Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

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[HAWAI’I] - UPDATE 8/22/25: Recruiting for a Park Maintenance Supervisor II – Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi. More information at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hawaii/jobs/5019812-0/park-maintenance-supervisor-ii-kailua-kona-hawaii
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice. 

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[OʻAHU] - 7/25/25:  Sand Island State Recreation Area – Camping will be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

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[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25:  VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.  

Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025.  This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year.  DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week.  Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available.  We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing.  Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.

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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

Waimea Canyon State Park

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    Hours Daily During Daylight Hours
    Entrance Fee
    • Hawaii Residents = Free w/ Hawaii Drivers Lic. or ID
    • Non-Residents = $5.00 Per Person
    • Children 3 and Under = Free
    Parking Rates

    Non-Commercial Vehicles

    • Residents = No Charge w/ID or DL
    • Non-Residents = $10 Per Vehicle

     Commercial PUC Vehicles

    • 1-7 passenger vehicle =$25
    • 8-25 passenger vehicle = $50
    • 26+ passenger vehicle = $90

    *Parking tickets are valid for Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park parking lots
    Trail Names

    Description

    Waimea Canyon State Park overlooks of one of the State’s scenic treasures – the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon. The park consists of a scenic drive, lookouts of the canyon, a viewpoint of Ni‘ihau Island, wildland picnicking and trails. Adjacent forest reserves with long, strenuous hikes into and out of the canyon. Seasonal trout fishing. Pig and seasonal goat hunting nearby.

    Recreational Residences Appraisals

    In accordance with the Kokee-Waimea Canyon Residence leases, the appraisals for the 2022 rent reopener have been completed.  Please see the link for the method used to determine rents.  NOTE: This is applicable to existing leaseholders whose leases expire at the end of 2031

    Recreation Residence Use Method 2022

    For cabin lessee’s, more information on building guidelines could be found here: Kokee Design Guidelines

    Cliff Dwellers of Kauai…and the people who hang with them! – Olelo Version from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.

    HELP HAWAII FIGHT RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH (ROD)

    ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha), the most abundant native tree in the state of Hawaiʻi, are dying from a new fungal disease. On Hawaiʻi Island, and currently spreading to other islands, hundreds of thousands of ʻōhiʻa have already died from this fungus, called Ceratocystis. Healthy trees appear to die within a few days to a few weeks, which is how the disease came to be called “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.” This disease has killed trees in all districts of Hawaiʻi Island and has the potential to kill ʻōhiʻa trees statewide. – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa. There is no effective treatment to protect ʻōhiʻa trees from becoming infected with Ceratocystis or cure for trees that exhibit symptoms of the disease. Therefore, we have an important role to help prevent the further spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. There are 5 simple things we can all do to help in this effort:

    1) Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts. If you don’t know where the ʻōhiʻa material is from, don’t move it.

    2) Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island. Follow the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture quarantine rule and don’t move ʻōhiʻa off of the Island of Hawaiʻi or Kauaʻi.

    3) Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Wounds serve as entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will become infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment wherever possible.

    4) Clean gear and tools, including shoes and clothes, before and after entering forests. Brush all soil off of tools and gear, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Wash clothes with hot water and soap.

    5) Wash your vehicle with a high pressure-hose or washer if you’ve been off-roading or have picked up mud from driving. Clean all soil off of tires and vehicle undercarriage. 

    For more information on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death please see the videos and outreach material below.

    More Videos of ROD

    ROD Brochure Hawai‘i Island Dec 2018 4-Panel

    Aggressive Rapid ʻŌihʻa Death Fungus Found on Kauai

    Kauai Ohia Brochure