Guide to Phu Ruea National Park

Location

Phu Ruea is a district in Loei province in the northeast region of Thailand, known as Isaan. Phu Ruea is found on the northwestern edge of the province amidst the mountains straddling the border of Thailand and Laos.

Phu Ruea Peak, Phu Ruea Temple

Attractions

Phu Ruea National Park was created in order to help preserve the Phu Ruea peak, the highest point in the district. This peak is available for the tourist to get to via hiking trails or by shuttle bus from the peak parking lot. It is 10 baht/person going up, and 10 baht/person going down. It is considered the coldest spot in Thailand. There are other cliff points marked in the national park for scenic viewpoints, as well as several waterfalls.

Phu Ruea shuttle

Seasonality

Tourists flock to this region during the cool season months, specifically December and January, where temperatures can get almost to freezing. They have a large display showing the current temperature.

Hikes

Phu Ruea has one main road that runs through it. The rest of the park is seeable by hiking trails. The park visitor center has a map that will give you the details of where the trails go throughout the park. There are a variety of trail lengths from just a few hundred meters between cliff points to a 4.5 Kilometer hike between the visitor center and the Huai Phai Waterfall.

Phu Ruea Rock Garden

Camping

There are two camping areas within Phu Ruea National Park. One available at each visitor’s center. The first visitor center has full amenities with bungalows available, as well as campsites underneath a sparsely planted pine forest. This campsite is found close to the entrance of the national park.

Phu Ruea Camping site 1

The second visitor’s center (succinctly called Visitor Center 2) is found close to the peak. There are less amenities here, specifically in off-season. However, there are still bathrooms, picnic tables, ad a fire pit area. The positive of staying at this campsite is the higher elevation and nearness to the peak. It is just a 2 kilometer hike up from the campsite. The camping is located on a grassy field with bathrooms/showers across the parking lot.

Phu Ruea Camping site 2

Amenities

At the Phu Ruea Peak parking lot, there are stores, restaurants, and a cafe (most of which are only open during high season). Each visitors center has a small restaurant; however, they are only open during certain times a year.

Click here for more general information on National Parks in Thailand.

Phu Ruea orchid, Thailand flowers
Phu Ruea Map

4 Comments

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    • Thank you for your comment. Visiting a National Park in Thailand might seem complex if you are new to it. Happy travels.

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