On Monday took my wife to Iao Valley state Monument park. Luckily I did on an over cast day because we seen beautiful water falls . The river down below was very strong and rough I've been here while it was a sunny day and you can actually go down to the river bed . What a sacred place you just feel the power of ancient Hawaiian soldiers fighting in this Valley . When I was a kid that mountain peak called a Iao needle used to have a little hole on top of that peak . Just like a needle point where you thread it through the needle hole. Very relaxing Valley away from all the stress in life which I really need . Support local read more

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Took my 97 yr old disabled mom to be told we had to first go on line, see if the reservation was available, then pay 40 dollars to be in the parking lot. Not willing to pay, and wished to turn around, was told keep my eyes off the scenery, no photos, no stopping, and move quickly. It will be a cold day in hexx before I visit again. There is no way I could even have made a reservation without a data plan. read more

Iao Valley sits in Central-West Maui and covers a large area as a state park. We drove here from Honokōwai Beach Park on the west side. The GPS routed us down and then back north. Although it looks like a detour, it makes sense. The northern road is extremely narrow (at points only one car can pass), winding, and very slow. If you can avoid that route, definitely do. **Reservations Required You need to book online in advance. **Admission: $5 per person + $10 parking. For 2 people we paid $21.53 total. **Earliest entry is 7am. Parking is limited, so reserve an early slot if possible. They ask you to arrive about 30 minutes before your scheduled entry. **No cellphone reception once you head up the mountain. Cell service and even car radio cut out completely. Best to download maps or take screenshots beforehand. **Bring a power bank; we eventually just switched cellphones to airplane mode to save battery. In early December, mornings are a little cool, but once the sun comes up it gets really hot. Bring sunscreen, a light jacket, water, and hiking shoes. The trail is short (about 0.6 miles), but the ground is muddy and rocky, with some narrow paths brushing up against plants. If you don't like contact with tall grass, long sleeves help. It feels a bit like walking through a botanical garden. The highlight is Kuka'emoku (the "Iao Needle"), a 1,200-foot natural rock formation rising from the valley floor. We took our time, stopping often for photos and to enjoy the scenery, so the whole walk ended up taking us around 3 hours. Iao Valley State Monument 54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793 read more

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State park with some short, easy walking paths. Made a reservation online in advance; note that they don't accept the National Park pass since it's a state park. Reservations are required and you pay for parking at that point as well. It's a beautiful park and the hike up to see the Needle is short, albeit a tad steep. Be careful on the stairs coming down, as my boyfriend twisted his ankle while coming down. We went at 9am to try to beat the cloud cover and other tour buses coming in. I'd recommend accounting for 2 hours here, though you can certainly spend more time if you're looking to meditate or explore deeply. read more

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Easy to get to. Not very amazing compared to all the stuff to see in this island. But it's ok. Pro tip: Buy entry and parking online beforehand. But what the web doesn't tel you is you can park for free; you just have to walk about 5 minutes more. Up a little hill though. So depends how energetic you feel. It's a very, very short little walk through this park up a path to get to the view of the needle. Paved. Some short stairs. No problem. And then that's the main attraction. Plus you get a view of the park below. There are a few more small paths but it's really quite small. I think they call it a botanical garden, unless there's another one that I missed. This was a 30 minute visit for us. read more

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Stopped here on a whim after a Costco trip, when the sky was a little cloudy, and it ended up being the perfect time. Beautiful scenery and not too many people. This is definitely not an all day park, but there is enough to do to burn a couple hours if you need it. If you get an audio guide like we did, it tells you more about the park so you know what you are looking at. Although I think the park is gorgeous enough to enjoy on its own. We DID have to book a reservation online but it wasn't too bad, and I got the impression they were a little loose with the times, especially on slower days. Of course, your mileage may vary. This is also a good recommendation of a park for folks with limited mobility. While there are some walking trails you can do, you can also see some pretty stuff just from the parking lot alone. read more

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Mae sure you make a park reservation and you show up on time! You can also add parking or try to park outside the park and walk. This is a quick park to visit with very easy walking paths and stairs. If you stick to the marked trails 45 mins should be more than enough time to explore it. We did notice that there are people going past the "do no trespass" signs to go on unofficial hikes or going past the safety signs to get in the water. read more

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This was cool to see and read all the culture behind the park. We did drive about an hour to see it, and there just wasn't a ton to see or do there so it wasn't worth making such a long trip out to it. If I was closer and in the area I would definitely visit. But I wouldn't say I'd go out of my way to see this again. read more

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We were told about the spot by someone at our hotel while in the hot tub. They said it was a great spot to get some views in. She wasn't wrong. It's not a hike or anything since there are stairs, but it's all within a small area. They do require reservations ahead of time however, there is street parking before getting to the gate. I believe they close at 5 PM. It's a nice little nature walk with views of the mountain peaks, Valley, and stream. You'd probably spend about 30 minutes to an hour in this area. read more

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Beautiful respite of green lush nature! If you want to touch and be touched by foliage then make this a stop during your Maui vacation. It is wheelchair friendly in the initial entry but the bridge may be difficult as it is narrow. But if you use walking sticks or crutches it is doable to cross the bridge. Waking up the stairs to get a closer view of the needle might not be possible or down to the water. But if you are an adventure seeker this is a great experience and the cost for entry per car is less was $16.48 for non native Hawaiians as of 11/15/2025. read more

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I made an online reservation through their park website. They have public restrooms by the parking lot. There is paved walking paths & stairs leading to different view points of the monument. It is a leisure walk from the parking lot if you just want to see the different viewpoints and take photos. It is lusciously green and beautiful in there. They also have other hiking paths & waterfalls if you choose to go farther in. Parking- they have their own parking read more

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This was a semi crowded visit to a historic site of a Hawai'i battle for the island. Included cannons. Many died here. Just such a calm shaded area. read more

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Beautiful and peaceful. The trails are paved and elevation gain with stairs is minimal. Highly recommended to still have water since it's humid in the valley. TIP: at the bottom of the valley you'll come to a sign that says "don't go beyond this point". At your own risk, there's a good trail that leads to easy access to the stream with opportunity to go dip in the water. read more

Oooh Wow, I really LOVED my most recent visit to Iao Valley State Monument, for some unknown reason I appreciated it more vs my other visits. I guess I was more observant now vs me when I was younger. hehe. The drive in to Iao Valley was really nice also, driving pass residential in to the valley , now we have to check in with park staff upon entering, luckily Kama'aina is FREE, but I recall it will cost $10. for visitors for parking. For this recent visit I have to admit, we missed our flight back to Oahu but I do believe that things happen for a reason and we back on the next flight. Iao Valley State Monument looks different from the few times I've visited and I can't seem to figure it out but I loved my visit, so lush and tropical. I just love the scenery, beautiful tropical garden and landscaping throughout the park, loved and recognized most of the tropical plants and fruit trees during my hike in to the monument. Iao Needle is a 1,200 foot rock formation and iconic landmark. There are several trails here, including the Iao Valley Stare Monument Trail and Iao Stream Trail. Please respect the land, stay on designated trails and avoid touching or removing plants ( there is a sign posted) and avoid visiting during heavy rain or flooding. Bring your lunch here and enjoy a picnic with stunning views of the valley, we did this once! Enjoy the precious time here, take it all in, take as my photos, be creative! Mother Nature at its finest! read more

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Great time, Recommend for everyone. It can be rainy so bring umbrella or towels. Very nice location. Can't go wrong. read more

Iao Valley State Monument - Parks Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Lovely area, a small park, we reserved and paid for parking, not crowded. Felt like real Hawaii. read more

Iao Valley State Monument - Parks Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

You dont have to be religious but if youre looking for a little slice of heaven or higher place, this is it! You can feel the energy in the mountains, the waterfalls, the trails, all around you. I dont have a lot of tips to offer up other than come with a grateful heart and enjoy the views. Take lots of pictures but also take moments to just listen to everything around. If you're a non resident make an resevertion online and free to residents. Tip: -Bring a suit and towel if you want to take a dip in the water -Wear hiking or water shoes (don't do slippers or crocs) -Layer so you can take layers off cause one minute its windy and cool another it's just hot and sweaty -Solo date is okay or with groups, you dont feel alone cause there's a lot of people up and throughout read more

This state park is breathtakingly beautiful and packed with history. The parking situation is good and leaves you steps from the main trails that allow you to see both The Needle and water flowing down the valley. Staring up at the mountains above you and down the valley is a spectacular view full of photo opportunities. The Needle towers as a standout spot along the trail and the Botanical Trail takes you through a pretty area with native plants that allow you to feel like you're in a surreal setting. Be warned: the trails are very short so don't expect a real hike or to be there for too long, but do expect a luscious and photogenic activity. read more

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This place is amazing- to be honest, I wish we didn't have to pay to get in, which is why I gave 4 stars. It would be nice to have access as visitors to trails without paying over 100 for 2 people. The locals obviously gain access, but this one was worth it. Absolutely stunning views, rocks, high mountain peaks, so green and lush, gorgeous, Absolutely breathtaking. We continued hiking and found a cool area to swim in, take a dip. Super peaceful and serene. Some people just don't know how to respect the land, we picked up a few pieces of trash that had been left behind. That's Def not cool. Had a blast here, would just recommend wiping with mosquito repellent wipes or spray, and wear comfy hiking or walking shoes w traction. read more

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Scenic mini hiking spot. People can go swimming in the river below. Great spot for walking and exercise during a Maui trip. read more

Iao Valley State Monument - Signage. - Parks Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

This is both a monument to a great war in Maui and a river trail. We saw a monument to the Battle of Kepaniwai where King Kamehameha of the Big Island waged war in Maui to unify the islands, and won. That was the largest battle ever in Hawaiian history and over the years 6000 of Kamehameha's followers were killed or died from famine in his unifying wars, and 12000 on the other sides killed or starved out. That's a lot of dead for Hawaii in the 18th century! In addition to deaths in wars, epidemics of infections added to the decline in Hawaiʻi's population from approximately 300,000 at the time of Captain Cook's arrival in 1778 to 135,000 in 1820 and 53,900 in 1876. So whatever Hawaiians are left today came from just 54K of them 150 years ago. There are some man made streams (man made in that the natural water is redirected via pumps and pipes) and pools. We also went down the trail to its end and bathed in the river. Well worth the trip, although people alone the trail don't all respect the state park, and we even saw someone with an unleased dog he has snuck in that was clearly not a service animal. Non-residents, $5. per person, $10. per car for entry. read more

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A truly remarkable and one of a kind experience on the island of Maui is the gorgeous 'Iao Valley. This park is so beautiful and pristine, with a climate that is usually different than other parts of the island. I am not from Maui, but I have friends there, so here is some things to keep in mind if you are visiting from the mainland or elsewhere: - Show respect and reverence for this place as it was the site of a historic battle for Hawaiians. - Some areas are marked off limits for safety. It is unwise to go past the barriers as this area can be very susceptible to flash floods. - Make sure you purchase your tickets in advance for park entry. It will save you a lot of trouble and almost always guarantee you a spot. - It frequently rains here, so be prepared for that. Overall, this is another place I feel is a must to visit if you go to Maui. But of course, make sure you take the necessary precaution before hand to decide if this visit is something for you. read more

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3 friends and me did a little island hopping and decided to visit this site. Being Hawai'i residents we are able in enter for free without reservations. The surrounding are stunning at this location. Walked the path reading about the location and what took place between Waring chiefs . Many stunning views from different locations. The example of the type of terraced farming the Hawaiians did was interesting. We walked along the river trail which was very pretty and peaceful. Worth a stop when visiting Maui. There is fee when you are a nonresident. read more

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Gorgeous trails and scenery! Heads up!! We hiked up the river - be careful of slippery rocks and mud when walking along the side of the river. In the wetter areas, the mud can be very slippery and some parts of our trail slid down into the water when walked on. There are endless scenic views along the way but just be cautious and do your research beforehand if this is the route you choose to go! read more

Nice family place to go on a walk & sight see. There are 133 stairs to the top (it didn't seem like that many). There's a lookout point that's beautiful with a 2,500 foot tall Needle! We seen waterfalls that are amazing. You can walk a trail along the side of the waterfalls for about a mile. There are some myths & truth here! The monument, which was known as Kuka`emoku in Hawaiian, was supposed to have been used as an religious altar generations ago. There is a stone honoring the God of the ocean, Kanaloa, located upon the top of the needle. Pretty cool place! read more

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What an absolutely beautiful, tranquil piece of nature to visit. We almost weren't able to visit but were able to squeeze it in before our flight out, and it was 100% worth it. The day we came, it was raining. But even so, I was unprepared for the sheer beauty of this valley. This area is so green everywhere you look. Multiple gorgeous waterfalls. Since it was raining, the river was huge and roaring by. There weren't many people there, so it was mostly quiet with the exception of the rain. So peaceful. We did the short little hike up as well as the small hike down to the river - both were easy and enjoyable. Wish we had more time to do the Waihee Ridge Trail, but next time we'll be sure to plan the time. If it's anything like what we saw, it must be a beautiful hike. You have to have reservations to visit. It's $10/car and $5/person to visit. We didn't know you needed reservations prior to arriving, but they still had some on the website - super easy to make. Definitely grab them in advance to secure your spot, but if you forget, there's a chance they will still be available the day of. Definitely worth the add to your itinerary while visiting Maui. read more

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so glad we got to visit! we got a reservation online to get in & park. it's a paved walk up some stairs to see some of the views. there are a few swimming areas that you can do. we spent about a hour here & I think it was worth it. read more

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I can't begin to tell you how beautiful it is here. We came with a small group of friends and a stroller, and found it easy to maneuver the stroller for the most part. The only time we needed assistance, going up and down a small path of stairs that leads to the ice ponds below. It's not too many stairs at all tho. The views are lovely. You can climb up a few flights of stairs to get to the top like I did, but just know it isn't stroller friendly to get up there. Our family can't wait to return! read more

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Very cheap for a wonderful experience. Saw some fresh fruit trees and fun to get some history on our trip. Highly recommend early in the morning, very empty get the whole place to yourself basically. Make sure you get a reservation online beforehand though! read more

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Shortly after landing in Maui and after we got our rental car. We drove directly to, 'lao Valley State Monument. It took maybe 15 minutes to the park from the airport. We had previously purchased our park tickets from their website (easy process). Easy parking and easy walking up several stairs. The stairs do have railings if needed. The surrounding area was tranquil and a perfect stop before we departed to our hotel room. read more

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fun little excursion, really walkable for the whole family. don't rush and explore, and best go in the morning.

Hawaiian Beauty. We researched historical Hawaiian sites and the Ioa Valley monument and park was recommended. The valley is gorgeous and the Iao Needle is a stunning feature that rises 1200 feet from the valley floor ---a beautiful sight to behold. This valley is rich in historical cultural and spiritual values set where the battle of the Kepaniwai forces of Kamehameha "I" conquered the Maui army in 1790. Incredible history and much to be admired. Not only is there a-lot to see but you can also learn about the plants brought by the Hawaiians who settled in ʻIao Valley by strolling the short path ways through the botanical garden. You may want take advantage of the beautiful waterfalls and convenient swimming locations along the river. read more

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A beautiful spot that can be seen in about 30 minutes to an hour. They require you to book a reservation online and seemed to be reasonably strict on the arrival time. Do NOT stay past 6 pm because they will lock your car inside if you don't make it back. It's about 10 minute or less walk to the top where you can see the monument at the top. It's $5 per person and $10 per car for non Hawaii Visitors. Definitely worth checking out at least once. read more

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Beautiful and lush area of Maui that is a must see when on the island. You have to book a ticket online for the park website. The website is easy to navigate and allows you to pick times as not to overburden the area for human traffic and car/van parking. Trails are accessible in spots but be prepared with rain gear and sturdy hiking style shoes when walking the waterfall and lush areas that are slick. While I was there for about an hour, I experienced multiple weather conditions. I was prepared and even while foggy and it drizzled briefly, the mountain views and majesty of this scared place is not to be missed. It is wise to read and be respectful of the Hawaiian history and cultural location before you visit. read more

Iao Valley State Monument - Iao Valley Maui - Parks Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

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Sacred, beautiful and a short drive from Wailuku town. I love it so much. It's beauty never gets old. Check it out. read more

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Absolutely beautiful! You'll get a bit of exercise as well. There are lots of stairs. There are several spots you can enter the rushing water. Wear comfy water shoes that won't slip. Side note: We had a family member that uses a wheelchair. There was very little of the trail that accommodated one. We ended up working together to get them to all the views. It was still worth it! read more

Beautiful park with lots of monuments honoring Asian culture. Great spots for picnics and hiking and there is a nice little watering hole That's not too hard to get to. Unlike most popular spots in Maui, this place does not charge for parking. read more

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Absolutely beautiful! Family friendly, easy hikes, gorgeous waterfalls! Definitely check this place out while visiting Maui. You need reservations in advance but it's very inexpensive and you can spend 2 hours there. Bring a picnic lunch for your family! Enjoy!! read more

Iao Valley State Monument - Parks Near Me - Wailuku, Hawaii

Lovely in the early hours before all the tourists come in. Enjoyed their guavas form the tree too

One of the tour guides told me about Iao Valley and said it is one of the most beautiful sites on the island. Of course, I had to see what it was all about! You MUST go on to the website and make a reservation of a time and pay either $15 or $30 depending on how much of the park you would like to explore. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND.. ENTER THIS PARK WITH RESPECT and do not go unprepared. The trail can be treacherous if you are not careful and watching what you are doing. Our tour guide told us a story about how he shattered his ankle and broke his foot 4 hours into the hike and had to crawl out. He said they almost had to life flight him. On this trail, there are some places that are right off the edge of a cliff that leads into a raging river. At least the river was raging whenever I went due to the rain that came that day and the day before. Typically, you can go into the river and dip in when the current is calm. Because it was so strong, I was unable to. I am so glad that our tour guide told us that story because I hiked 45 minutes into the woods and turned back due to a lack of true knowledge of this area and not wanting to get lost. While there are other people around you, there are different paths you can take and would say to be mindful of this. I recommend wearing sturdy hiking boots and a wind Breaker jacket. There are many wet rocks throughout the trail, too. Otherwise, this park has the most remarkable landscape and mountains I've ever seen in person. Iao Valley is a historical landmark where the battle of Kepaniwai took place in the late 1700s. You can feel the energy all around that something big took place in those woods beyond the mountains in Iao Valley. A daunting sense of darkness throughout the park, yet completely breathtaking and calm at the same time. You definitely can look around and conclude that seeing this park isn't something many people get to see in a lifetime. I am so glad I got the opportunity to go and see as much as I could. Highly recommended for once in a lifetime sites! read more

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