◊
The remarkable, emerald-tinted Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls, located in Thailand’s Sri Nakarin Dam National Park near Kanchanaburi, is a fairy-tale natural wonder that – I’m serious – almost nobody visits.
After witnessing the fluorescent stream of lifejacket-toting masses that were flocking to the neighbouring Erawan Falls, we set off on a mission to have a more tranquil waterfall experience.
Well, gold star for us, because we managed it! With seven major tiers of cascades and crystal-clear pools encircled by a dense jungle canopy, Huay Mae Khamin really has a lot going for it. The solitude was palpable and we did not leave disappointed.
If you’re searching for a day out from Kanchanaburi, but don’t want to battle with *any* other tourists, at all, then these waterfalls should be your absolute top choice. We met more (friendly) dogs than visitors and didn’t even arrive early. It was a genuinely glorious afternoon.
And, as for whether the falls are as impressive as Erawan Falls, I’d say it’s pretty close. So, for all the information on visiting the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls, including parking, entry costs, hike difficulty, facilities, and other logistics, plus some photo tips, check out our guide!
◊
IN THIS GUIDE //
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls
WHAT ARE THE HUAY MAE KHAMIN WATERFALLS?
GETTING TO THE FALLS
THE WATERFALL HIKE
WHEN TO VISIT
ENTRY FEES
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT THE FALLS
A FEW PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
WHERE TO STAY
OUR EXPERIENCE AT THE HUAY MAE KHAMIN FALLS
WHAT TO PACK
WILDLIFE AT THE FALLS
THE WATERFALLS MAP
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FINAL THOUGHTS
This post may contain affiliate links. If you book through these links we may make a small commission at zero cost to you. It helps us pay for the upkeep of this blog. Thank you!
What are the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls?
Huay Mae Khamin is a seven-tier set of waterfalls, located in Sri Nakarin Dam National Park, around a two-hour (110 kilometre) drive to the north-west of Kanchanaburi.
The drive is really beautiful, traversing mountains along the perimeter of Srinakarin Dam, passing through pretty villages and forests. We’d highly recommend self-driving.
The falls are actually only a small sub-section of the huge national park, which covers more than 1500 square kilometres (this means the falls entry fee ticket can be used to access other sites of interest within the park, too, like caves and hot springs).
The Falls
The seven sets of falls are spread over several kilometres of river, accompanied by an easy-to-navigate pathway that runs along the riverbank.
The names of the waterfalls, running from lowest to the highest, are:
1 | Dong Wan
2 | Mand Khamin
3 | Wang Napha
4 | Chatkaew
5 | Lai Jonlong
6 | Dong Phiesuea
7 | Rom Klao
FIRST TIME VISITOR TO THAILAND?
If this is your first ever trip to Thailand, have a look at our monster-guide to visiting this beautiful country, which includes tips on money, food, transport, logistics, culture and more.
Also, if you’re landing in Bangkok, consider having a look at our overly ambitious one-day Bangkok itinerary (we live here, so we know it well).
–
RELATED POST | A SOUTHERN THAILAND ITINERARY
How to get to Huay Mae Khamin Falls
There are several ways to get to the waterfalls:
Self-drive | renting a car is the best way to get to the waterfalls. It’s affordable, easy, flexible and efficient. We rented a car in Bangkok and drove to Kanchanaburi via the unique pink dragon temple, taking the journey to Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall as part of a longer trip in the area. We arrived around lunch time, after visiting Erawan Falls first thing in the morning. The drive is around two hours in total, each way.
Motorbike/scooter | it’s possible to rent a motorbike/scooter from Kanchanaburi (make sure you’re legal and capable to do so). This would be slower than going by car and without the comfort of air con. It is, however, a more budget friendly option (but far, far more exhausting). We’d recommend avoiding this option unless you have no other choice – the route is hilly, long, unshaded and tiring!
Taxi/private driver | honestly, we wouldn’t recommend this option unless you have no other choice. It’s costly and having someone wait around for you can feel a bit rushed. Having said that, lots of people do hire drivers for day trips around Kanchanaburi, so if this is your preference, go for it!
Organised tour | there aren’t organised tours to Huay Mae Khamin Falls, only to Erawan Falls (from either Bangkok or Kanchanaburi).
Public Transport | there is no straightforward public transport option to the falls. Any method will involve, at minimum, a few buses and a motorbike taxi which take quite a few hours.
CAR HIRE FOR YOUR KANCHANABURI TRIP
We always rent our vehicles all over the world, including our recent trips in Thailand, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco, with Discover Cars. They’re often the most affordable, plus they paid out immediately on an insurance claim we made when our car took some heavy damage in Sicily. We fully recommend them.
If you book through the link below, we make a small profit, at zero cost to you, which helps us write these posts with no advertising! We only endorse products and companies we actually use regularly. For more information, read our position on affiliates.
–
TAKE A LOOK BELOW OR CHECK CAR RENTAL
The Huay Mae Khamin Hike
The hike around Huay Mae Khamin is relatively easy.
From the main car park, you can choose to head upstream, or downstream.
Downstream (to the south-east) are the first four waterfalls (numbered 1-4), and upstream (to the north-west) are the other three (numbered 5-7). You can choose either direction to start with, then return to the car park and walk the other route.
Downstream (falls 1-4) | the easiest (and possibly most impressive) of the falls is number 4, which can be seen almost directly from the car park with no steps.
From number four, the path leads steeply downhill via quite a few very developed steps. These stairs are shallow, quite grippy, and not strenuous at all. At the bottom of the steps is a small stand with life jackets (if you are swimming) and the rest of the hike to falls 1-3 is only slightly downhill. The route from the car park to fall number 1 is just over half a kilometre.
Upstream (falls 5-7) | this walk is almost completely flat and a bit more rustic. Crossing the bridge above the car park, the route meanders along a gravelly path that follows the river. These three waterfalls are less dramatic than the bottom four, but the walk is more relaxing, and I particularly liked number six. This walk is a little over a kilometre from the car park.
Access | the waterfalls are not suitable for children’s strollers or wheelchair users, as the route has rough sections and steps. However, if you’re physically able, there is nothing that is particularly difficult – no scrambling or climbing required.
Navigation | both routes are really obvious, so you shouldn’t be able to get lost! They are simple, there-and-back, marked paths. The falls also have Thai signs at each one, too.
Which side to hike first | it really doesn’t matter which side of the Huay Mae Khamin Falls you choose! We opted for the eastern side encompassing waterfalls 1-4, purely because we popped over and looked at 4, then just carried on. The eastern side is a little more dramatic, in my opinion, so I’d do that first (although there’s an argument here that you should leave the best until last).
Shade | both the east and west routes of the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall hike are mostly shaded, so it’s not too arduous, sunshine-wise.
Hike Distances from the Car Park
1 | Dong Wan – 565m
2 | Mand Khamin – 480m
3 | Wang Napha – 210m
4 | Chatkaew – 110m
Car park | distances in metres
5 | Lai Jonlong – 245m
6 | Dong Phiesuea – 1035m
7 | Rom Klao – 1185m
When to Visit
The best time to visit Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls is during the dry season, between December and April (although by April it will be absolutely flaming hot).
During this season:
◊ the falls are easy to hike and the paths will not be muddy;
◊ the water will be calm and emerald-green which is perfect for photography;
◊ the sun will be out which makes everything prettier;
◊ and the water flows will be calm enough for safe swimming.
Wet season | between June and October, there is higher risk of flash flooding, muddy paths, plus lots of grey skies! However, there are still dry days during this period, so don’t write it off if it’s your only opportunity. The surrounding vegetation will be verdant and depending on the magnitude of the recent rainfall, the rushing waterfalls might be very impressive.
Shoulder season | it’s hit or miss, honestly. We’ve been inundated by rain for weeks in November before, and during other years it’s been completely dry.
Crowds | usually it’s here that I’d warn about crowds during the popular dry season. However, it seems that the tourist masses coming to Thailand have not yet discovered this particular site, so don’t worry about needing to visit early in the morning or during off season!
Holidays and weekends | these falls are most often visited by Thai residents, many of whom camp there. This means that if you want to avoid the (minimal) crowds, don’t visit during Thai national holidays or weekends if you have the option.
Our experience | we visited during mid-January, and Kanchanaburi was having a particularly cool spell. It was positively mild, for Thailand, around 25 degrees as a max – perfect hiking weather.
Entry Fees for the Huay Mae Khamin Falls
Payment is made from your vehicle on arrival at the gate, by cash only.
When we visited in 2025, the entry fees for Huay Mae Khamin Waterfall were:
◊ 300 baht per adult (60 for Thai citizens)
◊ 150 baht per child aged 4-14 (30 baht for Thai children).
◊ All children under 4 and over 60s (Thai residents) enter free of charge.
There is as an additional fee for parking, paid at the same time as the entry fee. This was 30 baht for car parking and 20 baht for motorcycles or scooters. Bicycles, however, are free.
Other fees
There is also a 20 baht fee for a lifejacket. We read reports this was mandatory, but perhaps because they saw our cameras we didn’t have to wear one.
HOW LONG TO SPEND AT THE FALLS
We would recommend budgeting at least 2-3 hours in total at Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls. This could be a little less if you don’t take photos and walk quickly.
It could easily be longer if you hang out, swim, and take a bunch of pictures (all those long exposure photos add up!).
–
RELATED POST | A GUIDE TO KOH MOOK
A Few Quick Photography Tips
Bring a tripod | if you want those smooth, long exposure waterfall shots.
Bring an ND filter | it’s bright and long exposure settings will let in way too much light if you expose for a second or longer.
If, like us, you forget your tripod and ND filters | we handheld all our photographs in this post. If you are able to hold your camera steady for around 1/10-1/3 of a second, you can get some smooth-ish shots and they won’t be over-exposed. Having a good in-body image stabilisation helps a lot here – we list what camera gear we use on our travel photography tips page.
Shadows | it’s quite a dark and bright environment at the falls (like any sunny forest or jungle). This makes correctly exposing photos tricky. We’d recommend using your camera’s histogram to make sure you’re not clipping the dark or light areas of your image.
Phone | some phone cameras have automatic long exposure options nowadays – if yours does, you can get easy smooth shots without a tripod.
Timing | all our photography at Huay Mae Khamin was taken during mid-afternoon.
We found the photography at our visit to Erawan Falls to be a little prettier with the light in the early morning, so it’s possible that Huay Mae Khamin may also have looked even lovelier then, too.
We stayed at the falls until mid/late afternoon and the light was really photogenic then. (Although, each waterfall is surrounded by different foliage and faces in various directions, so every spot suits a different time of day – I don’t think there’s a perfect time to visit).
WHERE TO STAY
Kanchanaburi is the nearest major accommodation hub to the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls. It’s a large-ish town with a plethora of overnight options and restaurants, both within and outside the city.
It’s a worthwhile place to stay overnight because it’s home to the famous River Kwai, and has lots of cool temples and things to do in the surrounding area.
Many visitors also choose to stay outside the city in a riverside lodge.
Our recommendations are:
Natee the Riverfront Hotel ($$+) | situated in central Kanchanaburi, we stayed in this hotel with friends for four nights and it was *surprisingly* nice. The clean, modern (but classic) rooms are huge and all come with expansive river views. The balconies are comfortable, the beds are comfy plus the included breakfast was top notch. The location is within a one-minute walk to many restaurants and bars, and around a 30-minute walk to the famous bridge over the river Kwai. The pool was genuinely exquisite too. The price tag was outstanding, especially since we stayed in the height of the peak season.
Lake Hill Resort Kanchanaburi ($$) | this riverside option is a great affordable choice for visiting Hauy Mae Khamin and Erawan Falls, and it cuts down the driving time to the parks significantly (or consider any of the other riverside options nearby). It’s located in a cute little village area that we explored during our trip, situated on some of the most beautiful segments of the river, surrounded by lush, verdant jungle.
The Float House River Kwai ($$$+) | we haven’t stayed here yet, but it comes *very* highly recommended from several people we know. Although the location is a little out of the way for the falls, it’s an astonishing-looking hotel, with high-end, but rustically designed huts, sat right over the river. We’d recommend reading the reviews – it’s a very fashionable option at the moment (you’ll see it all over social media – if that appeals to you).
River Kwai Resotel ($$$) | for a significantly lower price tag, you can stay right next door to the Float House in this contemporary, outstandingly well-reviewed hotel (we have this one booked for our next trip to Kanchanaburi). If you’re looking for a smart and comfortable riverside hotel at a reasonable price, this might be the one for you.
–
RELATED | COMPLETE GUIDE TO KOH CHANG
Our Experience at the Falls
◊ We arrived at 12:45, after visiting Erawan Falls in the early morning.
◊ We paid the man at the entrance (who I think we may have woken up) and he manually lifted the entry gate.
◊ The dirt car park was *literally* empty – so we parked our rental car in the shade of a large tree right in the middle (there are no parking bays, as such).
◊ From the car park we walked to the first set of waterfalls (1-4), adjacent to the wide, green campsite (which had a single tent in that was gone when we returned). We had several dogs follow us all the way down, who we named Sausages (we call every dog that follows us ‘Sausages’).
◊ The steps down to the lower falls at Huay Mae Khamin were well built and far shallower than anything at Erawan falls which, I’m not going to lie, was a welcome discovery. At the bottom, staff at the manned life jacket stand said hello but didn’t ask us to take a jacket (we clearly didn’t look like the swimming type).
◊ Further down, with dogs in tow, we passed a small medical tent complete with two recovery gurneys and a defibrillator.
◊ After a short walk downhill, you’ll reach the end of this half of the falls. There is no need to go any further than the hydro plant if you’re looking for waterfalls – the dirt track just leads to an alternative entrance to the falls and campground.
◊ Retracing our steps up the stairs was easy because they were shallow. The only risk was tripping over the dogs. By this point, we had adopted two more dogs, so now had a troupe of four Sausages.
◊ From the car park, we walked to falls 5,6 and 7, which was comparatively easy because the route was flat, albeit longer. This area reminded me far more of unmanicured river walks in California or even the UK (ignoring the weather, at least). The fall’s upper section is more accessible and great for kids.
◊ We got back to the car around 3.30pm, so in total our visit was around 2.5 hours (without swimming).
What to Bring for Your Trip
Hat | it might be worth bringing if it’s sunny – even with the shade, there’s a bit of direct sunshine on the hike.
Camera and gear | it depends on how serious you are about your photography, but don’t forget whatever bits you usually use (like we did).
Travel towel | for swimming
Swimming gear | also essential for swimming
Water | the hike isn’t strenuous, but we’d recommend bringing some drinking water (try a filter bottle, then you can drink the water from the river!).
Go-pro | if you like to film watery stuff
Eco/river friendly sun block | sunblock is an obvious essential, but make sure that whatever you use is safe for rivers (most aren’t). Even better still, cover up so you don’t need to use any!
Shoes | choose something appropriate for the weather! Hiking sandals, like Tevas or Chacos, are great for these types of watery hikes, unless it is particularly muddy.
Toilet roll | for the bathrooms, also bring hand sanitiser.
Snacks and lunch | in case the restaurants are closed (they were when we visited).
WILDLIFE AT THE FALLS
Although there are a billion feet-eating fish at Erawan Falls, we didn’t see a single one at Huay Mae Khamin. There could have been some somewhere, but we didn’t spot any. Personally, I love this because although the fish are pretty, I’m always terrified of squashing them when they try to eat me.
We did, however, see some large lizard-dragons and lots of butterflies!
There are apparently 104 species of birds within the national park, so if this is your jam, Huay Mae Khamin could be a good place for you.
We saw no monkeys or larger mammals, apart from four really sweet, friendly dogs who accompanied us for the entire walk.
–
RELATED | BEST BEACHES ON KOH LANTA
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls – Map
Below is a savable Google Map with everything we mentioned here marked on it (plus everything needed for a trip to the nearby Erawan Falls, too).
To save the map, select the star next to the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls wheelchair accessible?
Unfortunately, the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls are not wheelchair accessible. The paths are steep, rough and difficult to maneuver.
What are the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls opening hours?
Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls are open from 08:00 to 16:30.
Can You Swim at the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls?
Yes, you can swim at the falls! There are lots of great spots between falls 1-3, and around number 7 is popular too, apparently.
Do the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls ever close?
After periods of unusually heavy rain, Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls may be closed for safety reasons.
Also, after a rare dry spell in 2017, the falls were also shut during the winter season as the falls had completely dried up.
Is Huay Mae Khamin suitable for children?
Yes, the falls are suitable for children, with a little precaution. Younger children will need to be careful on the boardwalk at the lower pools as there’s no handrail to either side of the pathway. There’s no rail on the ‘bridge’ near the lowest waterfall either.
As always, be careful of children around any water (life jackets are mandatory, so they will have to wear one).
Is the hiking route at Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls circular?
No, the route is not a circular one at the falls. From the car park it’s an out-and-back path down to falls 1-4 and the same to falls 5-7.
Can you camp at the Huay Mae Khamin Falls?
Yes, there are two campgrounds at Huay Mae Khamin Falls, with restaurants, showers and toilets. Campground 1 is located beyond fall number one on the eastern side, and campground 2 is adjacent to fall number four (this is the recommended one for overnight stays and has better views). The visitor centre rents camping gear.
Is alcohol allowed at Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls?
Alcohol is prohibited at the waterfalls. There is an unmanned stand where you can leave alcohol and pick it up after your hike (which made me laugh because it was totally empty).
What are the food options at the waterfalls?
There are usually some simple food options near the visitor centre. There are no shops or restaurants in the nearby vicinity of the waterfalls site, though, so we’d recommend bringing lunch and snacks with you in case there’s nothing you fancy or they are closed.
Are the Huay Mae Khamin Falls worth it?
Yes, the Huay Mae Khamin Waterfalls are worth it! They’re beautiful, uncrowded and worth the entry fee. We’d highly recommend a visit.
What facilities are there at the Huay Mae Khamin Falls?
At Huay Mae Khamin, there are moderately clean bathrooms (bring toilet paper and hand sanitiser), some small restaurants serving simple Thai food, a visitor centre, showers, day and overnight campgrounds, and overnight huts (for 800-1200 baht a night).
Final Thoughts
After a bit of research, we couldn’t decide which Kanchanaburi waterfalls to visit – after all there are quite a few. However, it was actually Erawan Falls that was the most conflicting. It’s the age-old question – are the most touristy spots worth the hassle?
Well, having visited both, we think that yes, Erawan is worth visiting. However, we think we only enjoyed Erawan because arriving at opening time avoided the majority of visitors, and because we spent the rest of the day at Huay Mae Khamin! It was, comparably, one of the most serene experiences we’ve had at a managed natural wonder, and we spent a magnificent afternoon there.
So, to briefly sum up, we’d recommend you visit both falls if you have enough time. But, if you’re looking for solitude and to not be around the commotion of a million British tourists screaming and shouting, we’d highly recommend Huay Mae Khamin Falls. It’s exquisite, empty, with just a hint of adventure. We’d also like to recommend these falls to anyone who isn’t keen on really steep stairs – Erawan is far harder on the body.
We hope you have a fabulous trip – it’s worth it!
Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running without ads.
Thank you, Claire + Nick
