Bokor National Park

What to See at Bokor National Park

Bokor Palace & the Ghost Town

The original 1925 Bokor Palace Hotel & Casino sat empty for decades after the Khmer Rouge era, its faded grandeur drawing photographers and ghost-story seekers long before Cambodia’s tourist boom. The shell has since been restored as part of a modern resort complex, but the roofless Catholic church and the “Black Palace” — King Norodom Sihanouk’s former residence — remain authentically abandoned nearby, swallowed in mist and creeping vegetation.

Wat Sampov Pram

Built in 1924 and still an active pagoda, Wat Sampov Pram (“Five Boats Pagoda”) takes its name from five large rock formations said to resemble boats. A 29-metre gold-painted statue of Lok Yeay Mao, a revered guardian spirit, watches over panoramic views toward the coast — on the clearest days, you can make out Phu Quoc island across the Vietnamese border.

Popokvil Waterfall

A two-tiered waterfall inside the park, at its most dramatic shortly after the wet season ends (August–October). By the height of the dry season it can shrink to a trickle, so time a visit accordingly if the falls are the main draw.

How to Get to Bokor National Park

The mountain road begins about 8km from Kampot town on Highway 3, then climbs roughly 32km of paved switchbacks to the summit.

• Organized day tour: $13–15 per person from a Kampot guesthouse, including transport
• Self-drive moto: Rent a motorbike in Kampot ($5–7/day) — the road is paved but has tight switchbacks and frequent fog, so it suits confident riders only
• Taxi/private car: Easily arranged through any Kampot guesthouse for a half-day trip

Best Time to Visit

Bokor is famous for being shrouded in mist, which is atmospheric but can mean zero visibility at the summit on an unlucky day. Visit during the dry season (November–April) and arrive as early as possible, before afternoon cloud builds up over the plateau.

Practical Information

• No standard entrance ticket; a small toll is sometimes collected at a checkpoint
• Bring a light jacket — temperatures at 1,080m are noticeably cooler than Kampot town, especially in mist or rain
• Food options at the summit are limited to the resort; most independent travelers eat in Kampot before or after
• Mobile signal is patchy on the mountain

Nearby Attractions

Kampot town’s riverside promenade and pepper farms, plus the cave shrines at Phnom Kampong Trach and the swimmable rapids at Tek Chhouu, make easy half-day add-ons either side of a Bokor trip.