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Sticky waterfall (Bua Tong Waterfall) is genuinely one of the most bizarre and impressive waterfalls we have experienced anywhere in the world. If you’re in Chiang Mai and you have a the time we highly recommend a visit to the unique Sticky Waterfall. This gem is located in the beautiful hills to the north of Thailand. You need to allow at least 5 – 6 hours for a visit.
In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know to plan a trip to sticky waterfall. As ever lots of things have changed, so it’s very important to read the latest information in this guide to help you plan your trip to sticky waterfall Chiang Mai in 2026.
LOVE STICKY WATERFALL? Don’t miss our FULL GUIDE to Hidden gems in Chiang Mai.
Getting to Sticky Waterfall is possible in a day trip from Chiang Mai. But you will need to do a little planning. One of the easiest and fun ways to visit Sticky Waterfall is to book a tour online in advance. Tours normally include Hotel Pick up and drop off and it’s also a great way to meet new people.
Latest updates at Sticky Waterfall in 2026
Sticky waterfall Chiang Mai (Bua Tong waterfall) is open to visitors (every day of the week from 8am – 5pm).
- Sticky waterfall is still FREE to visit the park and waterfalls (this is great news as many other attractions around Chiang Mai have increased their entrance fees recently!)
- Great facilities including FREE parking, public toilets, showers and lockers (don’t expect luxury – but facilities are very good for a free attraction)
- Sticky waterfall now gets very busy (especially at weekends it can be too crowded to enjoy climbing) – If possible plan a trip on a week day
- Arrive early if possible – this attraction is a long way from Chiang Mai – if you get an nice early start you can beat the crowds and have the space to yourself! Sticky Waterfall currently opens every day at 8am.
Map of Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai
Here are the main attractions around Sticky waterfall. Click on the pins for more details.
What is sticky waterfall?
Sticky waterfall Chiang Mai (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำตกบัวตอง-น้ำพุเจ็ดสี) is a beautiful multi-level waterfall with several cascades including several near-vertical sections. A set of steps leads down the hill alongside the waterfall.
TOP TIP: This attraction is NOT accessible to wheelchairs and prams.
Sticky waterfall is located approximately 60km north of Chiang Mai (1.5 hours by road). The unique texture of the surface of the waterfall means that you can walk up steep sections of the waterfall without slipping. The surface is actually hard and rough rather than “sticky” or gooey. Despite the rough texture of the surface, it is surprisingly comfortable to walk on. If you are not keen to climb the waterfall, the steps and levels allow you to appreciate the beauty of the waterfall without needing to climb it.
Is it safe to climb sticky waterfall?
The short answer is “Yes” – it is safe to climb sticky waterfall. There is a roped section which is the official climbing route (and this is a relatively safe route). The remarkably high friction means you can climb extremely steep gradients (even water covered rock) without slipping.
Every travel experience presents inherent risks – we always recommend making your own decisions cautiously. Consider your level of skill and confidence. If you are visiting with kids, supervise them carefully.
Be aware of valuables in your backpack. Stuff can get wet on the climb – use a dry sack if possible. Even better, leave your bag with a member of your group if possible or use the lockers to keep your valuables safe and dry.
There are some ropes to help visitors climb the upper sections of Sticky Waterfall. Be aware that there are a few small mossy sections towards the top of Sticky Waterfall. These sections are slippery and not suitable for climbing or walking. So take care and take your time. With any risky activity also make sure that you have good insurance uncase you do have an accident or injury.
What is the science of the sticky waterfall?
Climbing up sticky waterfall Chiang Mai is a bizarre experience. The hard mineral surface of sticky waterfall has a very high coefficient of friction. This means that it is possible to walk up very steep sections of the waterfall without slipping. The presence of water on the surface doesn’t seem to lower the friction in the slightest. We estimate that you can even climb some rounded sections of rock that are as steep as 80 degrees (although as ever, anything you choose to do is done at your own risk). Strangely, the hard rough surface is not painful or uncomfortable to walk and climb on.
The unique surface of sticky waterfall is composed of a substance called Tufa, which is a form of calcium carbonate. The tufa surface of Sticky Waterfall was formed when dissolved calcium carbonate crystallized on the soil surface of the waterfall. This crystallization results from the warm ambient temperatures and the high concentrations of dissolved minerals in the water.
The unique surface structure of sticky waterfall has microscale bumps and ridges that interact with the small bumps and ridges on the surface of your skin. The effective meshing of these bumps maximizes the electrostatic forces of attraction between your skin and the surface of the waterfall resulting in a remarkable “gripping effect” that is not even disrupted by the water running over the surface.
Ok, enough geeky stuff. Lets talk about how to visit this marvel of nature…
How do you get to sticky waterfall Chiang Mai?
Sticky Waterfall is around 60km north of Chiang Mai. The whole round trip is likely to take 4-5 hours including journey time. Unfortunately there are no buses or public transport running from Chiang Mai to Sticky Waterfall. So you will need to plan your transport carefully.
How to get to Sticky waterfall from Chiang Mai
- rent a car or motorbike
- Set off nice and early in the morning
- Drive north out of the old town (watch out for the one way systems around the moat).
- Follow the route 107 north for around 35km (this will take around 40 minutes)
- Turn right on the route 1414 (near the aeroplane cafe)
- After a few minutes you will reach a T-junction, this is the route 1010, turn left
- Follow the 1010 country road for 22km, around 20 minutes
- Watch out for a right turn (there is a sign for Sticky waterfall)
1 Rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai
The first and cheapest way to get to Sticky Waterfall is to rent a motorbike in Chiang Mai and ride there. The roads between Chiang Mai and Sticky Waterfall are all well surfaced and suitable for motorbikes. Bike rental is cheap, easy to find – you do not need to pre-book this. There are rental shops all around Chiang Mai. You can even rent motorbikes from hostels and guest houses. The 60km journey is likely to take 1-2 hours on a motorbike.
You can find bike rental in Chiang Mai starting at around 100 baht per day (this is roughly £2 or $2.50). It is easier to get better prices if you do a longer term rental. Be prepared that bike rental places will ask for some kind of deposit (normally ID card, passport or money). We recommend taking photos of any scratches, cracks or scuffs on the bike before rental. Also it is very important to make sure you are sufficiently qualified, insured and experienced to ride a motorbike in Thailand.
In terms of specs we recommend a bike with a capacity of 125cc and automatic bikes are much easier to use than manual bike (they are also much easier to find too). Riding a motor bike in Chiang Mai is a cheap and fun way to get around. Be aware that many of the roads around the Old City operate a one way system. Furthermore, the route to Sticky Waterfall follows a large, busy inter-state road. Ride with caution and be aware of other cars and bikes on the road.
2 Rent a car in Chiang Mai
The second way to get to Sticky Waterfall is to rent a car in Chiang Mai and then drive. Again this relies on you being qualified to drive in Thailand. Consider getting an international driver’s permit before your trip to Thailand if you wish to rent a car. Car rental could actually be more expensive than a taxi depending on whether you can find a good deal for car rental.
Prices depend on the season and availability. Car rental starting prices in Chiang Mai range between 600 baht – 1,000 baht per day (this is roughly £12 – £20 or $15 – $26). Petrol also costs around 30 – 40 baht per litre in Thailand (this is roughly £0.60 or $0.80). Car rental shops on Chiang Mai generally ask for a cash deposit of around 5,000 baht and may also ask to check your drivers license. During busy times it can be hard to find a car rental and it may be worth booking in advance.
3 Arrange a taxi from Chiang Mai
A return taxi trip from Chiang Mai to Sticky Waterfall should cost around 800 – 1,000 baht (which is roughly £16 – £20 or $20 – $25). If you are planning to visit Sticky Waterfall by taxi we strongly recommend arranging this at least one day in advance. It can be quite hard to find drivers who are willing to take longer journeys at short notice (at least not for a reasonable price). So if you are hoping to get a good price to Sticky Waterfall, then work out a driver one or two days in advance.
There are taxi apps that work in Chiang Mai. Bolt is a bit cheaper and Grab is more convenient but more expensive. These apps are not great for longer journeys around Chiang Mai. So these apps would not be a good way to arrange a taxi to Sticky Waterfall. We recommend stopping a taxi around the old city to arrange your taxi. There are many marked taxi cars and also red songthaew buses who are able to arrange private trips like this. Remember to agree on a pick up time, waiting time and any other stops you may wish to do.
What can you do at sticky waterfall Chiang Mai?
There are several things that you can do at Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai.
- Paddle in the small pools at the bottom of the waterfall
- Walk or scramble up the waterfall (with care). There are ropes on some sections towards the top
- Walk to the Namphu Chet Si – the fresh water spring pool with “7 colors of water” (5 minute walk from the top of the Sticky Waterfall)
- Visit Wat Tham Bua Tong (just off the road that leads to the entrance of the Sticky Waterfall)
- There are several nature trails in the area for trekking
What facilities do they have at sticky waterfall Chiang Mai?
There are very good facilities at Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai. There are public toilets and even a shower room. At present there are no cafes or restaurants serving food at Sticky Waterfall so we recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks. There are well surfaced trails in the area and a set of steps runs down the hill alongside the waterfall giving relatively easy access. However, this area is not suitable for prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs.
How much does it cost to visit sticky waterfall Chiang Mai?
At present it is FREE to visit Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai. There are no tickets or entrance fees for the area. It is even free to park in the area. This is a very affordable day trip from Chiang Mai – especially if you rent a bike.
What should you bring to Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai?
We recommend bringing snacks and water to Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai. We also recommend swimming stuff and a towel if you plan to paddle or climb the waterfall. A waterproof camera is a lot of fun here. We recommend bringing good shoes if you plan to trek in the area (trainers or sneakers rather than sandals). We also recommend bringing mosquito repellant. Remember to bring sun protection (sunscreen, hats etc…)
When is the best time to visit Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai?
We recommend visiting Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai early in the morning (around 8 – 9am if possible). This is the best way to find it quiet and possibly get the place to yourself. Also this avoids the heat later in the day. Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai is open to visitors from 8am – 5pm every day of the week.
What other things are there to do near Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai?
There are several attractions that you could visit on the way to or from Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai. If you have kids, check out the Hidden Village Chiang Mai. Adults 200 baht and children 100 baht (roughly £4 for adults or £2 for children). This is a small attraction that has farm animals, a play park, a small cafe and a dinosaur park (open daily 10am – 6pm). Alternatively you can visit the Astro Park Chiang Mai. The Astro Park a space museum to the north of Chiang Mai (FREE entrance). The Astro Park is open Tuesday – Friday 9am – 4pm. Saturday – Sunday 10am – 5pm. Closed on Mondays.
On the way to the Sticky waterfall you can also find the novelty “Airplane Cafe” on the intersection of route 1414 and route 107. This is a cafe in a decommissioned Airbus A330. You can sit in the airplane for 120 baht (£1.40 or $1.60). The Sticky Waterfall Chiang Mai is just south of the SriLanna National park – a great place for nature and trekking.
Where are the best places to stay in Chiang Mai?
Don’t miss our guide on THE BEST family hotels in Chiang Mai
AND Don’t miss our FULL Guide on THE BEST Old City Hotels in Chiang Mai (COMING SOON)
There is a lot of great accommodation around Chiang Mai:
Best Boutique Old City Hotel – Phra Singh Village (Beautiful, boutique warm hotel)
This lovely little Boutique Hotel is located in an excellent location to the south west of the Old City, close to the prestigious Wat Phra Singh temple. Check out the latest prices at Phra Singh village on booking.com
Best Budget hotel in Chiang Mai – Yak Guest House (Cheap and great location)
Small clean budget Guest house with a range of rooms for every traveler. Rooms range from £10 – £20 per night (roughly $13 – $26). A few minutes walk from the old city walls and a 5 minute walk from the buzzing Thapae Gate. Book Yak Guest House on booking.com
Best Chiang Mai hotel for families – Shangri La (Outdoor waterslide and play rooms)
Large well equipped 5 star resort – super family friendly with play rooms, a large outdoor pool and waterslide. Check out the latest prices at Shangri La here
Best Luxury Hotel in the Old City – The Inside House (Glass pool suite)
One of the most unique hotels in Chiang Mai – we love the glass pool suite – genuinely a super special experience. Check availability at The Inside House on booking.com
Best Luxury Riverside Hotel – Rati Lanna Resort (Luxury on the Bank of the Mae Ping River)
Super luxury Regal 5 star Resort and Spa located on the banks of the Mae Ping River. A great place to unwind and take a tech detox. Check the availability at the Rati Lanna Resort on booking.com
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