Preah Monivong National Park

Park Cambodian national park protecting Cardamom Mountains forests

Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park in Kampot province features a colonial hill station, Phnom Bokor summit, waterfalls and evergreen forest-visited for cooler climate hikes, abandoned colonial buildings and wildlife.

Main image
Wikivoyage banner

Preah Monivong National Park, commonly known as Bokor National Park, is a protected area in southern Cambodia in Kampot province that includes the Bokor Plateau and Phnom Bokor. It was established to conserve montane forests, wildlife and watershed values while also encompassing colonial-era hill station ruins.

The park contains evergreen and montane forest, rivers, waterfalls and cliffs, and includes the abandoned French-era Bokor Hill Station structures near the summit which draw visitors for history and scenery. Wildlife in the park includes forest mammals, birds and amphibians typical of the Cardamom-Phrathat range.

The park was designated in the late 20th century to protect the plateau and its biodiversity while also managing visitor access to culturally significant ruins. Conservation and tourism management aim to balance protection of habitats with visitor services along established roads and trails.

Preah Monivong National Park sits inland from the Gulf of Thailand in southern Cambodia, a short drive southwest of the provincial town of Kampot and rising to the Phnom Bokor summit, which provides cooler climate and views over lowland coastal plains.

  • Highlights: The park includes a mix of evergreen and montane forests and contains colonial-era ruins on Phnom Bokor that are popular day-visit destinations from Kampot.

What to See #

  • Bokor Hill Station: Bokor Hill Station, a cluster of French colonial-era buildings and ruins near the Phnom Bokor summit that include an old casino and abandoned hotel from the early 20th century.
  • Popokvil Waterfall: A series of waterfalls and wetland features on the slopes of the massif that are accessible from park roads and short trails during the wet season.
  • Phnom Bokor summit: The forested summit area of Phnom Bokor which provides high-elevation evergreen forest and panoramic views over coastal plains.
Preah Monivong National Park
Preah Monivong (Bokor) National Park, Kampot Province, Cambodia
10.8620, 104.0322

How to Get to Preah Monivong National Park #

Preah Monivong National Park (Bokor area) is reached by road from the coastal town of Kampot. From Kampot town take the paved winding Bokor Mountain Road up into the park; most visitors drive, hire a taxi/driver, or join a day tour from Kampot. There is no regular long‑distance public transport that goes directly into the park, so plan for a private transfer from Kampot.

Tips for Visiting Preah Monivong National Park #

  • Go early in the morning on weekdays to catch clearer views on Bokor Mountain, cooler temperatures and far fewer tour groups than later in the day.
  • Approach the park from Kampot and arrange transport (tuk‑tuk or private driver) in advance - public options are limited and the hill road can be slow, so prearranged pickup avoids long waits at the main gate.
  • Don't just stop at the hill station ruins: continue a short way to Popokvil and other waterfalls and the less-visited forest tracks where birdlife and cooler microclimates are most noticeable.

Best Time to Visit Preah Monivong National Park #

Visit in the dry season (November-April) for the most comfortable hiking and best trail access.

Dry season
November-April · 20-32°C
Cooler, drier and more comfortable for hiking; trails and viewpoints are more accessible and visibility is good.
Wet season
May-October · 24-33°C
Hotter, very humid with heavy rains and frequent afternoon storms; waterfalls are fullest but some tracks and roads can become muddy or impassable.

Weather & Climate near Preah Monivong National Park #

Climate

Preah Monivong National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 19°C to 30°C. Heavy rainfall (2473 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 59 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryDecember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 14 mm and partly cloudy skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 28°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

14 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall.

91 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
11.7h daylight

March

March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 30°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (132 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

132 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

May

May is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (259 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

259 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

June

June is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (321 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

321 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

July

July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (421 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

421 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.6h daylight

August

August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (401 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

401 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

September

September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (388 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
22° 28°
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

388 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (272 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

272 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.8h daylight

November

November is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (115 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

115 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
83%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

27 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Preah Monivong National Park