Op Khan National Park Chiang Mai
Ob Khan National Park is a strange and beautiful natural sightseeing spot in the area of Maekhan River, near the boundary of Hangdong District and Samoeng District. The park covers the areas of Pha Samoeng National Conserved Forest including areas of Tambol Samoeng Tai, Tambol Mae Sarb, Tambol Borkaew of Samoeng District; Pa Mae Khan-Mae Wang National Conserved Forest including Tambol Mae Win, Tambol Ban Kard, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District, Tambol San Klang of Sanpatong District; and Pha Chang-Mae Khanin National Conserved Forest including Tambol Namprae, Tambol Banpong of Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai Province, within an approximate area of 574 square kilometers or 341,875 rai.
The office of the Ob Khan National Park is located. The sightseeing spot is originated from the erosion of cliffs on both sides of Maekhan River.
The National Park boasts a variety of nationally important plants and wild animals, and its tranquility provides an ideal escape to enjoy untouched wilderness and natural beauty. It covers the areas of Samoeng, Hang Dong, Mae Wang, and San Pha Tong, with an approximate area of 484 km2 (302,500 rai). The geographical features of the park consist of high igneous and limestone mountains. Yod Khun Thian is the highest peak, rising to an altitude of 1,550 m. In the area, there are virgin arid, evergreen pine, and mixed forests. Op Khan is the source of many rivers and gullies flowing into the Mae Wang, Win and Khan Rivers.
In addition, the pretty and fragant orchid 'Ward Dendrobium' (Dendrobium wardianum Warner) is found only in this area of Thailand. This beautiful orchid blooms in January each year. Its Thai name 'Ueang Manee Tri Rong' means 'three-coloured jewel'. Its cute little petals are mostly white, with purples edging at their tips. The middles are yellow with brown at the center, giving it a unique and beautiful look.
The geographical features of the National Park mostly consist of high mountains. And "Yod Khun Tien" is the highest mountaintop of the National Park, at the altitude of 1,550 meters. The National Park has beautiful natural tourist attractions and varieties of major plants and wild animals.
The majority of mountains in the National Park are not much high. And "Yod Khun Tien" is the highest mountaintop of the National Park, at the altitude of 1,550 meters, followed by "Doi Khun Huay Prachao" at the altitude of 1,443 meters, and "Doi Khun Win" at the altitude of 1,424 meters above the medium sea level, etc.
The National Park is the source of major rivers and gullies flowing into Ping River including Nan River, Lan River, Tien River, Win Gully, Mae Toa Gully, Mae Kamin Gully, Lah Luang Gully, etc. Most areas of the National Park are mountains at the average altitude of 800 meters above the medium sea level. There are small plains along rivers and gullies, including hillside plains where villages are situated.
Accomodations and facilities are bungalows, and camping grounds are available by advance reservation. Camping facilities with food and beverages are available from 08.00 to 18.00.
Contact: Op Khan National Park, Tambon Nam Phrae, Amphoe Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230 or Chiang Mai Regional Forest Office, Tel. 0 5381 8348.
You can getting there from Chiang Mai, drive along Highway No.121 to Hang Dong for about 15 km, a scenic route hugging an irrigation canal. Then turn right on the Namprae - Op Khan Ro Pho Cho Road for about 10 km. Note that the road is steep and curvy! Visitors will arrive at park headquarters.
The National Park offers many attractions, including rivers, waterfalls, and hillside plains with traditional villages. Wild animals found in the National Park include gorals, Muliacus Muntjak, bears, fishing cats, mouse deer, masked palm civets, wild rabbits, wild boars, monkeys, slow loris, mongooses, porcupines, squirrels, tree shrews, rats, etc.
Ob Hi is a small natural sightseeing spot (approximately 40 meters long), which is similar to Ob Khan and situated in the area of Maekhan River, approximately 1 km away from Ob Khan to the north.
Pha Toob is a small cliff standing beside the hill. The sightseeing spot is situated in the area of Nan River, approximately 2 km. away from Ob Hi to the north. From the base of Pha Toob, there is smooth detritus extending to Maekhan River.
Tukkatan cave is a large cave on the left-hand side of Huai Khanin, situated in the area of Tambol Banpong, Hangdong District (near Namsoom Royal Project). At the mount of the cave, there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The depth of the cave has not yet been surveyed due to extreme coolness and humidity inside the cave. The cave should be developed as a tourist attraction. And the National Park's Protection Unit should also be established at this site.
Namsoom cave and Huai Hok cave situated near Tukkatan cave is Namsoom cave, a medium-sized cave.
Maetien Waterfall is a single-step waterfall, originated from Maetien River. At present, Maetien Power Plant of the Provincial Electricity Authority is located at the Waterfall, in the area of Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District of Chiang Mai Province.
Mae Sapok Waterfall is a small sized waterfall, originated from Mae Sapok River, situated in the area of Mae Sapok Royal Project, Ban Mae Sapok, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District of Chiang Mai Province.
Huai Mae Win Waterfall is a 3-step small sized waterfall, situated in the central part of Mae Win River (between Ban Huai Yuak and Ban Khun Win, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District). Step 1 of the Waterfall is about 10 meters high (approximately 20 meters away from Ban Huai Yuak or Ban Kariang), meanwhile, Step 3 is about 15 meters high and 9 meters wide (approximately 800 meters away from Step 2 of the Waterfall). Huai Mae Win Waterfall must be reached by walking from Ban Huai Yuak since there is no access road.
Besides these attractions, Op Khan National Park contains Tham Doi Ton, Mae To Hot Springs, as well as other waterfalls for visitors to explore, such as Khun Puai Waterfall, Morakot Waterfall, Mae Mud Waterfall, Khun Win Waterfall, and Mae Wang Waterfall. In addition, the park also provides nature trails for hiking and leisurely walks.
Ob Hi is a small natural sightseeing spot (approximately 40 meters long), which is similar to Ob Khan and situated in the area of Maekhan River, approximately 1 km away from Ob Khan to the north.
Pha Toob is a small cliff standing beside the hill. The sightseeing spot is situated in the area of Nan River, approximately 2 km. away from Ob Hi to the north. From the base of Pha Toob, there is smooth detritus extending to Maekhan River.
Tukkatan cave is a large cave on the left-hand side of Huai Khanin, situated in the area of Tambol Banpong, Hangdong District (near Namsoom Royal Project). At the mount of the cave, there are beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The depth of the cave has not yet been surveyed due to extreme coolness and humidity inside the cave. The cave should be developed as a tourist attraction. And the National Park's Protection Unit should also be established at this site.
Namsoom cave and Huai Hok cave situated near Tukkatan cave is Namsoom cave, a medium-sized cave.
Maetien Waterfall is a single-step waterfall, originated from Maetien River. At present, Maetien Power Plant of the Provincial Electricity Authority is located at the Waterfall, in the area of Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District of Chiang Mai Province.
Mae Sapok Waterfall is a small sized waterfall, originated from Mae Sapok River, situated in the area of Mae Sapok Royal Project, Ban Mae Sapok, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District of Chiang Mai Province.
Huai Mae Win Waterfall is a 3-step small sized waterfall, situated in the central part of Mae Win River (between Ban Huai Yuak and Ban Khun Win, Tambol Mae Win, Mae Wang Sub-district, Sanpatong District). Step 1 of the Waterfall is about 10 meters high (approximately 20 meters away from Ban Huai Yuak or Ban Kariang), meanwhile, Step 3 is about 15 meters high and 9 meters wide (approximately 800 meters away from Step 2 of the Waterfall). Huai Mae Win Waterfall must be reached by walking from Ban Huai Yuak since there is no access road.
Besides these attractions, Op Khan National Park contains Tham Doi Ton, Mae To Hot Springs, as well as other waterfalls for visitors to explore, such as Khun Puai Waterfall, Morakot Waterfall, Mae Mud Waterfall, Khun Win Waterfall, and Mae Wang Waterfall. In addition, the park also provides nature trails for hiking and leisurely walks.