Kirirom National Park

Kirirom National Park — Quick Facts

What is it?

nature — Cambodia's First National Park, Pine Forest and All

Where?

Kampong Speu , Cambodia

Entry Fee

Around $5 for foreign visitors (Cambodian nationals enter free); fee collection is inconsistent — confirm at the gate

Opening Hours

Day-use park; no strict closing time

Time Needed

Half day to full day; basic camping is possible

Best Time

Shortly after the wet season for full waterfalls; November to April for cooler, drier hiking

Don't Miss

The cool pine-forest viewpoints — a landscape that feels nothing like the rest of lowland Cambodia

What to See at Kirirom National Park

The Pine Plateau

Kirirom’s defining feature is altitude: at around 700m, the park is noticeably cooler than the plains below, and its pine forest — rare anywhere in Cambodia — gives it a landscape that feels closer to a temperate hill station than Southeast Asian lowland. Wildflowers and birdlife are abundant along the open trails.

Royal-Era Ruins

Cambodia’s royal family built holiday villas here in the 1960s, abandoned during the decades of conflict that followed. Their concrete shells, now half-reclaimed by forest, sit quietly along some of the park’s walking routes — a smaller, lesser-known echo of Bokor’s hill-station ruins.

Waterfalls & Viewpoints

Several rapids and a seasonal waterfall sit within walking distance of the park’s access roads, alongside lookout points over the surrounding lowlands. None are individually dramatic, but the cumulative effect of cool air, pine, and quiet trails is what draws visitors.

How to Get to Kirirom National Park

The park sits beside National Road 4, roughly 117km (2–2.5 hours) southwest of Phnom Penh, on the way toward Sihanoukville and Koh Kong.

From Phnom Penh: Self-drive, taxi, or any Sihanoukville-bound bus/minivan can drop you near the park turning at Treng Trayeng
From Kampot or Sihanoukville: Reachable as a stop on the way to or from Phnom Penh, though it requires your own transport or a private taxi to detour off the main road

Best Time to Visit

Visit in the cooler dry months (November–April) for the most comfortable hiking. For the waterfalls at their fullest, aim for shortly after the wet season ends, around October–November.

Practical Information

Entry fee enforcement is inconsistent — bring small USD bills regardless
Bring a light layer; the elevation makes mornings and evenings genuinely cool by Cambodian standards
Limited facilities inside the park — stock up on water and snacks before arriving
Camping is possible with basic gear; there’s no resort-style accommodation inside the park itself

Nearby Attractions

The Chambok Community-Based Ecotourism site borders the park and offers a waterfall trek and homestay option, making a good complement to a Kirirom day visit.