Mado Hot Spring National Park

Mado Hot Spring Overview

Mado Hot Spring National Park, locally referred to as Pambansang Liwasan ng Mado Hot Spring, is a geothermal and forested sanctuary located in the municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte, on the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

Covering approximately 0.4 square miles (1 square kilometer), this small but naturally rich national park was established in 1939 and is known for its thermal springs, tropical greenery, and quiet, restorative atmosphere. Nestled near the foothills of the Piapayungan Range, the park offers a peaceful setting and serves as an important site for local recreation and ecological protection.

The terrain of the park is gently sloping, with low hills and flat areas shaped by geothermal activity. The primary feature is its namesake hot spring, where mineral-rich water emerges naturally from underground sources at a consistently warm temperature.

The surrounding landscape is lush, with patches of secondary forest, bamboo groves, and fruit-bearing trees such as lanzones, jackfruit, and coconut palms. Ferns, vines, and flowering plants grow close to the spring, taking advantage of the moisture and warmth. The gentle bubbling of the hot spring and the steam rising in cooler hours create a tranquil, spa-like environment.

Wildlife in Mado Hot Spring National Park includes a modest array of species typical of lowland forest ecosystems in Mindanao. Birds such as tailorbirds, bulbuls, and kingfishers can be seen flitting through the trees and near the water’s edge.

Small reptiles, frogs, and insects are common around the warm pools and under forest cover. While larger animals are rare due to the park’s limited size, the vegetation and water features provide a vital microhabitat for various small species, supporting local biodiversity within a protected and accessible setting.

The most popular attraction is the main hot spring itself, where visitors bathe in its naturally heated waters. Believed to have therapeutic properties, the spring is frequented by those seeking relief from muscle pain and skin conditions, or simply looking for a relaxing soak in a natural setting.

The spring has been modestly developed with basic bathing pools, surrounded by seating and shaded rest areas that enhance comfort without overpowering the natural surroundings. Small trails and picnic spots are scattered throughout the park, allowing for light exploration and nature appreciation.

Visitors typically engage with the park through bathing, picnicking, and quiet reflection. Local families and travelers from nearby towns frequent the park, especially on weekends and holidays.

The area also holds cultural significance for the local communities, with the spring regarded as a natural blessing and a source of health and well-being. Some visitors pair a trip to the hot springs with nearby excursions to Mount Minandar or the Tamontaka Marshlands for a broader regional nature experience.

Conservation efforts in Mado Hot Spring National Park focus on protecting its geothermal features and maintaining the surrounding forest cover. Threats include littering, overuse during peak seasons, and potential encroachment from nearby developments.

However, local government and community-led initiatives have helped manage visitor flow and promote environmental responsibility. Educational campaigns and improvements to facilities have enhanced the park’s role as both a wellness destination and a small but vital ecological preserve in the Bangsamoro region.

Park Map

Mado Hot Spring National Park Highlights

Wildlife

Birds

Mado Hot Spring National Park is also home to a small but vibrant group of bird species that depend on forest edges, warm riverine zones, and lowland forest canopy for food, shelter, and nesting grounds.

Philippine Bulbul
Common in the forest mid-canopy, this lively songbird feeds on fruit, nectar, and insects. Its bubbly, musical call is often heard near the park’s wooded paths.

White-eared Brown Dove
A ground-dwelling endemic dove that forages for fallen fruit and seeds. Its soft, mournful coo adds a gentle rhythm to the early morning forest atmosphere.

Philippine Coucal
This secretive bird stalks lizards, frogs, and insects through dense underbrush. Its deep, resonant call can often be heard near the hot spring forest edge.

Philippine Serpent Eagle
A striking forest raptor often seen gliding above the tree canopy. It preys on snakes, lizards, and small birds and is recognized by its loud, whistled call.

Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo
A sleek, glossy-black bird that mimics calls of other birds and glides between trees in pursuit of insects. It is often seen in the park’s forest edges and tall shrubs.

Barn Swallow
Often seen flying over open areas or near the hot spring water, barn swallows catch flying insects and may nest near structures or rock ledges.

Lowland White-eye
This small, green-plumaged bird flits through the trees in active flocks. It feeds on nectar, fruit, and insects and is easily identified by its white eye-ring and fast movements.

Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker
A tiny, tree-clinging bird that taps along branches for beetles and larvae. It is commonly seen in the park’s mid-level canopy, often in mixed-species bird flocks.

Mindanao Hornbill (possible presence)
If present in the nearby larger forests, this fruit-eating hornbill may visit the park’s trees in search of fruit. It nests in cavities and plays a role in forest seed dispersal.

Yellow-vented Bulbul
Common in more open, semi-cleared areas of the park, this bird feeds on fruit and insects and is often seen in pairs or small groups.

Mado Hot Spring National Park is a warm and verdant oasis nestled in Maguindanao’s highlands—where hot springs steam from the earth and the forests shelter a quietly thriving community of Mindanao’s forest and streamside wildlife.

Mado Hot Spring National Park, located in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, on the island of Mindanao, is a small but culturally and ecologically important area known for its natural hot springs and forested surroundings. Nestled at the foot of the Piapayungan Mountain Range, the park supports a variety of wildlife adapted to lowland forests, warm streamside habitats, and nearby hills—providing a rare green refuge in this part of the Bangsamoro region.

Philippine Warty Pig (Mindanao subspecies)
This wild pig is often found rooting through the park’s forest floor and streamside areas in search of tubers, fruits, and invertebrates. It is shy and plays an essential role in soil turnover and seed dispersal.

Philippine Deer (Mindanao Brown Deer)
A quiet and elusive browser, this deer inhabits the forest’s edge and hill slopes, feeding on grasses, young shoots, and fallen fruits. It is most active at dawn and dusk.

Philippine Long-tailed Macaque
Seen in troops along riverbanks and forest clearings, this intelligent primate forages for fruits, leaves, insects, and shellfish. It is often found near hot spring pools and forest streams.

Common Palm Civet (Musang)
This nocturnal omnivore is active in the undergrowth and trees. Feeding on fruits, small animals, and insects, it plays a key role in forest seed dispersal.

Philippine Forest Rat (Mindanao endemic forms)
A native rodent species that lives among the forest floor and rocky outcrops. It is nocturnal and feeds on seeds, fruits, and insects, helping maintain ecological balance.

Tokay Gecko
A striking, nocturnal lizard with a loud, croaking call, the tokay gecko is commonly found near rocky hot spring areas and tree trunks, where it hunts insects and small vertebrates.

Common House Gecko
Smaller and more commonly seen near structures or rock shelters, this gecko helps control insect populations and is often active around the park’s developed spring areas.

Water Monitor Lizard
This large reptile is frequently seen near hot spring outlets and forest pools. It preys on fish, frogs, birds, and carrion and is an excellent swimmer and climber.

Skinks (Various Mindanao species)
These agile reptiles dart through the forest floor and sunlit areas, feeding on insects and small invertebrates. They are common throughout the park’s grassy and rocky zones.

Reticulated Python
A powerful constrictor that may inhabit the deeper forest or hot spring periphery. It preys on rodents, birds, and small mammals and is rarely encountered due to its stealthy behavior.