Been here? Tap to stamp
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
ʻAkaka Falls State Park is a Hāmākua Coast waterfall stop if you separate the essentials: pay the state-park fees, check which trail sections are open, expect stairs, and save the deeper waterfall touring for the surrounding coast. The main viewpoint looks into a stream-eroded gorge where DLNR says ʻAkaka Falls plunges 442 feet.
ʻAkaka Falls — Quick Facts
- Hours: DLNR lists daily park hours as 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Fees: Non-residents pay $5/person, children 3 and under free, and $10/non-commercial vehicle. Hawaiʻi residents enter and park free with valid Hawaiʻi ID or driver's license.
- Payment: DLNR lists entrance and parking payment as credit card only and encourages paying before arrival because cell reception is limited at the park.
- Trail: The usual loop is a paved 0.4 miles with steps, but DLNR says part remains closed due to fallen trees. Check current access.
- Accessibility: DLNR says the paved route is not wheelchair accessible.
- Best fit: A short waterfall-viewpoint stop on the Hāmākua Coast, not a long hike.
How to Use This Stop
Use ʻAkaka Falls as the waterfall anchor for a Hāmākua Coast drive when the accessible trail sections fit your plans. Start from the parking area and follow posted trail controls; part of the usual loop remains closed. DLNR specifically asks visitors to stay on the trail.
The usual loop has two waterfall viewpoints; check which sections are open before counting on either one. For the broader day, pair this stop with the Hāmākua Coast route, the North Hāmākua region guide, or the Big Island waterfalls guide depending on how much of the coast you want to build into the day.
First-Visit Plan
- Check facilities and fees before you go. DLNR lists the water and comfort station as reopened. The park encourages visitors to pay entry and parking fees before arrival because cell reception is limited.
- Bring a credit card. DLNR lists credit card only for entrance and parking payment.
- Expect steps. The path is paved, but DLNR says the route includes multiple steps and is not wheelchair accessible.
- Keep it as a short stop. The developed loop is 0.4 miles, so most visitors pair it with Honomū, Hilo, or other Hāmākua Coast sights.
ʻAkaka Falls FAQ
Is ʻAkaka Falls State Park open?
DLNR lists the park's water and comfort station as reopened, but part of the trail remains closed due to fallen trees. Check current trail access before driving.
How much does ʻAkaka Falls cost?
DLNR lists non-resident entrance at $5 per person, children 3 and under free, and non-resident non-commercial vehicle parking at $10. Hawaiʻi residents enter and park free with valid Hawaiʻi ID or driver's license. DLNR lists payment as credit card only.
How long is the ʻAkaka Falls trail?
DLNR describes the usual ʻAkaka Falls Loop Trail as a 0.4-mile paved loop, but its September 28 notice says part of the trail remains closed due to fallen trees. Check which sections are open before visiting.
Is the ʻAkaka Falls trail wheelchair accessible?
No. DLNR says the paved route includes multiple steps in places and is not wheelchair accessible.
Near ʻAkaka Falls
Use the pages below for the parts of the trip that belong outside this attraction guide: coast routing, nearby waterfall comparisons, and guided tour options.
- Hāmākua Coast route for fitting ʻAkaka Falls into a scenic drive.
- Hawaiʻi Tropical Botanical Garden and Onomea Falls for a garden-focused nearby stop.
- Rainbow Falls if you are building a Hilo-side waterfall morning.
- Big Island waterfall adventures and sightseeing tours if you want a guided day instead of a self-drive stop.
