Erawan National Park
Seven tiers of turquoise waterfall in the jungle, each with its own pool, an hour north of Kanchanaburi.
Erawan National Park is 65km north of Kanchanaburi and its seven-tier waterfall is the most beautiful in Thailand. Entry is 300 baht and a half day covers the climb to the top tier. Come at opening — the lower pools fill by 10am.
Open Erawan National Park in Google Maps14.3733, 99.1444
Park fee; upper tiers close earlier
Entry fee checked against operator or park publication, October 2026. Hours can change without notice — confirm on the day.
Seven tiers of turquoise waterfall in the jungle, each with its own pool, an hour north of Kanchanaburi.
The falls run over limestone ledges that form a series of emerald pools, each with its own character: the third tier has a natural slide, the fifth a wide swimming basin, the seventh a set of small cascades at the head of the valley. The park is named after the three-headed white elephant of Hindu mythology, which the top tier is said to resemble.
The water is genuinely that colour, and swimming below the fourth tier is one of the great simple pleasures of Thailand. It is also very popular with Thai families at weekends.
What you’ll actually see
- The second tier, a 20-metre fall with a deep pool for swimming
- The third tier's natural rock slide, which is genuinely safe at moderate flow
- The fifth tier, the widest pool and the best place for a long swim
- The seventh tier at the top, reached after a 2km trail — usually empty
How to visit it well
- Go on a weekday; weekends are packed.
- Wear shoes with grip — the trail is wet and steep in places.
- Bring a dry bag; you will want to swim at tiers 2–4.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Arriving at 11am when the first four tiers are full
- Bringing food — it is confiscated to keep the pools clean
- Trying to climb past tier five in flip-flops; the trail gets steep and wet
Is it worth it?
Worth the day trip and the best waterfall in central Thailand. The seven tiers are genuinely different from each other, which is why the climb is worth it rather than a repeat. Go at 8am, swim at tier three, then walk to seven.
Common questions
300 baht for foreign adults, 200 for children, plus 30 baht per vehicle. Open 8am to 4:30pm.
About 90 minutes up and 60 down, with swimming stops. Most people get to tier four and turn back.
Yes, in tiers one to five. Food and drink are banned in the upper tiers and plastic bottles must be registered at the entrance.
November to February. In the rainy season the falls are dramatic but the water is brown; in April the flow is low.
Tours that include Erawan National Park
Related experiences
Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Tom Whitfield