ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop
Hawaii hikers

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor local surf and weather reports prior to your park visit.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 5/17/24 – Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park and Haʻena State Park: Kauaʻi North shore shuttle departures has CLOSED due to inclement weather.

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[O’AHU] UPDATED 5/16/24 –  Ka’ena Point State Park, Mokuleʻia Section: Vehicle access road has CLOSED due to saturated roads and inclement weather.

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[O’AHU] UPDATED 5/16/24 – Diamond Head State Monument: The park will remain CLOSED through at least Friday, May 17, due to inclement weather and rock falls.

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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 5/15/24 – Hapuna State Park: Hapuna and the Waialea Section beach and access road has REOPENED following flood cleanup.

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[HAWAI’I] UPDATED 5/13/24 – Akaka Falls State Park to Temporarily CLOSE Weekdays Starting May 15, see Akaka Falls announcement for more information.

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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 5/13/24 – Wailuku River State Park: Rainbow Falls; tree trimming starts today until 6/7/24, the park will remain OPEN but some areas may be temporarily closed due to safety.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 4/30/24 – Kōkeʻe State Park: Kalalau lookout restroom is CLOSED until further notice.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 4/26/24 –Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park: Camping permits held back for local residents during summer, see Kalalau Trail site for more information.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 3/18/24 – Kōkeʻe State Park: The gate to Puʻu O Kila Lookout will be closed to vehicular traffic due to road repairs beginning 3/19/24. The lookout will still be accessible by pedestrians, parking is available at Kalalau lookout.

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.

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    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.