Khao Yai’s viewpoints are where you see the scale of the park: ridge after ridge of forest rolling towards the horizon, often wrapped in morning mist. Some are a pull-in beside the road, and one is a short forest walk to a cliff edge. Here are the viewpoints worth stopping for, and how to time them.
Pha Diao Dai
Pha Diao Dai, roughly “Solitude Cliff”, is the park’s signature viewpoint. It sits at around 1,150 metres on the slopes of Khao Khiao, which at nearly 1,250 metres is one of the park’s highest peaks. A trail of about 450 metres leads to it on raised wooden walkways through hill evergreen forest and a high-altitude swamp. A stream runs alongside part of the trail in the rainy season.
The trail ends at a line of flat boulders on the edge of a sheer drop with no railings, so keep children close and stay back from the edge. On clear days, the view stretches over the forested hills to the south.
Seasonal closure: the park may close Pha Diao Dai and other viewpoints in the rainy season. In 2025, they were closed from 1 June to 30 September. Check the official park website before you go.
Roadside viewpoints on the main park road
Less than 5 km south of the northern gate, a viewpoint on the main road is a popular first stop on the way to the visitor centre. It’s a good place to stretch your legs, though macaques often gather here, so keep food out of sight. Several more lookouts line the winding road up towards Khao Khiao, each with a slightly different angle over the park.
Grassland viewpoints and observation towers
The open grasslands around Nong Phak Chi offer wide views of a different kind. These are flat, open landscapes where deer graze at the forest edge. The observation tower here is one of the best places in the park to watch for wildlife at dawn and dusk. See our wildlife guide.
Viewpoints outside the park
Outside the park, the hills around Pak Chong have plenty of views of their own. Many resorts, cafes and restaurants in the hills, including several in our cafe guide and the hilltop dining at sala khaoyai in our restaurant guide, are built around mountain views.
Best time to visit
- Early morning: mist in the valleys and soft light. Arrive at the gate for 06:00 opening.
- Late afternoon: warm light, but remember the gates close at 18:00 and it is a long drive out from Khao Khiao.
- Cool season (November–February): the clearest skies and the most comfortable temperatures at altitude. Bring a jacket.
Safety tips
- Stay well back from unfenced edges, especially at Pha Diao Dai.
- Do not feed macaques at roadside viewpoints.
- Drive slowly on the mountain road. The speed limit is 60 km/h and wildlife crosses often.
Where to stay
For sunrise at the viewpoints, base yourself close to the northern gate in Mu Si or along Thanarat Road. See where to stay in Khao Yai. If you’d rather have a view from your own terrace, see our hilltop picks in romantic retreats.
Sources: Travelfish, Khao Yai National Park.