Updated October 2026
Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua (also called Sungai Tua Recreational Forest, Eco Rimba Sungai Tua or just Sg Tua) is a river park run by the Forestry Department of Selangor, about 40 minutes' drive north of KL on the B23 road that runs from Batu Caves up towards Hulu Yam. Entry is RM 2.00 per adult and RM 1.00 per child (12 and below), parking is RM 3.00 per car, and official opening hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. You can swim in the river pools, lepak at the gazebos, and camp overnight for RM 10.00 per site per night.
Now, the honest bit before you book your Saturday: the Sungai Tua 'waterfall' is not a thundering, Instagram-famous drop. What you actually get is a fast-flowing stream over rocks with gentle rapids, so the waterfall label is debated. What it definitely is, is a lovely river park tucked inside the Hulu Gombak Dipterocarp Hill Forest, part of Selangor State Park. Clear water, multiple swimming pools, a hanging suspension bridge, 24 gazebos and proper forest canopy overhead. That's the real draw.
This place suits families with young kids, weekday office escapees and budget campers more than hardcore waterfall chasers. The shallow pools are easy for children to wade around in with supervision, the fees are some of the lowest you'll find near KL, and the campsite is underrated. Just go on a weekday if you value your sanity, because on weekends memang packed.
Is it open? Usually yes, but check before you drive. The Selangor Forestry Department closes eco parks during the monsoon season: forest parks including Sungai Tua were shut until 31 January 2025, and Sungai Tua was announced as temporarily closed from 17 November 2025 to 31 January 2026. A visitor report from late September 2026 had it open again. There was also an older report of the main area being closed indefinitely because of littering (date unclear). If you're planning a trip anywhere between November and January, assume a closure is possible and call ahead.
Quick Facts
- Location: B23 Jalan Hulu Yam Bharu-Batu Caves, 68100 Batu Caves, Selangor (GPS: N3.3122°, E101.6982°)
- Drive from KL: Approximately 40 minutes, about 10 km from Bandar Baru Selayang
- Entrance Fee: Adult RM 2.00 / Children 12 & below RM 1.00 (older sources cite RM 1.00/RM 0.50, bring cash for the higher rate)
- Parking Fee: RM 3.00 per car
- Opening Hours: Daily 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (official; some recent visitor reports mention longer hours, but plan around 8 to 5)
- Seasonal closures: Possible during the monsoon months (roughly mid-November to end January in recent years)
- Walk-in time: About 30 minutes along the 1 to 2 km brick and cement path
- Swimming: Yes, multiple river pools, generally calm
- Camping: Yes, 30 campsites, capacity 150 pax, RM 10.00/night/site
- Managed by: Forestry Department of Selangor
- Contact: 03-6091-6131 (Pejabat Hutan Daerah Hulu Selangor)
Where Is Sungai Tua? (Batu Caves, Gombak or Ulu Yam?)
People search for this place as Sungai Tua Batu Caves, Sungai Tua Gombak and Sungai Tua Ulu Yam, and honestly all three make sense. The postal address is Batu Caves, the forest is Hulu Gombak forest, and the road it sits on (B23) carries on towards Hulu Yam Bharu. So it's one park, three names depending on which way you look at it. Just key "Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua" or the GPS coordinates above into Waze or Google Maps and you'll be fine.
Note that Sungai Tua is not the same spot as the other Ulu Yam river areas further up the road. If you were searching for Ulu Yam waterfall entrance fees and ended up here, the Sungai Tua rates are in the table below. For other options, see our roundup of waterfalls near KL.
Getting There & Parking
From KL, head toward Batu Caves, turn off Jalan Kuching near Batu Caves and pick up highway B23 (Jalan Hulu Yam Bharu-Batu Caves). You'll pass the Empangan Batu reservoir along the way, a good sign you're on the right track. Follow the signs for Taman Negeri Selangor (Selangor State Park) until you reach the entrance archway.
Road note: on 1 April 2025, State Route B23 was temporarily closed after a landslide for cleaning work. It's a hilly forest road, so after heavy rain, check Waze or local traffic updates before you set off.
There are two parking areas: P1 is the main entrance for day visitors and has proper toilets; P2 is the larger area catering to campers. Parking is RM 3.00 per car.
Weekend parking is chaotic. The park fills up fast and by 11 AM you're looking at roadside parking, which is risky on this road. Arrive before 8 AM on weekends, or better yet, go on a weekday. Early weekday mornings here are tranquil in a way weekends simply aren't.
Fees & Opening Hours
Here's what Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua costs, based on official Forestry Department rates:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult entry | RM 2.00 per day |
| Child entry (12 and below) | RM 1.00 per day |
| Parking | RM 3.00 per car |
| Camping | RM 10.00 per site per night |
Older tourism sources quote RM 1.00/RM 0.50 for entry and RM 5.00 per tent for camping, so there's a discrepancy. Bring cash for the higher rates and confirm at the gate. A family of two adults and two kids driving in for the day would pay RM 9.00 all in (RM 6.00 entry plus RM 3.00 parking). Murah gila for a day out in the jungle.
Official opening hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Given the seasonal and past closures, call 03-6091-6131 before making the trip, especially for weekends, public holidays or anything in November to January.
The 'Waterfall', Swimming & Photos
So, about the Sungai Tua waterfall (air terjun Sungai Tua, if you're searching in BM): what you actually get is a fast-flowing river over rocks with gentle rapids, not a tall dramatic drop. Think 'beautiful river corridor' rather than 'cascading falls'. Don't come expecting Lata Kijang. Come expecting a clean, pretty river in the jungle, and you'll leave happy. The photos on this page give you a fair idea of what it looks like on the ground.
What the river does have going for it is the water. Multiple pools dot the river, the water is clear, and it's noticeably cleaner the further upstream you go. The current is gentle to slightly strong depending on where you are, with calmer, shallower pools where young children can splash around under supervision. Those shallow spots are where most families set up by the river's edge.
Two bridges cross the river, including a suspension (hanging) bridge that's worth crossing just for the experience, look for it on the upper parking side near P2. It's also the best photo spot in the park if you want a shot looking down the river. The 1 to 2 km brick and cement path runs parallel to the river the whole way, so it's easy to explore up and downstream and find your preferred swimming spot. If you plan to swim rather than just paddle, head upstream.
The facilities are a mixed bag. There are 24 gazebos and a couple of king-sized pavilions for bigger groups, a dewan, prayer facilities, food stalls and spots selling swimming gear near the entrance, and picnic and BBQ areas. Some visitor reports say the gazebos are a bit run-down and the toilets at the main site have clogging issues. Pack like you can't rely on facilities, because you might not be able to.
Camping at Sungai Tua
The Sungai Tua campsite is one of the cheapest legit riverside camping spots near KL. Key facts:
- Capacity: 30 campsites, up to 150 people
- Rate: RM 10.00 per site per night
- Parking: Use P2, the larger area meant for campers
- How entry is counted: Entry is charged per day, not per night. So a solo overnight works out to RM 2.00 entry plus RM 10.00 tent pitch for each day of your stay, plus parking
- Lighting: No powered lighting at the campsites after dark, so bring your own
Booking and availability aren't clearly published, so call the forestry office before you go, especially for long weekends when groups take over. Camp well away from the water's edge and never pitch on the low sandy banks, for the flash-flood reasons below. Kena bawa trash bag too: carry everything out.
Safety First
The rocks here are slippery. This isn't a mild advisory: river rocks with algae will put you flat on your back fast, especially in sandals or bare feet. Wear proper water shoes or grippy sandals and step carefully, particularly around the rapids. Kids need supervision on the rocks at all times.
Leeches are present in the forest areas, so do a leech check after any time on the banks or walking through vegetation. Long socks pulled over your trouser legs help, and a salt or DEET solution on your shoes is standard practice in Selangor jungle parks.
Monkeys are around. Do not feed them, and keep food secured. They are bolder than they look and will absolutely go through an unattended bag.
The most serious hazard here is flash flooding. The Sungai Tua catchment has high water sources upstream, and river levels can rise with shocking speed. There are no gauges or warning systems visible to visitors. Water levels can rise fast even when it's sunny where you stand, watch the weather upstream, and get out of the water the moment it turns murky or debris starts flowing. Or ask the TAHAN Hiking Community on WhatsApp — someone's usually been there that week.
What to Bring
- Water shoes or grippy sandals, mandatory, not optional
- Change of clothes and a dry bag for your phone and valuables
- Cash: RM 2 per adult entry, RM 1 per child, RM 3 parking, plus extra for food stalls
- Enough drinking water from home; don't drink river water without treatment
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (leeches, mosquitoes)
- Salt solution or DEET for leech prevention on your footwear
- Your own food if you want anything specific, or tapau on the way. Stalls exist but can run out
- Trash bag: carry out everything you bring in. A past closure was blamed on littering. Be the visitor who makes it better, not worse.
If you're camping overnight, check out our camping checklist before you pack. For the campsite itself, a TAHAN Luminate Multifunction Lantern is handy, since there's no powered lighting at the campsites after dark. And if you want to sit by the river in comfort between swims, the TAHAN Flexlite Highback Chair with Headrest packs down small enough to carry in on the path.
Camp Nearby?
If Sungai Tua's campsite is full, closed for the monsoon, or you just want more options around Selangor, there are solid spots within reach. Check out our reviews for Mori Leka Campsite, Serendah, Nature Escape Campsite, Hulu Langat, and Templer Park Rainforest Retreat, each with its own character. For the bigger picture, see our list of the best campsites near KL, and if you want to stretch your legs before a river dip, our easy hikes near KL guide has plenty of half-day ideas. Sungai Tua itself needs no hiking permit, but if you're heading up a gunung next, run it through our gunung permit checker first.
Common Questions
Is Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua open right now?
Official hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, and a late September 2026 visitor report had the park open. But it has closed for the monsoon in recent years (most recently announced for 17 November 2025 to 31 January 2026), and there was an older closure over littering. Call 03-6091-6131 before you drive, especially between November and January.
Berapa entrance fee Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua?
The Forestry Department's official rate is RM 2.00 per adult and RM 1.00 per child (12 and below), charged per day. Parking is RM 3.00 per car. Older sources quote RM 1.00/RM 0.50, so bring cash for the higher rate and confirm at the booth.
Is there actually a waterfall at Sungai Tua?
Not really in the dramatic sense. It's a fast-flowing river over rocks with gentle rapids and clear pools. Lovely for a dip and a picnic, but if you want a big vertical drop, look at our waterfalls near KL list instead.
Can you camp at Sungai Tua, and how much is it?
Yes. There are 30 campsites with capacity for 150 people, at RM 10.00 per site per night. Entry is charged per day on top of that, so a solo overnight is RM 2.00 entry plus RM 10.00 pitch per day, plus RM 3.00 parking. Campers use the P2 parking area.
Can you swim at Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Tua?
Yes. There are multiple river pools with generally calm, clear water, cleaner upstream. The current can be slightly strong near the rapids, so stay out of fast-moving sections. Flash flooding is a real risk: leave the water immediately if it turns murky or debris appears.
Is Sungai Tua kid-friendly?
Fairly, yes, with supervision. The shallow pools suit young children, there's open picnic space, and the suspension bridge is fun for older kids. Hazards to manage: slippery rocks, leeches and monkeys. Bring water shoes for the kids, keep them off the rocks near rapids, and keep food packed away. Weekdays are far better than weekends for a relaxed family outing.
Is Sungai Tua in Batu Caves, Gombak or Ulu Yam?
All of the above, depending on who you ask. The address is B23 Jalan Hulu Yam Bharu-Batu Caves, 68100 Batu Caves, it sits in Hulu Gombak forest within Selangor State Park, and the road continues towards Hulu Yam. It's about 40 minutes from KL and about 10 km from Bandar Baru Selayang.
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Mike has been camping across Malaysia for over 10 years, from jungle treks in Taman Negara to beach camps in Perhentian. He writes about it so you don't have to find out the hard way. Follow along on TAHAN Outdoor's blog for honest campsite reviews, every week.
⛺ Featured in: 10 Best Waterfalls Near KL — Air Terjun Worth the Drive (2026)
