6 Tips For Visiting Kōke‘e State Park on Kauaʻi

There may not be any national parks on Kauaʻi, but the island does boast five—yes, five—state parks with some of the island’s best beaches, trails and vistas.

One of the most popular is Kōkeʻe State Park, perched 3,600 feet above sea level on the island’s west side. It’s truly a hiker’s paradise, with 45 miles of hiking trails through native forests and along ridges offering spectacular views of the Nāpali Coast.

Here are six tips to help you make the most of your visit—or stay—in this unique state park.

1. It’s a long drive

The park is about 42 miles from Līhu‘e Airport and it will take about 90 minutes to get there. Follow Route 550, aka Waimea Canyon Drive, to the top. (Route 552, aka Kōke‘e Road, also takes you there; it meets up with Waimea Canyon Drive.) The road is winding—similar to the Road to Hāna on Maui—so those prone to motion sickness should drive or sit upfront.

2. There’s a fee

Since 2019 there’s been a fee for nonresidents entering both Kōke‘e State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park (where the popular lookout is). Nonresidents pay $5 per person. Children 3 and under and Hawai‘i residents with valid ID can enter free. Also, nonresidents have to pay $10 per vehicle to park; that fee is waived for Hawai‘i residents. And that nonresident fee applies to both Kōke‘e State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park, so you only need to pay once. Kiosks take credit cards and tickets are valid for one calendar day—not 24 hours. You don’t need a reservation unless you plan to camp at the park.

3. Stop at the museum

The nonprofit Hui o Laka operates the Kōke‘e Natural History Museum as a visitor center for both state parks. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, including major holidays. This is a great place to stop and learn more about the park; the museum offers trail maps and has a knowledgeable staff that can help you plan your visit.

4. The restaurant is a must—and it closes at 4:30 p.m.

The chili and cornbread from the Kōkeʻe Lodge.
Photo: James Nakamura

Near the museum is Kōke‘e Lodge, which has a great restaurant that offers a variety of ‘ono (delicious) dishes, from kālua pig nachos to homestyle cornmeal pancakes topped with fresh fruit to a hearty chili made with local grass-fed beef. Just remember—the kitchen closes at 4 p.m., so plan on eating early. The attached gift shop has lots of locally made and crafted gifts and souvenirs.

5. Look for native birds and plants

ʻApapane.
Photo: Getty Images/Sharif Uddin

Even if you’re not an avid birder or budding botanist, you’ll appreciate any sightings of Hawai‘i’s rare and endangered endemic forest birds, like the white-rumped ‘apapane, the scarlet-red ‘i‘iwi and the friendly ‘elepaio, and the abundance of native plants, including koa, pūkiawe and ‘ōhi‘a.

6. Be prepared

The end of the Nuʻalolo Trail in Kōkeʻe State Park on Kauaʻi.
Photo: Getty Images/Michele Falzone

The weather at this elevation is likely to be dramatically different from the weather at sea level, so best to prepare for rain and cold, just in case. You won’t have reliable cellphone service, but keep your phones charged anyway in case you find a pocket of service (which we did near the swamp.) Bring lots of water and snacks and wear sturdy shoes.

This story was originally published in the Fall 2023 issue of HAWAIʻI Magazine.