Best National and State Parks in Hawaii: The Complete Guide
Hawaii protects more of its land per capita than almost any other U.S. state, and the payoff is extraordinary. The best national and state parks in Hawaii span two active volcanoes, the world's most remote sea cliffs, a canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon, and some of the last intact native ecosystems on Earth. Whether you are planning a single sunrise hike or a multi-island road trip, this guide covers what each park offers, what it costs, and exactly what you need to book in advance — because several parks now require reservations and sell out days or weeks ahead.
Quick-Reference Table
| Park | Island | Type | Reservation? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Volcanoes NP | Big Island | National Park | No | Lava, craters, night glow |
| Haleakala NP | Maui | National Park | Yes (sunrise) | Summit sunrise, crater hikes |
| Napali Coast SP | Kauai | State Wilderness | Trail permit | Sea cliffs, Kalalau Trail |
| Waimea Canyon SP | Kauai | State Park | No | Canyon overlooks, hiking |
| Kokee SP | Kauai | State Park | No | Forest trails, Kalalau overlook |
| Diamond Head SM | Oahu | State Monument | Yes | Crater rim hike, city views |
| Waianapanapa SP | Maui | State Park | Yes | Black-sand beach, sea caves |
| Iao Valley SM | Maui | State Monument | No | Iao Needle, rainforest walk |
| Puuhonua o Honaunau NHP | Big Island | National Hist. Park | No | Hawaiian history, snorkeling |
| Polihale SP | Kauai | State Park | No | Remote beach, sunsets |
| Pearl Harbor NM | Oahu | National Memorial | Yes (USS Arizona) | WWII history |
| Kalaupapa NHP | Molokai | National Hist. Park | Yes (guided only) | Isolation history, scenery |
Big Island Parks
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The crown jewel of Hawaiian parks and one of the most dynamic landscapes on the planet, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits on the flanks of two of the world's most active volcanoes — Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The park is open 24 hours a day and no advance reservation is required, though the $35-per-vehicle fee (valid seven days) applies at the entrance gate.
The park's centerpiece is the Kilauea caldera, visible from the Kilauea Overlook and Jaggar Museum area. The 11-mile Crater Rim Drive links the major viewpoints, and the Chain of Craters Road descends 3,700 feet to the coast, ending at hardened lava that swallowed the road in past eruption cycles. Thurston Lava Tube (Nahuku), a walk-through cave just off Crater Rim Drive, is included in any visit. The park also contains the Puna rainforest, steam vents, sulphur banks, and the Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs — over 23,000 carved images made by Native Hawaiians. Kilauea's eruption status changes; visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory before you go for current lava-flow conditions.
For visitors based on the Kona side, volcano tours from Kona are the most practical way to reach the park, which sits about 100 miles from the Kona coast via the saddle road.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
On the leeward Kona coast, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau preserves one of Hawaii's most important sacred sites: a royal grounds and place of refuge where Hawaiians who broke kapu (sacred law) could seek absolution and protection. The park covers 420 acres and features restored heiau (temples), ki'i pohaku (wooden idols), royal fishponds, and the Great Wall — a 1,000-foot-long, 10-foot-high lava rock structure built in the sixteenth century. Entry is $20 per vehicle. No reservation is required. The adjacent bay is one of the best shoreline snorkel spots on the Big Island, accessible from the parking area. The park's own Big Island cultural landscape sits within a broader region of remarkable natural sites including Punaluu Black Sand Beach to the south.
Maui Parks
Haleakala National Park
Haleakala is Maui's dominant landscape feature — a dormant shield volcano whose summit reaches 10,023 feet above sea level, poking above the cloud layer into a world of cinder cones and alien silversword plants. The summit district is the main draw for most visitors, and it is where the reservation requirement applies: entry between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. requires an advance timed-entry reservation from recreation.gov, bookable up to 60 days ahead at $1 per reservation (plus the standard park entry fee of $35 per vehicle). A maximum of roughly 150 vehicles are admitted per sunrise window. Reservations sell out within minutes of opening; set an alarm for the 60-day mark if sunrise is on your itinerary.
The rest of the day — after 7 a.m. — does not require a reservation. The crater district contains 30 miles of backcountry trails and two wilderness cabins bookable by lottery. The Kipahulu District on the coast (site of Oheo Gulch, also called the Seven Sacred Pools) is reached via the Road to Hana and is a separate entrance with its own fee. A full guide to Haleakala sunrise covers every step of booking and preparation.
Waianapanapa State Park
Maui's most photographed state park sits on the Road to Hana at mile marker 32, protecting a black-sand beach of volcanic pebbles, sea caves carved into the lava cliffs, a blowhole, and a stretch of the ancient Alaloa (King's Highway) walking trail. Advance reservations are required for all visitors; book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Entry is $5 per person plus $10 parking. Overnight camping is available by reservation. The park connects naturally to a broader Road to Hana itinerary — see the complete Road to Hana guide for logistics.
Iao Valley State Monument
Fifteen minutes from Kahului, Iao Valley State Monument preserves the lush central Maui valley where King Kamehameha I won a decisive battle in 1790, unifying the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. The park's signature landmark is the Iao Needle — a 1,200-foot basalt pinnacle that rises sharply from the valley floor. A short paved loop trail leads to the best viewing angle, passing through dense ferns and native plants. Entry is free; the park is open 7 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. The Iao Needle guide covers the history and trail in detail.
Kauai Parks
Napali Coast State Wilderness Park
The 17-mile Napali Coast is one of the most visually stunning coastlines in the world — fluted 4,000-foot green sea cliffs, hidden sea caves, and valleys accessible only on foot, by sea kayak, or by boat. The Kalalau Trail is the land-based route, running 11 miles one-way to Kalalau Beach; a permit is required for any hiking beyond Hanakapi'ai Beach (the first 2 miles are permit-free). Kayak access is seasonal: north-shore launches are typically feasible May–September, and even then only for experienced paddlers or guided tours. A complete Napali Coast guide explains permits, kayak logistics, and boat tour options. For a bird's-eye view, helicopter tours provide unmatched access to the interior valleys that are otherwise unreachable.
Waimea Canyon State Park
Mark Twain reportedly called Waimea Canyon "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific," and the comparison holds: 14 miles long, a mile wide, and 3,600 feet deep, with walls striped in red, orange, and brown volcanic rock. Multiple overlook pullouts line the Kokee Road (Highway 550), and several trails descend into the canyon itself. The most popular is the Iliau Nature Loop (0.3 miles, easy) near mile marker 9. More demanding is the Canyon Trail / Waipo'o Falls hike, a 6-mile round-trip to a tiered waterfall. No reservation or fee is required to enter the park. A detailed Waimea Canyon guide covers the best lookouts and hiking routes.
Kokee State Park
Sitting above Waimea Canyon at 3,600–4,200 feet elevation, Kokee State Park covers 4,345 acres of native ohia and koa forest and offers 45 miles of hiking trails. The park's museum (small donation suggested) is the best place to orient yourself and check trail conditions — some routes become impassable after heavy rain. The Kalalau Lookout and Pu'u o Kila Lookout at road's end are the park's most popular stops, offering aerial views down into Napali's Kalalau Valley. Camping is available by permit. The park sits at the intersection of the best things to do on Kauai and a full Kauai trip typically pairs Waimea Canyon and Kokee into a single day.
Polihale State Park
At the far western end of Kauai, Polihale is Hawaii's longest beach — approximately 17 miles of wide white sand backed by towering dunes and ending at the base of the Napali cliffs. Reaching it requires a 5-mile drive on a rough unpaved road; 4WD is strongly recommended and conventional cars sometimes bottom out after rain. There are no services, no shade, and no lifeguards. Summer months offer calmer water; the winter surf here is powerful and can be deadly. What you get in exchange for the effort: near-solitude, some of the most dramatic coastal scenery in the state, and sunset views toward Niihau on a clear evening.
Oahu Parks
Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head — or Le'ahi in Hawaiian — is the most recognized landmark on Oahu, a 300,000-year-old tuff cone crater rising above Waikiki. The 1.6-mile round-trip summit trail climbs 560 feet through tunnels and stairways built by the U.S. Army in 1908, emerging at a bunker-ringed summit with a 360-degree view from the Waianae Range to Waikiki and the Ko'olau Mountains. All visitors require a timed-entry reservation booked up to 14 days in advance at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Entry is $5 per person plus $10 for parking. The complete Diamond Head guide covers the trail and what to expect step by step.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The most visited historical site in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Oahu's south shore encompasses the USS Arizona Memorial (free, but requires timed-entry boat-pass reservations through recreation.gov), the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin submarine, and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The NPS component — including the boat ride to the Arizona memorial — is free of charge, but demand far exceeds supply; same-day passes are rarely available. Book online as far ahead as possible, especially if visiting during peak summer months. Pearl Harbor tour options include combination tickets that cover multiple attractions in a single day.
Molokai Parks
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Kalaupapa occupies the isolated Makanalua Peninsula on Molokai's north shore, surrounded on three sides by the ocean and on the fourth by some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world — over 3,000 feet. From 1866 to 1969, the Hawaiian government exiled people diagnosed with leprosy (Hansen's disease) to this peninsula. Today it is a national historical park managed jointly by the NPS and the Hawaii Department of Health. Roughly 15 residents who chose to remain after 1969 still live in the settlement.
Access requires advance booking through Damien Tours, the only authorized tour operator. Visitors must be 16 or older. The mule ride down the 1,700-foot cliffside trail has been suspended indefinitely; currently, access is by small plane to the peninsula's airstrip. Tour availability is limited and books out months in advance — plan accordingly.
When to Visit Hawaii's Parks
Every park in Hawaii has its own seasonal rhythms. High-elevation parks like Haleakala and Kokee can be cold year-round — temperatures at 10,000 feet may drop below freezing overnight even in summer. Coastal state parks like Polihale and Makena experience the safest swimming conditions in summer (May–September) when trade winds build protective north-shore surf while the south and west shores stay calm. Road-accessible parks like Hawaii Volcanoes and Diamond Head are busiest June–August; visiting in April–May or September–October means shorter queues and easier reservations.
What to Bring
- Water: Most parks have limited or no potable water. Carry a minimum of 2 liters per person for any trail over 2 miles.
- Sun protection: SPF 50+ reef-safe sunscreen, wide-brim hat, and UV-blocking clothing.
- Layers: High-elevation parks require a warm layer even on sunny days. Mornings at Haleakala summit hover near freezing.
- Footwear: Closed-toe shoes or hiking boots on any lava trail. Sandals are inadequate on uneven a'a lava.
- Reservations printed or saved offline: Cell service is absent at several parks including Hawaii Volcanoes backcountry, Polihale, and Kokee.
Respecting Hawaii's Protected Lands
Hawaii's parks protect ecosystems found nowhere else on earth. The island chain has the highest rate of endemic species extinction of any place on the planet; introduced plants, animals, and pathogens continue to pose an existential threat to native species. When visiting any park:
- Clean your footwear before entering wilderness areas — boot-cleaning stations are provided at some parks for this reason.
- Stay on marked trails; vegetation off-trail may be rare or legally protected.
- Do not move rocks, remove plants, or disturb archaeological features. Heiau, petroglyphs, and burial grounds are sacred.
- Pack out everything you pack in. Many parks have no trash collection.
Experience the Volcanoes with a Local Guide
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is extraordinary on its own — but a knowledgeable local guide adds geology, mythology, and real-time lava updates that transform the experience. Guided tours depart from both Hilo and Kona.
Browse Volcano ToursFrequently Asked Questions
Do you need reservations for Hawaii national parks?
It depends on the park. Haleakala requires an advance reservation for sunrise access (3 a.m.–7 a.m.) booked up to 60 days ahead at recreation.gov. Hawaii Volcanoes does not currently require reservations. Diamond Head and Waianapanapa both require advance online reservations through gostateparks.hawaii.gov.
Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park worth visiting?
Absolutely. It is the only place in the United States where you can walk on a lava field, peer into an active caldera, and drive through a rainforest all in one day. Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for the current eruption status before your visit.
What is the best time of year to visit Hawaii state parks?
April–May and September–October offer the best balance of mild weather, thinner crowds, and open trails. Summer is peak season. Winter brings higher surf to north shores and occasional trail closures on high-elevation parks.
How do I reserve a spot at Diamond Head State Monument?
Reservations are required and can be booked up to 14 days in advance at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Entry costs $5 per person plus $10 parking. All visitors must have a timed-entry pass.
Can you swim at Waianapanapa State Park?
You can enter the water at the black-sand beach, but the shoreline is exposed to open-ocean swells and strong surge. Swimming is not recommended during high surf. The main draws are the lava arch, sea caves, and the black-sand beach itself.
What is the entry fee for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
The fee is $35 per vehicle (valid 7 days), $20 per motorcycle, and $20 per person on foot or bicycle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Is Kalaupapa National Historical Park open to the public?
Access requires advance booking through Damien Tours, the only authorized operator. Visitors must be 16 or older. The mule ride down the cliffs has been suspended indefinitely. Tours book out months ahead — plan accordingly.
Which Hawaiian island has the most parks?
Kauai arguably offers the highest concentration of dramatic park landscapes relative to its size — Napali Coast, Kokee, Waimea Canyon, and Polihale all sit on one island. The Big Island hosts two national parks. Every major island has at least one state monument or park worth a full day.