Franz ElizKuala Lumpur can get very hot (even as hot as 34°C in the afternoon!) every now and then, so sometimes city dwellers look for recreational places where they can unwind with friends and families. Fortunately, there are many picnic and camping spots around KL, like Hutlista 2.
Located in Sungai Tua Recreational Forest (HUTLISTA), this family-friendly recreational park is an affordable picnic and camping spot with plenty of space to host hundreds of people. It features a beautiful river (Sungai Tua), with small waterfalls, surrounded by rocks and trees.
Being one of the best camp and picnic sites in KL, Hutlista 2 is a must-visit local attraction, especially for those looking to spend quality time outdoors. Keep reading as I share my experience at Hutlista 2 with my friends Jess, Joey, and Johnny – yes, their names all start with the letter J – and some useful things to know about the site.
A Beautiful and Well-Maintained Picnic and Camping Site
What I like about Hutlista 2 is how much it reminds me of Borneo. Hutlista 2 is lovely, with a river that flows gracefully and leaves that rustle whenever the wind blows. It’s perfect for people who need to escape the chaos that often comes with city life. My friend Joey spent some time sitting on the rock meditating.
The site is well-maintained, in general. I hope the park continues to keep it that way.
To stay overnight at the park, visitors must pay for their site and entrance fee. Since we brought a tent with us, we paid RM25 for our site. There were four of us, and each one of us paid only RM5 for our entrance tickets. For the price we paid, I thought it was an affordable trip.
Note: While online booking is encouraged, walk-ins are fine, too. We didn’t make a booking prior to coming, and fortunately, there was space for us. Consider making a booking, especially during school or public holidays, to ensure you’ll get a spot.
The park is divided into 6 zones, from zone A to F. There’s a hall where people can hold events in zone C. Nearby is a toilet, which my friends and I thought was pretty clean.
You Can Have a Picnic, Camp, and Swim at Hutlista 2
The whole park was full of people when my friends and I arrived. They were mostly families. Some people we met were camping the day before, so by the time we arrived, they were already getting ready to go home.
Despite our campsite already being paid for, we didn’t manage to get the lot in zone c that was allocated to us. Someone had already taken our place. We weren’t sure how that happened, but the Hutlista’s staff took us to zone D instead. Our campsite in zone D was way better than that of zone C. So, no complaints!
While most people come to Hutlista 2 to camp or have a picnic, I believe walk-ins without booking for a camping or picnic site are fine, too. You can visit Hutlista 2 only for swimming if you like. There’s a public toilet where you can change your clothes. After swimming, you may enjoy snacking by the river or anywhere suitable.
Zone D Is Our Favourite Spot at Hutlista 2
I walked around Hutlista 2 to observe all the different zones, and I must say that I much preferred the campsite that my friends and I got. Our campsite was right in front of the river, so getting to the river was easy and the view was excellent.
There were also fewer people in the area, so it wasn’t crowded and noisy. Other zones were more crowded. Since we prefer somewhere quieter, zone D was perfect for us.
There’s a toilet nearby. It’s spacious and clean. We were impressed by how clean the toilet was because public toilets, especially at campsites, are usually not very well-maintained.
Interestingly, there was no monkey at all. Even so, we ensured our food and personal belongings were stored safely.
The Gazebos Are Ideal for Picnics
I noticed people who came for picnics mostly rented the gazebos. Some families also rented both the ground sites and the gazebos. Of course, that also meant they had to pay more. But the gazebo is a great addition for those coming in big groups.
The medium gazebo has a power plug, allowing visitors to charge their gadgets or use electrical appliances. It’s ideal for overnight stays. We noticed a Chinese family having a picnic in the medium gazebo next to our campsite; they only stayed for a couple of hours, though.
There Are Food and Drinks Sold at Hutlista 2
You can find street vendors selling street food like banana fritters and curry puffs. Soft drinks and bottled waters are also available.
If you like ice cream, make sure to wave at the ice cream sellers who go around the park. You can buy ice cream cones or buns in different flavours, even durian. There’s more than one ice cream seller in the area. There’s no need to look for them; they’ll pass by every zone until late evening.
If you’re staying overnight, make sure you bring enough food and drinks with you. The stalls sell mostly snacks and drinks and only operate for a limited time.
The Water in Zone D Is Fast and Strong
If you’re coming with kids or if you don’t know how to swim, you might want to avoid swimming in zone D – or at least be extra careful – because some areas are deep and the water near the falls is pretty strong. Jess told me that her friend had lost an expensive ring in a similar water condition before.
But don’t worry; small kids or non-swimmers can play in the shallower area that faces right at the campsite.
Beware: The river can be very dangerous on a long, rainy day.
Hutlista 2 Price Breakdown
Different charges apply, depending on your needs. Visitors can choose between the gazebo and camp/picnic sites or go with the ‘Free and Easy’ option. Below is the price breakdown:
Gazebo
| Size | Day Visit | Overnight |
| Big | RM50 | RM80 |
| Medium | RM30 | RM60 |
Sites
| Cement Size | Day Visit | Overnight |
| Small | RM15 | RM20 |
| Medium | RM25 | RM40 |
| Big | RM30 | RM60 |
| Ground Size | Day Visit | Overnight |
| Free & Easy | RM10 | – |
| Medium | RM20 | RM40 |
| Big (over 10 x 10 ft) | RM25 | RM50 |
For parking, the charges are as follows:
| Vehicle | Day Visit | Overnight |
| Car | RM5 | RM10 |
| Motorcycle | RM2 | RM5 |
What Animals Can I See at Hutlista 2?
You can see all kinds of animals at Hutlista 2, from birds to insects. Animals tend to avoid humans, in general, so chances of coming across reptiles like snakes or lizards are low. You might see frogs while swimming in the water.
A frog jumped out of the water and landed on the rock right next to me and Jess while we were hanging around the cascades. An hour later, we saw the same frog sitting on the tree branch above us. It was a memorable experience indeed.
As discussed earlier, we didn’t see any monkeys during our trip. But we were aware that sometimes they do hang around the area. There were birds around; we could hear them chirping.
Of course, there are also ants in the area. That said, make sure to store your food carefully.
Is Visiting Hutlista 2 Worth It?
Visiting Hutlista 2 is worth it if you like nature and want to travel locally during the holidays or during the weekends. Travelling with friends means you get to share the cost of paying for the gazebo or camp/picnic sites, saving you more money.
Hutlista 2 is about 40 to 50 minutes from the city centre, so even if you’re only coming for a swim and a stroll, you can enjoy a worthwhile trip. To get to Hutlista 2, you may drive your own vehicle or order a car ride via Grab or AirAsia Ride.
Note: You can park your car close to your campsite.
The park is open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Summary
Hutlista 2 is a great place for picnics and camping in Kuala Lumpur. It’s family-friendly, well-maintained, and beautiful. There are 6 zones in Hutlista 2. My friends and I prefer zone D as it’s not very crowded and quieter than the others.
The small waterfall in zone D has a strong current, making it unsuitable for small children. Some areas within the river in zone D are also deep, so children playing in the river should always be kept supervised for their safety.
Do I recommend Hutlista 2? Absolutely. I’d come back.
