Lachhiwala
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India • 30.20°N, 78.12°E
📖 About Lachhiwala
- ✦22 km from Dehradun city center, accessed via Doiwala on Haridwar-Rishikesh highway
- ✦Man-made channels divert Song River water through pools shaded by sal forest
- ✦Uttarakhand Forest Department charges Rs 150 per person, vehicle fee Rs 150 separately
- ✦Entry closes at 5 PM sharp, no overnight camping allowed on site
Just 22 km from Dehradun, Lachhiwala draws weekend crowds to its shallow pools fed by the Song River. The Forest Department built concrete channels and bathing areas under sal and sheesham trees in the 1930s, creating a managed picnic spot rather than a wild stream. Summer temperatures hit 42.8°C (109°F) in May, making the cool water popular with Dehradun families. The site has parking for 200 vehicles, basic changing rooms, and food stalls selling pakoras and maggi, but no accommodation.
The Song River originates in the Mussoorie hills and flows through Doon Valley before joining the Ganga near Haridwar. Forest officials regulate water flow into the Lachhiwala pools, maintaining depth at 2-3 feet for safe bathing. Sal trees here reach 15-20 metres, providing shade during the brutal April-May heat when maximums cross 39°C (102.2°F). Leopards from Rajaji National Park occasionally visit at night, so the gates lock at sunset. The site sees 500-800 visitors on weekends, dropping to 50-100 on weekdays.
Families with young children prefer this over Rishikesh river beaches because of the shallow, controlled water and lifeguards on duty. Weekends between March and June see heavy crowding, with queues at changing rooms and limited clean spots by noon. The 10 km approach road from Doiwala remains in decent shape year-round, but monsoon months (July-August with 388 mm and 307 mm rain) bring high turbidity and the Forest Department sometimes closes entry.
🎯 Things to Do in Lachhiwala
The main bathing area has six concrete pools with depths of 2-3 feet, 100 metres from the entry gate. Lifeguards patrol from 9 AM to 5 PM, and changing rooms charge Rs 10 for use. Weekends see 300-400 people in the pools by noon, so arrive before 10 AM for cleaner water and space.
A 1.5 km marked trail loops through sal forest starting near the food stalls. The path crosses two wooden bridges over Song River tributaries and takes 30-40 minutes at easy pace. Birdwatchers spot barbets, drongos, and occasional peafowl, but the trail offers no dramatic views or wildlife sightings.
Guchhupani Cave lies 8 km back toward Dehradun, where a stream disappears underground for 150 metres. Entry costs Rs 25, and you wade through knee-deep water in the 600-metre gorge. Weekends bring 1,000+ visitors, turning the narrow passage into a slow shuffle.
This mini-zoo sits 14 km toward Mussoorie with sambhar, spotted deer, and nilgai in enclosures. Entry costs Rs 30 for adults, Rs 15 for children, open 10 AM to 5 PM except Mondays. The park covers 25 hectares but feels cramped, and most animals stay far from viewing points.
Walk 500 metres upstream from the main pools to find quieter spots under sheesham trees where the Song River flows naturally. No facilities exist here, so carry all supplies and pack out trash. Forest guards patrol irregularly, and leopard signs appear occasionally, so avoid staying past 4 PM.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain (mm) | Humid % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 🌤️ | 4.9 | 23.6 | 37 | 52% |
| Feb | 🌤️ | 6.7 | 28.0 | 28 | 47% |
| Mar | 🌤️ | 10.0 | 35.2 | 43 | 43% |
| Apr | 🌤️ | 15.8 | 39.7 | 24 | 32% |
| May | 🌤️ | 20.3 | 42.8 | 53 | 32% |
| Jun | 🌦️ | 22.9 | 42.7 | 132 | 43% |
| Jul | 🌧️ | 23.3 | 37.0 | 388 | 76% |
| Aug | 🌧️ | 22.8 | 32.1 | 307 | 85% |
| Sep | 🌦️ | 20.4 | 31.8 | 180 | 81% |
| Oct | 🌤️ | 14.9 | 31.2 | 25 | 64% |
| Nov | 🌤️ | 10.4 | 27.5 | 6 | 55% |
| Dec | 🌤️ | 6.3 | 24.9 | 9 | 50% |
📡 Data Source: NASA POWER
Climate figures are 11-year averages from NASA POWER satellite data. Values represent conditions for the broader Dehradun region, not exclusively Lachhiwala. Actual conditions at this specific location may vary due to local elevation and terrain. Always check a local forecast before travel.
🚗 How to Reach Lachhiwala
💡 Visitor Tips
Days hit 35.2°C (95.4°F) in March and 42.8°C (109°F) in May, so pack swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and hats. Mornings from November to February start at 6-10°C (42.8-50°F), needing a light jacket until 10 AM.
No advance booking required, but arrive by 9 AM on weekends to avoid parking and pool crowding. The Forest Department accepts UPI and cash at the gate for entry and vehicle fees.
The 10 km road from Doiwala to Lachhiwala stays paved but narrow, with blind turns and truck traffic. Two-wheelers work fine, but four-wheelers need careful driving during monsoon months when potholes appear.
ATMs cluster at Doiwala 10 km away, so withdraw cash there because the entry gate sometimes has network issues. Food stalls accept UPI, but mobile connectivity drops to 2G speeds inside the forest area.
Dehradun city has all accommodation types from Rs 700 budget stays near the railway station to Rs 3,000-5,000 mid-range hotels on Rajpur Road (confirm locally — rates vary by season), but nothing exists at Lachhiwala itself.
📍 More Places in Dehradun
🗺️ Nearby Places
Tourist destinations within ~50km of Lachhiwala
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📚 About This Page
This travel guide for Lachhiwala covers key information for visitors including best time to visit, how to reach, things to do, and practical tips. Lachhiwala is located in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India at an elevation of 527 metres above sea level. Climate data on this page is sourced from NASA POWER and represents 11-year regional averages.