Description
Phu Pha Lek National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติภูผาเหล็ก) is a huge national park that spans over 100,000 acres, extending from Sakon Nakhon province to both Udon Thani and Kalasin province. Foreigners are charged a 100 baht admission to the park, but we don't suggest paying that unless you are interested in doing some serious hiking or camping. Note that hikers can hike for free at Phu Phan National Park, which is closer to downtown Sakon Nakhon.
Phu Pha Lek National Park has a place just opposite the parking lot which is one of the best birding spots in Thailand (i.e. bird watching) and that is part of the free area around the entrance. If you are interested in more spectacular views from atop Phu Pha Lek, you can drive from the park to Pha Dong Ko, which is only 1 kilometer away and free to visit. There is also the nearby mountaintop road of beautiful sacred Chedis, such as Phra Chedi Wihan Pariniphan and Phra Chedi Si Maha Pho, that offer spectacular views.
If you are interested in visiting the Pha Phak Wan prehistoric paintings at the Phu Pha Lek National Park, these are not accessed via the main entrance to the park where the admission must be paid. Instead, you'll need to drive another 35 minutes, and there is no admission charge. It just requires a bit of a hike.
Phu Pha Lek National Park's entrance in Song Dao district is a little under 2 hours from Sakon Nakhon city by car.
