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Iao Valley State Park - Hawaii's Best State Park

List of Hawaii’s 14 Best State Parks (2024)

Considered a ‘Paradise for the travelers’, Hawaii is one of the most visited places on the globe. Adorned with tropical forests, mind blowing waterfalls, picturesque wildlife, breathtaking volcanic sites and scenic views, Hawaii is the perfect destination for a soothing and a blissful vacation. Although famous for its islands and sea food, Hawaii has yet other lesser popular but equally amazing tourist spots to offer. The State Parks of Hawaii are one of these amazing tourist spots to visit when in Hawaii. These state parks celebrate the culture and tradition of the island and pay tribute to its poignant beauty and uniqueness.

List of Hawaii’s 14 Best State Parks

Hawaii is home to more than 50 state parks dispersed across the Hawaiian Islands, each one extraordinary in its own specific manner. The sheer number of incredible parks in Hawaii can be overwhelming to the novices. Therefore, to assist you in choosing which ones to visit, we’ve gathered together a list of Hawaii’s best state parks.

  1. He’eia State Park: It’s absolutely impossible to visit He’eia State Park without getting on the water. Perfectly clear and loaded with Hawaii’s tropical sea wildlife, it’s one of the recreation center’s best resources. Situated on Kaneohe Bay Sandbar on Oahu’s windward side, this beachfront park includes the Heʻeia Fish Pond and Heʻeia Kea little boat harbor. To really get a feel of the spot, we suggest you to pair a kayak or sailboat visit with some swimming. Local non-benefit Kamaʻaina Kids takes care of the recreation center and offers visits that put its proceeds towards the protection of the region and Hawaii’s childhood programs.
  2. Ka’ena Point State Park: Congregating at the lovely Kaʻena Point—the westernmost tip of Oahu—this state park capacities as a secured safe-haven for probably the most imperiled birds on Earth, including the superb Albatross. The point can be reached by hiking three miles from either the Keawaula Section on the west side of the island and the Mokuleia Section in the south, with the two bearings. Attempt and spot the huge ocean cave from the west side, and consistently pay special attention to spinner dolphins if you plan on visiting the park early in the morning.
  3. Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park: Popularly known as Kahana State Park, this lavish valley park is Hawaii’s only public ahupuaʻa land division. Close to 5,300 sections of land from ocean level at Kahana Bay to 2,670 feet at Puʻu Pauao in the Koʻolau mountain range, Kahana State Park is probably the wettest spot on Oahu. The site sees a normal yearly precipitation of 75 inches along the coast to 300 inches towards the rear side of the valley. Kahana Bay and the encompassing region was very important to the local Hawaiians, and the recreation center keeps on working as a “living park” with around 30 families actually living on its grounds. Guests can appreciate a few climbing trails, touring spots, and campgrounds on its site.
  4. Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside Park: Quite possibly the most spectacular spot in Oahu, Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside Park oversees the whole south shore of the island including Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach. Inhabitants additionally refer to this spot as Tantalus Lookout as it is situated on Mount Tantalus only a couple miles from downtown Honolulu through a rainforest and a bend hefty street. On crisp mornings, Pearl Harbor and even the lavish Manoa Valley can be seen from somewhere far off. This photogenic park is a secret jewel and has astounding dusk views when the climate is decent.
  5. ‘Iao Valley State Park: ‘Iao Valley State Park is situated inside the West Maui mountains where King Kamehameha I vanquished the Maui armed force in 1790 during the clash of Kepaniwai. A cleared 0.6-mile trek will get you to the best view, sitting above Kuka Emoku, nicknamed the “’Iao Needle,” rising 1,200 feet high. The lower portion of the recreation center contains a little botanical garden with native Hawaiian flowers and plants, and the center segment takes the trekkers past a serene waterway and forest of trees. Iao Valley State Park - Hawaii's Best State ParkImage Source
  6. Makena State Park: This Hawaiian state park is known for two things, the famous lethargic volcanic ash cone Pu’u Ola’i and the neighboring mainstream white sand sea shore known as Big Beach or “Oneloa Beach.” The 165 sections of land just to the south of Wailea on Maui is perfect for families and the 1.5-mile long Oneloa Beach is one of the most well known beaches on the island. Guests can appreciate bodysurfing, surfing, shore fishing, and swimming during quiet climate.
  7. Wai’anapanapa State Park: Just about three miles from the downtown Hana, the 122-acre Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a significant feature along the Road to Hana excursion on the island of Maui. This state park is known for its amazingly dark and sandy sea shore, volcanic rocks, seabird asylum, a Hawaiian heiau (religious temple), and magma caves. The lovely landscape and tidepools of this state park in Hawaii can be delighted in from a progression of trekking trails along the tough coastline of Hana.
  8. Akaka Falls State Park: Around 11 miles north of Hilo on the Big Island, Akaka Falls State Park in Hawaii is known basically for the roaring 442-foot Akaka Waterfall that is situated on its premises. Broadly accessible, all thanks to the 0.4-mile loop cleared pathway with handrails, the recreation center offers a lot of freedom to see the majestic waterfall along the path. Additionally visible from the state park is 300-foot Kahūnā Falls, as well as a few other smaller cascades, local trees, and outlandish plants.
  9. Wailuku River State Park: Perhaps the simplest cascade to see in the whole express, the lookout to see Rainbow Falls inside Wailuku River State Park in Hilo is only a short stroll from the parking lot. The 80-foot tall falls might not be as large as some other cascades present on the Big Island, yet the possibility of spotting a rainbow when the splash of the water meets the daylight makes it much more worthier than all of them together. At the point when the precipitation hasn’t been excessively heavy, you can also see the natural magma cave behind the water, believed to have been home to the old Hawaiian goddess Hina.
  10. Hapuna Beach State Park: Hāpuna is situated on the west side of Big Island in Hawaii, and keeping in mind that the recreation center itself envelops more than 60 acres of land, a great many people come here just for the white sand sea shore. A segment of the famous Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail passes through the recreation center along the shoreline if sunbathing or relaxing isn’t your style, however remember that the beach at Hāpuna is viewed as the best one on the island. With four A-outline shelters accessible for lease for a night from the Division of State Parks, one can without much of a stretch spend a whole weekend here absorbing the sun.
  11. Wailoa River State Park: With an advantageous location between downtown Hilo and Hilo Bay, the 131-acre Wailoa River State Park in Hawaii is the ideal spot to ride a boat or spend the day fishing. Or wander around the unwinding, landscaped park and offer your respect to King Kamehameha I (an imitation of the renowned Thomas Gould sculptures can be found here). Go for an opportunity to stroll across the amazingly built bridges or use one of the outdoor tables for lunch. You’ll regularly see little social affairs at the recreation center, as inhabitants can lease the pavilions for functions.
  12. Waimea Canyon State Park: Situated on the west side of Kauai Island, Waimea Canyon gives terrific views of cascades in the distance, with splatters of greenery inside the red and gold soil. With its sweeping canyon stretching 10 miles across and 3,000 feet downwards, this state park does complete justice to its nickname, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” There are different hikes to enjoy of different experience levels all through the zone, as well as spots to adore sweeping vistas from the edge of the gorge that was formed thousands of years ago.
  13. Polihale State Park: Ask any Kauai occupant for the best camping areas on the island, and they will undoubtedly make reference to Polihale State Park on the west side. The far off beach located in its premises is reachable only through four wheels and provides a staggeringly segregated coastline with killer dusks and views of the Nā Pali Coast. Swimming is possible when the waves are not too high, however be ready for perilous surf when solid ocean currents are present.
  14. Koke’e State Park: Kōkeʻe State Park is located in northwestern Kauai in Hawaii, offering hiking trails and campsites within the lush valley of the inland region of the Garden Isle. If you don’t want to go for the tropical plants and wildlife, go for the historical aspects such as the Kōkeʻe Museum that provides educational exhibits on the weather, vegetation, and animal life of the region.

These were some of the many State Parks of Hawaii that one must definitely explore when visiting Hawaii.

FAQ’s on State Parks in Hawaii

Q1. Do These State Parks Of Hawaii Charge Money For Entry?

Ans: Yes, most of these parks charge the visitors for entry and exploration. However, the fee is not very high for most of them.

Q2. Are Rentals Available To Reach These National Parks?

Ans: Owing to their high popularity, all types of rentals are available to reach them.

Q3. Are These Parks Easily Reachable?

Ans: Yes, most of these parks are easily reachable through roads or through water.

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