Kauai is the dream destination for many vacation-goers for countless reasons, but one of the most influential is the island’s stunning natural scenery.
Visit these state parks while you’re staying in a Kauai condo rental to ensure an unforgettable island getaway!
Hā’ena State Park
Hā’ena State Park is located at the northernmost point of Kauai. It is open every day from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and requires a $5 entry fee per person for non-native Hawaiians. It also requires a reservation to be made in order to visit, as it has visitor limits in place.
Once a visitor has successfully booked their visit, they will be able to do a number of activities at the park. Ke’e Beach is located at its northernmost point, which opens up to the Pacific Ocean and is home to numerous coral reefs. Swimming and snorkeling are both permitted and encouraged to allow visitors to see the wildly diverse ecosystems that are a part of the vibrant and colorful coral reefs.
If one isn’t in the mood for a beach trip, there are numerous Kauai hiking trails at the park as well. Included in the reservation is access to the Kalalau Trail and Hanakāpī’ai Falls, which is nearly 300 feet tall! The park is also handicap accessible, with picnic tables for eating lunch and bathrooms and showers provided.
Ahukini State Recreation Pier
A relatively unknown spot, the Ahukini State Recreation Pier offers a seaside view from an abandoned pier, formerly a railway starting point.
Located on the west coast of Kauai, the pier has become rustic from age and offers an unobstructed view of Hanama’ulu Bay. It has now become a popular fishing spot for anglers, who can catch abundant numbers of crabs. Swimming is also permitted, as well as other aquatic activities. The park offers no other services aside from the pier, but for those looking for a quiet, isolated spot to watch the sunset undisturbed or to fish without much competition, the Ahukini State Recreation Pier is worth considering as a stop during their trip.
Kōke’e State Park
Located further inland than the other two locations named so far, Kōke’e State Park is a less strict park to access and engage in. It is open daily during daylight hours and, like Hā’ena State Park, only requires a $5 entry fee and parking fee based on the type of transportation used. However, unlike its fellow nature park, camping and hunting are both permitted. The Kōke’e State Park allows visitors to choose from numerous different hiking trails, which travel through a rainforest and come close to the Waimea Canyon, a lush yet rugged backdrop to the journey.
The trails peak at an elevation of 4000 feet and allow a gorgeous vantage point of the Kalalau Valley, a sloping stretch of earth that leads out to sea. Hikers can also view numerous species of birds, plants, and insects native to Kauai, such as the graceful white-tailed tropicbird and the perplexing and seemingly oxymoronic flightless fly.
Designated hunting areas allow visitors to hunt pigs and fish for trout, and seasonal harvesting of plums occurs if the fruits are in season. There are also cabins available for short and long-term rent, and campsites are available for $20-30 per night, dependent upon residency status.
Plan Your Visit
Contact Remax Kauai today to learn more about the great rentals and book your next vacation in Hawaii. Consider one of our North Shore Kauai vacation rentals. They make the perfect getaway!
Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park
Translated from the native Hawaiian language, Nāpali literally means “the cliffs,” indicating the park’s main attraction. Located just a bit north of the Kōke’e State Park and east of the Hā’ena State Park, the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park features numerous towering cliffs and waterfalls that lead out to sea. The cliffs are covered with greenery and have attracted attention from all over the world for their sheer beauty and as a hiking spot.
The Kauai hikes for this park are, in particular, much more physically demanding due to the rugged nature of the landscape and erratic height levels for footing. If that level of physical exertion seems unappealing, however, visitors can also enjoy kayak rides on the coast’s beach or go into a tour boat to traverse through sea caves and observe ancient and undisturbed native Hawaiian rock carvings and terraces left upon the cliffs.
The entire hike through the Nāpali Coast takes about a day, so a camping permit is required upon entry. Regardless of whatever the visitor wishes to do, they can find something to appreciate within the Nāpali Coast and its beauty that has become one of the most recognizable and famous coastlines around the world!
Polihale State Park
The Polihale State Park is located east of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. Visitors are able to watch the sunset from this park over the cliffs of the Nāpali Coast. This park differs because it is a bit more remote compared to the others on this list, similar to the Ahukini Recreation Pier. It is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and does not have a fee to enter.
For those looking for a quieter experience without as many people, this park may be worth considering! However, this park is not as easily traversable as the others listed. There are no gravel roads, only dirt roads, which are susceptible to flooding during showers and prevent passage. The park also has areas with deep sand dunes.
Due to these conditions, it is highly encouraged to traverse the park using a four-wheeled vehicle rather than on foot. Once reaching a satisfactory campground, there is a $30 fee per night at the park for a camping permit. However, the park offers fishing and some beaches where swimming is permitted.
Wailua River State Park
Kauai’s eastern coast also contains the Wailua River State Park, located north of the Ahukini Recreation Pier. This park is best explored by the use of boats and kayaks. The currents are agreeable and take visitors through a rainforest that eventually leads to the Uluwehi or Opaekaa Falls, a split waterfall that has two streams pouring over dark rocks peaking through the lush greenery growing over them.
The falls act as a little secret alcove, popular for swimming and photographs. Visitors can also see an authentic Hawaiian village at the Kamokila Hawaiian Village, located close to the Opaekaa falls. An ancient village left untouched, it now operates tours for the sake of educating visitors about ancient Hawaiian culture and lifestyles. A fern grotto tour also allows those looking for a romantic walk amongst the shrubbery.
Book a Kauai Rental
The entirety of Kauai can be circumnavigated in about a two-hour car ride, ensuring most attractions and Kauai things to do are within a reasonable distance from each other. Remax Kauai offers properties on the north, south, and east coast with variable price ranges depending on the budget and offers home rentals in Kauai, condos, and beachfront properties for rent. This allows our guests to choose where they want to stay based closest to the parks and other attractions they’re most interested in visiting.
