Koke'e State Park Reviews

A must see on your trip to Kauai....so gorgeous and a great way to cool off a little. Kalalau Lookout and Waimea Canyon (Kauai's Little Grand Canyon) Lookout are majestic and give you an idea of the topography of this oldest Hawaiian Island. Ask at the Museum for what trails look best that day....there are many and for every fitness level.

The visitor center has a good display of local history, the lodge has a dining room for those who did not bring food, there are cabins available for rental, and nice picnic facilities. However the star of the show is the extensive network of trails. Get a good map and plan to spend days being awed by the variety of landscape, challenging hikes and vistas to recall for a lifetime.

Don't stop driving at Waimea Canyon! Drive to the end of the road. There are 2 spectacular lookouts, the Kalalau Lookout and the Pu'u o Kila Lookout. They are a must see! The time of day, lighting, clouds make for an ever-changing view, that is surreal!
There is lots of hiking in this park.

The park is green and lush, has several well maintained trails and a small museum and some rustic cabins. The lookouts provides great views to the Na Pali Coast cliffs and valleys.

The park includes the Kalalau Lookout and Puu o Kila Lookout along with a place to eat and a museum. The lookouts are worth going to and I would encourage everyone to take the extra time (especially if the weather is good) and drive all the way to the end!

There are two spots to stop near the end of the road. The first was cloudy and had almost no visibility down the mountain ridges to the ocean. We drove about a mile further to the last stop, and the visibility was a bit clearer. On a sunny day it would be breathtaking.

Arrive as early as possible since clouds can cause viewing issues as the day goes. Just a short walk to most viewing areas. All lookouts have restrooms - not fancy but they work!

This is the 4th time we have done this drive. There are two ways to get up and down. I recommend going up on the Waimea Canyon Dr (Rt 550). This combines with Kokee Rd (Rt 552 I believe) part way up the canyon. When going down Kokee Rd forks to the right. It actually appears to be the natural continuation of Waimea Canyon Dr. as it curves to the right but Waimea Canyon drive goes off to the left at this fork. I recommend going down Kokee Rd because you get beautiful views of the southwest coastline of Kauai.

There are many lookouts to the Waimea Canyon, 2 of which are very well built out and many of which are less formal. One of them has a hiking trail that takes you to the top of the waterfalls that can be seen at the lookouts. At the top there are 2 views over the NaPali coast, the Kalalau and Pu'u O Kila lookouts over the Kalalau valley. In my opinion the Pu'u O Kila lookout is the better view of the Kalalau valley. It gives you a more direct view down the valley. There is also a trail that starts at this lookout which goes over the ridge of the valley. It can be slippery when wet. You are at cloud level at these two lookouts and if cloudy you cannot see much. Get there before 10:00 AM to get the best chance of a clear view. When clear or even partly cloudy it is an awesome view. In "winter" it can be a little cool. We were there in February one year and it was in the 50s at this altitude. There is a nice little natural history museum and eatery before the Kalalau lookout going up. We always enjoy stopping there and getting at bite to eat. Be prepared to dodge roosters, hens and chicks!

Toured the park and had many beautiful views. Definitely a place yo spend 1 or 2 days if you have the time.

This is the only way to see the Napali coast by car. It's only a few more miles past Waimea Canyon on the same road. At the end, you will see magnificent panoramic views of Kalalau valley. There are 5 small waterfalls to the right of the valley. Take a short hike down on the right of the lookout for better more open views of the valley. The more adventurous and fit can continue down the hill on this trail. There is no admission fee for the park.

Koke'e State Park is located just north of Waimea Canyon State Park, it is known for great hiking trails. Koke'e State Park is also home to the Kalalau lookout which affords spectacular views of the Kalalau Valley and Pu'u O Kila lookout that affords even better views of the Kalalau Valley along with views of Mt. Wai'ale'ale. Get here early before the clouds form, for the best views. There is also a natural history museum located at the park entrance. Museum is free but donations accepted. At the Museum there is also a gift shop and a restaurant. Camping is also available in the State Park.

When you drive up to Waimea Canyon, you'll end up in Kokee State Park where there are two of the best views of the trip. Wait out the clouds if you can. It's worth it.

We took the 4.4 mile hike (total trip) down to the falls to view the waterfall. The hike is pretty intense and I would not recommend it for small kids. The view from the top of the canyon is outstanding but please be aware there are no rails or safety chains to prevent anyone from going off the sides. The final few tenths of the hike down can be slippery and the falls was a disappointment. It was only @ a 10 foot drop and really not much to see. Overall it is a 3-4 hour hike and can be pretty intense at times.

Great park with many good views and trails. Please respect Mother Nature, and leave the park better than when you came.

The hiking is beautiful, but challenging! The trail to the swamp was muddy and slippery, the hikes to the water falls are a lot of up and down, but the water falls are beautiful!

The road starts with Waimea Canyons and then you enter kokee state park. You got to see it to believe it. The road takes you all the way to the lookouts. There are lot of hiking trails too. Simply beautiful.

I think so many people want to hike Na Pali Trail that tourist miss some amazing other places ( myself included- I've hiked Na Pali 4 times!). There are 2 places that you can begin this hike & neither of them are easy to fine so take a good map & allow 30 min just to figure out where to start. The earlier you get there the better! If you get there before the clouds come in I'm told there is a view of Wainiha Valley & even Hanalei Bay! I can't wait to go back & get up at 4am & hike back in to see the view at the Kilohana Lookout! That being said ( if you don't ever want to get up that early!) "The Journey" is truly beyond words. The bogs, flatlands & honestly dessert like terrain is mind boggling! I remember reading about the effort to install a Boardwalk on the trail to make the hike easy. Multiply the 1st picture by 20-25 & that is the amount of damaged wood! I'm sure the bog/water/rain just breaks down the wood so quickly that it is impossible to maintain it. That being said you HAVE to find something to step on or there is no doubt friends will be dragging you out of the swamp (not the way you want "to go"! Wear sun screen & bug spray. Bring the water you would drink during 4-5 hrs of hard work. We also brought Protein Bars. My Brothers & I made it round trip in 4 hrs, but that was at a walk/jog pace.( I was there for the Marathon) We took @20 min food/pic break at the Lookout. No flip flops of any kind! You will lose or break them & possible sprain something. This is hike totally worth "pushing" yourself to do, but elderly or kids under 13 are probably going to not be able to cut it. Experience of a Lifetime

The Na Pali mountains look pretty and really different from anything I've ever seen. And the water looked incredible from up there.

We saw a lot of different hikers on this trail but make no mistake this is a challenging hike especially on a hot day. Coast line was gorgeous and beach at the end of the trail was pretty. Hike to waterfall was very slippery but the falls themselves were pretty and there was a swimming area to take advantage of once there.
The distance markers said this was an 8 mile hike from start to waterfall and back. My Fitbit registered it as closer to 10. Just and FYI.
We really enjoyed the hike but it was almost straight up on the way back so keep that in mind when bringing water and gear.

Ko'kee State Park close to the top of Waimea is a central location from which to hike. There is a restaurant, state park ranger to answer questions about the conditions. Will be 12 degrees cooler than at coast and may be in the clouds. You can hike to a lookout over the NaPali Coast or into Waimea Canyon

After you visit Waimea Canyon, continue up the road and enter Koke'e State Park. There is a small museum and nice meadow area to picnic in. After you visit the museum, continue up the road to the Kalalua Valley Overlook - beautiul views! (Mile Marker 18) Then continue on up to the end of the road to the final and most spectular overlook of the Kalalua Valley. (Mile Marker 19) The Pihea Trail begins here also. Walk down it a bit for even more magnificient views. Try to reach this final overlook before 9:15 AM and the clouds begin to cover the valley. We actually drove all the way to the top first and then hit the other overlooks on the way down. By 9:30 AM the clouds were coming over the mountain and sinking into the valley. Very cool to watch.

This is an uncrowded state park with photo opportunities galore. we highly recommend an early morning visit to Kokee before the clouds roll in.

This is the view that you are seeking on Kauai. Experience from here and from ocean. Hike the trails - they are worth it.

Past Waimea Canyon, Kokee Park is breathtakingly beautiful. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Kokk Lodge after we had gone to Kalalau Lookout and Pu'u o Kila Lookout. We also did part of Pihea Trail. If you have children be cautious here as the drop off is long.
For most tourists that are going to Waimea Canyon this will fill like an extension of the same attraction.

OUR FAVORITE HIKE EVER! Not for the casual hiker, but not too strenuous for young 'uns. We have hiked this three times and I would go again tomorrow if you paid my way. Much of what I'll tell you will serve mainly to reenforce what others have said, but it is worth repeating.

Start EARLY. We usually stay on the south side of Kauai to be closer to Waimea Canyon, but it will take you longer than you think just because yo have to stop and take so many pictures before you even get there. Bring lots of water, bug spray, fully charged camera batteries, snacks, lunch, more water and sunscreen.

We park at the Awa`awapuhi trailhead and hike to the Nualolo trailhead. You will think you are crazy since you will hike forever just to start hiking. Once on the Nualolo trail, you will make the long decent to the Na Pali coastline. We usually have lunch at the end of Nualolo before doubling back to head over to Awa`awapuhi. From theend of Nualolo, you can look north and see where you are heading (eventually) next - Awa`awapuhi. You will be red-dirtified along this trail. I have socks and shirts permanently and lovingly stained from this awesome stuff.

The hike over to Awa`awapuhi take you on some trails with a bit of a pucker factor but we never felt it was too dangerous to continue. Just don't be stupid - there are plenty of others to handle that. This part of the hike was the place we had to break out the industrial strength OFF.

Once over to Awa`awapuhi, the views are indescribable, no photo will do it justice and you may have a religious experience or two. Wander out to the southwestish outcropping for some even better views (at your own risk). Be sure to say hello to the rooster and hen who hang out there living off a constant diet of granola bars and sandwhich scraps. They are always there because they are too fat to go anywhere else.

TIme to pay the piper. The hike back up Awa`awapuhi is nastiness with a view. Beautiful most of the way, yet you will be going up up up in altitude while going down down down in energy. You will be sooo glad you brought all that heavy water. If it has been raining, you are in for a spe-shull treat. Be very careful as this stuff is like greased teflon-coated ice when wet. when you are tired, it is even more of a challenge. The trail distance markers will mock you the last 3/4 mile appearing to be running from you to keep you from getting to the end.

8 hours is the longest this has taken us when we have dilly dallied. No need to rush - you will never see anything like this again. (beware of the attacking monster lantana plants along the way. They are huge and will jump out at you when you least expect it.)

We just finished this loop (which is actually 9.2 miles total) based on reading a review on TripAdvisor by a couple who said they were in their 60's and would not rate the hike as strenuous. My wife and I are in our mid fifties, work out 5 days a week and coming back up the Nu'alolo trail yesterday we thought at times that we might not make it. The elevation change is incredibly taxing and very difficult hiking...it took us over and hour and a half to cover 1 mile of this section of the trail.

We took the advice of the person at the Kokee museum to start on the Awa'awapuhi side and to finish going uphill on the Nu'alolo side...DON'T make the mistake of doing what we did. If you start at Nu'alolo it would be primarily downhill which can be a challenge but that would be nothing compared to the BRUTAL uphill hike going in the opposite direction.

You should also be aware that there are about hundred feet of trail that is literally on a bare cliff with the trail consisting of about a 2 footprints wide path. It could be pretty scary.

I would rate this as a very challenging hike. The views at the end are amazing but if you are anything other than a very seasoned hiker, I would recommend a helicopter or boat ride to see the beautiful Napali Coast.

We hiked the Pihea trail to the Alakai swamp trail (just under 8 miles round trip). It rained through a good part of the hike, making the trail muddy and challenging. There was a lot of slipping and sliding. Having said that, we had a blast! Really fun hike with views of the Na Pali coast at the beginning and a very cool hike across a swamp (luckily on a board walk). There are supposedly great views at the end IF the clouds cooperate, but we didn't get much of a view. Very satisfying and fun hike though. The books say to wear sneakers that you don't mind throwing out, but your feet would be a wet mess by the end. We wore waterproof hiking shoes, which were perfect for this hike.

It's amazing how you can see majestic canyons, drive a few miles, and then see the jagged sea cliffs! Once we got into Koke'e State Park, we stopped at the Kalalau Lookout and Pu’u O Kila Lookout, both of which were incredible! We then went back down the main road a little to the 17-mile marker and hiked the Awa'awapuhi Trail.

We were a little unprepared for the length of the Awa'awapuhi trail because for some reason I was thinking it was a lot shorter than the 6.5 mile hike that it was. Make sure to bring enough water and snacks as the hike is mainly uphill coming back and very tiring!

However, perched on a ridge of the mountain, staring down into the deep valleys of the Na Pali was a very rewarding feeling and made the hike completely worth it! I kept thinking to myself that I may never have an experience like that again.

Took the drive up to Koke'e State Park and then a short hike on Pihea Trail. The views of Kalalau Valley were jaw dropping! A perfect hike for anyone who wants to go just a little further than the fenced in / tourist filled viewpoints!

It really made me wish for a driver as the views were stunning and I couldn't drive and absorb everything. Had to stop at every lookout point instead. Truly stunning.

Majestic views at two lookouts that do not disappoint. Make sure to get up to Puu o KIla Lookout early as clouds can roll in and you can't see anything. Also, the Awa’awapuhi Trail is a must. It's about 6.2 miles round trip, so a bit of a time investment but the vista is unbelievable. In fact, the trail is unremarkable but the vista is a stunner and makes the hike totally worth it.

I did the trek to the end and stopped at all the look outs and this by far was the best! I also saw it via helicopter and would suggest this to anyone coming to Kauai. Its a long windy road some of it is paved with lines with 2 car passing, some of it is a little less room for 2 cars to pass...do the speed limit.

Will go back again and do a bunch of the beautiful hikes to the waterfalls.

Kokee State Park is located just north of Waimea Canyon State Park in the northwest corner of Kauai. To get there take Highway 550 north from the town of Waimea (this road ends in Kokee State Park). The Kokee Museum is located inside this State Park at mile marker 15 and is a great place to stop and look around.

I visited this park with my wife on a Saturday in late January and really enjoyed driving through it and stopping at several cool, cliff lookouts. There are several major hiking trails in this park but we only had time to drive through it. I really want to go back someday and check out one or two of the trails. The Kokee Museum has current trail information and maps so stop there before going on a hike. I especially liked the great views at Kalalau Lookout and Puuo Kila Lookout (at the very end of the road). The weather was great so we could see forever. These lookouts would probably not be as nice on a cloudy day

Overall I really enjoyed this fantastic state park and highly recommend it. This is a must see attraction on any Kauai vacation. Make sure you drive all the way to the end of the road and check the weather before you go (go on a clear day).

All the way at the end of the Wiamea canyon is this lookout that will give you a sneak peek if the Na Pali Coast. Beautiful views of the ocean on the nwest shore.

Koke'e State Park, up near the end of the road through Waimea Canyon on Kauai, is worth the effort. You'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the island's north coast known as Na Pali...reachable on foot if you're fit and an experienced hiker, or reachable by boat. But from the lookout locations in Koke'e Park,you can still see it at a distance in all its grandeur. You're right near the wettest place on earth, Mount Waialeale, so the greenery is lush beyond description and remarkably beautiful. If you're tempted to follow a trail from there, be sure that your clothes can blend in well with mud, for it'll be slip/sliding time!

We took the drive in the morning and arrived at the Kalalau lookout at about 10:00. It was spectacular, and temporarily clear. Some heavy clouds started to blow over, and all of a sudden there was an unbelievable rainbow that spanned the entire valley. Breathtaking! Stop at the many various turnouts along the drive up the mountain from Waimea - many great views and photo ops.

There are a lot of hikes in the Koke'e State Park, and I've only done a few, so this review will focus on the hike from the end of the road to the Kilohana Lookout.

I started at the Pu'u o Kila Lookout which by itself has great views down into the Kalalau Valley, and doesn't require any hiking to get to (just a short walk up a paved path from the parking lot). The Pihea Trail starts from the viewpoint and continues to the east along the ridgeline. This part of the trail can be extremely slippery when wet (which is most of the time), and when it is really raining (which is much of the time) is more of a creek full of miniature muddy waterfalls than a trail. On this trip, however (late January 2013), it was dry and the footing was fine. Even dry this is definitely a hike, not a walk. After about a mile there is a short (but quite steep - there are ropes to help you get up/down) side trail to the Pihea Vista. There is another amazing view down into the Kalalau Valley every 100 feet or so along the Pihea Trail, so if you're prone to gazing in awe at amazing landscapes (and it's not completely socked in) it may take quite awhile to do this part. Speaking of socked in, everything I've read says that you need to get there early in the morning or all you'll see are clouds. I've been up there at least a half a dozen times and only once did I have to wait more than 10 minutes before there was a break in the clouds big enough to see down into the valley and out to the ocean. I guess I'm just lucky. Even when it is cloudy the views are pretty cool - the clouds boil up over the ridge and make all kinds of intricate patterns and motions as they drop over the other side.

After returning from the Pihea Vista spur trail, I continued on the Pihea Trail until it intersects with the Alaka'i Swamp Trail in about a mile. That portion of the Pihea Trail is much different than the first mile - it is mostly boardwalk through trees. When I think boardwalk I envision a fairly flat trail, though, and this is not flat. Much of the "boardwalk" is actually stairs, so if you have weak knees, maybe try a different trail. Actually, if you have weak knees you probably won't make it this far, so never mind...

It's about another two miles from the intersection to the Kilohana Lookout. A good portion of that is boardwalk (covered in wire mesh, which is torn up / off in many places, so easy to trip on when you're trying to take in all the amazing scenery). The first mile is pretty hilly, including one section about a quarter mile long down to a creek which is all stairs - definitely a good workout both ways. The last mile or so is pretty flat, though, as it winds across the Alaka'i Swamp. The entire trail is amazing, which incredible smells and sights, and a ton of variety.

If the weather is clearish you can see the North Shore - Ha'ena, Hanalei, Princeville, and as far as Kilauea from the Kilohana Lookout. I was fortunate and had amazing weather: sunny part of the time, high overcast part of the time, probably high 60s, nice breeze - impossible to be better. The Alaka'i Swamp Trail has an amazing variety of terrain and vegetation, some of which I've never seen anything like elsewhere (probably because it traverses the highest swamp in the world). Overall the hike is roughly 8 miles roundtrip from the Pu'u o Kila Lookout to the Kilohana Lookout and back, much of which is either pretty steep uphill or downhill. My GPS said I did about half a mile of vertical (2775 feet, to be exact) over the 8.2 miles I hiked.

I did the hike in Crocs (I like to let my feet flex and breathe, but the wire on the boardwalk is too rough for me to go barefoot), but most people that I saw had hiking shoes and a fair number had hiking poles, as well. There were a few on the first section of the Pihea Trail with flipflops, but I doubt they went very far. I'd want more protection on the boardwalk portions than that - I tripped on the wire multiple times, and that would have been very painful without toe covering.

Overall, this is my favorite hike on Kauai (but I haven't done the Kalalau Trail yet). Cool terrain, amazing views, relatively cool temperatures due to the altitude, lots of variety, not too many people...

On Kauai two things are essential to see, Na'Pali coast and Waimea canyon, the road which goes to Koke'e state park passes by the second one and allow you to view the first one.
My advice is, to try to take two or three nights here, to visit the park quiet!y.and discover more things. But also to be sure to be early there, to have no clouds or rains. Important for the lookouts.
If you are not afraid of semi 'roots' conditions, book at the cabins in Kokee, its directly inside the park, old and not pretty, but perfect place and minimum of comfort.
So here is the paradise of hikers, so many paths official or unofficial to do... To discover these two great wonders of nature. For simple walker to experiment trekker, you'll find what you search here. Without forget all the views all along the road and don't forget the last one : Pu'u o kila view and the beginning of Pihea trail. A must if you don't stay more to hike. And don't forget good shoes too.

Only spent a small amount of time here, I was on a short schedule, nice place to see and visit. Wish I had more time to walk around.

Kokee State Park is basically the "end of the road" as you go up into Waimea Canyon. The views of the NaPali Coast are spectacular -- when the clouds lift enough to see.

This is definately a must see when you are on Kauai.

Make sure to go on a clear day, however this might not always help as it can be very clear and sunny on the beach but up in Koke'e State Park it is most of the days quite cloudy and it rains a lot there. Nevertheless it is a must see/do when you are in Kauai.

Try to go early in the morning (as you have the most chance of a good view) and drive the whole way up first to the Kalalau Lookout. After that go back to the museum and get some information on the trails in the Park.

We did the Awa'awapuhi Trail (drive from the museum direction Kalalau Lookout, and a bit after the museum on your left hand you have the start of the Awa'awapuhi Trail). This trail you have to finish till the end (I believe it was between 2 and 3 miles one way) as only on the end of the trail, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful view ever ! The trail is in good shape and the way down is quite easy, unfortunately you have to go up again afterwards ;-)

Once you finish your visit in Koke'e State Park and you are back down, go for a late lunch in the Shrimp Station. Best Shrimps ever and the cheapest price ever.

There’s no denying that Waimea Canyon is beautiful; however, in my opinion, Koke’e State Park steals the show. Once you’ve taken in the canyon, drive the extra 20 minutes to the end of the road to Koke’e State Park. Take in the views of the Na Pali Coast and watch as the clouds roll in and out of the hills. It is truly a beautiful place and incomparable to Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, you name it. The Na Pali Coast is a standout! See it as many ways as you can— a boat tour is also highly recommended.

What a beautiful place. Visited the restaurant, museum and gift shop after completing the drive up the mountain.

The number one attraction on Kauai is the Napali Coast. And, there are lots of ways to see it. Helicopter and boat are the two most expensive ways, with a sail and snorkel trip costing almost $200 per person. Hiking the Kalalau Trail is another option, but a very strenuous option. The final, and least promoted way to see the Napali Coast is at the Koke'e State Park. There are two overlook options. The Kalalau and the Pu'u O Kila lookouts have ample parking. And, there is an opportunity to hike from Pu'u O Kila if you just can resist. It is best to arrive before 11:00 AM to enjoy the views as rain and clouds often settle in for the afternoon. But, if you arrive after 11:00, just be patient and the clouds might lift and reveal the spectacular scenery of the Napali Coast.

Great views and phenomenal scenery. A true gem! Many views are easily accessible from the road turn offs but there are also several great hikes with more stunning views for the more adventurous.

Great hiking. Swamp trail a must. Check the weather before you go! It can get very rainy up there. The hiking cannot be beat.

Gives you a great perspective of Kauai, historic, natural Kauai. The road is winding to get there, but beautiful. It's a great place to go on a hot day as it's much cooler up there.

Kokee is a must visit, while you visit Kauai. Nice and cool up there and perfect for a hike if its sunny. Most of the trails tend to be muddy if you've had rain up there in the past few days. Waimea canyon is a must see, along with Kalalau lookout which is at the very end of the road. This was my favorite place to visit. If you have 4wd and do a little research there are plenty trails off the beaten path.

I loved everything about our visit here. We camped on their campground. They were flat, clean and each site had a grill. The showers were dirty and only cold water. The park was GORGEOUS and the campground and lodge are close to so many of the trailheads and lookouts. Definitely recommended spending alot of your visit here. SO much to see and do!

One of my favorite parks in the whole world with some of the most spectacular scenery you will ever see in your life. For us it's a whole day out - you drive to the top there is no Internet connection so just forget about your cell phones for a day and enjoy the beauty of the place. 4-5 stops on the way up with fruit stands, lots of clean public toilets, a beautiful museum and a restaurant so just make a day out of it and enjoy the exquisite beauty that Kauai he has to offer! There are disabled ramps and toilets.

Koke'e State Park is at the end of the road (550) which starts as Waimea Canyon Road in Waimea on the south shore of Kauai. It is probably most well known for its magnificent views over the Na Pali Coast on the NW shore of the island, a region with no roads and which one either must see from the sea or air, or access directly on foot via Ha'ena State Park and the Kalalau trail on the north shore. Koke'e offers great, fairly up-close views from above and inland, without any hiking since one can just drive up the road through Waimea Canyon State Park to Kalalau Lookout and Pu'u O Kila Lookout. From Pu'u O Kila, there is a trail partly along the ridge giving more views, to another lookout and through swampy areas and more forest. The views and hikes are excellent and well worth a long visit. The drive to Kalalau Lookout is easy, but just after that, as of June 2023, the road has a short stretch with numerous and deep potholes. One can negotiate it even in a regular car if done with care, however, and that rough stretch is limited, the rest of the road being ok if not good.

After Waimea canyon, we planned a walk to access the real wildness interior of the island. We finally chose the Kaluapuli trail due to weather and for birds song and native trees. Lots of rain ... But even with correct weather, we found it is a walk like in many forest elsewhere, even with the blackberries that are invading. People at the museum warranted us to go on the Awa'awapuhi trail to be under the clouds. Not sure it would have been better but sure it would have been strenuous and slippery. We had a 2 seconds beautiful view at the Akalau lookout. Sure it is a very beautiful place with sun !

We spent two days here and Waimea Canyon. Magnificient!!!!

As one of the locals advised - if one of the viewpoints is obscured by clouds, wait a while things can change. So I would suggest not hurrying, because we encountered clouds that seemed stationary and blocked views. As we moved around the park and checked out various areas, the clouds moved and provided great visual context to wonderful vistas. And the cloud formations by themselves were great too.

As a suggestion - use Kokee Road on the way back to Waimea/ Route 50, instead of using Route 550 for the trip to and from the park. Just a different way and different views.

If it's cloudy when you arrive at the top, be patient. The clouds go away quickly and the few is worth the wait. In July, passion flowers grow wild. They are so unique. Look for them.

If you spend more than a few days on the island and don't get to Koke'e you are a sucker. Great hiking*, incredible scenery, and enough amenities to get you what you need for the day. Campgrounds, trails, incredible views and more. Stop at the Museum before you leave!

*Hiking in Kauai = Mud, Climbing, Adventure

This was a beautiful drive to an absolutely breathtaking canyon. It is a drive to get there but the sites are wonderful and makes the drive worth it. Kauai has many beautiful sites to see but you must put this on your must see list.

This park includes hiking trails with views of the Napali coast and waterfalls, a couple of lookouts with decent parking lots, a campground and visitor centre/store/café and picnic area. We started out early on the advice of our concierge and were able to view the canyon before the fog and clouds rolled in a few hours later. Then hiked the start of one trail and turned around before getting really soaked. One can’t underestimate the amount of mud on the trails. It’s like something we’ve never seen before.

It’s too bad the museum and gift shop are shabby and the public washrooms are a disgrace.

On a pleasant late November day, we hiked Pihea Trail and the Alakai Swamp Trail loop. An out and back on Pihea trail would be a fabulous 4 mile hike with minimal elevation gain and amazing views. Near the end of Pihea, we went down the ridge to Alakai Swamp. The boardwalk on the upper part of the trail was unique, but it was over dry land. It wasn't swampy at all. There were other hikers on Pihea, but fewer on Alakai. We met 3 other hikers at the intersection of the loop and a local woman said basically, "it's a loop." In hindsight, we wished we would have done the out-and-back to the Kalalau view. Instead, we did the loop. It was long and boring. We did find an amazing view at the end of the large park area near the picnic area. Even with boardwalks, there were many slippery areas. We were happy to have poles, hats and good hiking shoes along with plenty of water and snacks.

The beautiful thing about this park is that you can have an adventurous time staying in your vehicle or venturing out for different hikes! I highly recommend planning a whole day here.

In the morning we drove all the way up to the Pu'u o Kila Lookout where the road ends and started our journey hiking the Pihea Trail which joins up to the the Alaka'i Swamp Trail at around 2 miles. It was drizzling towards the end of Pihea trail...which made the trail extremely slippery and muddy. We both slipped a few times, so make sure to tighten those hiking boots and wear waterproof pants. Then it's another couple miles on wooden boards, half of which have collapsed, and into the swamp. The boards are easy to navigate if you have good balance. They can get slippery too, so try to stay on the chicken-wired side for traction. Once you get to the swamp...you won't forget it! Don't miss the Alakai's Swamp Trail sign where you will be turning left to go down lots of wooden stairs. It's another 2 miles from here.

The Swamp Trail is extremely eerie with the fog rolling in and out and the deafening quiet with stagnant air. The fear of falling in to the bacteria-party waters was enough for me to walk gingerly yet quickly on the boards. I did make a hasty maneuver and landed my foot into the bog. It was surprisingly deep and my boots got wet, right up to my ankles. Oh well, good thing for waterproof boots! The hike itself is easier on the swamp land since it was mostly flat. The view at the end is gorgeous (Kilohana lookout) and you can even see Hanalei Bay. Stay there for a bit and don't get disappointed if you get to the lookout and see only a white blanket. Wait for a while and the clouds should roll by giving you clear glimpses of how high you really are with the undulating lush mountains meeting the beach. Pack a light rain jacket because if you get here too late, you may receive a few showers like we did. It was worth it though, because the view after the clouds cleared was breathtaking. Ok, heading back was much easier. That whole hike out and back is 8 miles.

Whew, time to give our legs a little rest! We checked out the lookouts on our way down and then realized, "Wait, we rented a Jeep so we could go off roading. We need to do that before we leave!" So that's what we did. We drove back up towards the museum and took the Waineke Road that connected to the Mohihi Road. You must have true 4WD in your vehicle. We've heard of nightmare stories of how people would rent a 4WD vehicle and then the company would lock the option so you couldn't use it. We were lucky and this didn't happen. The bumpy ride offers lots of different lookout points with picnic benches. This is a great option for the adventurous if someone is injured or unable to hike. Here's a snapshot of the major trails and how to get there: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/pdf/brochures/TrailsOfKokee.pdf

We didn't bring bug spray and didn't feel like we needed it. Definitely wear sunscreen. Pack a light rain coat. Wear your best hiking shoes and have fun!

Take your time. This could be a 3-4 hours trip if you let it be. My suggestion: drive all the way to the top, hike the trail over to Wai'ale'ale, then work your way down stopping at all the little overviews and side-roads. It will also give your brakes breaks to cool off, too!

Amazing views of Waimea canyon. It's worth the trip. Best to go early before the clouds roll in after midday. If you are a hiker this is perfect as there are numerous trails of different difficulty.

We had a limited amount of time to hike the Waimea Canyon trail and were worried that the 1.8 mile hike in would not take the estimated 2 hours. However, a bunch of 30-year-olds in pretty good shape (and one bum knee) managed to make the 3.6mile loop AND jump in the small waterfall AND take some sweet pictures in 1.5 hours. If you are not an avid walker... or you prefer high heels and taking every member of your extended family, it will take the estimated 3 hours. Get sweaty, get dusty, get muddy and have a ball!

Koke'e State park is accessed by a well-paved road in good condition from the coastal town of Waimea. Although the climb is relatively steep any car and driver can make the journey and once you are up there you have a large selection of hikes of all levels at your disposal. Apart from the mandatory, astonishing Waimea Valley Outlook we hiked the Pihea Vista Trail starting at the end of the paved road and following the ridge of one of the most spectacular valleys on the Na Pali Coast. If you go all the way to the small Pihea lookout at 4,285 ft at the end, you should be aware that the last bit is very steep and can be very muddy and thus represent a clallenge for inexperienced hikers in sneakers.

Great vistas on August 5 with no low clouds or fog! We didn't know there were miles of hiking from the last vista, so we only went a mile in. Heard the swamp was neat, walked on the planks for awhile, but didn't see anything wet.

Good museum with neat display on hurricane Iniki from 22years ago.

We left Kapaa at 6 am and drove straight to the Puu o Kila lookout. There was only one other couple and no clouds or fog. It was beautiful. Driving down, we stopped at several other lookouts and then did the Canyon Trail. Go early and try to go when the weather is forecast to be good in Waimea.

It was an overcast day. When we first got to the last lookout, you couldn't see anything. We waited just a few minutes and the breeze blew the clouds away and it was as clear as could be. It was a unique experience to be on top of a mountain with your head in the clouds.

My wife and I were here on an absolutely gorgeous Tuesday in January 2015 (13 Jan). We were enjoying being able to take our time and thoroughly enjoy Waimea Canyon and this state park. We were so thrilled to be able to take numerous photographs of the gorgeous, incredible panoramic views of the Kalalau Valley from both the Kalalau Lookout and the Puu O Kila Lookout. Both lookouts offer commanding views of the Kalalau Valley stretching out to the sea with a glimpse at the towering cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. I highly recommend adding a visit to the latter lookout when visiting here since many people do not go beyond Kalalau Lookout. We were elated and energized by coming here. We had been here before on two previous visits to Kauai, in 1989 and 1998. We fondly remembered those visits and can now add this superb most recent visit
to our treasured memories of this site. What a blessing to be able to be here!

Koke’e State Park is what Kauai and Mother Nature is all about. The numerous scenic trails available from Waimea Canyon to Kalalau Lookout make this park a hikers and photographers paradise. A visitor center/museum and a lodge/restaurant, and picnic grounds are located in the Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow of Koke’e State Park. Camping and other overnight accommodations are also available within the park. Add this park to your bucket list of things to see.

Our family found this a great family excursion for New Years Day! We visited the museum. Had a beer and some pie, and played frisbee in the lawn area. I could have stayed here all day!

We stayed three nights in a cabin in Koke'e State Park. Did a couple of hikes - had unusually nice weather. Most trails are muddy - some are extremely muddy. And it IS cooler up at that elevation, so come prepared for that. The Park has a nice lodge with a restaurant, but it closes at 4 pm. There is also a Museum that is interesting. I highly recommend Koke'e for a really great experience of Hawaii that is off the beaten path and is more natural than the rest of the touristy areas.

We ended up hiking for 10 miles as we hiked to the view point and also through the highest swamp in the world. Good Birding also. We hit a dry patch of weather and would recommend you hike when it is not raining as it would be very slippery on the trail.

Awesome park has much to do. Hiking trails are great and scenic. waterfalls=yes,and lovely as well. picnic areas for lunch. outdoor enthusiasts =this is your paradise!

If you only hike this place once, there is no wrong way to go. We went during a rainy season, which made the views and foliage even more lush and inspiring. The trails are marked off by-difficulty (use a map or online resource, since the trailhead signs are a little inconsistent). Hike only to your skill level, as out mountaineering Canadian pals got a little lost on a difficult trail, which is risky. Come prepared to take a dip in a waterfall of that’s your destination, and if you e got mobile, mark where you leave your car.

I’m being too paternal. This place is a gem.

Koke'e State Park is a quiet, beautiful campground with access to be the best day hikes in the area. Each designated campsite has a source of water. The restroom/shower is not super-clean but certainly sufficient for a campground. Only cold showers though and be sure to bring your own toilet paper.

This park is so high up that it's cool on a hot day. It's hard to predict when the clouds clear up at the top since you can't see the lookouts from down below. Bring food and water and stay a while. Hike the Pihea Trail at the top for the best views along the ridge. At the very end, about 4 miles, you can even see Hanelei Bay.

This would be a great trip just driving up here. A great trip just staying on paved paths and lookouts. But is the best when you lace up those hiking boots, pack water and head out on the trail! So much beauty words cannot describe. This needs to be experienced on foot immersed in the varied and unique environments.

It's about a 20-mile drive along the Waimea Canyon road, then this park is at the end. The only way to go farther is to hike. The views of the Na'pali coastline and the razor-edge volcanic ridges are spectacular. Bring your binoculars.

Must see destination for views, incredible hikes, the works! We did a few of the more challenging hikes (12 miles roundtrip) but the views of the Napali Coast were views we'll remember for a lifetime.

We did not hike, but even from the several viewpoints the view was amazing. We got to the end of the road by 9:30 and were greeted by cloudless skies: best to go early. Twisty but safe road, restrooms at several points. The museum - not so great; we did not eat at the restaurant.

If you take the drive to the Waimea Canyon lookout, be sure to continue 7 miles up the road to the top of the state park. You'll see where the canyon floor joins the ocean it's an amazing view from almost 4000 feet.

We camped here for two days and it was a highlight of our trip!

The camping on the grass was nice. We could not get our car down the road into the campground so we parked in the overflow lodge parking and camped in the trees. It was so peaceful and the stars, when it wasn't raining, were amazing.

We spent our days hiking, exploring , eating amazing food at the lodge (which closes at 4, so have dinner planned at your campsite) , and visiting the museum.

We met so many nice people, including some locals who insisted on sharing their food with us, and showed us the lights and power in the pavilion. And the park ranger gave us some garbage bags when we were packing up in the pouring rain.

The weather could have been more stressful, but instead it all worked out beacause of the beautiful hospitality!

FYI, it's colder up here than the rest of the island but we were good with down sleeping bags. And the bathrooms were not always well stocked and did not have soap.

We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the area. Period. End of discussion. It is a drive but "get out of town" and leave early. We wish we could have made it a two-day trip because there is so much to see.

The good: Easy drive with 2 available routes, tons of view points, hikes for all skill levels with a unique mix of ecosystems along the way, plenty of pull outs, parking, and facilities.
Well marked paths and signs( although some a little rickety and adventurous)! Amazing views of Na Pali coast and north shore on the swamp hike. Just plan on dedicating at least 4 hours plus.
The bad: long from anywhere but south Kauai area (but can still make the best of it if you have no other plans)
The ugly: MUD!!!! Have a good ( or old) pair of shoes ready for the long hike to the swamp just in case.

We only hiked this trail in the park. The overlooks provide marvelous views and are worth the drive up here. The trail ... not so much.

Although it is not the worst hike I have ever done, I did not enjoy this. The trail is not maintained well and is mostly mud. It had not rained excessively (not even as much as normal) so if it was this muddy when we hiked it, I would guess it is always this muddy. It was nice to hear birds singing, but I would not be inclined to do this hike again unless you had shoes you did not mind ruining. I scrubbed them but that red mud just does not come entirely off.

What a beautiful hula event! The park itself was lush with greens, flowers, and we'll kept for visitors! The parking was accommodating as the shuttle did not happen! There was a covered picnic areas where they made food! There were portapotties as only one seat restrooms!

This has become one of our favorite hikes on Kauai. It covers a lot of distance, but is faster than you think.

As you may know, there is no road that completely circles Kauai...the roads end at Ha'ena on the North Shore and from the South Shore, the road ends at the Kalalau Valley Lookout after Koke'e State Park. The straight distance between the two ends is something like 6 miles, yet cannot be completed by road due to the rugged valleys. Long ago, an attempt was made long ago to complete the road via the higher swamp areas, but the swamp won the upper hand, causing some of the bulldozing equipment to be abandoned up there.

The hike has various starting points depending on what type of vehicle you have and how much time you want to spend. The 'reward' at the end of the hike is a view of Hanalei/Princeville...if you are not fogged in. I could be wrong, but I read that if the fog is rolling in from the sea, you should be able to wait it out and your view will clear up. If the fog is rolling out to sea, it might not clear up at all for the rest of the day. The Kauai Ultimate guide can give you good advice on this topic.

Starting points:
Kalalau Lookout #2:
If you have a normal rent-a-car, your most logical starting point will be the 2nd Kalalau Valley lookout parking lot. Expect some muddy trails and definitely use a walking stick or two. This route may involve a little hand-on-trail climbing, but nothing technically difficult as long as you have good hiking shoes. I really enjoy this route because of the breathtaking ridgetop trails that are seen from the lookout points. These trails give you a very unique view of the valley with the ocean in the background. The downside of this route is that it is 45 minutes longer than the alternative.

Koke'e Camp Grounds:
If you have a 4WD, you can take the shorter version of this trip by basically bypassing the ridgetrail portion of the Kalalau Lookout point trailhead. Yes, you will miss the neat ridgetop views, but you will get a unique view of the Waimea Canyon not seen by most tourists, complete with a clean and quiet picnic ground that will likely be uninhabited. To get here, travel down Koke'e Road past the visitor center. When you pass a road on the left called Muhihi Road, there will be another road on the right side that may be unmarked. There will be an immediate fork...so take the left fork. The unpaved road will start to climb and narrow...take it all the way to the picnic area with the Waimea Canyon view. You can either park here (where I believe a portable toilet exists), or drive a little farther towards the Pihea trailhead, where I did see a few cars parked one time. Parking at the trailhead will probably save you 7 minutes of hiking versus parking at the picnic area. The Pihea trail will take you along some interesting ridgetops, but not as exciting as the coastal ridgetops.

Both starting points will intersect at some point, and your hiking will vary between planked walkways and stairs. This is the portion of the hike that goes pretty fast because you are not dealing with unlevel ground...but watch out for the occasional plank that needs maintenance. In both times that we did this hike, the temperature started from warm at the trailhead, to cool towards the end. There were surprisingly no issues with bugs/mosquitos, although we did have some repellant on.

As others have noted, the world up by the swamp is very surreal and peaceful...you are at the highest point on the island, the source of many waterfalls just outside the 'wettest spot on earth'. One should prepare for rain, but the trails are reasonably maintained and populated with other hikers.

The 'reward' view at the end is more interesting than spectacular, but even if you get fogged in and can't see the view, the hike itself is very enjoyable. Plan to start early in the morning and be done by early afternoon if you include a break for lunch.

In winter, the top gets socked in early. Sometimes waiting a bit will afford clear skies. Sometimes. Start at the top and work your way down. The $5 fee is good at all stops.

Scenery is breathtaking! Nice drive. Temperature definitely cooler, so layer your clothes! Camping and cabins are available. Plan to return to do some hiking.

The trails can be a bit muddy and slippery so bring good hiking boots. We did the Canyon Trail and the views of the canyon were spectacular.

This is certainly worth the 22 miles drive up the canyon to look into a valley along the Napali coast

Well, of course while on Kauai you must visit Waimea Canyon, but after that keep on going. You will then come across Koke'e Lodge. There is a huge grass area that's perfect for a picnic, or eat in the restaurant, but still keep going. The next stop is Kalalau Lookout. Here you can view the majestic Napali Coast from thousands of feet above the ocean. After that stop keep going. The final stop is Puu'o Kila Lookout. Here you will get another perspective of the awe inspiring Kalalau Valley. It is also the trailhead for the Pihea Trail. Morning and early hours make for the best cloudless views. Words cannot describe the views from here.

fantastic park! we camped inside the park (be sure to reserve your campsite online well ahead of time, we barely made it in!) and the next morning got up early to start the awaawapuhi trail at 7am. we were the only ones on the trail (other than the many chickens/roosters), and had an aamzing view all to ourselves at the trail's ending lookout, complete with a rainbow. be prepared for mud on the trail!

Drove out to this area and visited the center. Even though it was closed there was enough information to organize our hike into the canyon and surrounding area.

This park seems ot be part of the Waimea Canyon, and is the last 5 miles or so on the Hwy 550/552, and the worst maintained (although it seems they were resurfacing on our visit). The two overlooks actually let you see down to part of the Napali Coast (Kalahau Valley), so that tis different. Getting there is an experience, especially the last one, which can be skipped, or even walked ot. There are some military installations up there, which have unclear purposes, and restricted. The Museum is pretty minimal, and the Nature trail although easy walk is difficult to sort out what is being labeled.

We spent a whole day up here. It started with a nice drive up the canyon, with photo stops. When we got to the Kalalau lookouts, we did a short hike on the Pihea Trail. We couldn't get enough photos of the valley. It is just spectacular. We are so lucky we got a perfect day up there, clear and sunny. We got lunch at the Kokee Lodge, checked out the museum, and then took the BIG hike of our trip. From about 1:30 - 5:30 we did the Awaawapuhi Trail. What a great hike, and it will wear you out! It took us about 1 1/2 hours to go 3 miles out to the end. You cannot believe the views of the coast and valley out here! We were so lucky to have clear weather, and there was one other couple out there when we got to the overlook, so we could trade taking photos of each other at the valley. We spent about 1/2 hour to 40 minutes at the end, soaking in the views. Then you have to pay the price, because unlike most hikes up a mountain, this is opposite, so you go down on the way out, and up on the way back. For our family with teens, it was perfect and probably pushed our limits a little bit (would have been really tough if higher or longer), but we really liked it. Again, since it was dry, the trail was fairly easy to hike. Most of it is in the shade, so that's great. And also 95% is a fairly even grade, with just a few spots that are steeper (no "climbing" is required). Amazing photos and a great item to cross off the bucket list!!!

Absolutely stunning with great trails and lookouts of the park and of Waimea Canyon. Very curvy and steep road going up but no 4x4 needed for most places. Beware that the Pihea-Alakai Swamp Trail is extremely muddy and the boardwalk is basically rotted away. Be prepared to get VERY muddy. We stayed in one of the duplex cabins waaaay up the mountain (about a 30 minute drive from the town). The distance was an issue at times because it took so long to go back at night or head out in the morning to see other places on the island. No gas on the way up or down. However, the cabin was very spacious and plenty of room for our 4 adults. Nice kitchenette and dining table. Floor was a bit dirty when we arrived. It's literally 20 degrees colder up there than in town so it makes for great sleeping weather. Lots of light rain up there that disappears quickly. Wild chickens are everywhere on Kauai so expect to hear them all night and in the morning. Not too obtrusive though. No internet service, phone service, or cell service at the cabin. Definitely recommend it if you enjoy a rustic stay!

Next to the north coast, Koke’e SP was our favourite place on Kaua’i. We loved the breathtaking views, the mountain tropical rain forest vegetation, birding opportunities and the amazing hiking. You can do a quick tour of Koke’e and neighbouring Waimea Canyon in a half day. But, if you want to really enjoy this park, consider an all-day visit or even better, rent one of their rustic cabin for a few nights. We stayed for 2 nights in a cabin – it was magical. We enjoyed the pitch-black nights, the solitude of early morning and evenings, and the early head-starts on the hiking trails. (Alakai Swamp is a must do trail!) Although it can get hot in the sun, be prepared for cool mountain weather. The December nights were close to 10 C and days were 15 C if it was cloudy, 20C in the sun. (Or, it can feel like 30 if the sun is blazing down on a long hot trail!) It’s often cloudy, misty, foggy or rainy, so a flexible schedule is best. You can be surrounded by cloud one hour, and be in bright sun the next.

Just a personal observation – if you never leave the Poipu coast, you are by far missing the very best Kaua’i has to offer.

After Waimea Canyon you find Kokee State Park. The overlooks continue onto parts of the Napali Coast and if you can get good weather, the views are like none other. Problem is, it is one of the rainiest places on earth and is often cloudy with rainy mist. The sun often burns this off, but you just never know. I recommend going for it and seeing what you get.

This trail brings you to the most amazing views ever! its 3.1 mile long one way downhill...so remember you have to go back up. its hard, it took me 2;26 to complete it calculating also that i stayed at the end resting and taking picture for a while. I'm a fast hikers, bring water for sunny days because there are parts where there is no shadow while walking. but its worth it! go the before 8-9 to be alone and enjoy the view by yourself

We actually went late in the day, contrary to advice, and saw great vistas from the overlooks. There weren't too many people, either.

One of the most beautiful views on Kauai.
BUT you definitely want to check the weather to make sure it's not foggy...or IF it is, wait around for a little bit...if it clears up, you'll be astounded by the view.
When i visited, it was misty and you couldn't really see anything...just as we were about to leave (there were some suspiciously restless Nene Geese eyeing me; i'm afraid of birds), the clouds cleared and reviewed the most breath-taking sight of Kalalau Valley and Canyon.
WOW

Very much worth the drive up if the weather looks anything like partly cloudy or better. The views of the Na Pali Coast are worth it

My husband wanted to do at least one moderately strenuous hike on Kauai and this is the one we chose. We hit the trail head at 8:00 a.m. on a dry, sunny day. The trail was a little slick in places but not excessively muddy; rain would definitely take some of the fun out of this trail. I was hoping to see more flowers to photograph, but I did get a couple of pretty flower and fern pictures. But any lack of flora quickly seemed insignificant when we got to the end of the trail overlooking the Nu'alolo Valley and the ocean. There is just absolutely no way to capture on film even a fraction of the beauty and majesty of the vista before you. It's simply stunning. As far as wildlife we saw chickens (of course), goats, one startled baby wild pig, a rat, and assorted birds. Our total time on the trail, including rest time and a .6 mile sidetrip to a non-existent waterfall was 4 hours. We had camelbacks full of water and Gatorade and certainly needed them. Don't try to do this trail without sufficient hydration. And unless you're in tip top shape prepare for some sore calves the next day. But it was SO worth it! You'll never see a view like this anywhere else.

It you want to see the most vistas, canyons, and water from 1 place in Kauai, this is the place to do it. There are many lookouts and trails. Go to the Visitor Center in the park. There are many maps from which you can choose your route! And the food at the lodge is also very good! Mahalo!

Hiked this trail early morning and the view at the end was incredible. Due to rain the previous day the trail was slick, a bit precarious for footing with our regular tennis shoes, but the hiking sticks that were laying against the trees at the beginning of the hike for all to use sure came in handy! it is 1900 feet of elevation change in about 3 miles, so not bad. in fact, the way back went much quicker; but bring your water as there is no access to refill bottles if you needed. The views at the end are magnificent, and it was very clear on the day we did this (beware the rain, wouldn't want to be on this trail in the rain)-you can go out beyond the guard rails and get some better views, just watch your footing (didn't find it all that bad as it was dry, thankfully!). worth every step of the way-and fun to see the coast from a different perspective than air/sea or just the driving lookouts.

This is a beautiful place. No doubt about it. Great vistas. But the trails are tough. They can be deeply rutted, steep, muddy and slick due to all of the rain. Even with walking sticks it is very easy to lose your footing. So if you are a casual hiker, or not in very good condition, or prone to knee or ankle sprains, or 50 somethings like us, pay very close attention to the descriptions of the trails and the trail conditions. We found that due to all of the above we never got into a good hiking/walking rhythm, and after an hour we mutually agreed that it just wasn't fun any more. (This was on the Pihea trail.) I found these trails much more difficult than Teton trails.

This is a beautiful park with many different trails for hiking. If you don’t want to hike, there are also several lookouts you can drive to.

Drive all of the way to the end of the road that goes through Waimea Canyon. The views of the Kalalau Valley are beautiful.

My fiancé and I recently visited Kauai for vacation. We had an amazing time, we visited several state parks and scenic views. The Koke'e State Park was amazing. As we drove up to the park, we saw some awesome views along the way and absolutely beautiful and more amazing views once we got to the park. We would recommend everyone to see these amazing sites. Kauai should be very Proud of their Island, it is truly the Garden Island of Hawaii and seeing all the greenery, flowers, beaches, and views makes for a great vacation and special memories for all time. Thank you to the Officials of Kauai, Don & Wendy.

The views are amazing, but it is a dangerous trail. Especially when the trail has been rained out. The first 1/3 is mud, the second third is flat, and the last third is a steep 1500 climb. But the views are amazing. This is where Harrison Ford had his hissy fit in the movie Six Nights and Seven Days. There probably won't be anyone on the way back even in high season. Breathtaking views that will stay with you forever. It is 11.6 miles, and you better start before 10 am because of daylight constraints. Bring 2x as much water as you think. Its hot and dry up there, and you can get dehydrated easily. Make sure to get plenty of gas for your car before you leave Waimea to get here no gas stations up in the park area.

This was a highlight for us. It is beautiful. Worth the drive up to it. The last two lookouts that overlook the Napali Coast were cloudy but if it had been clear, what a beautiful sight. The clouds broke apart for a brief second, just enough time for us to see a glimpse of it. Wow is all I can say. The Waimea Canyon is amazing with all the many colors, and the waterfalls!!

Excellent views of the canyon from the lookout. Like the Grand Canyon but greener. Great photo opportunities from this area.

After four visits, I can authortivley tell you Kauai is beutiful and unique; it has more beach than you can enjoy in one visit. It has rivers, good resteraunts and other attractions but my favorite thing to do is hike in Kokee State park. If you are like me and love to hike there is planty here to keep you busy. The Pihea/ Alakai are amazing, there is a trail whose name esacpes me that when you come to the end puts you right out in the middle of the canyon. There are trails over ooking the ocean, long, short, difficult, easy you name it. There are great places to picnic or camp if you fancy as well. The Munseum has good maps for puurchase or you can order them on line.

The drive through the canyon up to the lookouts was great. Unfortunately we went on a semi-rainy day. A bit hazy for most of the drive, but at the very top lookout , a marine layer of clouds blocked the view to the Nepali coast. Still with the drive.

There are so many places to hike in Koke'e State Park, you could spend your entire vacation there and not have time to do all of the trails - there are outstanding views and interesting things to see on every trail, each adventure somewhat unique from the others. There are somewhat easily reached places where you can see the amazing Napali Coast on one side and the equally amazing Alakai Swamp on the other side! You can hike to waterfalls, beaches, parks - hike on rocky trails, slippery clay trails, wooden plank 'trails' across the swamp bottom or trails that are made challenging by giant tree roots growing across them. You can see tons of flowers, birds, and take a million pictures here, possibly catching a glimpse of wild boar or hunters looking for one - every hike is a new adventure so be sure to make time for Koke'e State Park and all the wonderful trails you can access there!

The Waimea Canyon is spectacular in any weather although clouds can be thick and drifting and rain can be torrential, as it was this week when we took friends from Paris there. The entire park area, however, has much to interest with lush forest and specimen trees - both native and exotic. It is also a place to see thousands of specimens of all sizes of Hawai'is loved Koa tree, famous for its wood. There are areas where it is possible to picnic including a covered area of tables with bathrooms, near the museum and cafe.

Great stop to see the idyllic Kalalau Valley. Can be cloudy, but worth the drive. Be sure to go beyond this point for the second look out. Stay a while and enjoy the awesome views

We spent a week on Kauai in mid July at the North end of the island and decided to drive around the island to the park for a day hike. We left our vacation rental around 6:30am for a very nice drive South down past the Kauai coffee plantation and up the canyon road (550) into the park, arriving ar the end of the road around 8:30am at the Kalaleu Valley lookout. This view alone would be worthwhile for those who are hiking challenged. It is also the starting point for an 8 mile round trip day hike to the Kilohana lookout, with its absolutely breathtaking view all the way to Hanalei Bay. Technically, the first part of the trail is one that goes to the Pihea Vista, with a branch off descending to the Alaka'i Crossing, a well marked board walk intersection of two trails, one of which is the so called swamp trail that goes out to the Kilohana lookout. The trail is every bit as good as stated in the guide books, so I'll focus on what they don't tell you. I suspect most casual hikers turn back within a half a mile from the start point due to mud (there are a number of wonderful vistas along this stretch, so even that is worthwhile).

We started off around 8:30am in sunshine with spectacular views until the morning clouds moved in, then hiked through heavy mist with some light showers for a considerable time. This was quite ethereal in addition to protecting us from the tropical sun. From what we were told, it also is a typical weather pattern, with everything clearing by about noon. It timed out well, since it took us 3 hours to reach the lookout, which was completely shrouded. Like magic, in about 20 minutes while we ate our picnic lunch, everything cleared for what is probably the most spectacular view I've ever seen. I wore hiking sandals and my wife running shoes, both well tested in mainland hiking. We didn't encounter hikers on the way out, but we did on the way back, with footgear ranging from hiking boots to bare feet. You could tell how close you were to being back by how muddy their feet were. There are a number of sections of the trail that require climbing up or down rock slimed with mud, and I'm sure it is rarely dry, considering you are near the wettest spot on earth (the summit of Mt. Waialeal). Even for veteran hikers, this calls for slow going, with risk of ankle or knee injury if you should slip (and both of us did have a couple of good slips in the course of the day). If you have ankle or knee problems, you might want to think twice about doing this particular trail. Once you are past the Pihea Vista section of the trail, you begin encountering sections that have been board walked, including one with a very long flight of stairs. The hike across the swamp is particularly easy, with mostly flat board walk. Prior to this, you cross a small mountain stream where you can rinse off some of the mud, but it is followed by another section of rock ascent/descent where you get muddy all over again. The board walk consists of two parallel planks sheathed with wire fencing for traction. Since the fencing is broken in spots, I wouldn't consider walking on it barefoot or with unprotected toes, although I'm sure some do. The swamp is more like a bog, since there isn't visibly moving water. It is quite large and filled with interesting plants. We encountered no insects. Sunscreen is a must. Our return was in heavy sun with no clouds. This also gave us the benefit of seeing the trail in both mist and in clear sun, with even Mt. Waialeale's summit exposed on our return, a rare event. I would suggest taking a lightweight parka. We also carry light weight day packs for water and incidentals. This is not a sweaty hike since it is at 4000 feet altitude with a vertical shift of no more than 400 feet across the length of the trail. I was fine with 2 bottles of water over 6 hours. Incidentally, no water along the trail is safe to drink or bathe in, since there have been cases of leptospirosis bacterial infection reported. If it is of interest, my wife and I are both in our mid 60's and found this trail quite doable. I would not rate it strenuous since there are no heart pounding climbs, but would rate it difficult in spots. Most of it I would rate either easy or moderate.

We went to waimea canyon first. By the time we got here it was pouring and completely cloudy. So definitely go early if you want to hike.

The drive and views are beautiful. A must see if you are on the island of Kauai. Drive all the way to the end of the road and you will be able to also see the "forbidden island".

Try to aim for a good weather day to head for Koke'e. There are things to do when it's cloudy or rainy however there are several great hikes for dry days. Drive to the very top and the lookout down into Kalalau valley is breath taking. You may have to strand there for 30 minutes or more till the clouds pass below and you are able to see the beach and valley but well worth the patience. If you can catch the day after a big rain you will see awesome water falls everywhere.
During the summer when it's hot down at sea level, this is a great cool weather escape. There are shelter houses near the museum and a big grass area for picnics, napping, playing catch etc.
Stop at the look outs on the drive up, there are bathrooms, and the views are all worth the sort walks.
You also get to see the beginning point of the irrigation system that supplys water to all the crop ground on the west side of Kauai and you might even see some wild pigs and/or goats. It can get crowded but usually isn't too bad.

Koke`e State Park is north of Waimea Canyon at the top of the Na Pali Coast. It is high elevation cool tropical forests. This is where the average rain fall per year is 40 feet. The clouds are normally here. Just Beautiful.

Great views at the napali coast. Kalalau-stunning, just a pity there is not a trail from here. We did the awaawapuhi trail, 80 min walk down, then great view at the coast then 85 min walk back up, the boys marched us up the hill like we were marines! I felt old and grey! But the walk was worth it. Aim for a slower walk back up I think, 1200ft plus incline!!

Best view on the island is on the rim trail. If it is cloudy, keep hiking- it will clear up and the view is worth it! You may have to slide down on your backside if it is wet but there is nothing too challenging unless you have bad knees, hip, back.

yes the clouds will move on. one must learn patience. stop at the museum for maps and dont forget WATER if your hiking Do not drink out of our streams, Leptobacillus from wild pigs goats and deer.

My daughter and I tried to visit as many waterfalls possible. Very happy with the ease and location. Good for families with small children too.

WE drove to waimea canyon nd the end of the road. Great view of the napali coast from the end of the road. The kokee lodge is a farce. Very limited menu and very unappealing eating area.

My wife and I drove up into Koke’e State Park and enjoyed the views of the coast and the “other side” of the Nepali Coast, in particular. We left the parking lot around noon and by then it was jam-packed. We also hiked along the Pihea Trail for a bit and enjoyed the experience. Based on our reading, we did not feel compelled to do the hikes to enjoy the views of the coast. Definitely recommended.

The views of the coast are so beautiful they seem unreal. Waimea Canyon is also stunning. Go on a relatively clear day or you won't see much. Great hiking but be careful. I've hiked all over the Sierra Mountains, Cascades, and Appalachians. This trail was the scariest thing I've ever done. A portion of the trail was choked with 6 foot tall grass we had to pick our way through all the while hoping we were still on the trail and not about to walk off the edge of the cliff. Eventually the grass cleared and we found ourselves on a trail a little more than two boots wide that literally scaled a cliff outcropping. There was a sheer cliff face above and below us. As we inched along the cliff rock crumbled out from below our feet. Since we couldn't see more than a few feet ahead we were unable to judge when this portion of the trail would end. I am guessing a couple hundred yards. Hard to know as we were scared for our lives the entire time. Definitely not for the faint of heart. Come prepared with good hiking shoes/boots and plenty of water. The views are unsurpassed. On return home I met someone who had lived his entire life on Kauai. When I told him about the trail experience he commented it's not unusual for people to be seriously injured or die on those trails. Curiously enough we had told the park ranger our plans and inquired about the weather for the day. He never said a word about the trail condition. Maybe it was par for Kauai trails. I would recommend asking specific questions about the conditions of any trail you plan to hike. We had also hiked the first portion of the Kalalau trail. This was also challenging because you are scrambling over rocks much of the way. Combine the smooth rocks with they clay dirt and frequent north shore showers and you have a very slippery hike. Again hiking shoes/boots and plenty of water are highly recommended.

My favorite overlook was the Kalalau Lookout. It is amazing to look down into the valley and watch the clouds form and rise up the hillside. I didn't stop at all of the lookouts but there is some great scenery here and if you are driving up through Waimea Canyon, you should continue on to Koke'e State Park.

My wife and I did some great hikes in this park and I will try to break them down for you.

Pihea Trail-7 1/2 mile return-moderate grades. Found this trail has such stunning views that it takes an hour to go 10 minutes because you are stopping to take so many pictures. This is a great trail that traverses the cliff edge as you look down on the Kalalau valley. The trail can be slippery after a rain and clouds can roll in and eliminate the view quickly. Try to get there early as it tends to be clearer in the morning. Even if you go 10 minutes down this trail and back you will be treated to great views. The trail starts at the end of the park road.

Canyon Ridge Trail To Waipo'o Falls- 3 1/2 mile return moderate hike. This is a great hike with beautiful diverse views of the forest ,canyon and the waterfalls. You start the hike at Pu'u Ka Pele lookout just before the 13 mile marker. The trailhead is at the back of the parking lot. You start downhill into a forest for the first 1/2 mile.The trail levels out and you start to climb up a ridge. You end up on top of an exposed canyon ridge with beautiful red soil and stunning views. You hike along the edge of the canyon rim for a 1/3rd of a mile and then drop down into a forest again. Straight ahead the trail leads to a 20 foot waterfall about 5 minutes in. This is the end of the trail. As you return back to the canyon ridge there is a side trail to the left that leads to the top of the 800 foot Waipo'o falls. There is a small 20 foot waterfall that drops form a ledge another 150 to 200 feet and then drops again. Great picture spot ,outstanding canyon views but be careful of the hazards. Retrace your steps back to your vehicle. When you are on the road out of the park at the 12 mile area you can get great pictures of the ridge and waterfall you were on. Great short hike if you have a few hours.

Awa'awapuhi Trail-6.2miles return difficult trail. Trail starts just past the lodge at the 17 mile marker. It is a gradual downhill all the way as you make your way out the valley. You drop 1200 feet of elevation which you have to climb on the way back. No views until you are 2 miles in and the real views are at the end of the trail . Jurassic Park ridged cliff views looking out towards the Awaawapuhi and Nualolo valleys. Great place to stop and have lunch and take endless photos of the incredible views. Again go early as the clouds can roll in later on. We had a 1/2 hour of views and then the clouds ruined the fun. People coming in as we left saw NO view. Save your energy as the hike out can seem longer than the hike in.

Nualolo Trail-7 1/2 miles difficult trail. Trail starts immediately before the lodge past the 15 mile marker. You start this trail going up a small ridge then dropping steeply down. This trail is supposed to have the same elevation drop as the Awaawapuhi trail but it drops more steeply and levels out and drops steeply again. The Awaawapuhi trail is more gradual and more constantly down. The Nualolo trail weaves its way through lush vegetation and forests. The views open up by the 2 mile mark. There is a spur trail to the Nualolo cliff trail which is now closed due to erosion. The trail continues along a steep ridge and you must be focussed on your footing. I loved it but my wife was a little nervous. At the end of the trail the vistas are north to the Awaawapuhi valley and you can see down the whole Napali coast. I went way past the the end of trail sign and took some awesome pictures. You must be cautious and aware of your footing at all times. The soft soil is also unstable in places and could crumble under your feet if you were to close to an edge. Be careful as a slip here could be your last. The views here are the best on the island and this hike was my favourite. It was very windy at the end of the exposed trail and the hike out is very steep. It would be very difficult and slippery if had rained previously. This is a must do hike for serious hikers. I thought it had everything Awaawapuhi trail had and a lot more as you had the Napali coast view.

Other Great Hikes outside the park
Kalalau Trail
West Nounou Trail
Hoopii Falls
Okolehao Trail
Wailua Falls
Kuilau Ridge Trail

I hope you have found this review helpful. Enjoy Kauai!!!

It's a long drive up through Waimea Canyon park, but once you get there, you'll love the views. There are a few hikes at the top and along the way, but we didn't go on any due to our footwear (flip-flops). I do wish we had brought our hiking shoes, as the parts of the trails we started down looked amazing. The piece-de-resistance is of course the view at the very top of the Kalalau Valley. The first day we tried, it was completely unviewable due to low clouds, but we thought we'd go early in the morning on a sunny day again to see if we could catch it (from the North Shore Princeville, it's quite the drive!), and boy are we glad we did. If only I'd worn my hiking shoes!!

If you do one hike in Kauai, do the Awa’awa puhi trail hike!!! The 360 view at the end is worth every step of the 6mi round trip, it’s a view like no other scenic overlook being atop a ridge in the midst three valleys along the Na Pali coast of Kauai. The scenery will stick with you for a lifetime! It’s a steady descent the 3 miles out. Brung hinking poles if you have, it can be muddy. Wasn’t too bad when we started at 11a. The path was much drier a couple hours later on our way back. The incline back is moderate compared hiking the flatirons in CO like I’m used to. The trailhead is on hwy 550 about a mile from the visitor center, easy to find & parking available (no restrooms so stop at the visitor center on the way).
The path is shaded most of the way until the end when you reach the coast. Still we got a little sunburnt on our shoulders not wearing sunscreen. There are many birds singing in the forest along the way, the hike is pleasant. And every now & then there’s a glimpse of the coast to come.

A great hiking park. We hike with our small children through the foilage and discovered tiny waterfalls in the jungle. Then we came upon views of Waimea Canyon and goats galore.

We camped in the state park and had the whole campground to our selves (excluding the roosters) It was beautiful seeing the canyon and the lookouts but we especially loved the night sky and the endless option for hiking. I would recommend this as a stop even for just the day.

The hike was muddy but fun, make sure you wear proper shoes! If you have a hiking stick, make sure to bring one. As well as water! We were fortunate enough to get there before the clouds rolled in & we lost the view...

No words to really describe the beauty of the trail and park.Just amazing! The views are stunning and need to be seen to appreciate.

Drove to the end of highway 550. Then did 2 miles on the Pihea trail to the junction. Then 2 miles on the Alakai Swamp Trail to the end of the earth. This is the world’s highest rainforest and swamp, and like nothing you have seen before. This is a very difficult 8.1 miles. Some parts are steep rock and mud. Your shoes will likely go into the trash if it rained the day before or day of. If any part of the boardwalk above the swamp is out, your pants and socks will be trashed too. There may be no entrance fee, but it cost me $50 in clothes and shoes. If you like nature or hiking, this is a must and worth the price. Plan on 4+ hours. Bring water and food. It will be near 60F when it is 80F at the beach. The Kalalau trail is a better so do it first. But if you get to do two hikes or a second trip to Kauai, do the Swamp trail.

This state park features beautiful views of the Na Pali coast. The park center has a place for the kids to feed the chickens and other amenities. We enjoyed walking around and feeding the chickens.

This is OK on a clear day, but if it is cloudy you won't see much and it is a long twisty road. OK if you don't have anything else to do or you like the mountain.

When we were here 8 years ago what we mostly saw was clouds, which was eerie in itself. This time we got the grand views of the Kalalau valley, with clouds rolling over the cliffs. Like Waimea Canyon, you can get beautiful views just by taking the scenic drive and stopping at the overlooks. If you want to venture further, the Pihea trail starts from the end of the road. I'd had enough of muddy and slippery by that point - this was the last hike we did - so we didn't go very far, but you can get away from the crowds. There's a nice spot for a picnic too.

Just keep going through Waimea Canyon. There's only one road, all the way to the lookout at the end.

We spent a morning at Koke'e State Park but could easily have spent the entire day if it hadn't been for the rain. The only negative is what makes it so beautiful -- it's rain forest location means lush vegetation. We stopped at both lookouts -- Kalalau and Pu'u o Kila -- beautiful before the mist came rolling in to obscure the view. We grabbed our rain gear and set out on the Pihea Trail hoping for more good views. When we reached the point that we could no longer enjoy the hike (and observed a couple younger than us having trouble negotiating the muddy trail), we decided that it was time to retreat. If you can catch a better day, go for it -- lots of trails to choose. Even if the weather is not ideal, drive up to the lookouts to catch a glimpse of the Napali coast -- it's amazing! After a morning at Koke'e, drive back down the road to see the fabulous afternoon vistas in Waimea Canyon.

We went to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park in September. The morning ride there was beautiful - lots of great picture taking of the canyon. We intended to hike the Pihea trail to the alakai swamp trail (as described in Kauai Revealed, by Andrew Doughty). We started off around 9:00 am, cool weather, few other people, but did not make it more than 1 mile. This trail is an ankle twister. The day we went was dry so it was hard packed clay-like surface but there is not a flat surface to be found. It was like boulder hopping but on a slick, packed clay. You have to watch your footing all the time, which means you can't enjoy the scenery. I'm in my 50's and hike the Santa Monica Mountains in So Cal without trouble. The Pihea trail I did not enjoy. My teenagers - both fit and adventurous - were the first to suggest we not proceed; they could not envision 4 miles of that only to turn around and rewalk it for a total of 8 miles. We drove back down to the park headquarters, walked through the museum, and enjoyed a picnic by a grassy field. We had enough time to enjoy snorkeling at Poipu Beach. We enjoyed our day, probably more than if we had done the hike, and covered a lot of beautiful Kauai.

My wife and I hiked the Pihea Trail in late June 2007. It had a nice combination of spectacular views and interesting vegetation. We hiked from the overlook to the intersection with the Alaka'i Swamp Trail.

This was a muddy trip, but lots of fun. The high elevation meant it was cool and pleasant to hike. I particularly enjoyed the vegetation changes along the way--the moss, ferns, and bromeliads get more interesting as you approach the swamp.

I wish we had more time to take the Swamp Trail all the way to the end. One more reason to return to Kauai!

It was raining when we drove to Koke'e State Park from Waimea Canyon. The little museum is nicely laid out and worth browsing. The Koke'e lodge Inn restaurant and gift shop offers average foods although I liked their warm, moist cornbread. Wild chickens abound on their grounds and they get fed by the restaurant staff. It will be nice to come here in the Summer since it's a cool place. They have cottages/log cabins for rent and there's also a campground where campers can set up tents for a fee.

Long drive from Lihue with look outs along the way. Past WaImea Canyon lookout. But worth the teak. Go to the end of the road Pu'u o Kila lookout. Spend time looking at the fabulous Napali coast.

The Kalalau Valley Lookout is a fantastic place to admire the view and really pause to soak in the natural beauty of Kauai. Surrounded by ocean and sky that melt into one another, lush green valley dense with vegetation, and mountain peaks that seems to be sharp as a knife – you just have to be amazed. On a side note, you can at times see wild goats on the cliffs and whale in the ocean (binoculars or long range lens of camera necessary).

If you go another mile up, at the very end of the road is the Pu'u O Kila Lookout which is another good spot to stop. This is also where the Pihea Trail starts (at the sign - "Mt. Waialeale Wettest spot on earth") and it traverses the ridge overlooking the Waimea Valley. For the most part the trail is a moderate hike though at times it gets pretty muddy and certain points you are practically bouldering over the harden red clay to go upwards. Take it slow as it can be quite slippery, but try to get to the Pihea lookout – the last couple of hundred yards is almost straight upward climb. Before the step ascents the trail splits going towards the Alakai Swamp. Unfortunately, we did not try for that part of the trail due to the time of day, but seems quite interesting. Recommend you bring water and wear good shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy.

We did this after a great morning out on the water. The canyon has some great colors, and our time in the canyon was cloudy, parking was $5 and covered all the lots. There are trails to hike and several pullout for viewing. This was a nice cool break.

The trails are very poorly marked and the trail is no more than a goat track....be very careful even on something marked 'Moderate' or easy....this is misleading

We had a great time camping and hiking in Koke'e. The campground was lovely, with nice spacious sites spread out with beautiful flowering plants between each site. We have two kids and I didn't feel like we disturbed anyone when they got a bit loud :-). The only drawback was the cold showers! It was a bit chilly (60s) so bathing was an experience.

The drive up to the park is long, but pretty, and there is a decent grocery store in Waimea town to stock up on groceries before you go up. The best prices are at the Walmart in Lihue, but walmart doesn't have fresh food so you have to get them locally.

We hiked one of the "strenuous" trails that left from right below the campground/museum/restaurant area, and it was challenging. The views of the Napali coast were awesome, though, and we really wore the kids out!

All in all, worth the trip if you're looking for a peaceful, easy camping trip on Kauai. We came over from Oahu with all our gear and it was a great time.

We didn't realize that the Waimi Canyon drive took us to this state park too. The change in flora and cooler temperatures was unexpected. It was like entering a different state. We went in late afternoon and unfortunately the view from the final lookout was clouded over (socked in). But that didn't put a damper on our drive.

We went on a sunny, warm day so the views were vast and wonderful. Plan on going back to take more time to explore there.

Take an entire day to explore the Koke'e State Park! Definitely take some time in the visitor center and find out about the numerous hiking trails. Make sure you check the weather forecast. The anapali Foast is best observed early in the morning when there aphas been no rain. Drive all the way to the end! Kalalau Lookout and beyond! Just breathtaking!

This reminded me of Yosemite in that it seems like cheating to pull your car over get such great views with zero work. Follow the blue guidebook (NOT the signs in Waimea) and take the east road (forget what it's called). Way more scenic and way more lookouts. Found ourselves yanking the wheel and stopping at almost every lookout on the way up. We had a mix of cloudy, rain, fog and sunshine. We never did get a good view of Kalalau valley, but saw plenty of other great stuff. We did the Awa'awapuhi trail, which was muddy, mostly through woods, but awesome end point to have lunch an enjoy the lookout.

About an hour drive from Poipu this park offers incredible views of the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Great scenic drive.

A challenging hike, even more so as it had just rained so lots of mud in the first couple of miles and quite a few very slippery steep sections. I took my hiking boots off for the trek back and just went barefoot, found that less difficult for footing

The lookouts over the Napali coast is absolutely beautiful. I guess we were lucky with the weather as well as we had a clear view for minutes. Clouds tend to come and go. Starting to walk from the Pu`u O Kila lookout towards the Pihea Vista junction is highly recommended as the view is even better on the way there. If you don`t want to get muddy, be sure to stop before some of the really muddy parts. The parking at the end is not very big so it can get full.

Beautiful scenery up on the Na Pali coast. Amazing views, plenty of parking and facilities at various view points. Well worth visiting but worth seeing by sea or air too if you can.

We camped in Koke'e State Park for three nights during our week-long stay on Kaua'i and it was great. The views as you drive up and down the winding road leading up to the park are incredible and it is well worth stopping at all the scenic pull-off spots. We never watched the sunset over the canyon, but we did see the sunrise and that was gorgeous!

Camping was a great way to save money while having a wonderful vacation on Kaua'i!

One really big piece of advice: pack warm clothes or blankets. We had been checking weather.com and it kept saying it would be between 70 and 80 degrees, but it got down to the 50s at night and we really appreciated the extra layers of clothes and towels.

On our trip to Koke'e State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park, we drove straight to Kalalau Lookout at mile 18 to catch the stunning view of Na Pali Coast before the clouds rolled in. We got there around 9:15am to the beautiful view, took some photos then headed to the next lookout, Pu'u O Kila Lookout, where the clouds had already started to cover the valley. Wanted to head back to Kalalau Lookout for sunset after spending the rest of the day hiking Canyon Trail and visiting the Waimea Canyon lookouts but it was raining hard so we decided to leave at 4:30pm (it rained all day on the island the next day). Definitely come early for the best view. It is cooler up at Koke'e State Park.

I considered doing the more difficult trails in Koke'e State Park that look out to the coast but didn't want to do anything too strenuous or put ourselves at risk on the edge of a ridge for great views. We hiked Canyon Trail instead (separate review).

We missed Hwy 550 to get here so ended up driving up Hwy 552 that eventually merges with Hwy 550. Drive down Hwy 550 leaving the park was scenic.

Went up to the lookout and giant double rainbow going over the coastline. I’ve seen nothing like it in person. A magical moment for sure! The next viewpoint we couldn’t see much bc clouds and rain came in.

We wished we had warmer bedding for the car-top camper we rented because it got super cold at night. Lots of roosters. Bring earplugs if you want to sleep in.

A terrain so diverse, the arid drive and canyon view gives way to lush ridge top jungles if you choose to follow a trail toward the coast. I recommend going as far as your car can go, early is best, and park. There, you can take the Pihea trail with spectacular views to the Na Pali coast. This is a very muddy trail, with slippery footing so be prepared to get a little dirty but believe me, it is worth it!

This is a nice state park with plenty to see and do. There is a lodge here, a restaurant, bathrooms (with good ventilation!), a museum, short hiking trail, and a campground. We recommend stopping in!

the trip to Koke'e park is full of Vista points that you stop and explore. but the view from that top of the canyon is mesmerizing. we really enjoyed it. yes there are lots of tourists but the place is big enough that they are not in your way.

We hiked the Pihea trail and while the views were wonderful, when we could see beyond the clouds and mist, the trail itself was so slippery as to be a distraction. I'd recommend Kokee State Park to anyone and we found some other trails that provided just as good views without slick clay ruts for trails.

We drove to the end of highway 550 stopping at multiple lookout points along the way. We were there on a somewhat cloudy day but the views were still amazing. We did not do any hiking having read that many of the hikes are strenuous. But it's still possible to see a great deal just with brief walks from the road. We were told that it was best to go in the morning as the clouds can be more of a problem in the afternoon, which is what we did. On our way back down, we stopped at the small restaurant next to the history museum where we had an excellent breakfast of eggs, sausage and pancakes (with prompt, friendly service). We would highly recommend this as a not-to-be-missed sight on Kauai.

When you visit Waimea Canyon, be sure to stop at Koke’e State Park. There is something for everyone including hiking trails, tent and cabin camping, a rainforest, native flora, and fantastic views. Trails range from 1.9 to 7.7 miles long.
Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon form one huge park. There are two must stop places: the Puu O Kila and Kalalua Lookouts. Kalaulua has a wonderful view of the Kalalau Valley as well as the Napali Coast. It is located at mile marker 18. The best view of the Napali Coast is from the Puu o Kila Lookout. Views from here are the ones usually featured in magazines and advertisements. The best time to visit the park is in the morning but there is no guarantee as the area could be completely fogged in.
The Lodge is next to a small museum and has a restaurant, cocktail lounge, and gift shop. If you rent a cabin, it does not have TV, WIFI, nor cell phone coverage.
Parking and entrance fees cover both parks. Paying for parking is on the honor system. While waiting in line, I noticed a couple of people chose to not pay. Much to their dismay, a ranger at one of the parking areas was making note of those who did not have a sticker on your car’s dashboard.

Beautiful lookouts of Kalalau Valley. The roads are a little curvy and narrow at times but make sure to go to the museum to learn more about the island! We went to the canyon one day and came back the next to go further. It is a long drive so make sure you have plenty of gas.

Go early and park and wander , many trails and each are different with fabulous views ... worth the effort and good for you ! Bring food and drinks as time passes and you go deeper and deeper into the wild so you can use the supplies...

We had an amazing trip to Kauai. Everything was fantastic. Koke'e State park was a place that I would have happily stayed for the duration of our vacation. The hiking trails are beautiful and the ecosystems are amazing. This place is a must visit for any trip to Kauai. Even if you can only spare one day of your vacation, this is worth it.

A must do visit if in Kauai! Spectacular views that will blow you away. Lots of good hiking trails in the area also.

For the less adventurous, the road takes you to several overlooks over the Napali coast. For the more adventurous, several hikes take you to amazing vistas. We did the Awa'awapuhi Trail hike, which was spectacular. It has its own TripAdvisor page - check it out!

Note that you may not see much on a cloudy day as the clouds seem to settle atop the Napali mountains. Our helicopter tour guide said it's best to drive up here in the 11am-3pm timeframe, after the morning clouds burn off and before the afternoon ones drift in.

It is about an hour drive, but worth it. Probably longer up due to stops along the way. The views from here are incredible. Do not take a tour, rent a car, take in the sights.

The Awa’awapuhi Trail is a fairly undemanding 3.1-mile (each way) hike to a lookout above the fluted ridges of the Na Pali coastline. If you get good weather, the views will be spectacular; if it’s wet and misty, you may be disappointed. So before setting out, it’s wise to stop in at the Koke’e State Park museum and ask about weather and trail conditions. If they’re less than ideal, staff can recommend alternative hikes elsewhere in the park.

The Awa’awapuhi trailhead is located about a mile and a half from the museum at the 17-mile marker on Hwy 550. You can park right there. The early part of the trail is through an unremarkable wooded area, but it opens into expanses of ferns, trees and shrubs. We saw lots of evidence on the trail of wild pigs rooting around, and a couple of times we heard them grunting and squealing nearby, but we didn’t see any. We did, however, come across Kauai’s ubiquitous wild roosters at the overlook as well as a wild goat that ventured beyond the railing where humans must stop.

We had a few moments of sunshine at the overlook before showers and mist moved in, partially obscuring the view of the Awa’awapuhi Valley and cliffs. The changing weather didn’t spoil the outing, but it did dissuade us from picking up the Nu’alolo Cliff Trail leading to views of the adjacent Nu’alolo Valley.

My partner and I visited Kokee State Park on our recent trip to the beautiful island of Kauai.

•After reading several reviews on this site, it seems people are confusing this park with Kee Beach. Kokee State Park is on the west side of the island and offers views of the Napali Coast from high above. Hiking is not required (you can drive right up to the view points, but there are hiking options available). Kee Beach is on the complete opposite side of the island – North Shore. Kee Beach is the starting point for the famous Kalalau Hiking Trail which is an experience all upon itself (one we loved).
•Kokee State Park is on Highway 550 and is right after Waimea Canyon State Park. We did both parks in one day and it worked out great. We only stopped at the lookouts in Waimea Canyon State Park and in Kokee State Park in addition to the lookouts, we also did some hiking. There are two main lookouts in Kokee State Park: Kalalau Lookout and Puu O Kila Lookout. Both lookouts offer great views of the Kalalau Valley / Napali Cost. Both offer easy access from parking lots and require minimal effort to get to.
•Puu O Kila Lookout also offers some good hiking. We hiked the two miles in and back from the Puu O Kila parking lot. It was not a very strenuous trail. There are some steep hills, but for the most part it is an easy going trail and it offers even better views of the Kalalau Valley than the touristy overlook spot did.
•Our biggest recommendation would be to start your day early. We were at Waimea Canyon State Park by 8:00 AM and at Kokee State Park by 10:00 AM. The timing worked perfect for us because we had pretty clear skies in both spots. By the time we hit about two miles into the trail, the whole place was covered with clouds and you could not see anything (hince why we turned around). So I can only say based on our experience, getting their earlier afforded us the opportunity to see these beautiful views before they were hidden by Mother Nature. With that said, because we got to see the views before it clouded up, it was also cool to be so high up surrounded by cloud cover. It was a unique experience for us.
•Also, it gets very hot on the first part of the trail (it’s out in the open with no cover). Dress appropriately and bring lots of water. Of course, I guess that goes for any hike on this island.

Without a doubt we would recommend Kokee State Park for anyone looking to for a nice drive up the canyon road, easy access to overlooks with amazing views and also for anyone looking for some nice hiking.

For all the tourism that hits the islands the State Park seems to be mailing it in. Road and trail conditions are not maintained well. The Lodge charges prices for things like water and coffee that are easily twice anywhere else on Kauai and the personnel were just rude.

The best view of Kalalau Valley is from the Pu'u Okila lookout, not Kalalau Lookout. Make sure to continue driving after mile 18 or just pass Kalalau Lookout if you don't have much time. We come to this postcard-perfect view point every time we visit Kauai. Three out of five visits we saw rainbow in the valley. What a treat!!

We like to hike. I recommend you stop at the visitors center to get a trail map $3 . Bring plenty of water to drink and snacks. If you are not into hikes I suggest you drive up to see all the lookouts.

We walked the trail to the waterfall, about 4 miles round trip. Trail is moderately difficult to walk, through the sandy ground and steep paths often very slippery. Just slow down. Climbing over rocks and easily accessible sections is rewarded by a fascinating view into the canyon. The trail ends at the small waterfall where you can swim. Tour absolutely recommended and worth seeing-it👍

Very beautiful overlooks and dramatic cliffs with awesome views of the ocean and coastline.....trails are hard but very rewarding...would recommend a four wheel drive to best get to the trailheads......if you do, your reward awaits!!

The views are spectacular, we spent the day in and around the park, there are some awesome places to stop on the way up, as well as some great walks in the park. You are crazy if you visit Kauai and miss this!

Great hiking to waterfalls and the glorious coast. Be prepared for muddy trails. Many people find a single walking pole to be advantageous.

This is a not to be missed State Park in Kauai. The views are breathtaking. Also, great food at the Kole Lodge Restaurant. The Portuguese bean soup was just like grandma used to make it.

My wife and I just got back from Kaua'i - my favorite of the 3 Hawaiian Islands I've visited. A highlight for me was hiking the 9 mile Awa‘awapuhi - Nu‘alolo Loop. We got a late start (12:30pm) so hitched a ride from the Koke'e museum to the Awa‘awapuhi trailhead to save some time. This was a great idea and we met a couple of nice travelers also from the Seattle area. Most trail reports I've read suggest starting on the Nu'alolo trail, however I think our way might be better. The Awa'awapuhi trail is in better shape and less muddy then the Nu'alolo trail, so better for going down hill. If you had to do just one of these two trails though I would suggest the Nu'alolo trail all the way to the end. The view from the tip of this trail is unbelievable. You can see all the way up the Napali Coast and we got there towards the end of the day so the light was magical. It is hard to believe we almost considered not going out to the end because we were concerned with how much daylight we had left! Do not pass up this section of the hike, it is amazing! Be prepared for a constant stream of Helicopters though. I'm sure it is a stunning flight, but I feel that hiking was the best way to see this landscape and certainly less noisy.

A note on safety. I live in the Pacific Northwest and do a lot of hiking in the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. I did not find these trails any more strenuous then most that we do close to home. Yes, going up Nu'alolo trail was steep and a bit muddy towards the top. There were some narrow sections that would be quite scary if it was stormy or raining hard. Don't let that turn you back though, just take it slow and cautious and I think you will be safe. Bring plenty of water and food. We were lucky to have the sun go behind the clouds for our slog up the hill, but in hot sun this would have been intense.

Finally, we were there in November and caught the end of the guava season. Delicious red strawberry guavas and yellow guavas. I understand these are a terrible invasive plant in Hawai'i so I felt I was doing my duty eating them before the feral pigs eat them and spread the seeds. :-)

After we completed the trail, we quickly drove up to the Kalalau Lookout and caught the sunset. Again, due to the long day, we almost choose to not do this, but that would have been a huge mistake. The view and the sunset was amazing! The road to the look out is a bit rough though, so drive carefully.

Overal, having done the first part of the Kalalau trail and then these trails, I would highly recommend the Awa‘awapuhi - Nu‘alolo Loop if you had time to do only one. Although no beach or waterfall access, the views are more incredible, the plant life more diverse and (at least when we were hiking) much less people.

While visiting Waimea Canyon, be sure to continue driving to the end of the road to see this breathtaking view. You can also see this while taking a cruise to the Na Pali Coast but this valley is so lovely that you want to see it from both points of view. There is a small picnic area and decent size parking lot. I believe you can hike into the canyon but we didn't do that. It is amazing in its loveliness and will remind you how lucky the Hawaiians were to live here.

Trail at absolute End of park road, 1 mile of spectacular breath-taking views looking down the cliffs to the patchwork fields & turquoise waves crashing on the beach below. GREAT! Feel the power of Pele rise up thru the earth into your body & soul. Easiest of the trails, but still takes effort. Picnic afterwards in hugely spacious & lovely tree-bordered grassy area w/ picnic tables in front of Kokee Museum

Nice drive, but some serious potholes on the very last stretch of the paved road, we should have stopped at the second to last lookout, which was spectacular.

It is worth the extra time to drive all the way to the Kalalau Lookout and the Puu o Kila Lookout. Don't stop at Waimea Canyon State Park. We also stopped at the museum area where there is a large stretch of lawn with picnic tables to eat our own picnic lunch. This park is different from the views in Waimea Canyon State Park so don't miss it!

This park has some great trails and lookouts that all have great views. Many lead to overlooks of the Napali coast which are incredible. There is a small museum/visitor center/gift shop. There is also a restaurant that has its own gift shop, coffee shop and bar. They also have a campground and cabins for rent as well as a pavilion to have a picnic or cook your freshly caught fish. There is no charge to get in.

Today, my wife and I did the hike to the waterfalls. The walk to the falls is great and fun, but very challenging. I would not recommend this hike for people that has a hard time with their legs.

You see the small waterfalls, but we were unable to see the big waterfalls which was unfortunate. Still lots of nice views of the canyon however.

I would strongly suggest this hike to anyone!

We always drive to Waimea when we go to Kauai. I love photographing all of this island. But I saw a photo of this trail and the lookout at the end and I so wanted my own picture of that view. Now I have to say, we are not much at hiking but there is no other way to get the shot I wanted, than to just do it. So, off we went about 7am. It was a beautiful day, thank heavens. There are easy parts and not so easy parts. The steps are - well - steps. And lots of them. But you can stop and rest so not awful. The stream at the bottom is a good place to stop, too, for the rest of the trail. The next part was a difficult pull for me but, I wanted that picture! Got thru that (thinking of the return trip now) and onto the boardwalk. Loved this part! The part after the steps was very slippery. But then you pretty much have the boardwalk most of the rest of the way to the overlook. I knew going in that there was every chance at not getting the shot of Hanalei because of cloud cover. And it was totally covered when we arrived. We waited for maybe twenty minutes and had about decided to start back when we looked over and the clouds had parted. There was Hanalei thru the clouds! The most beautiful site ever!! Took two minutes of pictures and it was gone again. I had the shot I wanted and we started back. Now the slippery part was just as bad going down and the steps were still steps going up. But I was one happy hiker! If you have a chance to do this hike, it is so worth it. Difficult but just keep going. Pick a day with a good forecast. This would not be tons of fun if it was rainy. Took us about two to three hours each way. We slept well that night!!

Make sure you go to the end of the road from Waimea canyon!! This is a really really neat place! The overlook when it's not cloudy is astonishingly beautiful! Other views of the area are great too! There are some birds to enjoy, as well as beautiful flowers. There's also a nice little visitor center to take a look at or use the restroom.

There are many hiking trails in Koke'e worth looking into. We did the Nualolo Trail which then connected to the Awaawapui Trail (11 mi. RT).
This was a great hike which gives great views of the southern end of the NaPali. Although you have to hike a while before getting to the Coast and the really good views, it is worth the effort. (we needed to work off all of the food and drink we were spoiling ourselves to anyway). Also, this is a good way to hike to NaPali if you want to avoid the crowds on the Kalalau trail. (we only saw 2 people our entire hike in Koke'e). While in Koke'e, the Canyon Trail hike in Waimea Canyon is a must too.

Advise... go very early in the morning. This is your best chance to have clear skies on unlimited views like this picture. As the day goes on the clouds roll in an make the view muted and rain at best. That is most days anyway. That a light jacket or coverup of some kind as the breeze at the top can be chilly.
Last piece of advise... Drive straight to the top, do not stop at the many outlooks or the restaurant and museum. Do all that on the way back down. This give you the best shot for the best experience.
One last thing... watch your brakes on the way down... very steep. If you start to smell them... pull over and let them cool or drive in a lower gear.
Happy Trails... 🌈

Our family of four (2 adults/2 teenage boys) hiked the Awa'awapuhi Trail at Koke'e State Park and loved it. The trail is 3.1 miles DOWNHILL to the most amazing views of the Na Pali coast and then it's 3.1 miles back uphill to the parking area. Well worth the exertion. The trail is easy to follow and easy to walk. It's just the uphill going back that will have you gasping for breath part of the way. Our total time hiking and hanging out was about 3 hours 20 minutes and we hung out out for 30 minutes approximately.

Our November trekking found us hiking the Pihea Trail then connecting to the Alakai Swamp Trail. These were very fun trails that changed from time to time, keeping things very interesting. The view at the very end is such a reward if you're lucky. But the hike itself is great even if the clouds and mist persist. The alpine bog is a surreal place.

We also found ourselves on the Awaawapuhi Trail, but it was a very rainy day. The hike itself was not as fun as the Pihea/Alakai Trail, but maybe you'll get some better views. We started in on part of the Nualolo Cliff Trail to the seasonal waterfall, which was a fun detour. If not doing the entire loop, at least stop by the falls.

If there is limited time....and energy.....and there is a desire to experience the natural beauty of the state park, consider one of the forest trails. There isn't the spectacular views of the valleys and cliffs, but we enjoyed the easy Halemanu-Kokee forest trail for the array of native plants and sounds of a variety of birds while walking on the gentle, unpaved shady trail. It leads to the short Faye trail, making the round trip walk just under 3 miles.
The moderate Cliff/Canyon trail is a popular Waimea Canyon Vista Trail. It is just over 3.5 miles, round trip, and has some sections with moderate grade for which we were grateful to have our hiking sticks. The vista from the red rocks, as well as the steeper hike down to the waterfall is worth the extra time and effort ...if either are available!
We stopped at the museum before any hike to check the official weather forecast, seek advice and to check a map. After hiking, we rewarded ourselves with a great cup of coffee and/or a delicious lunch at the lodge!

One runs out of superlatives describing the beauty of Kauai. Koke'e State Park is another stunning experience and another that is a must-see.

We spent an enjoyable day visiting the West side of Kauai from our location on the South Shore in Poipu. We made stops along the way, enjoying the beautiful vistas.

The drive is definitely worth it! One majestic view after another, pack a picnic, stay for sunset, allow time for the many overlooks and side trails. Wear proper footwear- no sandals! Be careful after rain as the trails are very slippery and mind the drop-offs- no selfie is worth dying for!

Great little park with Awsome views and great beach. However , there r a lot of people whom live at this park as homeless , there are shirts and shorts stuffed in trees. A temporary close line. I'm sure the sinks or used for bathing and laundry.

Just truly wonderful up here. The selling point was the view down over the Na Pali to the ocean but there was so much more. Its pleasantly cool up here and the road is nicely paved. Enjoyed the switchbacks. Get to like them, there are 15 miles of them.
There a museum, a restaurant with so-so food, a small unspectacular gift shop. and cabins are for rent with reservations. Parking is free and easy and there is no entrance fee. The State Park system does a nice job carrying for this area.
It's also perfect for picnics 9 on the provided tables or a blanket on the grass) and an escape from over-crowding elsewhere.
Chickens are here and if you are especially blessed, you may even see a Nene Goose. They are a smaller version of the Canadian Goose and are shy, but they are around.
Trails branch off down the Pali and lots of other places. Be sure to carry water and have good foot protection.
It is said that that best time to visit is the morning before the tourist buses appear. Do be aware that morning mists may not have burned off completely in the mornings.

If you go to Kauai you really must drive up Waimea Canyon and look at the views. It is a beautiful place. we were lucky and had unobstructed views, which is not always the case as there is frequent rain here. You can see beautiful valley's and the Napali Coast.

Koke’e is what I consider, when I visited, part of a few parks that all offer great views. I feel that this park system is truly a must see when going to Kauai. There are numerous waterfalls, mountains and valleys. I would recommend packing a lunch and eating it at one of the spots that offers a spectacular view.

There is something magical and rejuvenating about Koke'e State Park. Kaua'i is already an incredible destination but there's something about spending time up in Koke'e that is like nothing else on earth. Give yourself more time to explore than you think you need.

The list of types of things to do isn't really all that long, but the diverse environment in which to do them is astounding. If you like hiking, mountain biking, forests, bird watching, ocean views, camping and incredible star-covered skies then Koke'e is a must-see location. The number of trails is kind of ridiculous and I try to do a new new one every time I go up and have a feeling I'll never get to them all. But that won't stop me from trying. There are plenty of great websites and guidebooks with trail descriptions but the Koke'e Museum also has maps and up-to-date information on the upkeep of the individual trails.

PLEASE if you're driving up or down and see a spectacular view you want a photo of find a place to pull over and get safely off the road. While it's not the 405 in Los Angeles, the winding road up to Koke'e is still considered a highway and fumbling with your camera and slowing down to get a photo while cars are backing up behind you is kind of inconsiderate and unsafe.

Around 10 miles going up a mountain. Two lanes. Place to stop to overlook but not necessary. Winding roads. No gas stations. Great views driving up and back. Nice small town at the bottom with local eateries and shopping. Once at the Grand Canyon of the Pacific free parking and restroom. Handicap accessible. Local food truck. A local that says he live in the village narrated and had props. Went higher to the look out but was overcast and foggy couldn't see anything from that viewpoint. Lodging and a museum is available. Didn't have time to stop there.

Be sure to continue on to this park if you are driving up Waimea Canyon. The lookout at the top is Wai'ale'ale and has breathtaking views.

there are a lot of good trails inside this state park.
For example the "Na Pali Overlooks loop" with great views of the valleys and cliffs.
For another good hike start at the Pu'u o Kila lookout, take the Pihea trail and go to the Kawaikoi stream.
Before you start, stop at the Koke'e museum for a trail map a some information about the trails.
The only negative remark is for the "restaurant": they are already closet at 2.30 pm and the staff was unfriendly.

This park is simply beautiful. If you are visiting the island you have to go here. It is so unique. The drive through the park to the area for hiking allows you access to a lot of breath-taking views. We stopped at every one and liked them all - especially Waimea Canyon lookout, Pu'ukapele lookout and kalalau lookout. The canyon is so surprising. The red color and depth is amazing. The views of the napali coast are incredible too. Allow yourself time to really enjoy them.

We could've done without the museum and shops. There aren't very good maps and unfortunately we didn't run into anyone very helpful, except for other hikers.

Be careful if you plan to hike! We hiked the Awa'awapuhi trail. It was beautiful - clearly marked and safe. Then we went to the Nu'alolo trail. That is the trail I would suggest avoiding, at least if you are not going to be there in the summer months. The trail was very dangerous - extremely narrow (you could barely fit both feet in places) and slippery and the fall would be straight down the mountain.

After visiting some sights of the stunning Waimea Canyon, we were not sure what we would see in the Kokee state park. However, we kept driving up to the Kalalau lookout. We were grad that we did. It was a magnificent view of the mountains and the ocean. We spent almost an hour looking at the mountains from the lookout.

The Awa'awa'puhi - Nu'alolo Loop Trail is an AMAZING hike with many SPECTACULAR views. Along with the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi'ai Falls, these two hikes are the best I think we've ever been on in Hawai'i. That said, both are long and strenuous hikes. By the end of this one, my wife was about ready to push me over the edge of the cliff!

The best route to take is to start on the Nu'alolo Trail down (it is steeper and rockier coming back up, for sure). And, if you hike back up the Awa'awa'puhi Trail instead, you are able to hike downhill on the road back to your car. All told, it was an 11+ mile hike. You could cut 2 miles off of that by having a ride pick you up at the Awa'awa'puhi Trail head. I believe it took us close to 8 hours to complete the hike, and that included resting and picture-taking.

Start early in the day (before 10am), and remember that it takes about an hour to get to the trail head from Lihue (over 2 hours from the north shore). Pack a lot more water than you think you need and plenty of snacks. Backpacks are a must to carry your supplies (and a camera!). The views are once-in-a-lifetime views of the Na Pali coastline and amazingly-steep canyon walls. The birds are flying hundreds of feet below you over the cliffs. The colors are striking -- purple and red lava sand contrasted with azure waters and green foliage below you.

This is definitely something you don't want to miss on your trip to Kaua'i, if you are at all into hiking. The one narrow, washed-out area is steep -- be cautious and read the warning signs; they are there for a reason! We made it safely back, with just some (very) sore legs and wonderful memories. Oh...and our marriage intact!

Do go all the way to the end of the road and visit this Kok'ee State Park. Not many think the road will lead to the best view ever...but it does. Believe you me...

Read the other reviews if you want hiking specifics on the park. This review is more about the camping experience. Suffice it to say all the hikes and overlooks are spectacular...but watch-out if its wet. To call the red clay substrate around there "slick" is something of an understatement. Tread carefully and don't get too close to any drops, especially if it has rained...its a looong way down.

I had some business in Oahu but took some vacation time to get away from the craziness that is Waikiki. Since I wanted to keep the price reasonable, and because I'm something of an outdoorsman, I decided to camp at one of the campgrounds. My criteria were fairly simple; it had to be somewhat close to Waimea Canyon, and it needed to be safe. I'm a photographer and keeping my gear from getting snatched is a pretty big deal to me.

Long story short, it was a smashing success on both fronts. The campground was both clean and relatively close to the areas I wanted to visit, and the camping spots themselves are far enough off the beaten path to keep people from seeing you from the road and from wandering in to your site "accidentally". I never felt unsafe or that someone was casing my equipment.

It should be noted that this area is self-styled as one of the wettest spots in the world. My trip went somewhere along the lines of sunny-ish during the day, trending towards cloudy in the late afternoon, torrential downpour and high-winds at night, and clearing around sunrise. If you manage to get a clear night sky, the stars are otherworldly. For camping, get pegs, and stake down your tent. The rain was so heavy the first night that my air-mattress was floating from the water running beneath my tent. It goes without saying that a raincover is an absolute must.

I gave this place four-stars because as great as the campground was, the facilities are atrocious. It should be noted that this does not include the Koke'e Lodge restaurant and shop on the adjoining property. That is not part of the state park, is run by private individuals, and is a great spot to eat and charge a cell-phone. It should be enough to say that I bathed and washed my hair in the spigot at my campground because I was afraid to go anywhere near the shower in the restroom. It was funky...really, really funky. If, like me, you have a significant other who puts a premium on decent restroom facilities, this may not be your spot. If they don't care or you're flying solo, go for it.

Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this spot for anyone looking to make base at the western side of the island (do your homework on this, it's a good 2-1/2hr drive to the NE part of the Island from here). As long as you understand the previously mentioned facilities caveat, this is a gem of a park with a very safe and private campground.

The visitor's center is informative, with a nice display of local history. There are picnic tables outside, as well as a restaurant if you didn't pack your lunch. We packed our lunch and used the picnic tables, where we were quickly joined by several of Kauai's famous chickens. Our kids loved that.

Above the visitor's center are a couple of lookouts as well as trails. We hiked a portion of the trail at the top of the mountain, where the views of the adjacent valley were magnificent. Given that we arrived after lunch, the clouds impeded some of the view but it was still breathtaking.

This is a two hour round trip hike that meanders up and down through the forest and back up to a ridge that looks out into the valley below. Hike down to the start of the small falls where there is a small pool. If you walk carefully around the pool to the right you will come to the cliff edge where the small pools feeds the main falls. This is a fun hike. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes.

Stopped briefly to cool off and clean off after a very muddy hike out to the falls. Great beach - would have loved to come back and enjoy more on another day.

If you´re going to visit Koke´e State Park, you won´t miss Waimea Canyon.
On your way up the road (either Road 550 from Waimea or Road 552 from Kekaha) you have to stop at Waimea Canyon Lookout - and have a look at the Grand Cayon of the Pacific - worth it!
Next stop offers a view at Ni´ihau Island (forbidden island), the Cayon and a hiking trail to a waterfalls (what is awesome - only if it isn´t to dry like in October). Because of the aridity I didn´t hike all the way - it is a long and exhausting trail (about an hour).
Back on the Road, you can have a stop at Koke´e Natural History Museum (asking for maps and weather conditions etc.), before arriving the end of the road - a parking lot. From here you can start hiking on interesting trails and enjoy nature!
Don´t forget your hiking shoes (sneakers) - you´ll need them! Take your rainjacket (depending on weather) and waterbottle and let´s get started. It´s worth it!

[Jan2019] THE PARK: Touristy, with lots of short walks to good viewpoints, and a few decent (but not awesome) trails.
THE CAMPGROUND: Grass camping spots (choose your site on arrival); Hibachi-style grills; Clean washrooms with cold showers. Prepare for cold temperatures at night (altitude) and to walk a short distance from your car to your campsite.

Kokee State Park is a bit of a drive and not necessarily in the direction most people go. For years, I'd come to Kauai and my first thought would be to do Hanakapiai Falls to get those great Napali Coast photographs, but I'd never thought to walk along the ridgelines that make those cliffs you see so beautiful. All that changed when I was just driving around before my flight on my last trip. Unfortunately, since it was before my flight, I didn't bring any water or the right clothes, so on this trip, I made it a point to go back to Kokee. I did the ridgeline to the Pihea Geodetic marker and was not disappointed. Around every turn was a new gorgeous view. The trail was mostly easy, but at the end became moderate and then difficult to get to the very top of Pihea. But, I managed to survive. I imagine it being awful with rain. I had a little sprinkle or two, but not too bad. If you go beyond Pihea, you'll want some serious hiking skills and a buddy from what I've read. The other pull outs and over looks also had great views. I definitely plan to come back and spend more time in this park in the future.

During rainy season, the views can be socked in with clouds. We picked a relatively good weather day to go in late February. When we arrived at the Koke'e Museum at 10 am, staff told us GO NOW to the lookouts. Clouds are usually less in the morning. Kalaulau lookout over the Na Pali valley was wonderfully evocative with clouds coming in and out, but was totally rained out an hour later.

Koke'e has two of the most beautiful overlooks we'd ever seen - the canyon in one direction and the Pacific in the other. The colors of the sea, sand, stone contrasting with the lush green mountainscape were incredible. There were a lot of people, but it wasn't so crowded as to be unpleasant. Wear good shoes there - with some treads!

Don't miss this state park. It is located just past Waimea State Park and it is the road less traveled. Keep on the road past Waimea and you'll be in Koke'e State Park. The views are incredible and you'll get to see the Na Pali coast views from above. The clouds roll in and out here, so you may have to be patient to get a great view. It is worth the wait. There are also some hiking trails that are great and there is a gift shop and visitor center here as well. There is also a research station that is not open to the public. All of the parking lots at the viewpoints are included for the small fee that can be paid at any of the lots throughout either state park. You only have to pay once and keep your receipt for all of the lots. Don't miss this by turning around after seeing Waimea. Some of the best views in all of Hawaii are just around the bend!

After your trip up to Kalalau Valley, Kokee State Park is a nice place to recharge. There is a museum, restaurant, gift shop, maps of the area, bathrooms and lots of chickens!

So amazing how you can go from Waimea canyon which was basically dry and somewhat barren and then just a couple miles away turns into a lush tropical forest. This park is so amazing. Be sure to go up the road all the way to the end and see all the vista points. They are breathtaking. In my opinion, the vistas from Koke'e were far better than the canyon. Maybe I am partial to green and blue. :)

There are trails here. Places to camp if you are inclined. Bring some food along, it's a long drive up here and have a picnic looking out at one of the most beautiful sights your eyes will ever see.

This was our second time to Koke'e. The first time, several years ago, was a sunny, beautiful day and the sites are truly amazing. This trip was a VERY wet and cloudy day. The rain certainly put a damper on experiencing all the beauty of the location. We will go again when we can count on clear skies! So pick a clear, sunny day and you won't be disappointed!

This park has so much to do and see. Get in your rental car and head up the hills for sights of the valley below, stunning scenery, beautiful plants , waterfalls and hiking.

The park is breathtaking. There are so many beautiful views from the road. It was getting late so we just drove around and didn't hike around. It is very pretty. We're use to the parks in Colorado and Koke'e is just as beautiful. The weather can be unpredictable but it's a must see.

Growing up our ohana would go stay overnight at Kokee Cabins. This is very special place,that one day u might not be able to stay over night. Being able to drive up mauka,to 10°cooler place,w/sweet smells of the tropical green forest, birds singing to no one, waterfalls, impressive Waimea Canyon, u feel like ur on a different planet.

The Kokee Cabin are now under new management (808)652-6852. They have fresh paint, wood is supplied for ur own fireplace, we stay the Cedar Cabins, lil bit nicer. They fixed up the interior& no bugs! Cleaned well.

It's amazing to me hear anyone complain for such a God given beauty. The Faye ohana made this park for all to enjoy. We already have & now with it cleaned up, fixed up, still inexpensive for Hawaii, gotta take advantage while we can.

The Lodge is great place to eat, get lunch too go, or grab a drink. Much Aloha too. Museum, very cool, great maps.

People now are always looking for the negative. Open ur eyes, look for the beauty, listen & u will have amazing journey. Aloha nui loa!

Our recent trip to Kauai offered so many wonderful places to visit from the beaches, waterfalls and activities.
No trip to the island would be complete without a visit to Kokee State Park. It took us a couple trips up the mountain but we finally nailed it on a clear day and we were rewarded!
The views from the overlooks (especially the last one) was simply stunning!
We had seen glimpses of the Napali coast from Kee Beach (on the north shore) .5 mile hike to start to see the coastline. And from Polihale State Park (on the west shore) and from the air (by helicopter) but from the ground up top looking down the valleys was a great perspective.
Some great hikes too, however if it's been raining probably not a good idea. I do alot of hiking and it was a bit dangerous due to the slick surfaces (red dirt) no matter the footwear. Just use good judgement as the weather up top is vastly different from the coastal areas. The museum had a interp panel on the hurricane history of the islands and the resulting damage, some species still haven't recovered and never will.

I cannot say enough good things about Koke'e State Park... as an out of state camper who is weary about new places, I was so pleasantly surprised about everything in Koke'e. The campsites are easily marked and separated by beautiful ginger groves, or if you'd like more open spaces you can camp anywhere on the enormous grass field that makes up the center of the state park. The more separated 'undesignated' campsites each have a water spout (definitely okay for drinking) and a table. There was a lodge/restaurant that provided excellent cover from the afternoon mist where my friends and I grabbed a cup of coffee and did some reading. They also serve some good lookin' food, but the restaurant and store are closed by 330/4. Each night we cooked in the very convenient 'Comfort Zone' which had a dozen tables, a bathroom, dishwashing sink, power outlets, cover from the rain and wind, and actually had light so we could cook at night.

There are a variety of hikes with trailheads from within the campground and plenty just a few miles away. I would recommend doing the Awaawapuhi, Nualo, and Pihea trails... each one is so unique and has spectacular views of the coast.

We were planning on a full day of hiking in Kokee State Park. However, we encountered an emaciated dog on one of the dirt roads. I am a dog owner and lover and just had to stop. I fed the dog our sandwiches and pet him, but could not get him into our rental vehicle. He was very friendly, but a little too shy to let me pick him up. When I went to report this I was told there are many stray emaciated dogs in this park and it is common for hunters to lose them and leave them behind. I was just shocked and appalled that dogs are left survive on their own in a state park! Shouldn't these hunters have to leave with the same number of dogs they came into the park with? I spoke to someone at the Kauai Humane Society also. She said we could have brought the dog there, but acknowledged how sad but common this occurs. I hated leaving that dog in Kokee park and hope to spread the word what is happening there. It is haunting!

Yes, the drive may seem endless, but what a treat once you arrive! Visit the first day you have a cloudless - or near cloudless sky. Breathtakingly beautiful views from the lookouts. You'll pass Waimea Canyon on your way in - be sure to stop there as well. Bring your lunch (pick up a sandwich at one of the many markets along the way) and have a picnic - I guarentee you'll love the scenery!!

When you go to Waimea Canyon, continue up the road to Koke'e. The Na Pali coast can't be reached by car, but you can see it from several thousand feet up here. One warning -- it's often misty here, and you may not get a clear view. That would be a shame, but you can still enjoy the forest while you wait for a break and can see more.

Koke'e State Park and Waimea Canyon are absolutely beautiful. The views from the top are amazing. Hiking trails are everywhere, from easy to difficult. Sunny days are required for optimum viewing, but the park is beautiful in the rain and fog. Tip: bring a sweater or windbreaker. It can be chilly at the top. It was tough pushing a wheelchair; the access is very steep in some of the roadside stops.

We drove all the way here before seeing Waimea Canyon and were rewarded with stunning views through a beautiful valley to the nearby Napili coast. It is worth wandering away from the viewpoint, down the nearby track (strongly resembling a river bed, which it must be in heavy rain!) as far as you feel able. It is just a truly beautiful place, not to be missed while on Kauai.

So much to talk about up here. Located northwest on the island of Kauai, although it is easy to get to it does take a while to drive up here. Whereas Waimea canyon (right next store) is mostly rocky, Koke'e is green green tropical forest. It is a state park and there is a museum as well as food, restrooms etc. Take the same road as you would to Waimea but take the left road (instead of right) to get to Koke'e.

Some of the best hiking trails in Hawaii (recommend Pihea trail) and you can stay in the cabins or camp if you want. It can be cool (over 3,500 ft in elevation) and wet (how do you think it is soooo green), so be sure and bring a couple of layers. Also better to hike in something other than flipflops. Stop for gas in Waimea if you need. Bring some water and food for your visit and get out and walk into the clouds

Always a shock to go from 80-90 degrees and sunshine in Waimea to 50-60 and possibly mist and rain just up the mountain but that’s what makes this cloud forest so special. Plenty of hikes and trails to explore too! Bring a jacket just in case!

This was such an easy trip to do by car we downloaded the Shaka Guide and off we went! You can see all the views from the lookouts no need to hike if you don’t want to. Tip get up early and get going car parks were starting to get busy by lunchtime! Stop at Jo Jos on the way back for a shaved ice yummo!

Koke'e State Park on Kauai offers wonderful hiking trails and spectacular views. On a tropical island you wouldn't expect to find redwood trees. From an elevation of nearly 4000 feet above sea level the landscape and flora and fauna make dramatic changes. There is a hike called "The Water Tank Trail" that will walk you through a large forest of the giant trees. These were planted early in the 1900's and now rise a hundred feet or more above the forest floor. It is an easy hike (not like some of the others in the area) and the rewards are well worth it. For a more challenging hike try the Nualolo Trail. At the end of the trail you will emerge on a overlook of the Napali Coast that will take your breath away. It would be best not to try this trail during the rainy season. The red dirt turns to very slippery red mud. There are many trails in the area, just stop at the lodge for a map.

We stayed in the park at the cabins at Koke'e Park. Wouldn't necessarily recommend staying there because it's very remote and takes ages to get everywhere else, but as somewhere for day trips I'd highly recommend. Waimea Canyon is a must see. We also tramped the Awa'awapuhi Trail and had the most spectacular view there. There are plenty of other hikes in the park but if that's not your thing, there are also loads of lookouts and pull-over spots on the highway with excellent views.
Make sure to bring any water or food you'll need because there's only only one restaurant in the Park and it's only open during the day.

We hiked one of the ridge tops along the coast. It had the best view I have ever seen in my life. It was strenuous, but totally worth it.

Koke'e State Park on the western side of Kauai. Plan your trip on a clear day, otherwise you will encounter limited visibility as you drive up to see the Waimea Canyon. There is parking at this park and a nice lodge to have lunch or pick up a souvenir. Grab a “to go” box and enjoy lunch at one of the picnic tables. Try the hamburger, chili and cornbread! When we visited, there was a singer/guitarist (nice surprise). The little restaurant also served a variety of coffees and cocktails! Then visit the museum (open every day apparently) - suggested donation $3.00. Takes about 20 minutes to walk around. Masks still required indoors here (and all of Hawaii) Restrooms available.

Koke'e State Park is very peaceful. Beautiful surroundings and very good tent camping and hiking. The nature center is also worth stopping at while visiting Waimea Canyon.

So worth the 17 mile winding drive up the mountain! Go on a clear day, bring a light jacket as the tempuratures get into the 60's. Bring a camera, the views will take your breath away.

amazing views of Napali coast.... Must see if you visit Kauai! This atraction did leave me speechless. I did not think anything could beat Waimea canyon and boy was I proved wrong!

Camp here, if the moon is small (beginning or end of the month) you'll see the most amazing night sky you have ever seen in your entire life. Simply beautiful, cool different feel then the beach resort feel. There are cabins to rent as well if you don't want to camp.

Amazing views of the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and valleys to the beach. Amazing

Best hiking here and they are super helpful. Great little museum and gift shop as well. They sell a great trail map and have good info to share.

We were fortunate to have David Kuhn, an expert on Hawaiin birds , as our guide. We watched and photo'd some rare and endangered species on the Alaka'i Swamp trail. The views from the lookouts in this park, and nearby Waimea Canyon Park take your breath away - especially the Kalalau Valley - you saw it in The Descendants movie. At one overlook we photographed awhite tropical bird of paradise in flight. The game cocks wandering the park HQ area are beautiful and friendly enough to get good pictures too!

I go to Hawaii about twice a year and each time I go we visit this park because of the sites. It's beautiful, very relaxing, and the perfect picture spot. I love it here and can't wait to go back in May!!

We visited the 2 overlooks of the Na Pali Coast - gorgeous! Definitely worth the drive and you get to see all the beautiful sites of Waimea Canyon on the way!

Living on Kauai, Kokee is a staple on our Westside staycations. After a couple days of camping at Polihale or in this weekends case, a long day out on the water, we normally head up to Kokee to literally chill out. I won't get into the amazing lookouts and trails because this review is all about the grassy meadow by the Kokee lodge. It is so peaceful and relaxing. We come up here and normally just crash out on the grass in a blanket. Some times it drizzles on you, but it's a nice drizzle. The meadow is surrounded by ginger and pine trees of various types. You can even wonder over to the "lodge" and get a coffee or beer. The little museum is also pretty interesting. So if you are burnt to a crisp on the westside, drive up to Kokee and hit up the meadow.

Great views of Na Pali coast. Challenging ridgeline trail with some slick spots. And an awesome boardwalk trail into the Alakai Swamps (access from the south requires 4x4 vehicle, but is much easier hiking than from the lookout to the west).

Takes a bit to drive up the windy road, but our whole group did feel it was worth it. Some did a small hike - easy trail, while others stayed and at at the lodge. Really good food and lots of hiking trails in same general area.

If you visit Waimea Canyon, it's worth it to continue on to Koke'e State Park to view the gorgeous vista at the end of the road and the beginning of the Pihea Trail. Stunning.

Taking the drive up from Waimea to Koke'e is a must for any visitor to Kauai. For my money, there is no more beautiful place in the world on a clear day. Stop at each overlook, have a picnic or buy lunch at Koke'e Lodge, and pick a trail to hike for the afternoon. We chose the Pihea trail, and it was awesome. It is steep, wet, and slippery in spots, even on a dry day, so come prepared with good shoes and water. The view of the Kalalau valley is unrivaled.

You will be either rewarded with a wonderful view, or you will be staring at clouds/fog that hinders your view!

This is such a beautiful area! Definitely worth the drive. We took the advice of others and went early in the day, and we were really glad we did. It can get really busy, it seems, as the day goes on. There were more restrooms than I had anticipated so that was nice. We found a nice picnic area (near the museum) and had a picnic lunch after we had done all of our exploring. It was a wonderful day and one of the best of the trip.

One of the highlights of our recent trip to Kauai was the Awa‘awapuhi - Nu‘alolo Loop. This is a nine mile loop if you can catch a ride from the Koke'e museum to the Awa‘awapuhi trailhead. The museum is staffed and we felt it was a safe place to leave our car, plus there is a cafe for cold drinks at the end of our hike. Grabbing a ride is a great time saver and eliminates two miles walking uphill on pavement. We had no problem getting a ride, the first couple we asked were glad to transport us. It seems that many of the people stopping at the museum are on their way up, thus will be passing the Awa‘awapuhi TH anyway.

Most trail reports suggest starting on the Nu'alolo trail, but we firmly believe that the other direction is the better way to go, especially if the trails are slick. The Awa'awapuhi trail is in better shape, less muddy, and a gentler grade than the Nu'alolo trail and makes for a much easier descent. If you had to choose to do only one of these trails though we would recommend the Nu'alolo trail (if it is not raining). The views from the end of this trail are amazing. You'll be able to see all the way up the Na Pali Coast from this vantage point. We really hustled on this loop and were on our feet for about three hours, spending about another 1/2 hour at the end of the Awa‘awapuhi & Nu‘alolo trails to take in the views.

Much has been said about the Cliff Trail that connects the two trails near their ends, making the loop possible. Signage (and the museum staff) indicate that this is a very dangerous and unstable trail. We certainly were cautious but were surprised to find the only truly "sketchy" part of the trail was in fact about 75 feet long. Even so, as experience hikers we had absolutely no problem passing through this section, even though it had rained a few hours earlier. Constant rain would likely change our outlook though.

Returning up the Nu‘alolo trail made us especially glad we had not descended it. In a number of places it is very steep and muddy, and in quite a few spots you are climbing in a trench. If it were raining we really would not have wanted to (or maybe been able to) descend or climb this trail. A number of sources suggest hiking poles for the trails in Kauai. We did not bring any but of all the trails we hiked in Kauai, the Nu‘alolo would be the one to have pole(s) for.

This was a true highlight of our trip, one we would not have wanted to miss. The views up the Na Pali are amazing, and likely the best you'll get without flying above it. Enjoy!

Well, this should be a part of an all day excursion up the canyon on a nice day. Of course, you never know about the weather up at the top at any given moment. Up there, it is a rain forest, after all. The drive up has several spectacular canyon views, and way up at the end of the road is a view of the Kalalau Valley and beach (if you are lucky with the clouds). From the parking lot, past the viewpoint, is the Pihea Trail. Can be treacherous and muddy when its wet, but really a nice hike if you have good footwear. Views both ways into the valleys. For us it started out sunny and clear, and by the time we got 1 mile in, it was a torrential downpour.... all part of the Napili experience. This hike was a nice way to break up the drive up/back.... but you will need a change of shoes afterward, and maybe socks and pants too... we had red mud everywhere!

Incredible variety of microclimates, plants and birds. Not to be missed when you visit Kauai.
Trails range from easy to hard to match your hiking ability.

You have to time the weather to take full advantage of what the Koke'e State Park has to offer. We were going to do some hikes but it was clouded in and raining for most of the morning so we turned around and hiked into the Waimea Canyon which was clear and sunny. Next time we're in Kauai, we are definitely hiking to the edges of the Kokee valleys!

We did not have a lot of time to hike and see the best part of the park during our last visit but we did get the chance to view the small but interesting museum. However, the best part was the opportunity to see and observe a small flock of nine Nene for a considerable period of time in the picnic area adjoining the museum and parking area. This was the first and only time (so far) that we had seen Nenes in the wild.

Really fantastic park that should be attractive to all types of people: active, leisure, family, adventures. Be careful to study the weather in advance.

This park offers lots of hiking and lots of views. We went there on our trip to Waimea Canyon. We pulled of in many places to see the views. This is a must do on Kauai. There are some hike available, but some may be closed due to rain.

Trails for people of all levels of fitness and wheelchair accessible knockout views. Too much to see in one visit.

You end up visiting Koke'e State Park by basically continuing your drive through Waimea Canyon State Park - the same fee for the $10 car and $5 per person will work here as it's valid for the 5 locations between these 2 parks

I have reviewed the Waimea Canyon State Park separately and left some info there on Route 550 vs Kokee Rd on the way up and down but once you get to the WCSP you will have only one road up/down as the 2 merge before you enter WCSP.

After speaking with the State Guide at the Waimea Canyon Lookout we were told that a must are the 2, which are basically two angles on the views from the top of the Na Pali Coast :):

a. Kalalau Lookout - this one comes first and you will pass it before you head to the second "must stop" - you walk a few steps and there is a huge vista point area that can accommodate plenty of people

b. Pu’u O Kila Lookout - so this spot is just another 5 minutes drive but the road surface at times is bad, and the "road split" is in terrible shape, we made in a small car but I can see how you can damage the car with the low clearance - it's actually weird that the road for the most part is great but in 2-3 sections of the park it's a terrible mess :/ - while at this lookout spot go a bit down the trail - it's a super easy one at first so you are fine in flip flops, we were told that in advance and it was true - you will get some better vistas from down there

While in either of these lookout spots you can experience some clouds... moisture... rain... or like we that day PLENTY OF RAINBOWS!!! :) amazing!

We didn't do any hikes, it's all easy drive and stop in flip flops but there are tones of trails everywhere you go.

TIP: drive carefully, it's probably the worst road conditions in certain areas that we experienced around Kauai - nothing you can't pass in any car at appropriate speed but don't drive fast or you will lose a wheel :D

This is a great thing to do in concert with a visit to the Waimea Canyon State Park; if you drive past the Waimea Canyon lookouts and go to the end of the road (literally the end of it), you'll get some amazing views from two different lookouts. The lookout at the end of the road features a walking path that you can wander down a little ways to get some slightly different views, but there are no guardrails, and the clay soil can get VERY slippery, so be careful!

A couple useful tips:

1. The road up is very winding, so if you get carsick easily be prepared! Also, there are no gas stations once you leave the village of Waimea on the coast, and there is only one place to eat, so plan accordingly.

2. There is a gift shop/museum (free) next to the only place to eat, but you'd be hard pressed to spend more than 15-20 minutes in it.

3. The road gets REALLY narrow as you get towards the end, so if you've got a big rental car, be cautious.

This end-of-the-road park is totally worth the long, winding drive to get up here. The views are phenomenal! We saw the NaPali coast from a boat, and it was cool to see it from the other direction. We went up here twice, once on a very cloudy day where the views were not as grand - however, if you are patient, the clouds do eventually part and give you an excellent view! We went up again on a clear, sunny day and could not believe our eyes. We spent a lot of time here hiking around and taking loads of pictures. Be warned, it is much cooler up here! Down in Waimea it was 90 degrees, but up in the park it was quite chilly, especially when the wind picks up. This is a can't-miss activity!

1. This park is right next to Waimea Canyon State Park, but has a totally different terrain- it’s mostly rainforest, and it’s on the edge of Alakai Swamp. To visit this park, just continue along Kokee Rd after visiting Waimea Canyon State Park.

2. If you’re not planning to hike, you’re mostly going to be seeing Kokee via a museum and two overlooks.

3. The first stop is Koke’e Museum and Lodge, on the left hand side between mile markers 15 and 16. The lodge has a gift shop and a restaurant that closes at 4 pm. The small museum and shop is worth a visit and free, but donations are requested. There’s a giant trail map on the side of the museum that’s worth a look if you’re planning to hike; trail maps are for sale inside the museum for three dollars. There are also bathrooms here.

4. The second stop is Kalalau Valley lookout, straight ahead at mile marker 18. This has views down into beautiful Kalalau Valley from along its side, although much obstructed by the bushes growing along the overlook. (If the view is obscured by clouds, wait a bit- they might drift off). It also has bathrooms and picnic tables.

5. The road curves off to the right after Kalalau Valley Lookout, heading to another overlook called Puu O Kila Lookout at mile marker 19. Note that this lookout isn’t always open- there’s a gate along the road after mile marker 18. If you can reach this lookout, you will be rewarded with even better, full on views of Kalalau Valley. Pihea trail starts here. The first part of Pihea trail is along a ridge and fairly easy, plus you get even better views of the valley for the first half mile; but I recommend turning around after that, unless you’re prepared for a more difficult hike.

6. Congratulations- you've made it to the end of the road, and one of the wettest spots on Earth!

This 8 mile (m) return trek is presently the most popular serious trek in the koke/Wimea State Parks, (the Nu'alolo Cliff link trail presently being closed). Describing it first - the 1st 1/4mile (m) of the Pihea length is VERY slippery down hill; the 2nd 1/4m VERY slippery uphill, (uphill easier); then a short length of board walk, followed by a slippery uphill climb to the left turn off to Pihea vista/viewpoint (apparently a V difficult slippery climb to yet ANOTHER view of Kalalau valley - so pointless in my opinion). Continuing on then there is a difficult 1/4m down hill to the start of a length of boardwalk & level trail to the junction (2m? )with the Alakai swamp trail - North to Kilohana lookout. The 1st 1/2m of this trail length is on boardwalk, down and up a valley. Next 1/4m is a slippery climb mostly uphill. Both trails up to this point have been through interesting & varied rain forest, with occasional great views across valleys and the forest canopy. They say there is great birding here - but while we heard quite a bit, we saw little - so did others we came across who were keen birders! Now you cross an open swamp for 1+m on a board walk. Then there is a 1/4m level trail through forest to the Kilohana viewpoint.

Some points to consider; It is graded 'strenuous', but this can only be because it is VERY slippery in places - particularly the start - it is almost as if the Parks Dept have deliberately not 'Boardwalked/maintained' this section to discourage walkers! My wife & I, (68 y/o pensioners, in good shape, but NOT 'fit' in the sporty/gym sense of the word, would call it 'moderate - but for its slippery nature! So would the other mostly pensioners we met on the trek. I believe the boardwalk was built in the 90's. After some 20 years in a hot climate, with 300+" rain a year, with no maintenance - it is in a poor/dangerous condition! but OK. The day my wife & I went was perfect, and the trail was I guess you would call 'pretty slippery' - hard work anyway! The view from the top of Kalalau valley was 100% fantastic when we started at 10.00, AND when we returned at 5.00 (V lucky), but even on this fine day, the view from kilohana lookout was nearly 90% obscured when we got there! According to those already there waiting patiently, it had been 100% for the previous hour! And from the little we saw, though different, no where near as good as the Kalalau valley landscape view!

To go or not to go obviously depends on a number of factors, some touched upon above, but chiefly in my opinion the weather. If it IS, or HAS been raining a lot, it could be absolutely treacherous; and if the weather is poor that day - all of which seem to be quite often up here! - in which case I would not go! Your decision!

We did the awa awa puhi trail that is 6.5 miles round trip. Rating is strenuous but it was easy by far than the Hanakapi'ai falls on the north side. Our weather was best we could hope for - no rain, nice breeze and not too hot. We also got to see wai'ale'ale mountain top - wettest point on earth- from the furthest viewpoint in the park.

Spectacular hiking and viewpoints throughout the park. Hike to Waipo'po falls and Pihea vista trail for amazing views of Kalalau valley!

This was hands down the greatest view we saw in all of Kauai. The view at the Kalalau Lookout. We hit a trail just off the lookout and were inspired by this magnificent earth. 100% add this to your list of things to do in Kauai!!