Phu Wiang National ParkPhu Wiang National Park at a Glance#
Phu Wiang National Park in Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand, is best known for the discovery of dinosaur fossils and associated paleontological sites. The park protects forested hills and sedimentary outcrops where vertebrate fossils were found during scientific surveys.
Visitors to the park commonly combine trail walks and viewpoint visits with trips to the nearby museum that interprets local fossil finds and displays specimens. The terrain includes wooded ridges, cliffs and exposed rock formations that yielded the discoveries.
Scientific excavations in the late 20th century brought international attention to the site, and subsequent management has included protection of fossil localities along with general park conservation. The museum and marked sites provide the primary public interface with the area’s paleontological heritage.
Phu Wiang National Park lies in Khon Kaen province of northeastern Thailand in a landscape of low mountains and plateaus accessible from regional towns.
- Paleontology: Noted for significant dinosaur fossil discoveries; the area includes published paleontological sites and an on-site museum for interpretation.
What to See#
- Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum: Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum on the park’s periphery displays fossils and interpretation related to local dinosaur discoveries.
- Fossil localities: Multiple fossil localities within the park include exposed sedimentary outcrops where dinosaur bones were recovered during scientific excavations in the late 20th century.
Best Time to Visit Phu Wiang National Park#
Phu Wiang National Park is most pleasant in the cooler, dry months; fossil-site visits are scheduled around weather and local guide availability.
Weather & Climate near Phu Wiang National Park#
Phu Wiang National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with hot summers (peaking in April) and warm winters (coldest in December). Temperatures range from 15°C to 36°C. Abundant rainfall (1041 mm/year), wettest in September with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 15° - 30° | 23° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 1.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
| February | Ideal | 17° - 32° | 25° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 50% | 1.3 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.5h |
| March | Excellent | 21° - 35° | 28° | 39 mm | some cloud | 49% | 1.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 23° - 36° | 31° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 54% | 1.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.4h |
| May | Acceptable | 24° - 34° | 32° | 152 mm | overcast | 70% | 1.3 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 24° - 33° | 33° | 137 mm | overcast | 78% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.0h |
| July | Good | 24° - 32° | 32° | 122 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.5 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.9h |
| August | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 31° | 176 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.4 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 23° - 31° | 31° | 213 mm | overcast | 87% | 1.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.1h |
| October | Very Good | 22° - 31° | 26° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.7h |
| November | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 24° | 13 mm | some cloud | 76% | 1.2 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.2h |
| December | Ideal | 16° - 29° | 22° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 1.3 m/s | 1.5 very high | 11.0h |
How to Get to Phu Wiang National Park#
Phu Wiang National Park is reached by road from Khon Kaen province. The most common approach is to drive to Phu Wiang district and then follow local signage to the park and the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum; local guides run site visits.
Tips for Visiting Phu Wiang National Park#
- Visit the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum and the fossil sites early in the day - guides usually organize visits that avoid the midday heat.
- Wear sturdy shoes and a hat: the fossil sites are exposed and the walking is over uneven, sometimes rocky ground.
- Combine fossil-site visits with the local markets in Phu Wiang district to see how dinosaur tourism has reshaped the town.