Looking for the best waterfalls in Chiang Mai Thailand?
Chiang Mai might be famous for its myriad of Buddhist temples, delicious food, and hill tribes but what some people might not know is that hidden inside its lush interiors are some of the most beautiful waterfalls.
For some reason, these waterfalls don’t attract hordes of tourists, making them the perfect place to visit for those wishing to skip the crowds.
In this guide, I’ll tell you all about the best Chiang Mai waterfalls, including how to reach them and their respective entrance fees.
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Read more about Chiang Mai:
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Best Waterfalls in Chiang Mai Thailand
Bua Tong Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai
Located about an hour’s drive from the city center, Bua Tong, commonly referred to as Sticky Waterfall, is one of the best waterfalls in Chiang Mai.
You can get there by motorbike, private songthaew (best if you’re traveling with a group), or guided tour.
Since I was traveling solo, I decided to book this guided tour of Bua Tong Waterfall which also included a visit to Doi Suthep Temple.
The tour price included the temple entrance fee, lunch, water, and a local guide which turned out cheaper than hiring a private songthaew.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK A STICKY WATERFALL & TEMPLE TOUR
The Sticky Waterfall in Chiang Mai earned its name due to the sticky surface of the rocks which makes it easy to climb up and down the waterfall.
If you’re still worried about slipping, you can hold on to the handrails and ropes. Just make sure to avoid stepping on the green algae though as they are slippery.
Near the entrance is a large parking area and toilet/changing room. If you need to store your belongings, you can use the lockers for a small fee.
The waterfall is open daily from 8 a.m to 5 p.m and is free to visit.
Related post: Chiang Mai itinerary for 3-5 days
Wachirathan Waterfall
By far one of the most beautiful Chiang Mai waterfalls, Wachirathan Waterfall is located within Doi Inthanon National Park, about a 1.5-hour drive from the Old Town.
Most people choose to visit as part of a guided tour since it’s the easiest and most affordable option but you can also rent a car or motorbike or hire a private taxi.
Wachirathan Waterfall is one of the largest and most impressive waterfalls near Chiang Mai.
I visited during the dry season and it was still gushing with water! I can only imagine how much more impressive it would look during the rainy season!
There’s a short trail that will take you relatively close to the base of the waterfall but be careful as the path is quite slippery.
Swimming isn’t allowed but I still think it’s a must-visit during any Chiang Mai itinerary.
Wachirathan Waterfall is open daily from 6 a.m to 5 p.m. Entrance to the waterfall is included in the Doi Inthanon National Park fee ticket which costs 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children.
Sirithan Waterfall
About a 5-minute drive away is Sirithan Waterfall. Similar to Wachirathan Waterfall, you need to buy the national park ticket to access the waterfall.
Your visit here should be short as it takes barely 5 minutes to walk down to the waterfall viewpoint.
Unfortunately, you can’t get any closer but it’s still worth a quick stop if you’re already visiting Doi Inthanon.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall
If you’re looking for a waterfall that’s easily accessible from Chiang Mai Old Town, I recommend visiting Huai Kaeo Waterfall.
You can get there for very cheap by taking a red songthaew, Grab/Bolt, or motorbike. I personally hired a taxi through Bolt and paid only 70 baht to get there.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall doesn’t require any hiking at all and is a great place to visit for adults and kids alike.
For those who don’t mind walking, I also recommend checking out the viewpoint found on the left side of the waterfall. Just follow the sign to Pha Ngoep Cliff and you should get there in about 5-10 minutes.
If you’re hungry, you can eat at one of the restaurants near the waterfall. There are also a few shops selling snacks and drinks.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall is open daily from 8 a.m to 4.30 p.m and is free to visit.
Related post: 5 Short hikes in Chiang Mai Thailand
Montha Than Waterfall
Montha Than Waterfall is made up of not one but two waterfalls! They are located about 10 km from the Old Town and are easy to get to by motorbike, Grab/Bolt or songthaew.
Montha Than isn’t the most popular waterfall in Chiang Mai, so if you’re coming by songthaew or Grab, make sure to ask the driver to wait for you as you might have trouble finding another one on your way back.
You can choose to hike the whole 1.6-km nature trail or only visit the waterfalls.
The first waterfall is located just a few meters from the parking lot while the second one is found at the end of a long flight of stairs.
Luckily, the stairs aren’t very steep, so it should take only about 5-10 minutes to get there.
Montha Than Waterfall is open daily from 9 a.m to 4 p.m and it costs 100 baht per person to enter (not including the parking fee of 20 baht for motorbikes or 30 baht for cars).
Other Waterfalls Near Chiang Mai
Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to visit every single waterfall in Chiang Mai but below are a few other waterfalls that you can visit as well:
Mae Ya Waterfall: Another impressive waterfall in Doi Inthanon National Park. It’s a bit of a detour to get there but worth it if you have your own vehicle or doing a private tour.
Mae Klang Waterfall: This one is found near the entrance of Doi Inthanon. It’s best visited during the rainy season when it looks more impressive.
Mok Fa Waterfall: A nice waterfall to visit if you want to break up your journey between Chiang Mai and Pai. Entrance costs 100 baht.
Mae Sa Waterfall: This small waterfall is located about halfway between Chiang Mai and Mon Jam.
Best Time to Visit the Chiang Mai Waterfalls
While the Chiang Mai waterfalls can be visited year-round, the best time to see them at their absolute best is during the rainy season – from June to October.
I personally visited the waterfalls in May and June and while the water level wasn’t too high, they still looked gorgeous.
I hope you found this guide to the most beautiful waterfalls in Chiang Mai helpful. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.
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