Waterfalls near Chiang Mai
22 experiences · from ฿700 to ฿3,900 per person · booked directly with local operators
The falls around Chiang Mai are close enough to reach in a morning and are usually combined with something else: elephants, a cave, a temple or a market. The best known is Bua Thong, the sticky waterfall, where the limestone gives enough grip to walk straight up the rock.
Everything below sits within a day of the city.
The sticky waterfall is climbable
Bua Thong is unusual: mineral deposits make the surface grippy rather than slick, so you climb up the falls themselves with a rope alongside. No special footwear is needed and children manage it. It is the reason most people go.
Season decides the flow
Falls run strongest from roughly June to November, just after the rains. By March and April several are reduced to a trickle. If a waterfall is your main reason for the trip, check what month you are travelling.
Rarely a trip on its own
Most falls take an hour or two to enjoy, so tours pair them with a cave, a temple, an elephant sanctuary or a café. That is worth checking: the waterfall may be a stop rather than the point of the day.
Bring what you would for a swim
Swimming is allowed at most of them. Bring a towel and something to change into, and expect to leave your bag with the group rather than a locker.
Waterfalls near Chiang Mai
Frequently asked questions
Why is the sticky waterfall sticky?
Bua Thong falls over limestone, and the mineral deposits left by the water form a rough, porous crust rather than the slick algae that coats most waterfalls. The result grips the soles of your feet, so you can walk straight up the cascade. Ropes run alongside for balance, and no special footwear is needed.
How far is the sticky waterfall from Chiang Mai?
Bua Thong is around an hour north of the city, near Mae Taeng. That makes it a comfortable half day, and it is why most tours pair it with something else nearby such as Wat Ban Den, the Chiang Dao caves or an elephant sanctuary.
When do the waterfalls near Chiang Mai run fullest?
From roughly June to November, just after the rainy season, when flow is at its strongest. By March and April several are reduced to a trickle. If a waterfall is the main reason for your trip, check which month you are travelling before booking.
Can you swim at the waterfalls near Chiang Mai?
At most of them, yes. Bring a towel and something to change into, since changing facilities are basic and lockers are rare. You will usually leave your bag with your group rather than storing it. Water is cold year round, which is welcome after a climb.
Is the sticky waterfall suitable for children?
It is one of the more child-friendly outdoor activities near Chiang Mai. The climb is a scramble rather than a technical ascent, the rock grips well, and ropes run the length of it. Supervision still matters, particularly near the top where the flow is stronger.