Alakai Swamp Trail
Photo Credit: Kelvin Lu
Alakai swamp trail

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

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[STATEWIDE] UPDATE 3/12/26 – All State Parks and Recreation Areas on all Islands, as well as State Park Offices, will be closed as of Friday, 3/13 for public safety.  A severe storm is expected to bring flooding rain, high winds, and thunderstorms to most of the State from  through the weekend.    Please check weather reports and check back frequently for storm closure updates.

 

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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATE  3/5/26 – ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK: Dept. of Water Supply shut off water in the area until further notice affecting the park.

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[O‘AHU] UPDATE  3/4/26 - KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION, VEHICLE ACCESS GATE: Will REOPEN today [UPDATE 3/12 - temporarily closed due to storm]. You need the 2026 Gold decal adhered to the rear of your vehicle to enter the park, the accompanying permit account provides access to the gate combination online. The 2024-2025 Purple decals are no longer valid. Apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit here. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant. We are experiencing significant delays in processing, we appreciate your continued patience. 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.

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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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[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.

Alakai Swamp Trail

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    CAUTION: Deep mud and fog along trail.
    Trail Length 3.5 miles (one way)
    Time approx 3 hrs.
    Activity Pedestrian
    Difficulty Difficult
    Elevation Gain 329 ft
    Park Name Kōkeʻe State Park

    Route

    The trail starts at a parking and turnaround area 1/4 mile north of the Na Pali Kona Forest Reserve entrance sign. This trail leads across the Alakai Swamp through scrub native rain forest and shallow bogs. There are excellent opportunities for birding and botanizing. It ends at a vista called “Kilohana” on the edge of Wainiha Pali. On a clear day, the views of Wainiha and Hanalei Valleys provide for an unforgettable experience. If you hike this route, be sure to wear appropriate clothing. Portions of the trail are a boardwalk, and the trail is often wet, slippery and very muddy.

    Additional Info

    • No commercial use (Paid guides or ecotours) allowed within the Alakai and Pihea Trail and the Alakai Wilderness Preserve.
    • No commercial use allowed on the Alakai Swamp Trail.

    As of March 22, 2014, the Kauai recreational trail map is temporarily unavailable for distribution or purchase.

    Do not use any trail or access road that is not delineated by name and color and that may also be displayed on these maps. The marked features are managed for public recreational use. Other trails or roads that branch off from the public features may be on private property, and are not managed for any public recreational use. Access is subject to adjacent landowner approval, and if used without authorization, you will be trespassing and possibly putting yourself at risk.