised more loosely than at big-name parks. Hours may be curtailed after heavy rain for safety, so check locally before making the long drive in the wet season.

A national park entrance fee applies, with the customary higher tier for foreign visitors and small vehicle charges. Camping incurs modest extra costs. Fees are posted at the checkpoint and change from time to time, so treat those rates as definitive.

Simple food stalls near the park entrance serve noodles, som tam and grilled chicken on busier days, though choices shrink midweek and off-season. Chat Trakan town has everyday Thai restaurants and markets, and carrying a picnic from Phitsanulok is a sensible backup.

Food in this rural district is honest central-northern Thai fare: sticky rice, grilled meats, spicy laab-style salads and freshwater fish from local streams and ponds. Seasonal fruit from district orchards appears at roadside stalls along the drive.

Park camping and a limited number of park lodgings serve overnight visitors, while Chat Trakan town offers basic guesthouses and small resorts. Most travellers stay in Phitsanulok city, which has the full range from budget rooms to comfortable mid-range hotels.

Costs are low apart from transport: entrance fees are modest, food is cheap, and camping keeps overnight costs minimal. Hiring a car or driver from Phitsanulok for the day is the biggest single expense for visitors without their own vehicle.

Expect little beyond snack and drink stalls at the park and everyday markets in Chat Trakan town, where local fruit, dried goods and household wares dominate. Any serious souvenir shopping is better saved for Phitsanulok city's night bazaar.

Rocks beside the falls are slippery, so keep to marked paths and heed any closure signs, especially in the rainy season when flows strengthen quickly. Supervise children near pools, avoid swimming after heavy rain, and carry water and fuel for the remote drive.

The lower waterfall area near parking is reachable with modest effort, but trails between tiers involve steps, roots and uneven rock, limiting access for wheelchair users. Visitors with reduced mobility can still enjoy the lowest falls and picnic zones close to the entrance.

English is scarce in this rural district, so a few Thai phrases, a translation app and patience are genuinely useful. Signs at the park carry some English, and staff are helpful even across a language gap, particularly if you smile and offer a wai.

Come midweek for near-empty pools, start the drive early, and fill your fuel tank before leaving the main roads. Bring swimwear and a change of clothes, keep valuables out of sight at parking areas, and download offline maps since mobile signal fades in the hills.

Pack swimwear, a towel, grippy sandals or shoes, insect repellent, sunscreen, drinking water and snacks. Cash is essential as cards are useless out here, and a dry bag protects phones and cameras around the spray and pools.

Take all rubbish out with you, skip single-use plastics where possible, and avoid soaps or shampoos in the natural pools. Stay on trails to protect streamside vegetation, and spending at village stalls on the way keeps benefits within this quiet district.

The wider Chat Trakan district offers rural scenery, local temples and viewpoints along its hill roads. Back toward the provincial capital, Phitsanulok city's temples and riverfront make a natural pairing, and Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park lies within reach for a longer mountain circuit.

The park is administered by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, which sets fees, trail access and camping arrangements. The Tourism Authority of Thailand office covering Phitsanulok can advise on road conditions and seasonal water levels.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.