Summarize this article with:
The lake did not exist before the Ratchaprapha Dam went into service in 1987. Its water now surrounds more than 100 islands, and the limestone scenery is what most photos of Khao Sok show. Other sources put the whole reservoir at about 185 km².
This guide covers what there is to see, how the lake side of the national park works, what the pier and the boats cost, and how to choose between a day trip and a night on the water.
Two entrances, two nights
Forest or lake?
The water and the forest are one national park and two separate trips. They have different gates, different fees and about 65–67 km of road between them — so this is less a question of taste than of what your night should feel like.
The lake is where Khao Sok turns into a landscape: more than 100 islands of limestone standing in the reservoir behind the Ratchaprapha Dam, in service since 1987, with roughly 165 km² of water (other sources put the whole reservoir at about 185 km²). The forest side is where you walk underneath it all, on a trail, with no horizon at all.
On the water, the senses change
You hear
No wall of cicadas — the water flattens the sound. What you get instead: the raft creaking, a paddle, and a boat engine two hills away.
You smell
Cold freshwater and wet limestone, with woodsmoke and rice drifting over from the raft-house kitchens.
You feel
Air that cools over the water at dawn, and a floor that moves slightly whenever somebody walks past your room.
On the lake the forest stops being a room. It becomes a skyline.
Cheow Lan Lake at a glance
| What it is | A reservoir created by the Ratchaprapha Dam, in service since 1987 |
|---|---|
| Size | About 165 km² of water (about 185 km² for the whole reservoir, according to other sources), with more than 100 islands |
| Entrance | A separate zone with its own entrance, roughly 65–67 km by road from the village of Khao Sok |
| Pier costs | A new entrance fee at the pier, plus a pier cleaning charge of about 40 THB per person |
| Boat | Long-tail boat from the pier from 1,800 THB (official park rate for the boat) |
| Landmarks | Khao Sam Kloe (Three Brothers), the floating raft houses, Diamond Cave (Pra Kay Petch), Kri Sorn viewpoint |
| Ways to visit | Day boat trip, or an overnight stay in a raft house |
What the lake looks like
The photos on this page show the setting: forest right down to the water, limestone peaks and islands. The lake is seen from a boat, and boat itineraries link a few of the stops listed below.
The animals of Khao Sok live in the surrounding forest, and no boat trip can promise a sighting. Go for the landscape, and treat any wildlife as a bonus.
Landmarks you will hear about
- Khao Sam Kloe (Three Brothers): also called the Three-brother Pillar, a landmark often named in boat itineraries.
- The floating raft houses: the raft-house reserve where overnight stays are based. See the floating bungalows guide.
- Diamond Cave (Pra Kay Petch): a cave named in many tour descriptions.
- Kri Sorn viewpoint: a viewpoint on the lake.
Getting to the lake and what it costs
The lake is a separate fee zone. From the pier you pay a new entrance fee, plus a pier cleaning charge of about 40 THB per person. The amount of the lake entrance fee was not confirmed in the sources we checked, so ask for the current price at the pier. The land-side ticket (300 THB for adult foreigners in September 2026) does not cover it.
The park publishes a rate of 1,800 THB and up for renting a long-tail boat from the pier. It is the rate for the boat, not a per-person price, and it is a starting point: ask the operator for the final amount for your route.
Booking a tour is the other option, and each listing states what it includes. Thailand Voyager also compares Khao Sok tours if you want a second overview. The cards below show the main formats.
Day trip or overnight?
A day trip lets you sleep on land and see the lake between a morning and an evening. An overnight stay adds a night in a raft house on the water. Raft houses range from simple rafts to more comfortable bungalows, so the trade-off is comfort against the experience of sleeping on the lake.
If you are leaning towards sleeping on the water, the floating bungalows guide explains the two main types of raft house, and the where to stay page compares them with the village.
When to go
The park's dry season runs from January to March or April, and the rainy season from late April to early December, with the most rain from May to October. May, June, September and October are the quietest and cheapest months. Average temperatures stay between 22 and 36 °C all year.
Rain also affects the caves in the park, some of which close when the water can rise quickly. Ask your operator what is open on your dates.
Check before you book
The pier fees and boat rates above were read in September 2026 and can change. Confirm them with your operator, and follow the instructions of the boat crew and park staff. For visa, health or safety rules, use the official Thai and home-country sources: this guide does not give them.
Boat tours and overnight trips on the lake
See all toursFull dayKhao Sok: Full-Day Ratchaprapha Dam Tour, Boat Trip & Lunch
- Full-day tour to the Ratchaprapha Dam with a boat trip
- Lunch included, as named in the listing
Best for: Visitors who want to see the lake in a day and sleep on land.
Check price & availability →
Private boatKhao Sok: Private Longtail Boat Tour at Cheow Lan Lake
- Private long-tail boat tour on Cheow Lan Lake
- The route and pace are set with your own group
Best for: Photographers and groups who want the lake at their own pace.
Check price & availability →
Overnight on the lakeKhao Sok: Overnight Cheow Lan Lake Floating Raft House
- One night in a floating raft house on Cheow Lan Lake
- Booked as a ready-made overnight tour
Best for: Travellers who want a night on the water without arranging each part themselves.
Check price & availability →Last verified 29 September 2026
Sources and further reading
Keep planning
Khao Sok National Park
Fees, hours, seasons and access
Floating bungalows
Raft houses from budget to comfort
Where to stay
Village, jungle and lake compared
Not sure how to fit it all in? Plan my trip →
Frequently asked questions
About 165 km² of water with more than 100 islands. Other sources give about 185 km² for the whole reservoir, which was created by the Ratchaprapha Dam in 1987.
No. The lake is a separate fee zone with its own entrance. You pay a new entrance fee at the pier plus a cleaning charge of about 40 THB per person.
The official park rate for renting a long-tail boat from the pier starts at 1,800 THB, for the boat. The final price depends on the route and the operator.
The lake entrance is roughly 65–67 km by road from the village, so it is a separate outing rather than a walk.
A day trip is simpler and keeps your accommodation on land. An overnight stay adds a night on a raft house. Both are covered in our floating bungalows guide.
It is not guaranteed. The wildlife of Khao Sok is mostly in the forest, under the canopy, and is hard to see. Treat sightings as a bonus.