Huay Tung Tao Lake is a reservoir and recreation area in Don Kaeo, north of Chiang Mai. Its mountain backdrop, lakeside food huts and surrounding rural scenery make it a pleasant place to slow down over lunch or spend part of a day outdoors.
Also written Huai Tueng Thao, it offers a different pace from a temple circuit or a mountain summit excursion. You can make a simple visit centred on a meal beside the water, or leave extra time to explore the photo spots and separately operated activities.
Lakeside huts and a leisurely meal
The bamboo and thatched eating areas around the shore are a defining part of the visit. Choose a restaurant and settle into a waterside hut for food and conversation, with the reservoir and mountains providing the outlook.
Menus and seating arrangements belong to individual restaurants. Ask how a hut is allocated, whether any seating charge applies and what your chosen dishes cost before ordering; the entrance charge is separate from your meal and restaurant seating arrangements.
Shared dishes work well for a group that wants to linger. Browse the available menu for Thai food and refreshments rather than relying on a fixed list of dishes, and leave enough time after lunch for a short lakeside walk instead of rushing straight back to the city.
Exploring beyond the lunch stop
The reservoir has a road circuit and various stops around its recreation area. Move between the parts that interest you rather than assuming a full loop is necessary, especially in hot weather when a long exposed walk can be less appealing than a few shorter stops.
The straw animal sculptures in the fields, particularly the giant gorilla figures often called the King Kong attraction, provide a playful contrast to the lake. Look for the current photo area and keep to its visitor paths, since the fields and surrounding agricultural land are part of a working landscape.
Boats and other paid activities
Pedal boats and ATV activities are among the experiences promoted for the recreation area. Availability, prices and operating conditions are separate from entering the reservoir grounds, so check which operators are working when you arrive.
If you want an activity as well as lunch, find out its duration and requirements before committing to a long restaurant stop. Children may need adult supervision or have age and size restrictions, and weather or water conditions can affect what is available.
Timing, entry and facilities
The published visitor hours are generally 7am to 5:30pm daily. A morning visit leaves time for exploring before lunch, while a later meal should still fit comfortably within the recreation area’s closing arrangements; restaurant service can follow its own schedule.
Allow two to three hours as a starting point for a meal and a few stops, with longer needed for activities. Weekends and holidays can bring more visitors, so arrive earlier if you want a wider choice of lakeside seating rather than assuming the area will always be quiet.
There is an entrance charge, with activities and food paid separately. Confirm the current amount and the category that applies to you at the gate, and carry baht for smaller transactions. Check the location of toilets when choosing a restaurant, particularly if travelling with children or anyone for whom a longer walk is difficult.
Spending time beside the water
Take a hat, drinking water and sun protection for the exposed stretches between shaded stops. Hut floors, steps and paths can be uneven, so choose footwear that works for walking as well as sitting down for a meal.
Treat the shore as an outdoor waterfront rather than a supervised swimming pool. Ask staff about any permitted swimming area and current conditions before entering the water, and keep children within reach beside the lake. Do not infer lifeguard coverage from the availability of boats or restaurants.
Getting to the reservoir
The recreation area’s address is 283 Moo 3, Don Kaeo, Mae Rim district. From Chiang Mai, travel north along Canal Road towards the reservoir turnoff, then follow the local approach to the entrance. Allow approximately 30 to 40 minutes by car from the Old City, with traffic affecting the journey.
A taxi, arranged driver or privately hired songthaew is convenient for visitors without a vehicle. Agree on waiting or return collection before leaving the city, and tell the driver whether you want a particular restaurant or a general lake visit. An app-based outbound ride does not establish that a return car will be available at the time you want.
The entry area, restaurants and activity points are spread out. Choose a drop-off near your intended first stop and arrange collection accordingly, rather than expecting the entire recreation area to be a compact pedestrian attraction.
Huay Tung Tao Lake FAQs
Is there an entrance fee?
There is a charge to enter the recreation area. Confirm the current rate and your visitor category at the gate, and budget separately for meals, hut arrangements and any activity you choose.
How long should you spend there?
Two to three hours works for a relaxed meal and a few nearby stops. Allow more time if you want boating or another activity, and include the return journey to Chiang Mai in your plan.
Are the bamboo huts free to use?
Many lakeside huts are associated with restaurants. Ask the chosen business about seating conditions and any charge before settling in, particularly if you only want drinks or a short stop.
Can you swim in the lake?
Ask staff about permitted areas and current conditions before entering. The reservoir should not be treated as a supervised pool, and children need close supervision beside the water.
What activities are available?
Pedal boats and ATV outings are among the promoted options, with their own prices and conditions. Check what is operating on the day before planning your visit around one activity.
How do you get back to Chiang Mai?
Arrange a driver to wait or collect you at an agreed time and place. Confirming the return journey is especially useful when your group has spent the afternoon at a restaurant away from the entrance.
Do You Have a Question to Ask?