Kalopa Nature Trail
Hawaii hikers

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

•

[KAUA\'I] - 7/11/25:  VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.  

Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements.  The project is expected to last through early December, 2025.  This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year.  DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week.  Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available.  We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing.  Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks on weekends, when most work will be suspended.

•

[OʻAHU] UPDATED July 14, 2025 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM) Operating Hours have returned to normal, 6 a.m.-6 p.m  daily (last entry at 4;30 p.m.)- The rockfall mitigation project  at the Kahala Tunnel has been completed ahead of schedule. 

•

[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 6/16/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion closure has been extended from June 1 to July 31. The Pala’au Camping Area has been CLOSED from June 1 to July 31, 2025.

•

[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

Kalopa Nature Trail

    ‹ ›
    Trail Length 0.7 mile loop
    Activity Pedestrian
    Difficulty Easy
    Terrain Native ‘Ohi’a Rainforest
    Elevation Gain 50 ft
    Park Name Kalōpā State Recreation Area

    Description

    The Kalopa Nature Trail is an easy loop through the heart of a rainforest. The forest has an upper canopy of large, old growth ‘ohi’a trees, and beneath is an understory composed predominantly of smaller native forest trees and shrubs. Ferns are also abundant. About 25 different native species of trees, shrubs and vines can be viewed along the trail, though several occur only as a single individual. This is a good family walk. Allow about an hour to complete a leisurely walk.

    Route

    The trailhead is located just off the parking lot. Information, including a trail guide, may be available at the park office located near the parking lot.

    Directions

    At 2,000 feet elevation at end of Kalopa Road, 3 miles inland from Mamalahoa Highway (Highway 19); 5 miles southeast of Honoka’a.

    Additional Info

    • Mountain biking is not allowed on this trail.
    • Stay on the trail.
    • Pack out at least what you pack in.
    • No open fires.