Breath Deep! Relax...you've entered a special place. At the top of Kauai in the wettest place on earth. It doesn't get any better than this. read more

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Would absolutely LOVE to camp here... Unfortunately arrived after the museum and restaurant closed (-after 4). But this looks like a great place to camp. Did go into the lodge for a bit ( where the restaurant is), saw some beautiful trees and flowers. Did not explore the nature trail this time.... Drive a bit more to the Kalalau Lookout where one can see the Napali coastline and Ni'ihau in the distance. And did I mention chickens? A must see!!! read more

Koke'e State Park. It is "partners in crime" with its brother/sister Waimea Canyon State Park. When visiting Koke'e, you must first drive through Waimea Canyon along the 23 mile Koke'e Road. So for visitors, plan to combine both parks into 1 long day trip. You can actually take 2 days to explore the parks, especially if you plan on doing hiking. During my 1st day here, it rained for a majority of the time. Welp, that sealed my fate and I knew I'd have to allocate a 2nd day towards returning. And that's fine because Koke'e and Waimea Canyon are two of the major highlights when visiting Kauai, Hawaii. In fact, there's a sign saying..."Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Parks" paired together, like joined at the hip so to speak, lol. Pretty much, they're telling you how connected both parks are to each other. What I found interesting (and now I'll solely focus on Koke'e SP) is that there's not as much to do here as I anticipated. I was a little letdown when reflecting back on the experience. Especially the two primary overlooks, Kalalau Valley Lookout and Pu'u o Kila Lookout (near Mile 23), weren't nearly as fulfilling as Waimea Canyon Lookout located at Mile 10 of Koke'e Road. Kalalau Valley Lookout and Pu'u o Kila Lookout both offer similar perspectives of the Na'Pali Coast. They're located within maybe 2 -3 miles of each other at the end of Koke'e Road. In my opinion, the best you can do is take a selfie picture while at each of them. I'd rather just snap a landscape picture and be content with that. It's just a difficult family photo moment from each lookout especially with guardrails blocking the backgrounds. What I did discover was...if you walk off to the right hand side of the Pu'u o Kila Lookout, you can get a better glance at the Na'Pali Coast that makes for an undisturbed setting. Because, you eliminate the guardrails and forest growth proponent from the lens and allow a more panoramic backdrop. While at Pu'u o Kila Lookout, I hiked the Pihea Trail 1 mile (each way) to and from Pihea Vista and it was a waste of time. I regret it just thinking about it now. There was nothing to see. Back within Koke'e SP, everyone stops by the Koke'e Museum to purchase gifts and souvenirs. I grabbed a couple of knickknacks like a magnet and keychain. Next to the Museum is the Koke'e Lodge. Here you can also find small trinkets but more frequented is the Cafe to sit down and eat a snack/meal. There's a coffee bar as well along with tables and chairs. During my visit, it was the perfect time to stop at this Lodge because of the rain, but the crowds were too large and I had to steer clear of the hectic activity. Outside of the Koke'e Lodge and Museum, you will encounter an abundance of chickens and roosters who beg for food. They'll chirp and cock-a-doodle away (like typical roosters do, lol) but tourists take an opportunity to feed them. If you have leftovers, they'll gladly eat out of your hands or however you may feed them. And overall on the island of Kauai, it's rooster planet, filled with birds in almost every single commercial parking lot! Lastly, I'd like to talk about Awa'awapuhi Trail. This hike was recommended to me by a local. It's 6 miles roundtrip and I guess you could categorize it as strenuous. The 3 mile trek down through the jungle wasn't hard. But, you see nothing. I started daydreaming along the way. Finally at the 360 degree viewpoint, many people say it's a stunning, unreal glimpse of the Na'Pali Coast. I arrived at 11am just as clouds rolled in and wouldn't leave. I waited and waited and sat and sat still waiting for the skies to clear, but they never did. The 3 miles back uphill to the trailhead were hard, but if you're in no rush, it's no big deal. When speaking to others after the hike, it was recommended to me that you must attempt this Awa'awapuhi Trail first thing in the morning to avoid those clouds. Had I known this ahead of time, I would have altered my itinerary to start hiking during sunrise. Btw...when at the Awa'awapuhi vista, you stand on a cliff's edge overlooking the coast. If you have a fear of heights, there may be only so far you can go. Still, it's good enough to witness for everyone. Koke'e State Park was okay. I wanted to connect with it on a magical level so I could be glowing afterwards. Instead I never got what I came for. Regardless, when pairing with Waimea Canyon for the day, it's a top attraction and Must-Do visit while on the island of Kauai. read more

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Many amazing birds I had an amazing time and when I took a water break a Kaua'i elepaio came right next to me!!!! read more

Koke'e State Park - Native birds - Parks Near Me

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Amazing hikes with amazing views, did the Nu'alolo to Awa'awapuhi, hands down best hike I've done in Hawaii. Views of the valley, rugged mountains, and coastline, really awesome. Had good weather too, cloudy when we first started but cleared up immensely out closer to the water. Lots of helicopters. Road throughout the park is a bit windy and can't see other cars coming in the opposite direction which is a bit annoying. But definitely spend some time here, especially if you like hiking. It's amazing!! read more

Koke'e State Park has magnificent views over the NaPali Coast of Kauai. That coast is one of the most famous and strikingly scenic parts of not only Kauai, but the entire state. However, it is only accessible directly by the Kalalau Trail, which has a trailhead at Ha'ena State Park on the borth shore (at the northern end of the Kuhio highway), through the NaPali Coast Wilderness park, or by seeing it from the heights above, accessible only from Koke'e State Park. This park is only reached via the dead-end road through Waimea Canyon State Park which starts at Waimea on the south shore. There are excellent views at the scenic overlooks, plus some hiking trails providing additional views. There is a visitor centre with shop, toilets, picnic areas, and eatery in the park. As of July 2023, the road after Kalalau Overlook, continuing to Pu'u O Kila overlook, gets significantly more rough. There is one significant patch of deep potholes across the entire road at one spot, which is daunting, but we had a regular sedan and made it across with no problem by being careful. After that, the holes are easier to avoid. One should visit both this park and Waimea Canyon on the same day, since the road is a dead-end and you must go through Waimea Canyon to get to this park. One should allow several hours for a a decent visit. read more

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12/3/21 I was going through my photos & Walking down memory lane and I came across the first trip since the pandemic started to Kauai. If you're coming from Princeville like we were, it took a good hour & a half or so as we drove leisurely through the main highway (Kuhio Hwy). It's definitely a feast for the eyes and hubby & I have been visiting Kaua'i since 2007. It never gets old. Due to its climate & topography, Kaua'i is ever changing. Every year we look forward to what has changed & what stayed the same. Some years the island gets its fair share of typhoons/storms that make it both difficult & challenging for the locals & tourists alike. It's typically recommended to check the weather reports before arriving do tourists are better prepared. For at least 2 -3 events since 2007, storms hit Kaua'i that devastated its island, economy & people (which also affected their tourism industry). It was sad but the people are resilient & they recover , thankfully. Not even the pandemic can keep them down. A few years ago, heavy rains caused severe mudslides that rendered their precious Napali coast area that many places were inaccessible past Princeville. This was major blow to their economy & tourism. I waited and kept checking when it became accessible again. I believe it took several months (maybe a year or so). As I mentioned earlier, they're resilient and lo and behold, an actual parking lot was established to access Ke'e Beach & Kalalau trail. Finally! It's a long winding road with a gradient, your rental that's a 4 cylinder will make it but I'd recommend something bigger & stronger, It's a sight to see at least once in your lifetime (or yearly).If it's lush, tropical, verdant & beautiful, peace & tranquility you're looking for, come to Kaua'i & explore! Mahalo for reading my lengthy & nostalgic review. Aloha read more

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You have to drive thru Waimea Canyon State Park. It's worth the drive to the very last lookout. It was cloudy but you can sit in your car and wait for the weather to change. You pay for parking once and it's good for all the lookouts. On the way back, we stopped at Kokee Lodge for breakfast and coffee. Loco Moco with Kaluha pork was yummy. Portuguese bean soup will warm you up. We also visited the museum (opens at 10:30). read more

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Beautiful scenery hikes nature. Can drive up bike up walking will take too long. Once get to the top can hike or just take pictures then come back down. If going hiking, expect to get muddy and tired, but amazing views. read more

Koke'e State Park - Falls - Parks Near Me

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In most other states (with the exception of Alaska), this place would be a NATIONAL park. This is where all the best hiking trails are on the island. A couple of warnings: Almost all the trails start at high elevations and go DOWNHILL to lower elevations. This means "going in" is fast and "coming out" is SLOW. This is the complete opposite of most trails. Many days there is afternoon fog that completely obscures the views. To remedy this, you need to either start really early (6am, which is unheard of on island time), or really late (hike out for sunset, hike back with a headlamp). You might get lucky with a "brunch start", but I personally wouldn't chance it. You really don't want to miss these views. Since this area is often ~4,000 ft, temps can be 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the rest of the island, dress accordingly! Make sure you visit the wonderful Kokee Lodge for an amazing meal made with local ingredients and some live music. Make sure you get an Ola Ginger Hard Seltzer, the perfect after-hike tonic. (again, be warned, they close early!) I could've explored this State Park for a week and still had more things to do (missed the swamp hikes and the island high point....next time). One of my favorite hikes in the area was the Awa'awapuhi Trail and its billion dollar view: https://www.yelp.com/biz/awaawapuhi-trail-waimea Have fun, be safe, drink Ola Ginger afterwards! read more

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Beautiful hiking and views around this state park. It rains often, with drizzle. But beware of thick clouds and don't undertake a big hike if you see them. It can get dangerous fast, since some trials have steep areas and can get slick in a serious downpour. Proper hiking shoes recommended. read more

Koke'e campground is a beautiful spot to spend the night! You can reserve a campsite online, and they fill up on busy weekends so good to book in advance. Once we got there, it's not obvious where the campsites are. Once you pull into the campground parking, look for a stone building (the bathrooms) then start walking up the hill beyond it. You should start to see little clearings between the trees each with their own tent spot, grill, and picnic table. Those are the campsites! If you can't find them, you can always ask in the museum or grill and they can point you in the right direction. We had a great campsite up on the hill. It was nice and quiet and the trees provided privacy from the neighbors. The temperatures got down in the 50s at night due to the higher elevation, which made it great sleeping weather with a light sleeping bag. The best part were the stars!! Before the moon came out, you could see thousands of stars without any city lights to block the way. Camping in Koke'e was great, and I definitely recommend it for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure in Kauai. read more

Koke'e State Park - Camping in Koke'e Campground - Parks Near Me

Beautiful must visit on Kauai, takes about 1 hour drive from Koloa area. On the way there there are about five pull off overlook spots. One of them you can see a waterfall from but it is not marked so easy to miss but don't fret there are other obvious designated pull off locations. Lots of twists and turns getting up there. There are many little trails within the park as well or areas to just hop out and do a short walk to an overlook area so it's all covered. There isn't an entrance fee like most state parks on the mainland so that is pretty cool of Hawaii. read more

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The park takes up a portion of Waimea Canyon and offers spectacular views. There's tent camping and a few cabins, plus a museum and restaurant. Remember to gas up before you come up the canyon road. Bring water, snacks and sunscreen. If it's cloudy, wait a while and see if it will clear up. The weather changes quickly on Kaua'i. Leave with memories of some of the prettiest sights on earth. read more

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What a magnificent sight it was to see Waimea Canyon from its lookout point. There are several stops along the way including Puu Hinahina Lookout which gives you a good view of Niihau, the forbidden island, on a clear day. The roads are seriously windy and even for someone who is not generally proned to car sickness, I got a bit queasy and had to close my eyes and lay back for a while. It was well worth it though as the breathtaking sight will make you forget all your nausea and whatnot. read more

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I have visited Kokee State Park and the Kalalau Valley Lookout viewing the Na Pali Coast several times. In 2006, I took my daughters, Joy and Kristina to take pics of this beautiful, serene scenic wonderment. Here are my pics I took of Kokee State Park from 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007-I hope you will enjoy viewing all my pics of Kauai. should you want to know the location of a pic, please feel free to send me a message. My pics of the Island of Kauai, including Kokee State Park Kalalau Lookout: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabler/sets/72157603155879196/ In addition, here's another URL to view the many pics taken of this famous, beautiful lookout by other visitors: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/zXub_vxJ8Y_KOxZhGH97sA?action_user_photos=1 The colours of this majestic scenery appears as an artistic painting with sporadic fog banks wafting intermittently. Still, I have discovered that over the years, Kauai had to place barriers from people falling off the sheer cliffs. Visitors used to be able to hike down the ravine in 2004, but this past year when I visited Kokee State Park, the hiking trails have been barricaded. So, in July 2007, I noticed a drastic change with the scenery which has been visually hindered by the steel bannister barricade. The Kokee State Park has made drastic safety improvements for visitors' safety, but it slightly diminished its beauty visually. Heads Up: Go to the very TOP of Kokee State Park's road FIRST and do not stop to view the other look outs. By the time you have taken your pics of Kokee Lookout, ALL and every tour bus will descend upon the miniscule cul-de-sac parking lot making it very difficult to move your car. After viewing Kokee Lookout, then go visit the other lookouts in peace and quiet. Please drive very slowly up and down the Kokee State Park's road because there are countless gargantuan size potholes that will ruin the rental car's tires and axle. I had to pay the costly price replacing one of rental car's tire and paid a rental car agreement chump fee, despite I had $1 million car insurance. read more

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This is a great park for camping and hiking. It's pretty spread out , so a car is necessary. There are great views of the ocean , but I did not see any beach access. read more

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it's a little hard to find parking in the lot. We went on my honeymoon here in August. It's the highest and wettest point in Kauai. We did about a one hour hike and got soaking wet. It was such a beautiful hike that was really muddy. We saw a couple rainbows and it was really fun and beautiful here. read more

Gorgeous! Wish you were here! As you can see from the pictures, it's beautiful up here. The drive up is also very nice. There are a lot of spots to stop and take in the view as well as take some beautiful pictures. My BF at the time brought me to Kauai and I fell in love with the island. The trip to Kokee was an all-day event. It started with a typical Hawaiian breakfast: McDonald's - Portuguese sausage, eggs and rice and then the 3-hour drive up to the top. We made a number of stops along the way to take pictures and we arrived at Kokee around 2:00 PM and it was perfect. We made it out of there before the clouds came in. My BF had freakin' eagle eyes because he was able to spot three different waterfalls on the mountainside, and with the help of another tourists' binoculars, we spotted a whale in the distance. I think it's free to visit the park, I don't remember paying for anything, just be sure to go early. It was quite a drive from Lihue to the top 'o the mountain, so give yourself a lot of time. read more

If you've taken (or will take) the boat tours of the Na Pali coast, this is basically the same valleys, but from a different angle. You can even see the cruises from the lookouts. This is definitely one-of-a-kind. A must see. At the Kalalau lookout, hop the fence on the right side and you'll find a small trail. There's a nice clearing there for better photos. -- PHOTOS: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kokee-state-park-waimea?select=kLY7Q0_T9U4DiqgQXhZ5hQ#kLY7Q0_T9U4DiqgQXhZ5hQ http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kokee-state-park-waimea?select=kLY7Q0_T9U4DiqgQXhZ5hQ#xC9A_TwIDbmmLQcuGT-cmQ read more

Koke'e State Park - Parks Near Me

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We started with the Pihea Trail which intersected with the Alaka'i Swamp Trail and then continued to the Kilohana Vista. Round trip it was 8 miles, and not the easiest 8 miles either. The Pihea Trail starts at the end of Waimea Canyon Dr. and the first mile or so is a lot of climbing and it can be slippery. It was a dry day when we went and honestly I don't think I would have done it if it was raining or had rained earlier. It would have been way too difficult. The Alaka'i Swamp Trail is exactly that, swamp. There's a boardwalk most of the way but the parts that aren't can be a little tricky, again, some climbing. Also there's one part where there are quite a bit of stairs which get pretty tiring on the way back. The trail is quite interesting towards the end b/c when your in the swamp area the trees do not grow beyond 5 ft tall and I didn't see any birds at all. It's very desolate. I honestly was questioning if any of this was really worth it when we were a few hours in but when we got to the Kilohana Vista the views blew me away. I felt like I was on top of the world! It's so quiet and peaceful up there and you can see all the way to Hanalei Bay and a great view of the Kalalau Valley. The Swamp trail literally takes you to an edge of a cliff where there is a little wooden platform and a bench so bring a lunch and take in the views and relax. Trust me, it's worth it and for me it was a once in a lifetime hike and the wearther was perfect for us and made the views even more majestic. read more

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If you're in Kauai, you have to take the road trip up the Waimea Canyon before you leave the island; unless you've taken the open door helicopter ride up the canyon which is a better choice (use either Jack Harter or Inter-Island and ask for the photography tour). Take the road north and take a few stops at the normal view points and places you see others taking pictures; but don't use up all your shots as the ultimate goal is to get to the end of the road. There you'll get the money shot of pictures of the Na'Pali coast line. Tips: - Always rent a Jeep (open top) when in Kauai. - Fill up gasoline at Hanapepe as there's no gas stations on Waimea Canyon Drive. - Get there early in the morning before the afternoon haze clouds your photos and the crowds show up. - Bring some hiking shoes (just not flip flops) as the clay is slippery and you don't want to fall off a cliff. - Pack some lunch or snacks for the trip. - Have at least a 24mm (wide angle) lense and bracket your pictures as there's lot's of shadows that you can fix later with HDR software in PS. - Take a tri-pod if you have one. read more

Waimea Canyon was a gorgeous drive. If you can bike or hike up the 18-odd miles of the drive, I would suggest it, but our group was due for a wedding so I couldn't spare the time to do the bike ride. With multiple vista and lookout points, the gorgeous green of the island combines with the white clouds, deep blue of the ocean, and lighter blue of the sky. Gorgeous tones at night and over the course of the day, and plenty of signs indicating the local "chicken" that wander all over the place. Even a quick warm drizzle only caused a rainbow to appear over the mountainside. Careful driving here, lots of smaller traffic and corners that can surprise you. I suggest a jacket as you do end up at a much higher elevation than before. While the tour stops can sometimes have a lot of fresh vegetation covering up little signs with explanations, most of the drive up is well-maintained. There's a little cart at the top with a couple selling cold drinks, and freshly cut pineapple and dried versions of fruit, including pineapple and papaya and nuts. Delicious snack for the drive down. read more

The very top of the mountain (2nd tallest peak on Kauai, 1st wettest spot on Earth) is called Mount Waialeale. You will be able to see almost the entire Kalalau Trail, waterfalls, helicopters, birds, insane erosion, and beautiful greenery. You definitely have to go here if you're visiting Kauai. Plan to go on a very clear day. Bring your cameras! Extremely beautiful views! read more

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For outdoor enthusiasts who want to see more than just the beaches on Kauai, Kokee is the place to go. It's another world up there and there is nothing like feeling the change in climate and ecosystem as you drive up the mountain into the forests. Kokee has the largest concentration of hiking trails on the island. The Awaawapuhi trail and the Alakai Swamp are probably the gems here but all are worth exploring. A lot of Hawaii is overrun with non-native plants and animals but the high elevation forests of Kauai, and the Alakai Swamp in particular are still full of native plants and birds. When I'm homesick and thinking of Kauai, Kokee is usually what I'm thinking of. If you're looking for a decent map and guide you may want to download the Kokee Rec & Trail Map described here: https://www.avenzamaps.com/a/0px2ku It uses the a smart phone or tablets GPS and is much better than most of the printed maps available from the park store (especially the official park map!). read more

Kokee State Park is Waimea Canyon State Park's lesser known cousin. They're right next to each other in western Kauai, but both can be equally good. I say "can be" because you are going to be able to see the canyon pretty easily, but the best of Kokee may be obscured by clouds; apparently, this is not uncommon. If you go to the very end of the road, there is a viewpoint with one of the best views you'll find, well, anywhere, really. It's a spectacular view of a valley that goes down to the Na Pali Coast. It's truly spectacular. Aside from that, there's trails you can hike here, a museum, a place to eat (the only one without going back to Waimea or somewhere nearby), and maybe some campground(s). So simply, if you take the time to go to Waimea Canyon, go a but further and visit Kokee State Park. A few tips though: my guidebook said to go early to avoid clouds. Also, if possible, I recommend planning your trip up there on a day when the weather forecast says it wont be cloudy. My first time there I saw nothing because of clouds, but my second trip I was rewarded for my persistence with a spectacular view. read more

Over 4,300 acres of lush forests and great views of the Kalalau Valley and the Pacific Ocean from a 4,000 ft. lookout, Kokee State Park is worth the long ascension from sea level. There are beautiful (and potentially fatal) hiking trails along the Waimea Canyon rim and high atop the peaks of Kauai overlooking the ocean. Tent camping is permitted. And rustic cabin accomodations are available through the Kokee Lodge at a great price ($35-$45 a night). read more

Koke'e State Park - a long way down... - Parks Near Me

One of the most beautiful views. Scary as well. One could easily lose their footing and topple over the edge. People mentioned there is a hike which takes you to a ledge, naw not today for me ok? 5 stars for a reason people. O yea the drive was fun as well. Especially the part with all the pot holes. Good thing i got full coverage on the rental car. The bright blue PT cruiser held up well trust me on that. read more

If you decide to continue up the 550, you will enter this state park. The drive is great...very lush and tropical. Sometimes the road narrows, but if you keep going, you need up at the Koke'e Park central with cabins, a restaurant, and museum. Besides donations, anything you purchase helps the park. I started this review a while ago, but I have returned to work and can't stop thinking about this amazing place. There are a few places to stop and take pictures, like Puu Hinahina Lookout. Most of the time, we were the only car on the road. It's not the top of the world, but it sure feels like it when you get to the lookout point at the end, Wai'Ale'Ale, which is considered one of the wettest spots on earth. Had we known what the lookout point was like we would have brought food and stayed a lot longer. Kokee is a definite place to visit. I think the next time we come out, we just might stay in one of the cabins for a few days and hike the park. I would just have to remember to bring mosquito repellant because they love my blood. I must be genuinely sweet...LOL! read more

This was a wonderful road trip. Each lookout was amazing, all the way to the top. Make sure you drive slow, so you don't miss a lookout point. Breathtaking views, and if you go early enough, there are some trails too. read more

Koke'e State Park - One of the wettest places on earth! - Parks Near Me

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The best famous come see it for yourself‼ A breath of fresh air paradise all the way The hiking was amazing easy to challenging the payoff was the beautiful turquoise ocean read more

Koke'e State Park - Parks Near Me

Some of the best vistas and most amazing scenery on the planet. Definitely drive through and stop at ALL the look-outs so you get views of both Waimea and Na Pali (with intriguing Ni'ihau in the distance). But please get out and do a hike, too. There are hundreds to choose from -- from easy to difficult, all distances. Out on your own in the wilderness (away from the throngs of tourists mobbing the overlooks on their cursory bus tours through the park) is the best way to experience Koke'e. read more

Who goes on almost 9-mile treks in not-for-hiking Skechers, an over the shoulder medium-sized-bag, and only 750-ml of water? This girl! And by herself. My cousin's husband thought I was crazy. Sometimes. From my Holo Holo Charters review, the day before I went on to hike the Nu'alolo trail to Lolo Vista, I saw this point from the bottom on a boat. I was so in love with its natural beauty, I wanted to stand on top and look down and 'make it my b*tch,' if you will. Wanted to say, been there, done that. NEXT! Plus, I discovered that the point was called Lolo Vista and that is what I called my dear grandfather that passed away almost four months ago. Lolo. So, even more reason I wanted to make the 40-minute drive thru windy roads in my cousin's 4-Runner with no power steering. The drive was easy and the roads were not busy for a Thursday morning. I finally made my way up to the lodge I was looking for per the travel guide and parked. It was near a visitor's center and I stopped in to get an update on the trail and a map so I didn't have to carry the guide book with me. Later, as I'm dying up the trail on my way back, I'm so glad I didn't add the extra weight. So I started my hike. And it starts just outside the entrance to the parking lot. And you start off with going up hill. Then down where they've added logs to create steps so you're not sliding down the hill. The trees keep you shaded until you reach an open field with tall grass and spikey plants. Wear a light long sleeve and pants to avoid itching these scratches the entire trail. Then you'll reach dryer grounds and open land, and eventually see the ocean. Here, you'll go up and down, down some steep slopes and then back up again. The Skechers' traction sucked! Overhead you'll see and hear the helicopters carrying tourists that aren't IN the park like you. On the ground is so much better IMO. You'll reach the turning point for the connecting trail, which was closed when I went, and then continue onto Lolo Vista. At this fork you would have almost reached a landing for an amazing view. Prepare to have your breath taken away. The Nu'alolo Valley is over 2000 ft below and the ridges across are God-only-knows how far. You can only imagine what is down there and how many people have gone down to explore it. What about scaling the hillside? Know anyone that's done that? It was just gorgeous. But since I was on a time limit, I had an obligation to be back at the house for my nephew, I took a few pics and continued to Lolo Vista. And there I was at the end, looking down, around, breathing in the salty air. Mission: Accomplished. The way back was tough because it was ALL uphill. Legs, feet, rump were burning. I had to ration my water, satisfy my growling stomach with granola periodically, sit down in the shade where I could to take pressure off my feet, and pray to the Hawaiian Gods for more sprinkles and shade. It was hot! It was dumb to be there at high noon. I eventually made it back but it definitely took longer than on my way out. I failed to recognize that this trail was labeled 'Strenuous.' I probably came across a total of 10 people on this trail. It is not a busy trail but perhaps it was the day and time. Tough hike but totally worth it. Oh, beware of the raptors, zombies and wild boars eyeing you thru the trees...and your imagination if you happen to be doing this trek by yourself because NO ONE will find you! read more

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This place is absolutely amazing if you are into hiking / camping instead of the typical tourist activities of Kauai designed only to consume every last penny you brought with you. There are FAR too many trails and hikes to start naming them off here and describing them. If you will be here for a while, I highly suggest you pick up The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook to help you pick which trail(s) you would like to do. It also has a lot of great maps which can help you find your way. http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html This website also has a lot of useful information about the trails: http://www.hawaii-guide.com/kauai/spot/kokee_and_waimea_state_park_hiking_trails There are two ways to get here - Waimea Canyon Drive (from Waimea) or up the Koke'e Rd from Kekaha. They merge together just before mile marker 7. The Kekaha route is a bit less windy... There are plenty of camp grounds and lodges to stay at up here. There is also a museum, general store, and restuarant. It is recommended that you check in with the museum to see if they think the trails will be too muddy to do in hiking on. There are multiple lookouts on the road to the top. If you decide to stop along side the road instead of the "official" lookouts, please be careful and watch for traffic! The road doesn't end until it get's to the final lookout: Pi'u o Kila. This is also the trail head for Pihea/Alaka'i Swamp. DO NOT attempt to do any of the various trails in the rain, or if it has been raining a lot lately. They will be pure mud, and you will have a very difficult time ascending and descending the various cliff edges. Speaking of which, although the west side of Kauai is the driest, it still rains A LOT up here. That said, clouds can roll in very quickly, so be prepared for the worst. Bring lots of water and stay on the marked trails; there are lots of hunter and pig trails which will get you lost! read more

Gorgeous views! It looks like the Grand Canyon, but greener. We love to go here and see the view of Napali Coast. Many people enjoy hiking here. There is also a stretch of land where only grass grows. Great for the kids to run around on. It is rumored that there is some spell that prevents any trees from growing there. read more

Great place to stay for hiking or just take a road trip up for the day. So many beautiful hikes. Best hike was awaawapuhi. Weather is cooler (about 12 degrees cooler). Cabins are great (we stayed in the Cedar cabins) as well as rented 2 duplex cabins for our trip. I recommend the cedar cabins as you have a lot more privacy than the duplex. There is a wood stove for heat and firewood. The duplex walls are very thin and if you have inconsiderate neighbors, you'll be in for a rude awakening. However, you can always report them. Good luck though, no cell service up at Kokee. Being off the grid was great though. We enjoyed the break. Don't stay in the hotel if you're not the cabin loving/camping adventurous. Leave the cabins for those who love it. read more

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Setting aside an afternoon to check out Waimea Canyon, and then continuing into Kokee State Park is well worth it. The great thing about this is that it's whatever you make of it: you can tour the area from the comfort of your car, and there are tons of hiking trails along the way if that's what you're up for. Since Joe and I hiked the Kalalau trail yesterday, it was a nice respite to drive most of the way. The various lookout points along the way were spectacular. read more

This place is an easy five stars, and everyone else has it well covered. I wanted to say one thing. The Kaua'i Lonely Planet recommends hiking the Nu'alolo, Canyon, and Awa'awapuhi loop trail. I did that hike recently (despite some washed out sections of the Canyon trail - yikes!) and also highly recommend it. But that's a round trip of 11 miles. Some don't want to go that far, so Lonely Planet mentions that you can choose instead to hike in and out on just one of the trails, and that most people choose Awa'awapuhi because it is easier. They don't recommend one or the other. They should. Nu'alolo may be harder, but the payoff is well, well worth it, and the views form the lookout at the end of that trail beat anything you will see on the Awa'awapuhi trail by a good margin. So if you decide to hike just one, buck up! Hike the Nu'alolo trail! You won't be sad you did! read more

The drive up 550 (Waimea Canyon Dr) is punishing for the poor little rental cars... but man, for what you get at the top of the mountain... you better wish that rental makes it up the hill! We went to Kokee State Park with plans to do a little hiking, some site-seeing and go in search of the wet spot i.e. Mt Wai'ale'ale, the Wettest Spot on Earth (which is not in the park, but you can see it from there). The site-seeing... Nothing short of spectacular. We came here in winter (Dec) and moments of sunshine was broken down by fog/ rain showers. The steep climb up the winding roads (along a mountain ridge!) is worth the experience alone. The hiking... We planned to take the Pihea Trail, and continue onto Alaka'i Swamp Trail (that's right... a high altitude swamp). An easy 4mi round trip, right? Wrong! The Pihea Trail is a combination of wide trail, resembling a dried river bed, as well as slightly widened animal tracks. Don't get me wrong, what an awesome hike! But be prepared to ruin your shoes, wreck your clothes and covered in mud (even if you managed to stay upright the whole time) if you happen to do it after a wet period. Nevermind paying $10 for a red dirt dyed t-shirt, I can give you some Nike socks dyed to the same effect free of charge:) Sadly we did not manage to get further than Pihea Vista, which was only half way to where we wanted to go (a very steep climb downhill was involved if we went further). The wet(test) spot on earth... We felt the fury of rain (that is, red mud and slippery volcanic rocks) under our feet, and saw Mt Wai'ale'ale from afar. That was pretty cool. Like previous writers said - it does get cold up there and I packed an extra long sleeve shirt just in case. Must come back when its not as wet! read more

I kinda wish there was a blanket 5 star review i could write for all things Kauai. I mean is there a bad beach??? (oh actually there is, by JoJo's shaved ice on teh south shore...it's super dodge and dirty but i digress). north shore Kauai is my new happy place. every beach we went to was awesome in it's own way. really loved Koke'e although parking is a biatch (those grand marquis really don't like huge dropoffs and gaping potholes). get there early or late. but it's so freakin beautiful there with Kalalau mountains in the background, amazing surf and waters and plenty of fun people watching. so grab a fresh coconut and settle in for some awesome. read more