Kep National Park

Kep National Park is a small coastal protected area on the peninsula immediately adjacent to Kep town in Kep province, Cambodia. It is known for low, forested hills and short walking trails that overlook the Gulf of Thailand.

The park has a network of short, marked trails and several hilltop viewpoints that provide panoramic views across the gulf and toward nearby Rabbit Island. Walks are typically 1-3 kilometers between trailheads and viewpoints, with a mix of dirt tracks and stone steps.

The area has long been used by local residents for recreation and for access to coastal fishing and saltwater views. It is managed as a protected green space by provincial authorities to conserve remaining coastal forest and provide recreational trails for Kep town.

The park sits on the small peninsula immediately south of the town of Kep, overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. It is a short drive from the town center and is accessible by the local road network that links Kep with nearby Kampot province.

• Top viewpoints: Best short walks are the ridge trails that run through mixed evergreen forest to several hilltop viewpoints overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and nearby Rabbit Island.
• Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon give the best light for coastal views and bird activity; the trails can be hot and exposed in midday.

Kep National Park has virtually no built infrastructure, and much of it is reachable only by four-wheel drive. Its centrepiece is an 8 km trail that circles the main hill; you can join it from the road opposite the Veranda Natural Resort, east of the Dancing Shiva statue, or from the nature path that begins a little up the hill from the Beach House.

The circular trail is a relatively easy walk of two to three hours, well marked and with side trails branching off to viewpoints and small pagodas. Along the way you may spot monkeys, birds and other small wildlife, and the dense jungle offers welcome shade even on warm days. The lookout points give sweeping views over the coastline, the nearby islands and the surrounding countryside.

Kep National Park is immediately above Kep town on the southern coast of Cambodia. From Phnom Penh it is roughly a 150 km drive along National Road 3 (about 2.5-3.5 hours by car or bus) to Kep; once in Kep town the park is a short tuk‑tuk ride or roughly a 1-2 km walk from the town centre and the Kep seaside promenade.

• Start the short trail from Kep town early morning or around sunset-the summit viewpoint is compact but gives the best panoramic views of Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay) and the coastline at those times.
• Use the official park trailhead close to town and follow the signed paths; the main hike is short (often 20-40 minutes round trip) so it pairs well with the crab market without needing a full-day commitment.
• Avoid midday visits when the trail is hottest and visibility can be hazy; sunrise or sunset visits also reduce encounter rates with larger tour groups and provide better photography light.