Sri Lanna National Park (Mae Ngat) Chiang Mai
Escape to the serene Mae Ngat Dam reservoir for a day of floating restaurants, kayaking, and stunning flooded forest views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Sri Lanna National Park (Mae Ngat) Chiang Mai
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more tranquility
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Escape to the serene Mae Ngat Dam reservoir for a day of floating restaurants, kayaking, and stunning flooded forest views.
"Great place if you want to have a chill day filled with kayaking/ stand up paddle and other water activities."
🚤 Boat Trip Essentials
Expect to pay around 600-800 baht for a boat to the floating village. Negotiate for longer trips or private rides.
🛶 Kayak & SUP Rentals
Kayaks and paddleboards are often included or available for rent, offering a great way to explore.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mae Ngat Dam Reservoir
The heart of the park
Vast reservoir with floating restaurants and water activities. Perfect for a relaxing day on the water.
Floating Restaurants
Accessible by boat on the reservoir
Enjoy delicious food and drinks with incredible views from these unique floating establishments.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Reservoir waters
Explore the flooded rainforest and enjoy the serene landscape at your own pace. Rentals are often available.
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Waterways
Timing is Key for Tranquility
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚤 Boat Trip Essentials
Expect to pay around 600-800 baht for a boat to the floating village. Negotiate for longer trips or private rides.
🛶 Kayak & SUP Rentals
Kayaks and paddleboards are often included or available for rent, offering a great way to explore.
💰 Budgeting Your Day
Factor in park entrance fees, boat hire, and potential kayak rentals for a full day's cost.
🏞️ Relaxing Atmosphere
This park is more about chilling on the water than intense hiking. Perfect for a laid-back day.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚤 Boat Trip Essentials
Expect to pay around 600-800 baht for a boat to the floating village. Negotiate for longer trips or private rides.
🛶 Kayak & SUP Rentals
Kayaks and paddleboards are often included or available for rent, offering a great way to explore.
💰 Budgeting Your Day
Factor in park entrance fees, boat hire, and potential kayak rentals for a full day's cost.
🏞️ Relaxing Atmosphere
This park is more about chilling on the water than intense hiking. Perfect for a laid-back day.
🏊♀️ Water Quality
While shore water can be murky, deeper areas are fine for swimming.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the beautiful scenery and unique experience of the Mae Ngat Dam reservoir, particularly the floating restaurants and water activities. The boat ride is often highlighted as a scenic journey. While some find the hiking trails less remarkable, the overall vibe is praised for its relaxation and fun on the water.
"Boat ride was beautiful! 600 baht for about 30-40 mins, had the whole boat to myself. Hiked about 3.5km on one of the trails as well but nothing spectacular."
Shar C
"𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒, 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑅𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟."
Charat’s Victualio
"Great place if you want to have a chill day filled with kayaking/ stand up paddle and other water activities.
We arrived at the national park and took the boat for 600 bhat to the swimming island. There’s a restaurant with good food and drinks for good prices where you can chill. They even let us have our drinks on the water on a swimming island. You can take the kayaks and SUPs for free which is amazing.
It’s not the “typical” national park experience (no hiking and more chilling) but great to have a relaxing and fun day on the water."
Juliana Schwarz
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The park is about an hour's drive north of Chiang Mai. You can drive yourself, rent a scooter, or hire a taxi.
From the national park entrance, you'll need to take a boat. The boat ride to the floating village typically takes 30-40 minutes.
Expect to pay around 600-800 baht for a boat trip to the floating village. Negotiating for a private boat or a longer duration is possible.
Yes, renting a motorcycle is a popular and flexible option for reaching the park.
While the park itself is more for day trips, nearby areas like Mae Kampong Village offer homestays for an overnight experience.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, there is an entrance fee, typically around 100 baht per person.
Tickets for the park entrance can be purchased on-site. Boat trips are usually arranged directly at the pier upon arrival.
National parks in Thailand generally open early and close around sunset. It's best to check specific hours closer to your visit.
While not always advertised, you can often negotiate prices for boat trips, especially if you're a group or renting kayaks.
The boat trip price usually covers the transport to the floating village. Kayak or SUP rentals might be separate.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The main activities revolve around the Mae Ngat Dam reservoir, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and relaxing at floating restaurants.
Yes, swimming is possible in the reservoir, particularly in deeper areas away from the shore.
There are some trails, but they are not the main attraction. One reviewer mentioned hiking about 3.5km but found nothing spectacular.
The floating restaurants offer a relaxed vibe with beautiful reservoir views. They are great spots to chill, eat, and enjoy the scenery.
Yes, it's a great place for a family day out, offering water activities and a relaxed environment.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The floating restaurants typically serve a variety of Thai dishes. Reviewers mention delicious food and good prices.
Prices are generally considered good, especially considering the unique location and the fact that you can enjoy drinks on floating islands.
While not explicitly stated, it's generally recommended to purchase food and drinks from the restaurants to support their business.
Thai restaurants often have vegetarian options, but it's advisable to inquire about specific dishes when ordering.
Enjoying a meal while on a floating island or with a view of the reservoir is a highlight.
📸 📸 Photography
The vast reservoir, the unique floating restaurants, the flooded rainforest, and the scenic boat rides offer excellent photo opportunities.
While not explicitly mentioned, the open water and scenic landscapes could be ideal for drone photography, provided regulations are followed.
Mornings often offer softer light and fewer crowds, while sunsets can provide dramatic colors over the reservoir.
The floating restaurants themselves offer great vantage points. The boat journey also provides scenic photo opportunities.
A wide-angle lens would be great for capturing the expansive reservoir and landscapes. Waterproof protection for your gear is advisable if you plan on water activities.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The floating restaurants provide a unique dining experience that can be engaging for children, with plenty of space to move around and enjoy the views. It's a great alternative to more strenuous activities, offering a chance for everyone to unwind and have fun on the water.
💰 Budget Travelers
Opting for activities like kayaking or SUP that might be included with your boat rental or restaurant visit can save money. Packing some snacks or simple meals to supplement your dining at the floating restaurants can also help manage costs.
🧘♀️ Relaxation Seekers
Spend your day leisurely paddling on a kayak, enjoying the gentle lapping of the water, or simply lounging at a floating restaurant with a refreshing drink. The emphasis here is on a chill, unhurried experience, making it ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Mae Ngat Dam Reservoir
The journey to these floating establishments typically involves a scenic boat ride from the park's pier. This boat trip itself is often highlighted as a beautiful part of the experience, allowing you to soak in the natural beauty of the area.
Once you reach the floating village, you can enjoy a variety of water activities. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are popular choices, allowing you to explore the flooded forest banks and enjoy the serene atmosphere at your own pace. Some places even offer these rentals for free, making it a great value.
The Floating Restaurant Experience
Reviewers consistently praise the food and prices at these restaurants, noting that they offer delicious Thai cuisine at reasonable rates. It's also common for these establishments to allow guests to enjoy their drinks on separate floating islands, adding to the unique charm.
While the primary focus is on relaxation and dining, some of these floating platforms also serve as hubs for water activities. You can often rent kayaks or paddleboards directly from them, making it convenient to combine your meal with some exploration on the water.
Activities on the Water
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are highly recommended. These activities offer a fantastic way to navigate the reservoir, explore the edges of the flooded rainforest, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Many of the floating restaurants provide rentals, and sometimes these are even included in the price of your visit or boat trip.
Swimming is also an option, though it's advised to swim in the deeper parts of the reservoir where the water is cleaner. The overall experience is geared towards a relaxing day spent enjoying the water and the beautiful natural scenery.
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