# The Grand Canyon at Hang Dong: a hot-season cool-off

> Chiang Mai's 'Grand Canyon' is a flooded quarry 20 minutes south — an inflatable water park and cliff-jumping pools. How to go, and the safety bit.

When the hot season really arrives, locals have a favourite trick: drive 20 minutes south to a flooded old quarry with turquoise water and red cliff walls, and jump in. Chiang Mai's **"Grand Canyon"** at Hang Dong isn't grand like Arizona — but on a 38-degree afternoon it's exactly what you want.

## Two canyons, actually

There are two side-by-side spots, and it's worth knowing the difference:

- **The Grand Canyon Water Park** — the easy, fun one: a big **inflatable aqua park** of obstacle courses, slides and floating trampolines. **Life jackets are mandatory and included**, which makes it great for families and less-confident swimmers. Entry is roughly **600–650 THB** for adults, **300–450 THB** for kids, with cafés, lockers and towel rental on site (open about **9am–6pm**).
- **The original quarry side** — cheaper (**~100–300 THB**, life jacket included) and more low-key: swimming, floating, and the famous **cliff jumping** off high ledges. Beautiful, but read the safety note below before you leap.

![The Grand Canyon at Hang Dong: a hot-season cool-off](/blog/grand-canyon-chiang-mai/visual.webp)

## Getting there & what to bring

It's about **20–30 minutes** south near Hang Dong. Take a **scooter** down Canal Road (Highway 121) and follow the signs, grab a **Grab/taxi** straight to "Grand Canyon Water Park," or share a **songthaew** round-trip (~500–600 THB for the truck — easy to split with housemates; ask at the desk, someone's usually keen to join).

Pack **swimwear, a towel, a dry bag** for your phone, plenty of **sunscreen and a hat** (those cliffs throw off a lot of glare), and **cash** for entry and lockers.

## A serious word on safety

We'd be doing you a disservice not to say this plainly. On the quarry side, the **cliff jumps are 7–10 metres** into deep water, and there have been **real injuries and even deaths** over the years — usually from misjudged jumps or jumping after drinking. If you jump: **wear a life jacket**, check the water below first, **start from the lowest platform**, never jump after alcohol, and never let anyone pressure you into it. The water park is the safer, more controlled choice if you've got any doubt.

Go in the **hot months** when the cold water is a joy — our [seasons guide](/blog/when-to-visit-chiang-mai) helps you time it — and if you prefer your water falling rather than still, the area's [waterfalls](/blog/waterfalls-chiang-mai) are the gentler cousin to this one.