Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today

Nang Lae Nai Waterfall

A peaceful waterfall retreat near Chiang Rai with swimming, hiking trails, and a relaxed natural atmosphere.

4.4(233)
Directions

Why go, and how to do it well

Tucked into a green valley in Mueang Chiang Rai district, Nang Lae Nai Waterfall offers a calm escape from the city into northern Thailand's countryside. While the waterfall itself is modest in scale, the surrounding environment is the real draw — a quiet valley with river sounds, lush vegetation, and the remnants of old rice terraces that add an atmospheric, unhurried character to the visit. The site suits swimmers and those simply looking to sit, breathe fresh air, and decompress away from urban noise.

Visitors can explore a hiking trail that continues further up the valley beyond the main waterfall area, making it a worthwhile stop for those who enjoy light trekking. A small on-site shop sells drinks, snacks, and cooked food at reasonable prices, so arriving without supplies is not a problem. The journey to the waterfall by scooter along the surrounding roads is itself considered a pleasant experience by many visitors.

Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Aug 2026

Stay within reach of Nang Lae Nai Waterfall

Sponsored

Search Chiang Rai hotels with your dates. Filter for free cancellation if you want to hold a room and decide later.

See hotels near Nang Lae Nai Waterfall

Opens Booking.com with your dates

Also compare on Expedia · Trip.com

Reviews from Google

Nang Lae Nai Waterfall is a waterfall that is not big, but the weather there is very good. The waterfall may not be very high, but it is suitable for swimming and relaxing. Very impressive. The atmosphere is very good, very fresh. We can walk along the way to see the nature around there. I visited last February. If you go in the morning, the weather will be very fresh. The price of accommodation and food, the drink is not very expensive. The owner of the restaurant there is very kind. I am very impressed too. But if you go in the afternoon, the weather will be hot, but we can swim. I would like to recommend that if you feel that if you feel that it is hot or want to relax, go to Nang Lae Nai Waterfall because it is a place not far from Mae Fah Luang University. It is very suitable for relaxation.

Great place to chill, relax, and enjoy the sound of waterfall. There is a small shop where you can buy drinks and snacks and they cooking some food is well for very reasonable prices. You have a great view over waterfall, and you can just sit in one of the bamboo houses and relax. Also you can go for a swim, but it's not that deep. If you had enough of waterfall you can go for hiking along the river, so it's around 2km where you will come to beautiful Rice field.

Road here with my son on our scooters, was a really nice ride and parked quite a way up the waterfall. Beautiful area and there is a hiking trail that takes you further up but we did not have the energy to do that. Looks like there are areas that would be deep enough to swim in. My only criticism that they were areas That had rubbish leftover, beer bottles, plastic bags, but still worth a visit despite that.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 233 reviews on Google.

Unnamed Road Tambon Nang Lae, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand

Open in Google Maps

More activities & tours nearby

All within 4.9 km of Nang Lae Nai Waterfall.

Rice Terraces, Ban Li Khai
Hidden Gem

Rice Terraces, Ban Li Khai

1.9 km away4.7(56)
3R86+369, Nang Lae, Mueang Chiang Rai District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Scenic rice terraces near Chiang Rai offering hiking trails, waterfalls, and mountain views.
Pong Phra Bat Water Fall

Pong Phra Bat Water Fall

4.9 km away4.2(350)
Highway 1511 , Ban Du , 57100 Mueang Chiang Rai , Chiang Rai, ตำบล บ้านดู่ อำเภอเมืองเชียงราย เชียงราย 57100, Thailand
A natural waterfall retreat off Highway 1511, offering cascading pools and hiking trails near Chiang Rai.

Tips for Visiting Activities & Tours

Do Outdoor Activities in the Morning

Heat and humidity peak from noon to 3 PM. Schedule jungle treks, cycling tours, and outdoor cooking classes for early morning. Water activities are more flexible since you're in and out of the sea.

Also popular in Chiang Rai

Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar

Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House, Bistro & Bar

4.6(7,203)$$$$
179 หมู่ที่ 2 Bannrongseartean Soi 3, Tambon Rim Kok, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
A colonial-style house on the Kok River where the garden, the food and the prices all run higher than average.
Wat Huay Pla Kang

Wat Huay Pla Kang

4.7(16,657)
553, Tambon Ban Du, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
A giant white Guan Yin you can ride up inside for ฿40, a nine-tier pagoda and hilltop views. The grounds are free and open 07:00 to 21:00.
Bandu Market

Bandu Market

4.3(3,677)
217 ตำบล บ้านดู่ Tambon Ban Du, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Rai, Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
A proper local wet market north of the city, best in the morning, and no concessions to tourists.
Chiang Rai Nice Massage

Chiang Rai Nice Massage

4.9(1,658)
98 หมู่ 18 99 หมู่ 18 ถ.ขนส่ง Tambon Wiang, เมือง Chang Wat Chiang Rai 57000, Thailand
Plain room, serious hands, the kind of Thai massage people rebook twice before leaving town.

Similar Activities & Tours across Thailand

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket
Sponsored

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket

4.7(6,925)$$$$
2, 12, Tambon Kathu, Amphoe Kathu, Chang Wat Phuket 83120, Thailand
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary's Kathu camp and Phuket office, with programs from a one-hour feed to half days of feeding, a mud spa and bathing.
Mae Kampong Waterfall

Mae Kampong Waterfall

4.5(2,930)
สันกำแพง Tambon Huai Kaeo, Amphoe Mae On, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50130, Thailand
Seven tiers of jungle cascade above the village, reached by a steep 20-minute climb on wet stairs.
Mae Yen Waterfall

Mae Yen Waterfall

4.5(206)
9G84+QH6, Mae Hi, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand
A rewarding jungle hike near Pai featuring roughly 40+ river crossings and a scenic waterfall reward.
Pa La-U Waterfall, Kaen Krachan National Park

Pa La-U Waterfall, Kaen Krachan National Park

4.4(1,722)
GFQ7+6CV, Huai Sat Yai, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand
Five levels you're allowed to climb, three hours from Hua Hin, and worth the early start.