Ao Huay Tong Camping

Notes from our team

Atmosphere

The site sits on the edge of a reservoir, with small bamboo huts and 2x2-metre gazebos scattered along the shoreline, all looking out over open water and hills. At night the area goes fully dark with almost no artificial light, making stargazing right from your tent an easy pleasure. On weekdays the reservoir is quiet and largely empty, ideal for a slow, laid-back visit.

Getting there

The road down to the camping area is a steep dirt track — low-clearance sedans may struggle or fail to reach it, so a pickup or SUV is the better choice. An alternative route crosses a wooden bridge to the far side, which heavy vehicles should avoid and everyone should take slowly. After dusk the road gets completely dark, so day visitors should leave while there is still light or simply stay overnight and head back in the morning.

Who it suits

The site suits two main groups: anglers staying over on weekends, and city dwellers who want to unwind by the water. You can bring your own ingredients for a Thai barbecue grill at the gazebos, or order from the on-site restaurant, which serves papaya salad, spicy soup and local dishes at very reasonable prices. Morning coffee with a reservoir view rounds out the experience nicely.

Water & swimming

Huay Tong is a large reservoir in Doi Saket district, Chiang Mai, not far from the city. On weekends locals regularly come to fish, and the spot is well known among anglers and families who come to eat by the water. Morning light on the reservoir makes it a favourite photo spot. The water also serves surrounding communities, so this is a place for sitting, watching and fishing rather than swimming.