Kong Kaew Waterfall – a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

Summary: Kong Kaew Waterfall along Nature Trail 1 in Khao Yai National Park is a series of small cascades, best visited during the wet season.

How to get there: Khao Yai National Park Visitor Center
Walking distance to waterfall: 1.2km (return)
Duration: <1 hour
Grade: Easy
Type of waterfall: Cascade
Waterfall Rating: 1/5
Height of falls: 5m
Open 8am-5pm daily.

This is definitely a Khao Yai National Park waterfall that you want to visit in the wet season (June-September), when the Lam Ta Khong Stream surges over a series of volcanic rocks. In the dry season, Kong Kaew Waterfall consists of a few very small cascades dropping into some smalls pools. A pleasant spot, but hardly spectacular.

Getting to Kong Kaew Waterfall

The waterfall is a very short detour off Trail 1, which is the shortest nature trail in Khao Yai National Park, and can be done without a guide. Starting next to the Visitor Centre, Nature Trail 1 crosses the Lam Ta Khong Stream on a sturdy suspension bridge before entering the forest.

1X3A8624 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

1X3A8627 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

The trail alternates between rainforest and dry forest; despite being a very short walk, there’s a good chance you won’t see anyone else. You may spot some wildlife, including the Lar gibbon, pileated gibbon and many species of birds.

1X3A8631 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

1X3A8633 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

Just before the end of the loop walk, the trail re-crosses the Lam Ta Khong Stream on another suspension bridge.

1X3A8638 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

1X3A8639 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

Just after crossing the river, a narrow hiking trail leads to the Kong Kaew Waterfall; a bit of scrambling over the rocks brings you to the best vantage point over the cascades. (Although a few Web sites suggest you can swim here, as with every other waterfall in Khao Yai National Park swimming is not permitted.)

1X3A8642 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

1X3A8651 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

1X3A8650 LR Kong Kaew Waterfall - a small cascade on Khao Yai National Park Trail 1

Nature Trail 1 starts and finishes at the Khao Yai National Park Visitor Centre, which is along Road 2090. If you just want to visit the waterfall, you can skip the full loop and reach the cascades in about five minutes.