Thailand is known as a beach vacation spot cos of its beautiful islands, and not many people know that this country is also a good camping spot. From the mountains to the forest, Thailand has so many camping sites to have an amazing camping experience.
Campsites where you can encounter wildlife, explore waterfalls, canyons, and reservoirs, go on a hike, and just fully immerse yourself in nature. But even if you want to go, how do you know the best spots to go to? To help you, this article contains the 12 best camping sites you can visit in Thailand.
12 Best Camping Sites In Thailand You Must Know
1. Wiang Kosai National Park
The Wiang Kosai National Park is hidden in Thailand and is located off the tourist path. This national park is beautiful and wild, and since there are few tourists, you get to enjoy the peace and beautiful views by yourself. Even the journey to this camping site in Thailand is a scenic ride that is worth the adventure.
There are two main campgrounds in this camp, but the first one is the most popular. The first campground is on a hill, where you’ll get beautiful views of the camp surroundings, while the second campground feels more like a school camp. You’ll have to pay 80 baht per person to camp here, but compared to other camping sites in Thailand, it’s quite affordable.
Even though it’s remote, the facilities in this park are clean and great. You’ll find clean toilets, showers, cooking areas, and even a small restaurant if you explore well. The main attraction you’ll get if you decide to camp here is the 7-tiered waterfall. Sure, you’ll have to go on a short hike, but when you take a dip in the cool water, you can decide if it’s worth it.
2. Khun Sathan National Park
There are a few mountain camping sites in Thailand where you can have a better camping experience than Khun Sathan National Park. Even the journey here, which will take you through winding roads and fresher air, will assure you of the impressive view at the top.
And since it’s such a beautiful spot, you’ll find many Thai locals here, especially during the holiday season. So if you’re planning to enjoy the peace and quiet, you’ll need to plan your camping trip during the week. The main campsite in this national park is just perfect to sit, breathe, and enjoy the views at the edge of the valley.
Since it’s one of the best camping sites in Thailand, you’ll find lots of various facilities here. You’ll find a small shop, a daytime cafe, a restaurant, bathrooms, and a visitor center where you can rent more camping gear. Khun Sathan is not really about doing much, but if you want, you can take the short hike to the sunset or sunrise viewpoint.
3. Doi Ang Khang
Doi Ang Khang is one of those camping sites in Thailand that you’ll keep talking about even after you’ve left, cos of the amazing time you had there. If you want to experience the cold mountain air, this is the place to be. It is the highest campsite in Thailand, so it’s mostly crowded with both locals and tourists.
So if you’re looking for peace, quiet, and solitude, keep on looking. This campground is big and always crowded with so many tents that it always feels like a festival is about to happen. You’ll love the icy mornings, the scenic views, and the mountain experience as long as you don’t expect a serene retreat.
What makes Doi Ang Khang different from other mountain camping sites in Thailand is the sunrise and summit experience. The hike to the summit is long, but the view is so worth it. And even if you didn’t bring your camping gear, that won’t stop you from camping here. You can rent a camping tent from the National Park and buy your essential camping gear from the nearby shops and stores.
4. Doi Phu Nang National Park
This national park might not be a popular camping site in Thailand, but it’s one of the best spots if you want a quiet camping retreat. And you also get to experience the Than Sawan Waterfall, which is purely magical. And if you camp overnight here, you get the chance to visit early in the morning or late in the evening without the crowd.
The experience of having this waterfall all to yourself cannot be explained. The Doi Phu Nang National Park has two camping grounds, both with good bathrooms, cooking areas, and restaurants, which are only open during the day. But if you want a more peaceful and beautiful spot, you’ll have to go to the second site, which is tucked in the mountains.
This camping site in Thailand is full of beauty and adventure. So, apart from exploring the canyons and beautiful waterfalls, you can also explore the jungle forest where you’ll see various wildlife like turtles, monitor lizards, and even peacocks. And for a peaceful stroll, you can hike the nature trail where you’ll see the waterfall and wildlife.
5. Hintok River Camp
You probably didn’t expect to find a luxury camping site in Thailand, and that’s why the Hintok River Camp continues to be one of the best in Southeast Asia. Cos this campground delivers on luxury, comfort, and quietness. You don’t even need to bring a camping tent cos the tents here are not your average camping setup.
The tents here are spacious enough for families and friends, and they come with AC, real beds, and private bathrooms. It’s not just about the tents, this campground is also a historical spot in Thailand. With the nearby Hellfire Pass and interactive center, you can take a history lesson on what happened during Thailand’s World War II and the Death Railway.
This camping site is not only about learning and reflecting. It’s also a place where you can have fun cos there are so many fun activities to do here. You can go mountain biking, bamboo rafting, canoeing, waterfall chasing, and on guided village tours. And since it’s a luxury camping site, you also get traditional Thai massages, delicious meals from their onsite restaurant, outdoor BBQs, and campfire dinners.
6. Pha Kluai Mai Camping Ground
Pha Kluai Mai Camping Ground might be huge, but it’s one of the most easily accessible and accommodating camping sites in Thailand. This campground can take over 10,000 campers, and it’s equipped with the necessary facilities like electricity, clean bathrooms, a visitor center, a welfare store, a restaurant, and a cafe to ensure you enjoy your stay.
And even if you forgot to bring your camping gear, you can rent almost everything for an affordable fee here. But if you plan to come here during the peak season, you’ll need to reserve your campsite and gear through the Khao Yai National Park website so you won’t be disappointed.
Since it’s located in this national park, you’ll be surrounded by nature, the forest, waterfalls, and wildlife. This all adds to its charm and makes a good starting point for the jungle and waterfall hikes. If you’re close to Bangkok, and you just want to experience something different with nature, this is the camping site you should be heading to.
7. Khao Laem National Park
One of the best camping sites in Thailand is located in the Khao Laem National Park. Camping at this park is an unforgettable experience cos you get to explore the forest, the mountains, and the wildlife, including deer, elephants, wild boars, and even tigers.
This campsite is just by the Kroeng Krawia Waterfall, so you get to fall asleep to the soothing sound of the flowing streams. And if you’re up for more adventure, you can hire a ranger to the more challenging but amazing Kra Teng Cheng Waterfall. This trek goes deep into the forest but leads to this beautiful nine-level waterfall cascade.
You can decide to camp by the Kroeng Krawia Waterfall and swamp, or the Pom Pee campsite. This particular campsite has simple bungalows that you’ll need to book in advance for your camping trip. You should also know of all the camping sites in Thailand on this list, this is one of the most expensive, so you’ll find fewer people here.
8. Lam Ta Khong Campground
Another peaceful campsite in Khao Yai National Park is the Lam Ta Khong Campground. Here you’ll get to experience nature and wildlife fully. This campground also has all the essential facilities to make your camping experience a good one. So you’ll see the welfare shop, cafe, restaurant, bathrooms, toilets, and electric charging points.
The main attraction of this camping site is the animal-watching night safari tour. On this tour, you’ll see so many species of birds, reptiles, and mammals. You’ll see deer, monkeys, otters, and so many nocturnal species. The only issue is that the night safari slots are limited so you’ll have to book in advance.
This campground is also a good camping site in Thailand for nature and photography lovers. So you can have fun hiking, watching the animals, relaxing by the river, and taking beautiful nature pictures. But beware that the nights in this camping site can get really cold, so while coming, make sure you pack enough warm clothes and insulating layers.
9. Tarutao National Marine Park
Not all the best camping sites in Thailand are in park-like areas, at least not in Tarutao National Marine Park. Here, you can experience beach camping in places like Pantai Melaks Beach, Koh Adang, and Koh Tarutao. This camping site is very popular, not just for campers but also for visitors who want to explore popular spots like Toe Bu Cliff and Crocodile Cave.
You can decide to camp at any of the bayside campsites, but do well to keep your food and belongings away from the crab-eating macaques. And if they make you that uncomfortable, you can then stay in the wooden cabins or the ranger stations at the campsite, although they’ll need a two-day booking.
The Tarutao National Marine Park itself is a world UNESCO site, so it’s perfect for diving and snorkeling. When you camp here, you can even go on fun island tours to some of the best islands in Thailand, like Koh Lipe. This camping site is very affordable cos most of these campsites have public facilities and cheap gear rentals that make beach camping budget-friendly.
10. Doi Inthanon National Park Campsite
This camping site in Thailand is also home to the highest mountain in Thailand, the Don Inthanon. This park has so many waterfalls, rivers, hilltops, and forested mountains. It’s the perfect spot for a solo camping retreat, but it can get very cold, so be prepared for that.
You can do the traditional tent camping, or you can book a wooden bungalow that comes with a fan and hot showers, where you can comfortably stay. There are no restaurants on this campsite, so you’ll have to bring your own food or go to the nearby Thai Hmong Community Market, where you can get fruits, dried snacks, and grilled food.
Camping here allows you to explore the park fully. You can go on the hiking trails, birdwatch, explore the waterfall, or go on guided educational tours. The campground in this park also has some of the best space, toilets, cooking facilities, picnic tables, and fire pits you won’t find in other camping sites in Thailand.
11. Ban Krang Campsite
Located in Kaeng Krachan National Park, this campsite is surrounded by a forest, a river, and beautiful walking trails. The Ban Krang Campsite has clean basic facilities like toilets, cold showers, and a small restaurant, so you can stay comfortable.
Camping here is very affordable, and you can decide to bring or rent your camping gear. There are so many animals to see here, from the hornbills to the monkeys, elephants, sun bears, leopards, tigers, and porcupines. But be careful so your presence won’t scare the animals away.
This campsite in Thailand is perfect for those who love nature and wildlife. So if you want a peaceful and serene nature retreat, you’ll need to visit during the weekdays and not the weekends. Especially not during the holidays, cos by then you’ll find most Thai families and visitors. The nights here are extremely cold, so make sure you come along with extra blankets to keep you warm.
12. Doi Pui Camping Area
Located inside the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, this camping site is perfect for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers. This is the kind of camping ground you come to when you need to be surrounded by birdsongs and forest trails like the Doi Pui Nature Trail.
The Doi Pui Camping Area has some facilities like bathrooms, showers, changing areas, a small welfare shop, a restaurant, and a visitor’s center where you can rent your camping gear. You can even rent a mountain bike here to tour the nearby Hmong Doi Pui village from the Doi Hua Moo viewpoint.
This camping site is close to Chiang Mai Old City, but it feels like a faraway, hidden world. So this is where you come to when you need to experience the mountain air but within a budget. While you’re here, you can also visit sacred landmarks like the Doi Suthep Temple and the Phuping Palace.
Conclusion
If you want to go camping at any of these camping sites in Thailand listed in this article, it’s best to go between November to January. At this time of the year, the weather is cool and perfect for cozy campfires and stargazing nights. So you can have fun hiking, waterfall trekking, and exploring nature.
Most of these camping sites have all the needed facilities, so once you get there, ensure you follow the rules and regulations, like not leaving food outside and not exploring faraway places without a ranger. Now you know the best camping sites in Thailand, the next thing to do is to pack your camping bags and start your adventure. Happy Camping!