Kokeʻe State Park
Hanapepe, Kauai, HI, 96716
Located high in the mountains above the Kalalau Valley, Kokeʻe State Park is one of Kauai’s most popular hiking destinations. The park offers over a dozen trails for all ages and ability levels from gentle bird watching trails to strenuous cliff edge trails. First time visitors to Kauai won’t want to miss the panoramic views of the Kalalau Valley and Waimea Canyon from the park’s lookouts.
The Basics
Many travelers visit Koke’e State Park as part of a tour of Kauai’s West Side along with other popular attractions such as Waimea Canyon and the villages of Waimea and Hanapepe. Start your visit at the Koke’e Museum where you can learn about the natural and cultural history of the park and pick up maps and information on the hiking trails in the park. Highlights in the park include a hike through the Alakai Swamp, one of the wettest spots on Earth and the views of the Na Pali Coast from the Kalalau Lookout.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Admission to Koke’e State Park is free, but there is a fee for parking.
- Tent camping is allowed in the park and campsites can be booked in advance online.
- Koke’e is much cooler than the coast, so bring a light jacket and be prepared for rain.
- The Koke’e Museum and several viewpoints in the park are wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
Koke’e State Park is located on the western side of Kauai next to Waimea Canyon State Park and just inland from the Na Pali Coast. Koke’e is 41 miles (66 kilometers) from Lihue and accessible via Waimea Canyon Drive. Most visitors arrive by car or on a tour of Kauai’s west side; no public transportation is available in the park.
When to Get There
Koke’e State Park is open year-round and the Koke’e Museum is open daily from 9am to 4pm. Thanks to mild year-round weather, Kauai is a delight to visit in any season. The island’s rainy season runs from December through March, which coincides with the busiest tourist season as travelers look to escape winter temperatures back home. April through early June and September through November tend to see less visitors making it an excellent time to visit.
The Kalalau Lookout
Near the end of the park road, you’ll find the Kalalau Lookout, the highest point you can reach in Kauai by road. This accessible lookout offers sweeping views into the Kalalau Valley and is one of the best viewpoints in all of Kauai. If you continue down the road to the end of Highway 550, you’ll come across the Pu’u O Kila Lookout where you can hike down to the ridge for better views.
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