Cheow Lan Lake

Khao Sok National Park, Thailand

The park's highlight, a stunning lake surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Explore Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Khao Sok National Park — TL;DR

Khao Sok National Park in Thailand is a breathtaking paradise featuring one of the world's oldest rainforests and towering limestone cliffs, located in Southern Thailand within the province of Surat Thani, nearly 600km from Bangkok.

Khao Sok National Park at a glance

What are the best things to do in Khao Sok National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Khao Sok National Park trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Khao Sok National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Khao Sok National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day…
When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park? December to April (dry season) offers the best conditions for hiking and Cheow Lan Lake visits.
Where should I stay in Khao Sok National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Khao Sok National Park? The tourist village clusters guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, with Khao Sok Jungle Resort a short trip into the nature reserve and Cheow Lan Lake reached by a separate journey further into the park.

Khao Sok National Park overview

December to April (dry season) offers the best conditions for hiking and Cheow Lan Lake visits.
The tourist village clusters guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, with Khao Sok Jungle Resort a short trip into the nature reserve and Cheow Lan Lake reached by a separate journey further into the park.
Thai Baht (฿)
Thai. English is spoken at lodges and by guides.
ICT (UTC+7)
Khao Sok's hospitality scene continues to lean into immersive jungle experiences, with Khao Sok Treehouse Resort's real-life treehouses and Khao Sok Jungle Resort's greenery-surrounded rooms 3km into the nature reserve reflecting a destination built around one of the world's oldest rainforests and the stunning Cheow Lan Lake.

Where to eat, drink & do in Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park neighborhoods

Khao Sok tourist village A typical tourist village with a few small shops and lots of restaurants and guesthouses.
Nature reserve district Home to Khao Sok Jungle Resort, located outside the tourist area about 3km into the nature reserve.
Cheow Lan Lake The park's highlight, a stunning lake surrounded by towering limestone cliffs.

Practical info for Khao Sok National Park

Getting around in Khao Sok National Park? The tourist village clusters guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, with Khao Sok Jungle Resort a short trip into the nature reserve and Cheow Lan Lake reached by a separate journey further into the park.
When to go in Khao Sok National Park? December to April (dry season) offers the best conditions for hiking and Cheow Lan Lake visits.
What's changing now in Khao Sok National Park? Khao Sok's hospitality scene continues to lean into immersive jungle experiences, with Khao Sok Treehouse Resort's real-life treehouses and Khao Sok Jungle Resort's greenery-surrounded rooms 3km into the nature reserve reflecting a destinat
Seek out Kayaking along the river in Khao Sok National Park? A quieter way to explore Khao Sok's rainforest beyond the popular Cheow Lan Lake boat trips.
Base yourself in Khao Sok tourist village in Khao Sok National Park? A typical tourist village with a few small shops and lots of restaurants and guesthouses. Known for main village hub.

Frequently asked questions about Khao Sok National Park

What are the best things to do in Khao Sok National Park? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Khao Sok National Park trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Khao Sok National Park tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Khao Sok National Park? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Khao Sok National Park — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park? December to April (dry season) offers the best conditions for hiking and Cheow Lan Lake visits.
Where should I stay in Khao Sok National Park for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Khao Sok National Park? The tourist village clusters guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, with Khao Sok Jungle Resort a short trip into the nature reserve and Cheow Lan Lake reached by a separate journey further into the park.

Practical notes for Khao Sok National Park

Best time to visit: December to April (dry season) offers the best conditions for hiking and Cheow Lan Lake visits.
Getting around: The tourist village clusters guesthouses, restaurants, and shops, with Khao Sok Jungle Resort a short trip into the nature reserve and Cheow Lan Lake reached by a separate journey further into the park.
Currency: Thai Baht (฿)
Language: Thai. English is spoken at lodges and by guides.
Timezone: ICT (UTC+7)
Current trends: Khao Sok's hospitality scene continues to lean into immersive jungle experiences, with Khao Sok Treehouse Resort's real-life treehouses and Khao Sok Jungle Resort's greenery-surrounded rooms 3km into the nature reserve reflecting a destination built around one of the world's oldest rainforests and the stunning Cheow Lan Lake.

Other neighborhoods in Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok tourist village — A typical tourist village with a few small shops and lots of restaurants and guesthouses.
Nature reserve district — Home to Khao Sok Jungle Resort, located outside the tourist area about 3km into the nature reserve.

Read the full Khao Sok National Park guide