It takes little more than an hour to get to Si Lanna National Park from Chiang Mai, and although the park is not very well known among foreign visitors, it is something of a secret getaway for expat residents in the city, as it provides a perfect place to relax, especially spending the night on a floating raft on the Mae Ngad Reservoir.

The park covers an area of around 1,400 square kilometers, of which the reservoir comprises about 20 square kilometers. It was established in 1989 as the country’s 60th national park. Located to the north of Chiang Mai, it occupies most of the land to the east of Chiang Dao and around Phrao.

There are several hilltribe villages within the park’s boundaries, representing the Lisu, Lahu, Akha and Karen tribes, and the highest peaks are around 1,700 meters. Among wildlife, deer, gibbons and wild pigs are present, though you’re more likely to spot squirrels or pangolins.

Several tour companies arrange trips to the park, including fishsiam.com, who go hunting for the giant snakefish, as well as jungle perch and Indian carp. Thaihorsefarm.com organize horse-back trekking tours of the park, while activethailand.com offer cycling and kayaking tours there.

If you just want to kick back and relax, there are a couple of well-equipped floating houses run by the national park, as well as several private rafts moored in quiet places at the reservoir’s edge.

There’s no public transport to the park, so you’ll need to rent a vehicle in Chiang Mai or join a tour going there. Head north from Chiang Mai on Highway 107, and after Mae Taeng, look for a signposted turn on the right to the national park.

  • What is it? A national park with lots of activities.
  • Opening hours: 06:00-18:00
  • Entrance fee: Adults 200B, children 100B.
  • Website: web3.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/location.asp
  • What to do: Catch fish, kayak, cycle, ride a horse, or just chill out on a raft.
  • Best time to go: There’s a mist over the water each dawn in the cool season (Nov-Feb) and it can get quite cold at night. There’s lots to be said for visiting in the rain season (June-Oct) when there’s likely to be no-one around.
  • How long? You could easily spend a few days here.