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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[MAUI] UPDATE 4/20/26

‘Iao Valley State Monument: Will be CLOSED until June 26, 2026 for safety improvements.

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Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice.

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[KAUA’I] UPDATED 4/14/26

Koke’e State Park camping will be CLOSED for campground improvements. Construction to begin May 2026 and extend through Spring 2027.

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Polihale State Park and camping is CLOSED until further notice due to mud and debris removal.

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Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.

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[O’AHU] UPDATED 4/12/26

O’ahu state parks have REOPENED with the exception of Ka’ena Point State Park, both Mokule’ia and Mākua-Keawa’ula sections, and Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site.

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[HAWAI’I] UPDATED 4/10/26

Notice to bidders for Mobile Food Truck Concessions opened today for certain Hawai’i Island parks. More information at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/mobile-food-truck-concessions-hawaii/

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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/25/26

Akaka Falls State Park: Water and comfort station CLOSED, park open with portable toilets.

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[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26

Palaʻau State Wayside and camping areas CLOSED for renovations until May 4.

Alakai Swamp Trail

    ‹ ›
    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.