Like many other people who come to the big island on holiday, one of the things you do is go in search of at least a few of the area waterfalls. Even if the area you come from has some, chances are they/the surroundings don't look like this. We were here a few days before Lala and it was already raining buckets. The upside to that was getting to see the Wailuku River already ticked off/angry/bringing some serious current and water flow. The other good thing is that we had the entire parking lot & grounds to ourselves versus down the road at Rainbow which even in a steady hard drizzle/rain was very busy. If you're so inclined, the below two links give a little history, explain how many people have died on the river both here and down by Rainbow by trying to swim, and that technically, yes, the falls here are no longer free unless you are a resident. www.hvcb.org/listing/pe%E2%80%98epe%E2%80%98e-falls/109461/ dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/hawaii/wailuku-river-state-park/ We did this in reverse compared to most people. We came here first before going down the road to Rainbow. Like others have mentioned, coming here is odd because you drive through a low-key residential area and it feels like nothing is here or that you're almost trespassing in a sort of locals only area. More than enough of a parking lot. The day we came due to the rain, as I mentioned earlier, there was no one here and while there is a sign here about paying, I sure as hell wasn't doing that (technically if you pay at Rainbow it covers this place as well or vice versa but I don't remember the sign here saying that) and there was no one here enforcing things. Decent restroom facilities and it's a very short walk from the parking lot to the viewing platform. The platform has some signage about the history of the falls and the myth/legend/lore behind them along with a reminder not to swim and the death count over the past twenty-ish years. If it seems like deja vu all over again, all of the same placards and signage are at Rainbow Falls. This is by no means a long stop and if you are on the Hilo side of the island, you can definitely knock this one, Rainbow, Akaka, Waiale and a few others out in a few hours easily. read more

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This part of the river and state park was also worth checking out! The river is so fast, and it's such a gorgeous area! You can't get close to the area that is the boiling pots or the falls, but it's a cool little area and observation area. We enjoyed our time there, and took so many pictures. The area wasn't what we were expecting, but it was a cool little day trip! read more

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This was a mike above Rainbow Falls. Another special experience. We were alone on the lookout. Surreal . read more

Worth a quick visit if it's on your way from Kona into Hilo, and you want to see a waterfall without a hike into it. Located in the middle of a residential neighborhood, just 5-10 minutes from Downtown Hilo, this is a lush park with a small, free parking lot and a bathroom facility. You walk right up to a lookout point and look left and right (there's no hiking access to the waterfalls or the pools). Look left to see the Pe'epe'e waterfalls upriver in the distance. Look down and to the right to see the Boiling Pots - the river carved tiered pools into lava rock, and when the river is high from heavy rains, the water flows through the pools and swirls, looking like boiling pots. The water was low and not swirling when we visited last month, but we still appreciated seeing this as we didn't do the coastal drive to see the bigger waterfalls. I hear that Rainbow Falls, just about 1.5 miles away has pretty falls that you can get closer too, so add that to your list. read more

We went chasing waterfall tour (on our own) and this was the second stop; this is a few miles up from rainbow falls. Not much to look at cause it was dry, but I bet when it's flowing, it's awesome. Parking lot and restrooms; lovely hibiscus trees to enjoy. very easy walk about 500 feet from the parking lot and looking over a rail. read more

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Stopped here while using the Shaka guide on our tour around the island. There is a good amount of parking and restrooms to use. A side to view the falls going up a ramp. Nice spot for pictures or to have a picnic. Recommend you make a stop along your way. Gates close at 6pm. No swimming allowed. read more

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Peepee falls is not worth the drive to see, you can't see it up close. If you're in the area it's fun to see but don't make a trip out of it. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - As far as you can go - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

Once you get over the funny name (and if you have to use the bathrooms, bring soap & a towel) and all the warning & Do Not Do ... signs, you'll see beautiful waterfalls. Below the largest one, which is furthest away, you can see the steam. This is a beautiful, lush area, with no parking fees. It has two informative signs about the Battle of the Waikiki River and why this is called Boiling Pots. It's a very restful place. read more

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This is another easy park to get to without being charged a fee. The parking area is small so if it's busy you might have to wait for a parking spot. Only a few people were here when we visited. This would be very cool when the river is running high. It was low at the time of our visit. The falls are way off in the distance. read more

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Cool view of the falls & river. It's not very big but definitely worth a quick swing by. Decent restroom and parking. Cool little stop! read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

First of all this waterfall cannot be seen in a closer perspective view unless you got your binoculars with you. However for an up-close view a trail on the right side that requires a short hike will lead you to get there. But it is advice to hike down when the stream flow is heavy because you could swept away and drown, for safety measures it is important to follow certain rules & warning. If the waterfall itself is a distant view, boiling points are the opposite. A series of small pools and cascades can be seen closely from the lookout point. You can swim here but at your own risk. It's only a few minutes drive from the Rainbow Falls and comparably majestic as the Rainbow Falls. Did enjoy feasting our eyes on the gushing water and will surely recommended to any visitors! Mahalo for reading and happy juandering fellow yeeps! read more

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Lesser known waterfall? Not crowded at all... in fact we were the only ones there, 8 of us in my family. Hawaiian words use the caret marks or 'okina (the backward quote) to proper pronounce their words. So it's not pronounced PeePee but Pe'e Pe'e Falls (pronounced Peh-eh Peh-eh Falls). Now that we learned how to pronounce the name this was one of the falls we visited while in the Big Island located near downtown Hilo. We entered the parking area at the Wailuku River State Park. There is a little bit of a walk on a short paved path to the waterfall overlook. We strolled past a manicured grassy lawn with palm trees and shrubs. There are restrooms here as well. When we reached the public access viewing area it was like wow! that's far (the waterfall) and the overlook seemed more for the Boiling Pots rather than the waterfall. I'm not sure if there are trails to get closer to the falls but we were limited with the view. It's an impressive waterfall but we could only admire it from a distance. There are some interesting interpretive signs to read and educate visitors at the viewing area. There were multiple streams coming from different directions into a series of pools, not a whole lot of water, maybe there wasn't enough rainfall... I'm guessing this is the Boiling Pot. It's okay, I didn't find it very interesting, though. The waterfall was about 50 to 60-feet tall. Review #2287 read more

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Wow. I was staying in Kona for about a week and on the last day decided it would be a treat to see the waterfalls in Hilo. It was about an hour and a half drive. I saw many pictures online and they're beautiful, but seeing it for myself was gasp worthy. Coming here was a truly beautiful, relaxing experience that was part of my reality. Cliffs look to be blocked off. Be safe when visiting. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Entrance to the park - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

The name of this place is pretty funny. Pretty good view and parking is plentiful here. I think rainbow falls was a bit better but worth checking out here still. read more

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This magical wonderful creation of nature is simply beyond words! Crossing through the water about waist high was safest for me since I do not swim, yet I had water socks on. I saw other 6 foot tall people cross while standing up only wetting their stomach. I crossed through the water where there were some rocks so I could wedge my feet in between to secure myself. Easy half mile walk to the Falls with some light rock climbing and some prickly bushes. Listening to the Falls roar was simply magical! I wish we brought lunch to eat, but our granola bars were sufficient. We sat just listening to the glorious sound for maybe two hours! I will definitely make this hike next time on the big island!! read more

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We came here to try to see the falls and didn't have any luck. The boiling pots were pretty uneventful. I think we weren't there when there was enough rainfall or something because there wasn't much water. You can barely see the falls because they are upstream behind the trees. I thought there would be a path to a better viewpoint but it seems like the only good place to view the falls is on private property. It's right down the street from Rainbow Falls so it doesn't take long to get here. I probably wouldn't bother stopping though. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Very short walk but well worth it to the view point of the boiling pots and waterfalls. The water produces a steam effect due to the heat from the lava. There are board that describe the history of the view- just a short drive from Rainbow falls and up the road a ways from Kaumana Caves. A Must do when you are on the big island. read more

There is some historical reference for this scenic spot. It's another lookout right above and up the road from Rainbow Falls. Don't need to spend more than a few minutes up here. There's a decent sized parking lot. Also with a comfort station. Drive up, get out of your car, walk towards to the lookout, take a tourist photo, go back to your car. Nothing special. Just meh. The upkeep at this park is very clean. Enjoy a little but of greenery and fresh air and open space while you're here when escaping a concrete jungle. There is a small area by the lookout where there are several benches under a big tree. Nice place to sit and have a quick snack. Maybe enjoy some quiet time and meditation if there no people traffic. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Why it's called Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Awesome little stop to take a look and enjoy more of Hawaiis natural beauty. Couldn't see the boiling pots on my trip.

Not really any trail that leads closer to the waterfall. However there is a good amount of parking and the view is really good

Nice stream and falls. Lots of people jumped the fence to go swimming. Plenty of parking. Good for a stop and a photo for the unadventurous (like me!) or a swim for the more adventurous. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

These falls and boiling pots are a really beautiful spot to come see in hilo! Very quiet area, make sure to stop by here after you go to the rainbow falls right down the road. It's so beautiful it almost doesn't look real. Public restrooms were very basic but clean and working. When you go, make sure to look up and to the left! read more

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Definitely stop by if you're in the area to see Rainbow falls. It's another 10 min drive to here. The hiking trail is closed but we did see some people go pass the gates to get a closer look at the water fall and explore the boiling pots. Nice waterfall and small pools at the boiling pots. Easy parking and park area to rest and picnic. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

As others have said, if you are already visiting Rainbow Falls, this is just a few minutes away (about 2 miles), so why not see what the water looks like before it becomes Rainbow Falls? For tourists: it's Pe'epe'e Falls, not pee-pee, so say it like peh eh peh eh. :) The name 'Boiling' Pots can be a little misleading at times. While the water is turbulent at times (due to underground lava tubes), it may not always appearing to be boiling. But don't be disappointed if it's not, it's still a beautiful and easily accessible area. And the falls, while small, are pretty cool. Like Rainbow Falls, there are two viewing options, you can easily look down over the railings, or you can hike down the trail (careful- mud can be slippery) to get closer to the water. People do swim here, and some even jump/dive in, just be careful if you do, as it is not always the safest area and you should pay attention to the rain and flow of the water, and of course, swim with a partner (there, now your safety lesson for the day is done). :) Other useful info: Restroom facilities are available Small picnic area with drinking water is available. It's FREE to park and visit. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Boiling Pots and Pe'epe'e Falls - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

We had a blast here. The overlook was awesome ( see the pics) and we had a great time swimming in the pools. It required some care to get around but the footing was excellent in dry areas. Just fair warning head down with care while wearing decent shoes. Saw some folks trying this in flops and almost ended poorly. Bring a towel and some sunscreen. This is a couple of hors worth of play time. A camera that is waterproof would be perfect here. read more

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We heard about this shop while at Rainbow Falls so we took a chance. Interesting history and pretty views. Free parking. Worth a stop. read more

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Boiling Pots is a pretty area but because you can't hike in the area (or aren't supposed to) and the waterfalls are pretty far away, it was a spot we stopped quickly to take a few pictures and then went to other spots around Hilo. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Stunning waterfalls with water holes and rushing creeks, lavish green tropical foliage surrounding the water made for a magical and heavenly visit. Hiked down the mountain to play in the water. Be careful!!! it's definitely not kid friendly. You can also just enjoy The view of the falls from the lookout. After spending an afternoon here I was satisfied and so relaxed. The island spirit surrounded us at this spot read more

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A much larger area than Rainbow Falls with the parking capacity to back it. They have bathrooms and picnic tables. It's a short walk to the cascading waterfalls. It's from a distance, but it was cool to see the water streaming. Another quick 15-20 minute stop. read more

The new park build around it is beautiful however the trail now next to the river is closed and it's lost it's adventure, hiking from rainbow falls to the peepee falls read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

So if you go here, the gate closes at 6 pm. If your car isn't out of there by then, you're locked in until tomorrow! I found this out the hard way. (This is also true at other DNR properties- a lot close early, so read the signs or park elsewhere!) Stopped in here on my way back from running errands, and therefore unselfconsciously jumped in in my underwear. On the mainland, I always keep swimming stuff, or snow stuff, or hiking/ camping stuff in my car because I get buck wild lmao. Not here, luckily I had my trail runners in the car so it was over the fence and down the side I went. This place reminds me so much of home (Upstate NY). "No swimming" signs, yet people are swimming, and a nice gorge with waterfalls. I felt like I was in Ithaca and it made me homesick! (I'm from Syracuse). The water was even cold, just like home! Great place for folks with an adventurous streak. And not even that adventurous. I would've jumped the cliff if I wasn't solo. It's probably not where you want to take little kids or Grandma, but it's great if you're in passable shape. read more

This is a nice little spot to get out and stretch your legs, but unless you're willing to hike down - the view from the viewing area is a tad lack luster compared to other views on island. I can definitely see how people could swim here, but can also understand how someone can get themselves in a hairy situation. We didn't make the trek down, because we only had slippahs on. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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What a sight to see! Plus on a good day, you can jump in. Just be mindful of flash floods & enter at your own risk. When we arrived, there was a Hawaiian class going on. Another kid friendly area with a short walk. There is a grassy area to sit, do yoga and listen to nature too. read more

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Finally posting a little write up of this unique little falls near Hilo. The spot is most striking for the "boiling pots," the series of small bowls of turbulent water that spill, one into the next and are great for swimming or just sitting to watch and listen to the water. Exquisitely lovely and frankly far more interesting and less touristy than nearby Rainbow Falls. It's a bit of a scramble to get down to the water's edge, so be prepared for that. We were here on a day when flows were fairly gentle but I can imagine this being a dangerous spot when the river is roaring. The name Pe'epe'e does not lend itself to street signs but you'll appreciate that if you are boorish, culturally insensitive, and/or have the sense of humor of a 4th grade boy. See photo below. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Looking down at the boiling pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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This place is beautiful. It's a well taken cared of park. The landscape and bathrooms are clean! Parking is free and the walk is not even a 5min walk from your car to the scenic outlook point. Signs are posted for no trespassing so be careful and don't take your chances. There's flash flooding that happen in this area. But if you do decide to go beyond the barriers, DO NOT GO SWIMMING!! Seriously, this place is dangerous for swimming. Many people have died jumping into the water. There are actually lava tubes that run under the falls and people have been swept into the lava tubes and drowned. So yeah..just look from where you're supposed to look don't be THAT GUY! read more

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Our family of five from Texas and Oklahoma visited Oahu and the Big Island for Spring Break! The waterfall and area is Amazing!! I love waterfalls and this one did not disappoint. I love the multiple layers of this waterfall!! A very short walk from the parking lot! Absolutely gorgeous views at this area!! Would definitely recommend visiting this waterfall in you are in the area!! read more

First it's in the middle of a residential area. You're going into a park that has just the viewing area of the falls. It is a beautiful sight to see, but don't think your going to a place like "AKAKA Falls"where you have a beautiful walk before seeing the falls. No you park and walk to the railing and there you are read more

This place is so beautiful. Now this part is not legal and I am not saying to do it but going beyond the signs and down to the pots is where it's at! You can't really even see the boiling pots from the lookout..... we have went down a few times to actually see the pots and it's amazing. Just be safe, don't do it while it's raining, or flash flood advisories, be careful and don't slip into the pots etc etc.... read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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Great place to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic. No visitors! Just park on the outside and have the place to yourself. Swim in a waterfall and explore! read more

The place isn't really large, but it is very very beautiful. You could just watch the falls for hours if you want to. It would be nice if we could get closer to the falls, but I can understand that it's a safety risk. read more

Pe'epe'e Falls & Boiling Pots - Parks Near Me - Hilo, Hawaii

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