Khao Sok National Park

If you love nature and adventure, Khao Sok National Park is the perfect place to visit in Surat Thani, Thailand. Just over an hour from Pullman Khao Lak Resort, it’s one of the most unforgettable destinations for travelers seeking nature, adventure, and a sense of wonder. If you are planning to visit, this guide explores the best Khao Sok activities and attractions that you should not miss.

What Makes Khao Sok National Park Special

If you want to make the most out of your trip to Thailand, Khao Sok National Park, known as the “Guilin of Thailand,” has everything: big green mountains, clear rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful lakes. You can take a boat tour, go on a Khao Sok hike, or just relax in the jungle. It’s one of the most amazing rainforests in the country.

It covers more than 738 square kilometers and is one of the world’s oldest rainforests. Inside the park, you’ll see rivers, caves, and tall limestone cliffs covered with green trees. Before you start exploring, make sure to check a Khao Sok map to help find the best viewpoints and trails.

Plus, visitors can see wild elephants, hornbills, monkeys, and many plant species here. With so much nature around, Khao Sok feels like a paradise that you’ll never forget.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours: The park is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (though some areas may close earlier depending on the season and weather conditions).

Main Park Entry Fees (Foreigners):

• Adults: 200 THB
• Children: 100 THB

Cheow Lan Lake Entry Fees (Foreigners):

• Adults: 300 THB
• Children: 150 THB
• Pier / Dock Fee: 40 THB

Note: Tickets are valid for 24 hours.

Entry Fees (Thai Nationals):

• Adults: 40 THB
• Children: 20 THB

Pro Tip: If you book a guided tour, entrance fees are often included in your package price. Always clarify this with your tour operator beforehand.

Top 5 Best Things to Do in Khao Sok National Park 2026

Dubbed the “Guilin of Thailand,” Cheow Lan Lake is one of the park’s most iconic attractions. Surrounded by towering limestone karsts and emerald waters, the lake is perfect for boat tours, where visitors can marvel at the stunning scenery and explore its many islands.

1. Bamboo Rafting or Canoeing on the Sok River

Drift peacefully down the Sok River to spot monkeys and hornbills along an ancient trade route where local guides often boil water over an open fire inside a green bamboo stick to serve you coffee in fresh-cut bamboo cups you can keep as a souvenir.

2. Explore Cheow Lan Lake (Ratchaprapha Dam)

Often called the “Guilin of Thailand,” this park crown jewel is a man-made lake created in 1987 where you can rent a longtail boat to cruise past towering limestone karsts or stay overnight in a floating bungalow, keeping an eye out for the eerie, sun-bleached tops of the ancient drowned forest still reaching up from the depths.

3. Go Jungle Trekking to Waterfalls

Hire a guide to explore the deeper trails of Khao Sok’s rainforest, which is estimated to be over 160 million years old—making it significantly older than the Amazon and home to an astonishing 5% of the planet’s total species.

4. Explore the Hidden Caves

Hire a guide to safely wade and swim through the underground river of Nam Talu Cave, a thrilling full-body adventure where you can marvel at dramatic rock formations and hanging stalactites carved by water over millennia.

5. See the Giant Rafflesia Flower

If you visit between December and February, you might catch a rare glimpse of the giant Rafflesia, a bizarre parasitic plant with no leaves or roots that is known as the “corpse flower” because it emits a rotting scent to attract pollinators.

How to Get to Khao Sok National Park

You can easily reach Khao Sok from Phuket, Khao Lak, or Krabi.

• From Phuket: About 2.5–3 hours by car (150 km)
• From Khao Lak: Only 1 hour (70 km)

If you’re traveling from Khao Sok to Bangkok, take a bus or private car via Surat Thani Airport — it’s fast and simple. For an easy trip, you can also book a Khao Sok National Park tour package that includes transport, activities, and a hotel stay.

Khao Sok National Park Travel Tips:

The best time to visit: November to February – cool weather, less rain.
What to bring: Light clothes, sneakers, insect repellent, and a waterproof bag.
Be a kind traveler: Don’t feed the animals, and take your trash with you.

Where to Stay Near Khao Sok

There are many places to stay, from small homestays and eco-lodges to beautiful floating bungalows on the lake. For something more comfortable and relaxing, check out Pullman Khao Lak Resort, one of the top-rated hotels near Khao Sok. Located just over an hour’s drive from the park, it’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of jungle exploration.

Check out the latest deals at Pullman Khao Lak Resort on our Special Offers page. ALL Accor members get 5% off every booking.

Not a member yet? Sign up for free and start planning your dream trip near Khao Sok National Park.