# Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Krabi

> Khao Phanom Bencha is a rainforest national park about 25 km from Krabi Town and 40 km from Ao Nang. The highlight is Huai To waterfall: cascades about 80 m high with swimming pools, a short walk from the entrance. Get there by taxi or scooter — there's no bus. Entry is ≈ 200 baht; it's best after rain.

Web page: https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/khao-phanom-bencha

- City: [Krabi](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi), Thailand
- YesGo score: 22/100 (Yes, if nearby)
- Time on site: 1 h 30 min
- With kids: Fine with kids
- Entry: Foreigners ≈ 200 baht, children ≈ 100
- Hours: Daily, roughly 8:30–16:30
- Waterfall: Huai To — 5 main cascades, about 80 m
- From Krabi Town: ≈ 26 km, 40–50 minutes by car
- From Ao Nang: ≈ 39 km, about an hour
- Best time: June–December, when there's more water
- Coordinates: 8.23786, 98.91963
- Facts checked: 08.11.2026

## Key facts

- **1,397 m** — height of Khao Phanom Bencha, the park's highest point (source: en.wikipedia)
- **≈ 50 km²** — park area — virgin rainforest (source: en.wikipedia)
- **5 cascades** — at Huai To waterfall, about 80 m high (source: en.wikipedia)
- **20 km** — north of Krabi Town in a straight line (source: en.wikipedia)
- **200+** — bird species, including hornbills (source: en.wikipedia)
- **Khao Pheung** — a cave with stalactites and stalagmites (source: en.wikipedia)
- **≈ 200 baht** — entry for foreign adults (source: travel guides)
- **No buses** — get there by taxi, scooter or tour only (source: travel guides)

## What is Khao Phanom Bencha?

**Khao Phanom Bencha** is a national park in the hills about **20 km north of Krabi Town**. It's named after a **1,397 m** mountain and protects a tract of virgin **rainforest**, home to gibbons, langurs and more than 200 bird species, including hornbills.

Most visitors come for **Huai To waterfall** by the park headquarters. The water drops in **five main cascades** totalling about 80 m, with pools between them where you can swim. Nearby are a short forest trail and **Khao Pheung** cave with its stalactites.

> **When the falls run fullest** The waterfall depends on the rain. From June to December it's in full flow; in the dry season, roughly February to April, it can slow to a trickle. In the dry months, treat the trip as a forest walk rather than a swim under the falls. After heavy rain the rocks by the water are slippery — watch your step.

## How the park works

At the entrance are a ticket office, parking and toilets; bring water and snacks. A trail leads through the forest from the car park to the lower cascades; the pools are 10 to 30 minutes' walk over rocks and roots, with steps in places. The higher the cascade, the fewer the people.

Entry is paid: according to guides, about **200 baht** per foreign adult and 100 per child, plus a small fee for a car or scooter. Sources range from 100 to 200 baht, so bring cash. The park is open **roughly 8:30 to 16:30**.

## What to see and do

- **Huai To waterfall** — cascades and pools in the forest.
- **Swimming** in the lower and middle pools.
- **The forest trail** with huge trees and lianas.
- **Khao Pheung cave** with stalactites.
- **Birds** — hornbills are heard and seen in the morning.
- **Nearby Huai Sakhe falls** — three cascades.

## How to get to Khao Phanom Bencha

1. **From Krabi Town** — ≈ 26 km north, 40–50 minutes by taxi or scooter.
2. **From Ao Nang** — ≈ 39 km, about an hour; a half-day taxi with waiting time is easiest.
3. **On a tour** — the park is often combined with Tiger Cave Temple.
4. **By scooter** — the road is paved; the last kilometres pass villages and plantations.
5. There are no buses or songthaews to the park.

## Rainy season or dry season

|  | June–December | February–April |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Waterfall | Full flow | Weak, sometimes nearly dry |
| Swimming | Yes, in the pools | Shallow |
| Trail | Slippery, good shoes needed | Dry and easier |
| Crowds | Few | Few |

## How long do you need?

Allow **1.5–2 hours** in the park: walk to the cascades, swim and walk back. With the drive from Ao Nang, it's **half a day**.

It's easy to combine with **Tiger Cave Temple**, which is on the way, ≈ 9 km from Krabi Town. Come in the morning: the forest is cooler and the birds more active.

## Is Khao Phanom Bencha worth visiting?

Yes, if you want a break from beaches: real rainforest, cool water and few tourists.

The YesGo take: in the dry season the waterfall is weak, and the drive from Ao Nang takes about an hour. Go in the rainy season or after downpours, and pair it with Tiger Cave Temple.

## Before you go: checklist

- [ ] Cash for entry and parking
- [ ] Shoes with good grip
- [ ] Swimwear and a towel
- [ ] Insect repellent
- [ ] A taxi that waits for the ride back

## Krabi's nature: compare and choose

Krabi beaches, islands and waterfalls rated by YesGo.

- [Ao Nang Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/ao-nang-beach) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht
- [Phra Nang Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/phra-nang-beach) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; toilets charge
- [Railay Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/railay-beach) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · free; longtail ≈ 100 baht
- [Koh Tup and Chicken Island](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/chicken-island) — YesGo score 27/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; boat extra
- [Koh Poda](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/koh-poda) — YesGo score 25/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · park fee ≈ 400 baht; longtail ≈ 300
- [Khao Phanom Bencha National Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/khao-phanom-bencha) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 200 baht
- [Than Bok Khorani National Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/than-bok-khorani) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 300 baht; kayaking extra
- [Emerald Pool](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/krabi-emerald-pool) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ 400 baht; Hot Spring Waterfall ≈ 200
- [Koh Hong](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/krabi-hong-island) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · park fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra

## Inland Krabi in a day

Tiger Cave Temple in the morning, Huai To waterfall in Khao Phanom Bencha in the afternoon, and Ao Nang Beach for sunset. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

1. [Tiger Cave Temple](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/tiger-cave-temple) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free
2. [Khao Phanom Bencha National Park](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/khao-phanom-bencha) — YesGo score 22/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 30 min · ≈ 200 baht
3. [Ao Nang Beach](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/ao-nang-beach) — YesGo score 41/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · free; longtail to Railay ≈ 100 baht

## Good to know

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park is in Krabi province. The school and hotels named Phanom Bencha are different places. Huai To waterfall is also spelled Huay To or Huai Toh.

## Tips

- Arrive at opening time — it's cooler and quieter.
- Wear shoes with grip — the rocks by the water are slippery.
- Bring insect repellent.
- Bring water and snacks.
- On the way: [Tiger Cave Temple](https://yesgo.io/thailand/krabi/tiger-cave-temple).

## Questions

### How do I get to Khao Phanom Bencha?

By taxi or scooter: ≈ 26 km from Krabi Town, ≈ 39 km from Ao Nang; there's no bus.

### How much is entry?

About 200 baht for foreign adults and 100 for children, in cash (according to guides).

### Can you swim at the waterfall?

Yes, in the pools between the cascades when there's enough water.

### When is the best time to go?

June to December, when the waterfall is in full flow.

### How many cascades does Huai To have?

Five main ones, about 80 m in total, plus several smaller ones.

### How long do you need?

1.5–2 hours in the park, half a day with the drive.

### Can you climb the mountain?

The summit is a multi-day trek; ask at the park headquarters.

### What's nearby?

Tiger Cave Temple, on the way from Krabi Town.

## How we checked

The park has no publicly available official website. The mountain, area, waterfalls and wildlife are from Wikipedia. Cascade count: Wikipedia gives 5 main ones; guides sometimes say 11 including small ones — we give 5 main plus several smaller. Wikipedia gives the peak as 1,397 m. Sources put the fee at 100 or 200 baht, with newer ones mostly saying 200; we give 200 and mark it unconfirmed. Hours of 8:30–16:30 are from guides. Road distances are from OSRM: 39 km from Ao Nang, 25.6 km from Krabi Town.

## Sources

- English Wikipedia: Khao Phanom Bencha National Park — mountain, area, waterfalls, cave, wildlife and birds
- Travel guides (Thai Holiday Guide, Thai National Parks, Krabi Nature and others) — fee, hours, trail, pools (unofficial)
- OSRM — road distances from Ao Nang and Krabi Town; OSM — waterfall coordinates
- YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport

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