My husband and I came here on our honeymoon - this review is a little late. :-) We did the Nualolo trail - it was amazing!!! We're day hikers, and not very fast, but WOW did we love it. I will say that the first 5 or so miles of the trip were NOT enjoyable. There weren't too many views, and a lot of it was jungle. But when we got to the very last bit when you come out over the cliffs - that made it worth every little step and MORE. My favorite memory is a very small narrow trail with cliffs/slopes off to either side - I asked my husband to stop and turn around so I could take a picture - he replied "ARE YOU CRAZY???" :-) read more

One of the most beautiful views on Kauai. BUT you definitely want to check the weather to make sure it's not foggy...or IF it is, wait around for a little bit...if it clears up, you'll be astounded by the view. When i visited, it was misty and you couldn't really see anything...just as we were about to leave (there were some suspiciously restless Nene Geese eyeing me; i'm afraid of birds), the clouds cleared and reviewed the most breath-taking sight of Kalalau Valley and Canyon. WOW read more

The hike to Aleka'i swamp takes about x3.5 hours for the fit, active person. It's just under 8 miles round trip and starts out a bit daunting with a few steep ups and downs on a clay-like terrain. Wearing shoes with a good grip is wise. Once past that, the rest of the path is mostly mesh covered boards across marshy land... At first you think "what swamp" but by the 2nd half its plenty swampy. It's a very pretty hike, and I think one people who are semi-active can do into their late 60s. Very active can do into their late 70s. If you can navigate that initial part, the rest is easy. If you are lucky to make it to the lookout before the fog rolls in (I was not... It was midway through rolling in as I arrived) you can see the north coast and even the light house (so I was told... Though I think that's not feasible because the tallest mountain is likely in the way). If you like to run/hike this is a great one. It can be quite cool and can rain so bring a shell and also bring at lest 1 liter of water and a protein bar...there is a little area at the lookout where you could have a picnic... The resident field mice are big fans of that. Not a super popular trail. I saw about 20 people... And it was a nice day. Do not attempt if raining... Ugh. Way too slippery.... Unless you want to be covered in red mud and also swamp water. Enjoy! read more

You have to pick the right time to go because otherwise the view is obstructed by clouds and that would be a shame. If you pay close attention on the trends of the clouds for a few days and you pick the right time to go to the park then you will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful sights in the world. Simply stunning. Next time I go I would want to see if we can catch the sunset as that would be a cherry on top...I would think it would depend on what time of the year you go there though. This part of the Island is a must do...either by car, by boat or by chopper or any combination of all three. Depending on traffic and the time of day It will take you roughly 1.5 hours from the Lihue airport to get there so be prepared for that. read more

This large park offers; a lot of cool hikes, breathtaking views of Kalalau Valley, picnic area, camp ground and lodging. YELP 365 - 242/365 read more

This park is so beautiful! We drove to the end of the road yesterday and saw the breathtaking view of the water and the mountainside.... This is a must for your trip to Kauai! I didn't get to hike (was running low on time) but the drive alone offers beautiful views...no hiking required! read more

This park is essentially located within the same vicinity as the museum. There's an old pavilion that hardly gets used, but is (or was, seeing as it's been a couple of years since I've been here) perfect for group outings. The park is fairly large. The grass is so lush & green! Perfect play area for kids or family picnics. Not to mention, it is surrounded by some of the island's most beautiful flora, and cool trails. I absolutely love it up here!! The air is soooo refreshing & cool. It makes you feel like a whole new person. 31 Yelps Review Challenge: #19/31 read more

This is my favorite park in Kauai. The drive is kind of a pain in the ass but the views are so worth it, and the trails are fun to adventure around on. read more

Koke'e State Park - Parks Near Me

Definitely get here early in the day and go for a hike, or bring your gear and camp. There are a wide variety of excellent trails, and great lookouts on the drive up. Check out the gift shop, as well. Best variety of high-quality souveniers and books that I'd seen, besides at the national tropical botanical garden, and it supports the park! Do buy there, and not at a gift mall :) read more

I haven't been here since high school, but I love this place. It is so beautiful. Amazing hikes all over the place. My fave hike is the ginger pool hike (probably not the official name). I used to camp here a lot at Camp Slogget for school and church things and at the cabins. I wish I got up here more often for the hikes and the view. Love the Kalalau lookout. That about as close as I've gotten to it as I haven't hiked in yet. I digress. The little park at the top is a nice place to chill out. Big grassy area. Cute little country store. Feed the chickens. Lol. Takes a bit to drive up, but you stop along the way at lookouts. Chance of car sickness, but worth it. Side note - I'm not a fan of Koke'e at night. Too many ghost stories and ghost hunts. Hahaha. Definitely a place you need to stop at when you're on Kaua'i. Oh, beautiful. read more

We came during a storm. It sounded from the inside of the tent that it was ridiculous rain and wind. I felt bad for those not protected from the wind. We were somewhat protected and it was still pretty nuts. But rating the campground...well its kind of a big lawn and park your tent anywhere kind of campground. The drive up was easy and paved and there are trails all over. The bathroom was a little scary in the normal sort of way. One sink. But no ocean near by or very pretty campground so...id say it gets 4 stars for having lots of trails and for being a cheap option for housing in kauai. read more

This is a breathtaking lookout point. You can look into the canyon, and also see the ocean. The day we went I was dead tired, but I'm so glad we went anyway. This is truly an incredible sight, and one that should not be missed if you're lucky enough to make it to Kauai. **Keep in mind, its pretty chilly up there, and bring a sweater!I did, but I noticed other people freezing up there.** read more

A grand tour of the Waimea canyon is just spectacular. Plan on 4-5 hours if you make all the stops. The road is windy and steep at times, but is paved fairly well, until the last 3 miles. That stretch is full of potholes and gaps in the road, so you need to be cautious. The lookouts are just wonderfull. You see a full view of the Canyon on the way up, and if you go to the very end, you see the nw side of the island, part of the desolate coast and a spectacular valley. The sun hitting the sides of the canyon makes for a colorful display. There is a restaurant up near the end and a museum that has all kinds of information about the area. Many trails to take if you have the time. A must see for any visitor on Kauai! Aloha! read more

Keep driving to the very end of the road. There, you get to the Puu O Kila Lookout, and you can hop on the Phiea trail, which connects to the Aleka'i Swamp Trail. The views from here are probably the most incredible you will ever see. Totally jaw dropping, and not to be missed. This hike was on of the highlights of our trip. That being said: do not attempt this trail if it's been raining or is raining, or else you'll be in for it. One cannot say enough about the mud: it is all encompassing. You will not escape it, and it will ruin anything it touches! The red Kauai dirt/mud on this trail has the consistency of clay, and it's like walking on oil when it's wet. That, combined with steep, boulder covered passages, makes for a very challenging trail. But, you can go as far as you like. The views stay with you from beginning to end. Just be prepared before you attempt. read more

11/10/11 Amazing views!! If there's nothing else that folks do on this island...you MUST go here and drive through and check out all the stops and viewpoints...simply breathtaking. When we got closer to the top I just started to hum the song to Jurassic Park...because it's what it looked like! We didn't get a real chance to do any hiking but the weather was extremely beautiful and we felt so blessed to see all of Kauai at it's best! read more

UNBELIEVABLE VIEWS!! I've heard this be called the Grand Canyon of Hawaii and it did not disappoint. Drive all the way up to the lookout for the best views. Stop along the way to take photos where the road permits. Just beautiful read more

Joyce L and the other reviewers more than adequately covered the beauty and awe of Waimea Canyon and the fun ride up. Waimea Canyon is called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and it is truly a site not to be missed if you're in Kauai. I drove up there before sunset and it was amazing to see the already colorful and inspiring canyon formations lit up by the setting sun. There is a great lookout point set up but don't forget to stop frequently when driving up because there are so many other scenic viewpoints along the way. Here are a few shots that I took which made my drive up there so worthwhile: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22014144@N06/3217525987/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/22014144@N06/3218377058/in/photostream/ read more

Stop by the lodge and pick up your map. CHICKENS, CHICKENS, CHICKENS!! Oh man was this place great. They even sell bags of chicken feed so you can feed the chickens! I almost started a chicken war! Most chickens in one place so far read more

This is one of my other favorite hikes. No words do it justice, just trust me and go. I wish I could do this every weekend.

This place is like a dream... breathtaking views in a very surreal way. It's hard to imagine something this beautiful exists. The colors the angles the changing light. Even when the fog rolls in it is peacefully serene. The drive is twisty and long but the visions that you see along the way are worth it all. read more

Nu'alolo Trail would get 5 stars if not for the first mile. From the 1/2 mile mark to the mile mark, this goat track will make you question your sanity. Slippery slopes followed by viscous mud on the bottom sections. Say goodbye to your clean shoes and socks. After you get past this ugly section it opens up and becomes a passable trail. From this point on 5 stars. Spectacular scenery at the end... Lolo Vista. You get to see the West coastline, a couple of valleys and an ocean view. All from 2200 ft up. On a blue sky day this could be an excellent hike. You have hiked down 1400ft over 3.75 miles so the hike back will take some effort. read more

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Check the weather before driving up here...we were being hyper-optimistic on a drizzly day and couldn't see 10 feet in front of us most of the way up. Came back on a clearer day and were dazzled. Unbelievable views of Waimea Canyon and Kalalau. Don't miss the small waterfall cascading through the bright red soil on the way up. And, don't rush...take your time, sit down and soak it all up! This is why you come to Kauai...absolutely stunning. read more

Kokee State Park is at the top of Waimea Canyon, overlooking the Kalalau valley and Na'Pali coast. The views are endless and amazing; you'll want to take photos as you go, but there are many areas where you can walk up to the edge of the canyon, so if you value your life, watch where you're going. Bring food, water, charged up cell phones, and sunblock. We spent the better part of two days there, without even hiking to the bottom of Waimea. Just an amazing place. read more

Beautiful park and the drive up to it past Waimea Canyon is great. However, if you want to hike beware the information and signage for the trails is substandard. We went to museum / gift shop and were advised to try the Kaluapuhi Trail for a relatively easy short hike. However there is no sign for the trailhead and were were unable to find it. In hindsight, you should probably buy a trail guide at the museum/shop. Presumably they are detailed enough to help you find your way. read more

spent all day driving to and through and from the state park and stopping at all the look outs along the way. it is well worth the drive up the winding road and through the pot holes towards the end of the road. at the end of the road, there is a beautiful park with a museum and walking trails...the nene's [chickens and roosters] follow you around and hang out in the parking lots with everyone. there are signs telling you to look out for them and don't run them over. the museum is a nice place to take a bit of time to learn about the local birds and birds that have been brought here as aliens...also learned that there are feral goats that live in the canyon. it rained pretty hard at time and then would turn to sunny for moments. it really does feel like the grand canyon or like jurassic park! read more

Beautiful drive, oustanding colors and gorgeous views. I've been to the Grand Canyon and maybe it's because this is on an island but this was better. However, check the weather and don't piddle (like we did) because by the time we reached the top, the clouds had rolled in. We weren't too disappointed as we saw all of this and more when we took our helicopter ride but this did offer a different perspective. And because we took our sweet time, we didn't get to hike many of the trails. Ok, so maybe next time. read more

The Nualolo trail has some of the most breathtaking views in Kauai... You have to hike out to it, but you will be rewarded.

This park does a great job showcasing why Kauai is the Garden Island. We only did the lookouts of Waimea Canyon but there are a lot of hiking trails and camping areas. I highly recommend visiting the small natural history museum and visitors center. It's filled with information about the local flora and fauna as well as good souvenirs. read more

A great drive to get there. When you do get there you might think that you are in Colorado since you are at 3500 ft. Very nice for picnics and the views are great. read more

Well this place is just beautiful, from the waterfalls over bright red soil to the waimea canyon vistas. Definitely worth the side trip. Go early in the day; rain clouds move in toward the afternoon. read more

On a clear day, you can see the cliffs of Nihau and down to the Waimea coast from along the drive. It is a windy road, so take your time. Definitely take your time. The views of the Na Pali coast and down Waimea Canyon are spectacular and even from a small digital camera, you can capture wonderful photos. The colors are so vivid, your friends will think you have doctored them. The red dirt, black rock and greenery all contrast. This is worth the drive from anywhere on the island. read more

Such a scenic view. Worth the windy drive to get out there. I suggest to bring a light jacket because it can get cold up there. Also, don't forget your camera! read more

Kokee state park was perhaps one of the most spectacular parks I have ever been to. The drive into the park has lots of great places to stop and view Waimea Canyon, but the really amazing views are of the Napali Coast which are at the end of the road. read more

You can see napali coast! Green clean grass. Not too crowded and a peaceful atmosphere. Great memories with my family on a picnic 3 years ago. Great place to take photographs. read more

The canyon is a beautiful place with stunning views... some great hikes here too... it's known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for good reason... Well worth a visit :-) read more

Unparalelled sightseeing, hiking and birding opportunities are no secret, however the concession stand operated by Hawaiians at one of the park's scenic overlooks has some culinary treats that are not to be missed! "Pineapple Crackers" ---two delicate, tiny flower shaped cookies pressed together like a sandwich with a no-doubt-secret fruit preserves as the filling. Get a bunch of them. The toasted coconut is excellent, as are taro and sweet potato chips. They also have fresh fruit! This Alaskan recommends Pineapple Crackers--they are really cookies you will love! read more

A wonderful place to hike and enjoy some of the most magnificent scenery on the planet. Staff at the Kokee Lodge are lovely, helpful, generous people, especially at the gift shop. If I'm lucky enough to return to Kauai, I'll go back to Kokee in a heartbeat. read more

A first-class option for visiting the west side of Kauai, Kokee really should not be missed. They make it easy for you, with a road right up to the top, parking lots at most of the lookouts, and bathrooms at some. First things first: gas up outside of the park and before you even start the drive up Waimea Canyon Drive. Drive up to the top first, because after you get out of the car once you won't want to do the long drive without breaks. The topmost lookout, Pu'u o Kila, is stunning, with views of Ni'ihau, Wai'ale'ale (one of the wettest spots on Earth), and the valley below. You cannot believe the colors you will see. There is also a hiking trail up here at the top, and you can go as far in as you feel--note that hiking up here is plentiful, and although we did not choose to hike the signs for the trails are well-marked and this would definitely be something I would try in a later visit to Kauai. But even if you choose to travel by car, the lookouts are stellar. Next is Kalaulau, with an expansive lookout and a few picnic tables. If you didn't bring a picnic lunch, though, hit Kokee Lodge for lunch (we did, see separate review). My favorite spot was probably Pu'u Hinahina Viewpoint, for which there was barely any parking and really no more than a guardrail, but which had the best view of Waipo'o Falls in the whole park. Pu'u Ka Pele was fine, but really you could skip as long as you hit Waimea Canyon Lookout, from where you can view this "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" in all its glory, waterfalls and death drops and all. It is a stunning place that puts you in your place, universe-wise, but still makes you feel a part of the whole. Highly recommended. read more

A must see in Kauai! Download the Shaka guide app and take the tour for best guide for $5! Beautiful trip - amazing hikes and views of Waimea Canyon and Na Pali read more

so beautiful...it almost looks fake cuz it so beautiful and perfect. i was definitely shocked by its beauty and i got a little teary because i felt so lucky to see such a nice view. worth the drive! read more