Nam Nao National Park

Nam Nao National Park covers an area of approximately 966 square kilometers, spanning the border regions of two provinces: Mueang Phetchabun District, Lom Sak District in Phetchabun Province, and Kon San District in Chaiyaphum Province. The terrain consists of a complex range of high mountains. The weather is coldest in December-January, with temperatures around 2-5 degrees Celsius. It is a vital headwater for several rivers, including the Pa Sak, Pong, and Loei rivers. The park teems with wildlife, including various bird species. Nature trails ascend high mountains, passing beautiful cliff viewpoints such as Pha Klang Lohn, Pha Lom, and Pha Kong. There are also several beautiful caves and waterfalls. It was declared a national park on May 4, 1972.

Attractions within the park include:

Tat Phran Ba Waterfall: A large waterfall with water flowing year-round, cascading down a cliff approximately 20 meters high. The water streams down in two tiers. It is named 'Tat Phran Ba' because Phran Ba was the first hunter to discover this waterfall.

Pha Hong Cave Viewpoint: Located about 10 kilometers from the park headquarters. There are 259 steps leading up to the viewpoint. The mountaintop is covered with rugged rocks, offering expansive panoramic views, ideal for watching the sunset in the evening. From the parking lot, a 300-meter footpath through a bamboo forest leads to the entrance of Pha Hong Cave. A Buddha image is enshrined at the cave entrance for worship.

Phu Khore Viewpoint: Situated at kilometer marker 46 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. It is the most beautiful viewpoint, especially in winter, offering a sunrise view and vistas of Phu Kradueng and Phu Chi Fa in the distance. The park also offers a 5-kilometer nature trail around Phu Khore Viewpoint, which takes about 2 hours to hike uphill.

Ban Paek Pine Garden (Dong Paek): The entrance is at kilometer marker 49 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. This area is about a 5-kilometer walk and features large stands of naturally occurring two-needled pine trees, with a ground cover of meadows and specific grasses. The park has also developed a nature trail through this pine forest, starting from the park entrance. Visitors can drive about 5 kilometers to the parking lot, followed by a 500-meter walk.

Phu Kum Khao Pine Garden: The entrance is at kilometer marker 53 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. There is a turn-off at kilometer marker 53 leading 14 kilometers to Phu Kum Khao Pine Garden. This area is characterized by a dense forest of tall, naturally growing three-needled pine trees, covering approximately 10 square kilometers. From the hill of Phu Kum Khao, the pine tops appear at eye level, extending in all directions. To the south, the Chulabhorn Dam reservoir is visible.

Sam Phak Khaw Waterfall: A small waterfall, about 3 meters high, located upstream of the Sam Stream. A footpath leads to it from kilometer marker 64 on the Lom Sak-Chum Phae road.

Nam Nao Great Cave or Phu Nam Rin: The entrance is at kilometer marker 60 on Highway No. 2216 (Huai Nam Sai Village, Lom Kao District). A turn-off leads approximately 3 kilometers to the park ranger station, which is where visitors can arrange for a guided tour of the cave. Nam Nao Great Cave is located within a limestone mountain, about 955 meters above sea level, renowned for its natural, spectacular beauty with stalactites and stalagmites forming various shapes. Uniquely, water continuously drips or flows from the cave entrance. The cave is also home to a large number of bats. Natural shafts allow sunlight to penetrate intermittently, keeping the air fresh and cool. The area accessible to visitors is about 400 meters long and takes approximately 1 hour to explore, with walkways and lighting provided through various chambers. The path ends at a magnificent curtain of rock. Beyond this point, the cave deepens into a passage extending about 4 kilometers, which is not yet suitable for public access.

Wai Thao Waterfall: The entrance is at kilometer marker 67 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. It is a 1-kilometer walk to the waterfall, which is the highest waterfall originating from the Sam Stream, forming the natural boundary between Lom Kao District, Phetchabun Province, and Kon San District, Chaiyaphum Province. It is 20 meters high. The stream below the waterfall has pools suitable for swimming. There is an overhang below the waterfall that can provide shelter from rain. The atmosphere along the stream is pleasant for a walk, with trees providing ample shade.

Sai Thong Waterfall: Located about 500 meters from Wai Thao Waterfall, this waterfall is the widest, approximately 30 meters wide and 4 meters high. It offers a serene atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and recreation.

Natural Springs: Not far from Sai Thong Waterfall, visitors can witness a beautiful natural phenomenon where water bubbles up through rocks, resembling a hot spring.

Colorful Forest: Located between kilometer markers 63-70 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. Every year, between December and January, the forest in this area sheds its leaves, turning various colors, a beautiful natural spectacle.

Phu Chi Fa (Phu Dan E Pong): The entrance is at kilometer marker 69 on Highway No. 12, the Lom Sak-Chum Phae route. The hike is about 10 kilometers, with the trail being quite challenging, taking approximately 6-7 hours. It is a beautiful forest characterized by a mountain with a flat summit, similar to Phu Kradueng but smaller.

The park has established three nature trails for trekking enthusiasts:

Trail 1: A 5-kilometer route starting from a junction near the park headquarters. Along the way, visitors can observe various bird species, and during the rainy season, elephant tracks are often found.

Trail 2: Starts from the walking path opposite the park headquarters, winding through dry dipterocarp forest and mud pits frequented by elephants, deer, and other animals. This trail ends at the Sam Bon Ranger Station, covering a distance of 8 kilometers. Returning to the accommodation requires an additional 5-kilometer walk. For those wishing to continue exploring nature, there is a flat path provided by the park, starting from Ranger Station Non.2 (Sam Bon), passing through the heart of the park, and ending at a scenic spot amidst the pine garden. From the Phu Kum Khao ridge, the pine tops in the garden are at eye level. Along the route, wildlife such as elephants, deer, and barking deer may be encountered. The distance to the pine garden is approximately 12 kilometers.

Trail 3: The starting point is about 800 meters from the national park headquarters, leading into the pine forest, known locally as Pa Paek. This trail features rows of pine trees and may offer sightings of wild elephants, deer, barking deer, and even tiger tracks.

Additionally, Nam Nao National Park offers three long-distance trekking routes: the Phu Chi Fa summit conquest route (approximately 15 kilometers round trip), the Huai Pralat Cave exploration route (approximately 15 kilometers round trip), and the Pha Lom-Pha Kong forest route (approximately 7 kilometers).

Entrance Fees: Thai citizens: Adults 20 Baht, Children 10 Baht. Foreigners: Adults 400 Baht, Children 200 Baht.

Accommodation and Facilities: The park provides accommodation, campsites, and a welfare shop.

For inquiries: Nam Nao National Park Tel. 06 1042 8234, 08 1962 6238. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Tel. 0 2562 0760. Website: www.dnp.go.th