ʻĪao Valley State Monument

Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

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[KAUA'I] update 10/1/24 - KALALAU TRAIL SECTION OF THE NĀPALI COAST STATE WILDERNESS PARK HAS REOPENED.

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[OʻAHU] update 9/28/24 – Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area: The boat ramp and lower parking lot will be CLOSED on October 5, 2024 for the Day at the Lake Community Event, free event open to the public from 9am to 4pm, no reservations needed – there will be boat rides, environmental education exhibitors, entertainment, and food. More information at dayatthelake.org

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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 9/3/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokuleʻia Section: Due to severe staff shortages, the processing of vehicular access permits may experience delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 6/18/24 – 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.

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

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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Reservations	Click Here NOTE: Entry & parking reservations required for non-residents.
PUC Reservations	Click Here NOTE: Reservations required
Hours	7:00 am to 6:00 pm daily
Entrance Fee	Reservations Required for out-of-state residents Residents = Free w/Hawaii DL or ID Non-Residents = $5 Children 3 and Under = Free
Parking Fees	Non-Commercial Vehicles Residents = No Charge w/ID or DL Non-Residents = $10 Commercial PUC vehicles: 1-7 passenger vehicles: $25 8-25 passenger vehicles: $50 26 + passenger vehicles: $90
Trail Name	ʻIao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop

Description

A paved 0.6 mile walk provides a scenic viewpoint of Kuka‘emoku (a.k.a. the ʻIao Needle), an erosional feature which abruptly rises 1200 feet from the valley floor. Learn about the plants brought by the Hawaiians who settled in ʻIao Valley by taking a short walk through a botanical garden.

This valley is rich in cultural and spiritual values and is the site of the battle of Kepaniwai where the forces of Kamehameha I conquered the Maui army in 1790.

Publicity

In 2016 Iao Valley State Monument ranked 24th in THRILLIST’s list of best 25 State Parks to visit in the nation.

“To call this West Maui Mountains park “lush” is an understatement of epic proportions. Its dense rainforest canopy makes this popular park one of America’s more unique, dominated by the Iao Needle — a 1,200ft vegetation-covered lava remnant that rises from the valley floor to a higher height than the Eiffel Tower… “ THRILLIST