Arriving at the Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Tong Waterfalls) just outside Chiang Mai — a peaceful start before the climbing begins.
One of Our Favorite Days in Chiang Mai
Some days just come together in a way you don’t expect.
Our visit to the Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Tong Waterfalls) combined with a trip out to Mae Ngat Dam in Sri Lanna National Park ended up being one of our favorite days in northern Thailand.
It was active, outdoors, and just the right mix of adventure and calm.
The Sticky Waterfalls are unlike any waterfall we’ve visited before.
A first look at the Sticky Waterfalls — water flowing over mineral-rich limestone that creates a naturally grippy surface.
What Are the Sticky Waterfalls?
Instead of slick rock, the surface is covered in mineral deposits from the water that create a naturally grippy texture, allowing you to climb directly up the falls.
The water flows over limestone, leaving behind a surface that feels almost like rough coral under your feet.
It’s one of those places where kids immediately understand what to do.
Climb.
This is what makes the Sticky Waterfalls so unique — the mineral-rich rock creates enough grip to climb straight up.
Climbing the Sticky Waterfalls With Kids
Climbing the Sticky Waterfalls quickly became the highlight of the day.
Our middle and youngest went all in, climbing up and down the falls multiple times with my husband. By the end of it, they had made the full climb three times without slowing down.
Even our child who usually avoids photos was suddenly posing, smiling, and completely engaged. At one point they told me:
“If you ever want photos of me, just take me somewhere like this.”
That alone said everything.
This wasn’t something we checked off a list. It was the kind of place where the kids forgot about everything else and just played.
My husband, on the other hand, definitely paid the price a bit. After multiple climbs, he ended up rubbing some skin off the bottom of his foot.
Worth it, according to everyone else.
We’ve realized that this is exactly the kind of experience our family gravitates toward.
Outdoor places. Water. Space to move freely.
Give our kids something they can climb, splash in, or explore, and they’re completely in their element.
Heading Out to Mae Ngat Dam
After climbing and drying off, we weren’t quite ready for the day to end.
So we kept going and made our way out toward Mae Ngat Dam in Sri Lanna National Park.
Arriving at Sri Lanna National Park at Mae Ngat Dam — a quiet lake surrounded by soft green hills just outside Chiang Mai.
It ended up being even more beautiful than we imagined.
The lake stretched out quietly around us, surrounded by soft green hills. It felt calm in a way that’s hard to find near busier areas of Chiang Mai.
We hired a longtail boat and set off across the water toward a floating restaurant.
Longtail boat ride across the lake near Mae Ngat Dam in Chiang Mai with children looking out over calm lake and mountains
The ride took about 20–30 minutes, and the restaurant sat much farther out on the lake than we expected, tucked beyond the bends and inlets of the shoreline. It wasn’t visible from where we started, which made arriving feel a little like discovering a hidden spot.
By the time we arrived, it felt like we had traveled somewhere completely different.
And when we got there, it was nearly empty.
Just our family and one other local family.
A Floating Restaurant Experience
The space itself felt relaxed and open.
There were lounging areas, photo spots, and places to sit right along the water. The food was simple and really good, the kind of meal that feels better because of where you are.
While we waited, the kids quickly found their rhythm.
Our son ended up making a friend, and they ran back and forth together, playing across the dock and net areas without sharing a language but understanding each other perfectly.
Those kinds of moments always stand out.
A dock, a net over the water, and two kids who didn’t share a language but didn’t need to.
Small Details That Made It Special
There were small things we kept noticing:
• Giant catfish and rhino fish in a nearby pond
• A cargo net stretched out over the water where you could lounge
• Open space for kids to move freely
• Quiet views in every direction
My personal favorite was laying out on the net over the water, just watching everything slow down for a bit.
The Boat Ride Back
We’ve realized that we almost always love a boat ride.
But this one felt different.
Maybe it was the quiet. Maybe the scenery. Maybe the way the whole day unfolded.
But riding back across the lake felt like one of those moments you don’t rush through.
Tips for Visiting Sticky Waterfalls + Mae Ngat Dam
• Wear shoes with grip or go barefoot at the waterfalls
• Bring towels and a change of clothes
• Bring cash for snacks, boat rides, and food
• Plan enough time to enjoy both locations
• Be prepared for a short drive between stops
Why This Day Stood Out
Days like this are why we love slow travel.
Not because everything is perfectly planned, but because you find places that just work for your family.
Sticky Waterfalls was active and fun.
Mae Ngat Dam was calm and unexpected.
Together, they created a day that felt full without being overwhelming.
And those are the days we remember most.
Mae Ngat Dam — calm, quiet, and somehow even better than we imagined.
The Curious Compass Co.™ 