State Parks on the Garden Isle: What to See, What to Do, What’s the Deal with the Kalalau Trail

 

On an island known for its incredible natural landscape – lush mountains, sheer cliffs, giant canyons – it’s no surprise that there are 5 state parks on our little island! Although many tourists come to Kauai looking for rest and relaxation, for the outdoor inclined it’s practically a playground. With tons of hiking trails, campsites, and once in a lifetime views, we recommend paying a visit to at least one of the parks to take in some incredible scenery. Here you can find a quick overview of what each park has to offer, including a (non exhaustive) guide to hiking the Kalalau Trail. We’ll also be touching on the developing Norovirus situation along the Kalalau Trail. As of October 1, 2024 the trail has reopened to allow visitors. 

 

Kauai’s State Parks

 

Polihale State Park (West Side)

 

Braving a 5 mile stretch of unpaved, deeply rutted dirt road ends with the reward of a beautiful, peaceful stretch of beach backed by 100ft sand dunes. Polihale Beach Park also offers incredible views of the Nā Pali coastline, and swimming when the water is calm during the summer months. Be advised, there are strong rip currents just off shore and you should exercise caution before entering the water. The shore fishing, however, is spectacular. The huge stretch of unshaded beach can get very hot during the day, so be sure to bring plenty of water, and a picnic lunch if you’ll be there for an extended amount of time. Currently camping is not allowed on the beach, and most rental car companies prohibit you from driving on the unpaved and often muddy road, especially if the car is not 4WD. If you can make it work, though, Polihale Beach Park is a great place to spend the day walking along the beach and taking in some wonderful views, especially since there’s no entrance fee!

 

Wailua River State Park

 

The Wailua River is the only navigable waterway for anything larger than a kayak, and is steeped in centuries of history and culture. Wailua was the seat of power for Kauai’s ali’i (Hawaiian royalty) for over 500 years, and remnants of the kingdom of Kauai can still be seen along the Wailua Heritage Trail. One of these sites is the popular Fern Grotto, known as Ma’ama’akualono to the ancient Hawaiians. Smith’s Hawaiian Luau offers a boat tour to Fern Grotto, which includes onboard performances and hula lessons, and a short walk through the beautiful rainforest. Tours can be booked here, and run about 90 minutes in length. The Wailua River is also great for stand up paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as hiking the path to the 100ft Secret Falls for a refreshing dip in the water after braving the muddy jungle. Guided tours to Secret Falls are available as well if you prefer not to rough it on your own. The beautiful ‘Ōpaeka’a Falls and Wailua Falls are both located within Wailua River SP as well, with scenic viewpoints along Highway 56. Neither waterfall is legal to access on foot, so be prepared to enjoy the views from afar! Wailua River State Park has no entrance fee, and is located just 5 miles from the Lihue airport. This is an outdoor recreation park only, with no campsites available. 

 

Waimea Canyon State Park

 

Maybe the most well-known park in Kauai, Waimea Canyon State Park is all about, you guessed it, Waimea Canyon! Often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” Waimea Canyon is an incredible sight: 10 miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep, the canyon is outlined by exposed basalt rock that has weathered to a deep and vibrant red color, giving the canyon its name (Waimea means “reddish waters” in Hawaiian, an allusion to the red tinge flowing water takes on from the soil). Located on the West Side of the island, you’ll find plenty of scenic outlooks to take in the sights of the Canyon, as well as plenty of hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. The Iliau Nature Loop (.3 miles, very easy), and the Canyon Trail (2 miles, moderate) are both great options for a quicker, less strenuous hike. The Iliau Loop is great for birding and examining native flora, while the Canyon Trail provides spectacular cliffside views of Waimea Canyon. You might even encounter some mountain goats on your hike! There are three separate official lookout points along the road through Waimea Canyon, each one offering a different perspective on the marvel in front of you, but the first Waimea Canyon Lookout is by far the most popular. Don’t sleep on the other two, though, or the scenic overviews in the adjacent Koke’e Park either! There is no camping in Waimea Canyon SP, for that you’ll need to continue up the winding road to Kōke’e SP. The entrance fee is currently $5/person, with an additional $10 fee per vehicle, but this cost covers entrance to both Waimea Canyon and Kōke’e State Parks. Children 3 and under are free. 

 

Kōke’e State Park

 

At the end of the winding road that takes you through Waimea Canyon SP, you’ll come to Kōke’e SP. At 3600 feet above sea level, you’ll find yourself situated in a beautiful mountain forest, with tons of wildflowers and native birds. There’s truly so much to do in Kōke’e SP, so we recommend making a day of it. Stop by the Kōke’e Natural History Museum to learn about the parks and trails, and browse the souvenir shop, or head over to the Kōke’e Lodge to grab a bite to eat before hitting the trails. If you only have a few hours to spare, the Kawaikoi Stream Trail is a beautiful, winding trail that takes you alongside a mountain stream. Wear proper footwear, though, as it can get quite slippery. For those looking for a more intense hike, the Nu’alolo and Awa’awapuhi Trails are both excellent options, and end with unforgettable views of the palis (cliffs) leading out into the Pacific Ocean. Difficult, yes, but very much worth the effort. If you’re looking to camp out, Kōke’e is the place to do it. There are a number of campsites you can reserve through the Department of Land & Natural Resources website, as well as 12 rustic cabins available for private rentals here, however both fill up months in advance so be prudent when making reservations. Campsite rates are $30 per night, per campsite. You can visit Kōke’e SP without going through Waimea Canyon SP, but we recommend combining the two into one visit, as the entrance fee ($5/person + $10/vehicle) covers both parks. 

 

Ha’ena State Park

 

The final State Park on Kauai is Ha’ena SP on the North Shore. Ha’ena is another park with tons to do, so budget at least a day here. Just prior to the park entrance you’ll find the Limahuli Gardens & Preserve. The Gardens are an incredible pu’uhonua (place of refuge) for the delicate natural ecosystem of the island, and provide a glimpse of what Kauai was like before any humans arrived. You’ll also be able to see ancient taro terraces, an abundance of beautiful tropical plants, and stunning views of the towering green mountains opening into the blue waters of the Pacific. Guided and self guided tours are available, though we recommend going with a guide to really get a feel for the importance of the area. Discounts are available as well for visitors who arrive on the North Shore Shuttle. To visit Ha’ena State Park proper, you need to have a reservation made ahead of time. In order to prevent overcrowding and help preserve the natural landscape, there are daily visitor limits on Ha’ena SP, and passes often sell out quickly. Passes are available 30 days in advance, but you’ll need to purchase parking passes in addition to entrance passes if you plan on driving in. Our advice? Book the North Shore Shuttle. The shuttle will take you right into the State Park, entrance is included in the price of the shuttle ticket, and you can schedule pickup for a time that works for your whole party. Click here to reserve park passes, or snag your spot on the Shuttle. Once you’re inside the park, you’ll find

yourself at the beautiful Ke’e Beach. Pack in a lunch and spend the day picnicking on the beach and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters surrounded by tons of tropical fish! There are lifeguards, restrooms, and showers available at Ke’e Beach. If you want to strap on your hiking boots without committing to the full 22 miles of the Kalalau Trail, you can follow the trail for the first 2 miles out to Hanakāpī’ai Beach, although you’ll still need proper footwear and plenty of water. Don’t be fooled, though, this isn’t a beach to swim in, as the surf is much too dangerous. Instead you get to enjoy an unspoiled, pristine beach hidden at the base of the mountains. If you reach the beach and have the energy to keep going, you can continue on for another two miles to Hanakāpī’ai Falls, and be rewarded with a towering waterfall tumbling into a cold, refreshing pool where you can swim and rinse off before heading the 4 miles back to Ke’e Beach. The part of the trail that goes from Hanakāpī’ai Beach to the falls is very strenuous and slippery, so please plan and pack accordingly. You do not need any special hiking permits to hike to either Hanakāpī’ai Beach, or Hanakāpī’ai Falls. 

 

The Kalalau Trail

 

For the serious outdoor enthusiasts, the Kalalau Trail is basically the creme de la creme. The 22 mile round trip hike takes you up through the mountains, across several rivers, along the cliffs, and finally drops you onto Kalalau Beach after 11 long miles. The elevation gain, and then loss, is about 6,000 feet, and the weather can be unpredictable, with hikers often slogging through deep mud and swift moving rivers, and occasionally getting stuck along the trail when rivers are too dangerous to cross. Along the trail you can expect steep climbs in slippery

conditions, narrow paths along cliff faces, and river crossings through at least knee-high water; truly not for the faint of heart. It’s an extremely rewarding experience, however, and puts you in contact with Kauai at its most wild, and you’ll certainly make a few friends when you camp out on the beach! Camping/hiking permits for the Kalalau Trail are available 90 days in advance, and sell out basically instantaneously, so you must plan ahead and be ready to reserve right when permits become available for your desired dates. You can click here to try and make reservations; the current rate is $35 per person per night. We also highly recommend doing your own research before you go. We found this guide to the Kalalau Trail to be quite informative! 

 

What’s Going on with the Kalalau Trail Right Now?

 

If you follow the news on Kauai, you will have seen that roughly 60 hikers on the Kalalau Trail have fallen seriously ill since late August. Several hikers had to be airlifted from Kalalau Beach because of extreme vomiting and diarrhea, with many more falling ill once completing their hiking trip. The Department of Health has confirmed these cases to be an outbreak of the highly contagious Norovirus, and the State of Hawai’i has since closed the Kalalau Trail indefinitely in order to contain the spread of the virus. Norovirus is commonly seen in popular outdoors areas, and we expect the Kalalau Trail to reopen relatively soon, but we will update this post with any new information. For any hikers looking to make this trek, keep an eye on the DLNR website, found here, for updates and new information. As of October 1, the Kalalau Trail has completely reopened, with permits being issued for hiking and camping at Kalalau Beach. 

All of the State Parks’ webpages are hyperlinked in the headings for your convenience. For even more information, you can check out this LonelyPlanet blog on the state parks, which we found extremely useful for supplementing our own knowledge.