Mae Sa Waterfall Historical Site

Mae Sa Waterfall is a multi-tiered cascade in Mae Rim District of Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. The falls are a series of stepped drops set in a forested valley and are a popular local natural attraction.

The waterfall comprises multiple tiers spread along a forested stream with picnic spots and swimming pools at lower levels; visitors commonly explore a sequence of 7 to 10 accessible drops along maintained paths. The upper tiers require more walking and offer viewpoints over the Mae Sa valley and surrounding hills, while the lower tiers are near the park entrance and are suitable for shorter visits.

The falls are a natural fluvial feature of the Mae Sa watershed and have long been used by local communities for water and recreation. In modern times the site has been managed for public access with trails, picnic facilities, and basic visitor infrastructure.

Mae Sa Waterfall sits in the Mae Sa valley, Mae Rim District, about 25 kilometres north of Chiang Mai city, embedded in a forested area of foothills that lead up toward the Doi Suthep-Pui massif.

• Distance from Chiang Mai: Situated about 25 kilometres north of Chiang Mai city in Mae Rim District, making it a common day trip from the city.
• Seasonal flow: Flows strongest during the rainy season (roughly June to October); trails can be slippery after storms while the dry season has lower flows but easier walking conditions.

What to See#

• Upper tiers: Upper tiers rise through forested slopes and offer the best panoramic views of the Mae Sa valley; these sections are reached by a steeper trail with steps and viewing platforms.
• Lower tiers and pools: Lower pools and picnic areas lie close to the park entrance and are the most accessible sections for families, with short walks between cascade levels.

Most people come to Mae Sa simply to enjoy the sound of cascading water and have a picnic, and there are a couple of swimming holes when the flow is strong enough, where you’ll likely see young Thais splashing about. If the crowds around the main falls are too much, follow the water uphill to numerous hideaways where you can sit beneath the jungle canopy in relative solitude.

Entrance fees. The falls lie within the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, and a hike in national park fees means foreigners now pay a steep 500-baht entrance charge. Rather than forking out, consider Taad Mork Falls instead: make a right turn by a petrol station about 4 kilometres along Highway 1096, then look out for the falls on the left after roughly 9 kilometres. There’s no charge, and it’s an equally good spot for a picnic.

Mae Sa Waterfall is about 20-30 minutes by car from Chiang Mai city center along Highway 107. Songthaews (shared red trucks) and private taxis make the route; many visitors hire a driver for the day to combine stops in the Mae Sa valley.

• Go early in the morning on weekdays to avoid the tourist buses that arrive later in the day.
• If planning to swim in the lower tiers, bring water shoes - some rocks are slippery and pools can be shallow.
• Combine the visit with a trip to the Mae Sa Elephant Camp or Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden nearby to make a full day of it.