Four waterfalls across two of Chiang Mai’s best-known national parks have been closed after heavy rain triggered flash floods and sent fast-moving, muddy water through the trails. Doi Inthanon National Park shut its Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail and Mae Ya Waterfall, while Doi Suthep-Pui National Park closed Mok Fa Waterfall in Mae Taeng district and Huay Tung Tao Waterfall in Mae Rim district, with park officials warning that continued rain could trigger further flash flooding.
What’s Closed and Why
Park rangers recorded roughly 200mm of rain near Doi Inthanon’s summit in Chom Thong district, saturating the forest catchment and turning normally clear streams into fast, reddish-brown currents. At Doi Inthanon, the closures affect the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail — a popular half-day hike often paired with a Doi Inthanon day trip from Chiang Mai — and Mae Ya Waterfall, one of the park’s most photographed spots. At Doi Suthep-Pui, Mok Fa and Huay Tung Tao waterfalls are shut for the same reason.
No Reopening Date Yet
Neither park has given a date for reopening. Officials say the trails and waterfalls will stay closed “until conditions return to normal” and staff can confirm the paths are safe, since footbridges, stream crossings and the trails themselves all carry landslide and flash-flood risk while water levels stay high. Visitors planning a trip are advised to check the parks’ official Facebook pages or call the visitor centre before setting out, rather than relying on older trip reports online.
What This Means If You’re Visiting Chiang Mai
The Chiang Mai waterfalls closed this week are a reminder that rainy season runs through October — see our Chiang Mai rainy season guide for what to expect month by month. If a Doi Inthanon day trip is on your itinerary, the summit, the King and Queen pagodas, and most viewpoints remain open; it’s specifically the waterfall trails that are affected, not the whole park. Build a backup plan into your day, such as a market visit, a temple, or a café day in the Old City, in case rain disrupts your schedule, and avoid wading into any stream or waterfall area even if a barrier looks informal, since water depth and current strength can be deceptive after this much rain.
Travelers based in Chiang Mai city itself aren’t directly affected by these closures, but it’s a good moment to build some flexibility into any nature-focused day trips — see our Chiang Mai travel guide for alternative things to do if outdoor plans change.