
**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor local surf and weather reports before your park visit.
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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 2/7/25 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM): Full park closures will commence Tuesdays through Fridays beginning March 4 to March 14, and April 1 to April 11. Partial park closures from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM occur on Monday's during this time. Full park closures will also occur Monday through Thursday April 14 to April 17. Normal park hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM will resume during Spring Break March 17 to March 28, Good Friday Holiday on April 18, and Weekends. Partial park closures from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM will continue again Monday through Friday, (excluding weekends and holidays) on April 21. The project began January 6, 2025, and will run to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of the rock fall mitigation construction project at the Kahala Tunnel. During Partial park closures from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only will be 12:00 p.m. If you reserved at 12:00 p.m., you must enter the Park no later than 12:30 p.m. or you will be denied entry. Please check back for updates.
ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop
UPDATE: 5/1/23 – ʻIao Valley State Monument has REOPENED.
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*Advance reservations are required for out-of-State residents. Reservations can be made at https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov.
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**Hawai‘i residents with a valid driver’s license or State ID, continue to get into all State Parks free of charge.
Trail Length | 0.6 miles |
Activity | Pedestrian |
Difficulty | Easy |
Terrain | Wet Valley |
Elevation Gain | 200 ft |
Park Name | ‘Iao Valley State Monument |
Description
A paved walking trail provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka’emoku (‘Iao Needle), an erosional feature which rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. A short paved loop trail meanders though an ethnobotanical garden adjacent to ‘Iao stream.
Route
Trail begins just beyond the park restroom and interpretive signs. The path crosses a bridge over the stream and climbs to the lookout point, where a small shelter is nestled.
Directions
End of ‘Iao Valley Road (Highway 32), ‘Iao Valley.
Additional Info
- Mountain biking is not allowed on this trail.
- Stay on the trail.
- No dogs allowed on this trail.