The park is home to one of the largest populations of great hornbills in Thailand.
The landscape features salt licks, which are mineral-rich patches used by wild elephants and deer to supplement their diets.
The park's climate is significantly cooler than the surrounding central plains due to its mountainous terrain.
It was the first national park established in Thailand, founded in 1962.
Haew Narok waterfall drops over 150 meters across three distinct tiers.
The park contains the Khao Khiao peak, which reaches an elevation of 1,350 meters.
Forest types within the park include tropical rainforest, seasonal evergreen forest, and hill evergreen forest.
It is one of the few places in Southeast Asia where visitors can regularly spot wild elephants along the roadside.
Khao Yai National Park is Thailand's third-largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site, spanning over 2,000 square kilometers of forest and grassland. The park functions as a major biodiversity hotspot, containing one of the largest intact monsoon forests in mainland Asia. It serves as a critical habitat for wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills, and the endangered Indochinese tiger. Visitors can explore a network of hiking trails that range from accessible nature walks to multi-day jungle treks. Significant geological features include several prominent waterfalls, most notably the Haew Narok and Haew Suwat falls. The park's elevation ranges from 400 to 1,350 meters above sea level, resulting in a cooler climate compared to the surrounding lowlands. It is a primary location for birdwatching, as it supports over 300 resident and migratory bird species. The park serves as the core of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. Access to the interior is managed through dedicated park gates that connect the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima, Saraburi, Prachinburi, and Nakhon Nayok.
The viewing platform at Haew Suwat Waterfall.
Bring leech socks or repellent if you plan on trekking during the wet season.
Always keep a safe distance from wild elephants and never feed any wildlife.
Check park social media channels for temporary trail closures due to seasonal conditions or wildlife activity.
Driving at night or at high speeds, as it poses a significant danger to wildlife crossing the park roads.
Some remote hiking trails may close during the peak of the monsoon season to prevent erosion and ensure visitor safety.
Maintain silence near wildlife, do not pick plants or remove rocks, and strictly adhere to the 'no-littering' policy.
