Beautiful Kokeʻe State Park: Kauai’s Hiking Destination w/ Na Pali Coast Views

While Waimea Canyon may be the famous site on the South Shore of Kauai, Kokeʻe State Park is THE hiking destination for some of the most beautiful sights along the Na Pali Coast. Yes, the famous coastline is most often approached from the north side of Kauai via Haena State Park and the Kalalau Trail, but you can also begin the journey or complete a portion of the trail from Kokee State Park.

We’ve got the scoop of sights and hikes in Kokeʻe State Park, including suggestions for how to include a visit here to a short trip to Kauai. I love it here and I know you will too! If you have any questions about visiting Kokee State Park or need suggestions for planning your Kauai trip, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an amazing aloha trip.

Highlights of Visiting Kokee State Park

Each visit to Kokee State Park is so different, both in our choice of activities and in the weather (which always kind of influences what we do). Although most people aren’t familiar with Kokee State Park as being THE way to see the Na Pali Coast as a visitor to Kauai, it’s the way to go. The famous Kalalau Trail that departs from Haena State Park on the north shore of Kauai is very well know as being the ultimate Na Pali Coast trail, but only two miles of it are accessible to non-Kauai resident visitors, and that’s where experiencing Kokee comes in!

Located next to the epically beautiful Waimea Canyon State Park, Kokee is rather the peak of the island of Kauai and it’s full of beautiful and difficult trails. While I would love to tell everyone to set aside time to visit and hike, Koke’e State Park has some of the most challenging trails we’ve done, both in length and in complexity. You’ve got steep ascents/descents, you have gullied trails full of red mud, there are stretches along cliffs and continually changing weather. Even with these challenges it’s still one of the most beautiful places to hike on Kauai.

Because the trails are not something everyone is going to run out and hike, you’ll be glad to know that there are other highlights to Kokee State Park as well. You’ll drive past several viewpoints for Waimea Canyon, so be sure to stop at those, but then you’ll arrive at the Kokee Natural History Museum and lodge. Stop in here for some lunch and learning, walk the short nature trail to understand more about the endemic plants you’ll see, and then continue onto the lookouts. Yes, there are are few lookouts for visitors that don’t want to hike and you’ll get some beautiful views of the Na Pali Coast from above.

Tips for a Great Day at Koke’e State Park

When we plan our time in Koke’e State Park we usually choose one hiking trail, a stop for lunch at the lodge, and plan to do another hike or activity in one of the other nearby state parks. This part of Kauai is more remote than other areas you might venture to, so make your plans to spend nearly all day in this area. Whether you’re planning one of the long and difficult hikes or just want to do a portion of what’s available, you’ll need to be sure you’re actually ready for what’s in store, and I don’t just mean that you have the right gear (more on that below).

Hiking in Kokee State Park means that you’re venturing onto trails that are repeatedly changing due to weather. The mud, the roots and the unique footpaths can prove quite a challenge even for hikers in great shape. The physicality of hiking here means using a lot of core strength to balance in the sometimes awkward conditions (like at the Ala Kai Swamp Trail) or having to scale a slippery, root covered steep decline (the Awa‘awapuhi Trail is like this). If you aren’t confident in getting dirty and using your full body for a hike, think twice before planning your Kokee State Park hiking day. True, these trails aren’t hard on your knees in the same way that doing the Diamond Head or Koko Crater Rail Trails on Oahu are, but the physical difficulty must be considered.

Here’s how I would plan a first time visit to Kokee State Park:

• stop at the Waimea Canyon Overlook
• Visit Kokee Natural History Museum
• Take in the view at the Kalalau Lookout (easy walk)
• Go to Pu’u O Kila Lookout (road sometimes closed)
• Do FIRST PART of the Pihea Trail

While this might not seem like an active, full day, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views of the Na Pali Coast and spend some time in the beautiful rainforest of Kokee State Park.

Choosing a Hiking Trail in Koke’e State Park

Here are our picks for hiking trails in Kokee State Park. Remember that everyone has a different pace, hiking skill level, and tolerance for mud. You’ll have an awesome time, especially if the weather is nice and you can take in the incredible views, but remember to plan for what you’re actually physically capable of so you can have an enjoyable and safe experience.

• Awa’awapuhi Trail – there is a small parking lot for this trail; it’s a challenge but awesome! Park here.
• Pihea Trail – I LOVE THIS HIKE! If you plan one hike in Kokee State Park choose this one, even if you can’t complete it. Trail starts at Pu’u O Kila Lookout parking area.
• Canyon Trail – this is in Waimea State Park, but it’s fun and beautiful and moderately difficult on a dry day. Trail goes from Pu’u Hinahina Lookout parking area
• Ala Kai Swamp Trail – this may be the most unique hike on Kauai as it’s jam packed with epic views, dense forest and a high country swamp. This is the BEST trail on Kauai for seeing I’iwi, Apapane and Amakihi birds. Directions: approach from either the Pu’u O Kila Lookout via the Pihea Trail OR turn right onto Kumuela Road just after the Kokee Lodge, follow dirt road to fork at Mohihi Road, vear left to end, Ala Kai Swamp Trail begins at end of road Trail head map link here
• Oceanview Forest Preserve Trail – located adjascent to Kokee State Park, this is a gorgeous hike out to the cliffs over the coast. It’s epic and full of strawberry guava plants. **download the AllTrails maps in advance

Being Prepared for Hiking at Koke’e State Park

I’ve never not gotten wet hiking in Kokee State Park. The location of the hiking trails is in the path of the high-forming clouds that roll down the west side of Kauai. Even if it’s beautiful down in Waimea, by the time you get up here you may have completely different weather. Wear clothing that can dry quickly and you’ll be fine. For shoes, given the amount of mud many of the Koke’e State Park trail have, wear hiking sandals that you can easily clean off when you’re done. Yes, this may mean that you get mud squishing into your toes, but it’s much better than having water and mud soaked hiking boots. Our Keens have hiked so much of Kauai with us.

I know I talk about how wet it is when you’re hiking in Kokee State Park, but there are times when it’s full sun too, and that may be mixed with cloudy wet days. Apply your sunblock BEFORE you start your hike, especially if you’re doing one of the more exposed trails (Pihea or Ala Kai Swamp). You’ll totally get a sunburn hiking up here!

When you’re hiking in Kokee State Park, you should plan for the different trails to take longer than you expect, and that means packing more water and snacks than you might normally for the length of trail you choose. While you might be on a short 3 mile hike, it’s going to take you much longer than dry mountain hike in the lower 48 and you’ll want the energy to complete it.

Parking for Hiking Trails in Kokee SP

The road into Kokee State Park, whether you’re coming from Waimea or are doing the Kokee Road up from Kekaha (Barking Sands Beach area), is narrow and windy. You’ll find lots of places that you may want to pull off to the side for the view or to start one of the many hikes. ALWAYS be sure that you’re as far off the road as possible. Some hikes have small parking areas, such as the Awa‘awapuhi Trail, but many don’t.

If you’re choosing a hike that originates at one of the lookouts, know that these driving destinations can be popular on nice days and you may not find parking right away. There are some trails that depart from local dirt roads, like the Mohihi Road for the Ala Kai Swamp Trail, and they do not show in mapping programs. For these, consider the road condition before driving down it and then park where it’s appropriate. Just be safe, considerate, and do not damage the beautiful nature by parking irresponsibly.

NOTE: before you get on any of the main trails in Kokee, Waimea Canyon or Haena State Parks, there are stations for cleaning your shoes before you are very far from the parking area. These are to mitigate the spread of Rapid Ohia Death, which is a fungus that has spread throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Use these stations!!

“Can I stay in Koke’e State Park?” YES!

Unlike many of Hawaii’s state parks, Koke’e offers both camping and cabins. The campground is very near the Natural History Museum and lodge (restaurant) and there are actually quite a few campsites. They are more exposed than I like when I’m camping, but I would rate them a bit higher than camping at Hosmer Grove in Haleakala National Park.

There is also a historic Civilian Conservation Core camp (CCC) here that you can rent out in part or in whole. Staying at the CCC camp isn’t fancy, but it’s a fun and rustic option. There are just a few cabins, and then for larger groups there are the barracks. It’s pretty cool, but is likely not what most travelers are looking for when they come to Kauai. Review all CCC Camp info and reservation request forms here!