Selangor State Park Forest River

"Perfect Day Trips For A Rainforest Break"

More than just a roadside attraction, Selangor State Park offers scenic natural surroundings without much hassle.

Probably better known as Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua, the park has always been a family favourite for weekend picnics and wild swims.

Running parallel with the picturesque Ulu Yam roadway, the river and road stretch together for two kilometers with three easy access points:

• Main Gate - A large archway serves as the main entrance to the park, with plenty of parking, some food stalls and the office.
• Second Entry - About a kilometer up the road is an open area without any facilities except its own picnic and parking area.

• Third Entry - Further up the road watch for a small parking area, opposite a waterfall, with steep stairs leading down to the riverside with picnic areas.

Across the highway, the waterfall with a shallow pool allows a safer swim for kids.

Managed by the Selangor Forestry Department, improved facilities at this popular park make it better for visitors. And usually there are food stalls nearby for refreshments if you forget to bring your own.

Selangor State Park: Delightful Day or Night Trips

For family outings there are plenty of choice spots to spend a day outdoors.

A good remnant lowland rainforest, the rocky river runs wild but gentle, creating lots of small waterfall pools for a cool dip. Walking paths and bridges combine to make for easy strolls alongside the heavily-shaded waterway.

For a comparison, Kanching Recreational Forest offers steep waterfalls and uphill climbs; whereas, Sungai Tua flows gradually along a much flatter terrain. Large boulders lessen the rapids to make observation
and exploration a bit easier.

Follow the footpaths along the river and absorb the nature scenery and sounds. Find a secluded spot away from the crowds and wallow in freshwater streams enclosed by the overhanging rainforest canopy.

Spend the day or stay for the night. Camp grounds with good tent space, a washing facility and a covered outdoor hall make it easy for families, groups or even solo trekkers to sleep in the wild.

Selangor State Park: Ecology for Kids

Getting kids outdoors is great. Getting excited about a small discovery is fantastic.

Every nature escape is an opportunity to learn scientific facts or basic ecology. Borrow some binoculars or use a camera to get kids started.

Just fill up your curiosity, observe even the most common rainforest animals and plants, take a few jungle pictures, speculate some answers and go home to search the Internet or look in field guides.

Jungle habitats overflow with biological life. It's not hard to find a crazy-colored insect or strange-looking mushroom to marvel. For example, all the images in this section were taken on a two-hour walk.

In most parks, nature interpretation is minimal. With a little time and effort, some basic equipment and a whole lot of curiosity, any nature outing can turn into realizing how nature works.

Selangor State Park: General Information

During the weekends Selangor State Park is very crowded. Be prepared to wander around to find you own space or go further up the trail. There is no supervision at the park, so be mindful of kids swimming or climbing on rocks.

Keep to the nearby river trails for easy hikes and walks.

Operation Hours:

General Fees:

• Entry fees: RM1 for adult; RM 0.50 for child (under 12)
• Parking fees - none
• Camping fees - RM 5 per site (public); RM 2 per site (students)
• Plenty of food stalls in the main parking area for drinks, snacks and lunch
• Bring water and snacks for the trail and extra clothes for water play
• Take out your own trash, bins are never big enough
• Restroom and changing facilities available
• Overnight camping facilities available
• Public transport availability difficult

Getting There

• Follow the KL road out to Batu Caves and take the first exit just after the roundabout. Turn left and follow the signs for Ulu Yam.
• After 5-10 minutes, turn right at the traffic light to keep on the Ulu Yam road. Drive straight for another 10-15 minutes through residential and industrial areas.
• Look for signs pointing the way to Batu Dam. Just after the bus depot on the right, you'll reach a junction, turn right.
• Follow the road around Batu Dam on the left. This is Jalan Sungai Tua that goes to Batang Kali, also referred to as highway B57 and B23.
• Follow the sign to Hutan Lipur Sungai Tua. After passing Batu Dam start to look for the Selangor State Park arch on the right.
• Do not be confused by the first parking area on the right, this is a private concession, not the park.
• Move ahead until you see the large arch that marks the main park entrance. Just a half-kilometer further up the same road is the second parking area, no arch.
• Drive another kilometer up to get to the third parking area, a small space nearby the roadside waterfall opposite the highway.