If you’re looking for an easy hike in Chiang Rai, Khun Korn Waterfall is right up your alley.
The 70-meter waterfall is located only about a 40-minute drive from the city center, making it the perfect place to visit for a quick nature break.
While there are also other waterfalls near Chiang Rai, Khun Korn is by far the most impressive one, plus it’s very easy to get there which is why I decided to add it to my Chiang Rai itinerary.
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about visiting Khun Korn Waterfall in Chiang Rai, including how to get there, opening hours, the best time to visit, and other helpful tips.
***This article may contain affiliate links, meaning each time you click through and make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps a lot in keeping this website running. Thank you for your support :)
Read more about Chiang Rai:
- What to do in Chiang Rai in 1 or 2 days?
- 7 Best temples in Chiang Rai
- Guide to the Chiang Rai night markets
How to get to Khun Korn Waterfall?
Khun Korn Waterfall is located about a 40-minute drive from Chiang Rai city center. You can find the exact location of the trailhead by clicking here.
Since there’s no public bus to Khun Korn waterfall, the best way to get there is to rent a car or scooter or hire a private taxi.
I hired a rental car through Discover Cars and had a great experience, so I highly recommend booking through them.
CHECK CAR RENTAL RATES IN CHIANG RAI HERE
The road leading to the waterfall has few twists and turns but is well paved and wide so it was easy to drive there.
As you get closer, you’ll eventually come across an intersection. Turn left here and just tell the park rangers that you’re going to the waterfall. From there, you need to drive an extra 5 minutes to get to the parking lot.
Related post: How to plan a Chiang Rai travel itinerary?
Hiking to Khun Korn Waterfall Chiang Rai
Below are some quick stats about the Khun Korn waterfall hike:
- Distance: About 1.2 km one way
- Duration: About 30 minutes one way
- Difficulty: Easy
The Khun Korn waterfall hiking trail is very easy to follow as there are lots of signs along the way.
Despite being a bit steep in some places, it’s still ideal for children. I saw several local kids doing the hike, so you should be fine as long as you have a moderate level of fitness.
Once you’ve parked your vehicle, walk along the paved road until you see the sign marking the trail entrance. Also near the entrance is a map showing the different points of interest along the trail.
There are two paths here that you can take (both will eventually meet further ahead). I decided to continue straight ahead but you can also take the path on the right if you want to walk alongside the river.
The first part of the trail is mostly flat until you reach the bamboo trees. From there, the path becomes slightly steeper but luckily there are several resting stops with benches.
About 20-25 minutes later, you’ll eventually reach an intersection with steps leading straight ahead and another path going to the right. If you look at the photo of the map above, you’ll see that both will lead to the waterfall.
The path leading straight ahead is quite steep so if you have mobility issues, I would suggest going through the path on the right instead as it’s less steep.
After about 5 minutes, you’ll finally arrive at Khun Korn waterfall. If you don’t want to go all the way down, there’s a small viewing platform from where you can take photos of the waterfall.
At the base of the waterfall is a small pool where you can swim. I visited in June which is toward the end of the dry season/beginning of the rainy season so the water level was only about waist-length.
If you’re visiting during the rainy season, the water level will be much higher so be careful if you plan on swimming.
Overall the hike to Khun Korn waterfall was easy and one of my favorite places I visited in Chiang Rai.
Khun Korn Waterfall Entrance Fee
Most national parks in Thailand require an entrance fee but luckily this isn’t the case here, so it’s completely free to visit Khun Korn waterfall.
Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit
Khun Korn Waterfall is open daily from 8 a.m to 4.30 p.m.
From what I’ve read online, it’s supposed to be very underrated but I saw quite a lot of people there.
It might have been because I visited on a Sunday afternoon but if you want to have the waterfall all to yourself, I would recommend visiting during weekdays or early in the morning.
While you can visit year-round, the waterfall will be at its most powerful during the rainy season (June to October). I would only avoid visiting during heavy rainfall as the path can be slippery and dangerous.
Related post: Must-see temples in Chiang Rai
Where to Stay in Chiang Rai?
Budget: Located in the city center, Baan Mai Kradan Hostel is great for budget and solo travelers. Free breakfast is included in the room rate. Check price here.
Mid-Range: Sleepy House is a beautiful accommodation just a few minutes walk from the bus station and Chiang Rai Night Bazaar. Rooms are cozy and clean and they provide free breakfast. Check price here.
Luxury: Le Patta Hotel is more high-end with spacious rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s also conveniently located within Chiang Rai city center. Check price here.
Read more about Thailand:
- Best things to do in Bangkok in 4 days
- 20 Top things to do in Krabi Thailand
- Best places to stay in Ao Nang for any budget