Wailuku River State Park
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️Monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

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[O’AHU] UPDATE 2/13/26 — Puʻu ʻUʻala Kaʻa State Wayside, Mauna Ala–Royal Mausoleum State Monument and Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area, and Keaīwa State Recreation Area has REOPENED.

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[MAUI] 2/13/26 - Kaumahina State Wayside is temporarily CLOSED until further notice.

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[KAUA‘I] UPDATE 2/11/26 — Kalalau Trail, Na Pali State Wilderness Park has REOPENED, Haʻena State Park shuttle has RESUMED.

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[MAUI] UPDATE 2/11/26 – ʻĪao Valley State Monument has REOPENED.

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[KAUAʻI, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI] 2/10/26 – Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi), Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park (Oʻahu), Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Hawaiʻi): All commercial kayak operators must apply for a Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application, each kayak vessel requires a registered decal. Visit State Parks Permits page here and download and mail in the Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application.

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[O‘AHU] UPDATE 2/3/26 – KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION: Vehicle access dirt road repairs are occurring to stabilize severe erosion, and armor problem areas with aggregate to reduce erosion and puddling, and improve road stability. 1/5/26 - Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits available now: kaenasups.ehawaii.gov. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant.

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[ALL ISLANDS] UPDATE – 12/12/25: Camping - Reservations for February 1, 2026 and beyond available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov, please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.

Wailuku River State Park

[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 1/16/26 – Wailuku River State Park: Parking/entry fee allows entrance to both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots.
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Hawaii Residents are free with Hawaii ID or Hawaii Drivers License.

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    Hours

    Rainbow Falls: Daily During Daylight Hours

    Boiling Pots: Daily 7:00am – 5:30pm

    Gates lock at 6:00pm
    Parking & Entrance Fees

    Entry

    • *CREDIT CARD ONLY*
    • Hawaii Residents = Free w/Hawaii ID or DL
    • Non-Hawaii Residents = $5
    • Children 3 and under = Free

    Non-Commercial Vehicle Parking Fee:

    • Resident = No Charge with ID
    • Non-Resident = $10 Per Vehicle

    Commercial vehicles Parking Fees:

    • 1-7 Passenger Vehicles = $25
    • 8-25 Passenger Vehicles = $50
    • 26+ Passenger Vehicles = $90

    Description

    NOTE:  AS OF JANUARY 2026, PARKING AND ENTRANCE FEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK. Parking/entry fee allows entrance to both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Hawaii Residents are free with a valid Hawaii ID or Hawaii Drivers License.

    Viewpoints of geologic and scenic interest along Wailuku River. There are two separate park areas.  Boiling Pots is a succession of big pools connected by underground flow or cascades and whose waters roll and bubble as if boiling. The exposed hexagonal columns that line the pools were formed by the slow cooling of basalt lava. The 80-foot Rainbow Falls is renowned for the rainbow formed from its mist many mornings. Legends say that the cave beneath the waterfall was the home of Hina, mother of the demigod Maui. (16.3 acres)

    Location

    Both park sections are accessed via Waiānuenue Avenue, downtown Hilo; Boiling Pots Area at the end of Peʻepeʻe Falls Drive; Rainbow Falls Area on Rainbow Drive.