Wailuku River State Park
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

[KAUA’I] UPDATED 5/13/26

Kalalau Trail will REOPEN today, as stream levels have dropped. The Ha’ena shuttle has resumed.

[O’AHU] UPDATED 5/11/26

Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline -Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail: Will be CLOSED for three mornings for essential maintenance. The trail will be closed until 11 A.M. on the following Tuesdays: May 12, May 19, and May 26.

Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area: Portions of the park which access the reservoir (Also known as Lake Wilson) will be closed Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 1 a.m. the park will remain open to visitors for onshore activities, but lake access via the boat ramp, reservoir banks, and reservoir shores will not be allowed until further notice.

Ka’ena Point State Park, Mākua Section has REOPENED to beach access. The Keawa’ula section remains CLOSED due to road repairs. The Mokule’ia vehicle access road remains CLOSED due to unsafe road conditions, this section remains open to pedestrian and bicycle access. 

Polihale State Parks has REOPENED.

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

Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.

[MAUI] UPDATE 4/20/26

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

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


[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/

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

[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26

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

Wailuku River State Park

[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 1/16/26 – Wailuku River State Park: Parking/entry fee allows entrance to both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots.
*
Hawaii Residents are free with Hawaii ID or Hawaii Drivers License.

Hours

Rainbow Falls: Daily 7:00am – 5:30pm

Boiling Pots: Daily 7:00am – 5:30pm

Gates lock at 6:00pm

Parking & Entrance Fees

Entry

  • *CREDIT CARD ONLY*
  • Hawaii Residents = Free w/Hawaii ID or DL
  • Non-Hawaii Residents = $5
  • Children 3 and under = Free

Non-Commercial Vehicle Parking Fee:

  • Resident = No Charge with ID
  • Non-Resident = $10 Per Vehicle

Commercial vehicles Parking Fees:

  • 1-7 Passenger Vehicles = $25
  • 8-25 Passenger Vehicles = $50
  • 26+ Passenger Vehicles = $90

Description

NOTE:  AS OF JANUARY 2026, PARKING AND ENTRANCE FEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENTER WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK. Parking/entry fee allows entrance to both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Hawaii Residents are free with a valid Hawaii ID or Hawaii Drivers License.

Viewpoints of geologic and scenic interest along Wailuku River. There are two separate park areas.  Boiling Pots is a succession of big pools connected by underground flow or cascades and whose waters roll and bubble as if boiling. The exposed hexagonal columns that line the pools were formed by the slow cooling of basalt lava. The 80-foot Rainbow Falls is renowned for the rainbow formed from its mist many mornings. Legends say that the cave beneath the waterfall was the home of Hina, mother of the demigod Maui. (16.3 acres)

Location

Both park sections are accessed via Waiānuenue Avenue, downtown Hilo; Boiling Pots Area at the end of Peʻepeʻe Falls Drive; Rainbow Falls Area on Rainbow Drive.