Waterfall Hikes Near Papaikou, HI

1,096 residents
Pacific/Honolulu Time Zone
36 Waterfalls

within 50 miles

Looking for the best waterfalls to hike near Papaikou? There are 36 waterfall hiking trails within a 50-mile radius of Papaikou. These trails range from drive_up to moderate difficulty, providing options for both casual hikers and experienced adventurers looking to explore the region's natural beauty.

Located at 19.7917°N, -155.0963°W

Map of Waterfalls Near Papaikou

Today's Conditions

Live data from USGS gauges & National Weather Service

Water Flow

36 of 36 gauged

36 waterfalls near Papaikou have live flow data today

Aa Falls Barely Flowing Aimoo Falls Barely Flowing Hakalaoa Falls Barely Flowing Hiʻilawe Falls Barely Flowing Ipuu Falls Barely Flowing Kakeha Falls Barely Flowing Kaluahine Falls Barely Flowing Naalapa Falls Barely Flowing Nanaue Falls Barely Flowing Papala Falls Barely Flowing Waiholoa Falls Barely Flowing Waiamoa Falls Barely Flowing Hawaii Falls Barely Flowing Kaimukanaka Falls Barely Flowing Kauwehu Falls Barely Flowing Koakanini Falls Barely Flowing Kulaniapia Falls Barely Flowing Lauiole Falls Barely Flowing Lelekaae Falls Barely Flowing Peepee Falls Barely Flowing Poakana Falls Barely Flowing Pukamaui Falls Barely Flowing Rainbow Falls Barely Flowing Wailoa Falls Barely Flowing Waiale Falls Barely Flowing Hikiau Falls Barely Flowing Kahūnā Falls Barely Flowing ʻAkaka Falls Barely Flowing Keanapakulua Falls Barely Flowing Lahomene Falls Barely Flowing Waiʻilikahi Falls Barely Flowing Waiokanalopaka Falls Barely Flowing Kemole Falls Barely Flowing Waiemi Falls Low Waialae Falls Low Wahiloa Falls Low

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Friday

Scattered Rain Showers · 78°F

Tod 80°F Scattered Rain Showers
Sun 79°F Scattered Rain Showers
Mon 79°F Chance Rain Showers
Tue 78°F Scattered Rain Showers
Wed 78°F Scattered Rain Showers
Thu 77°F Scattered Rain Showers
Fri 78°F Scattered Rain Showers Best

Find waterfalls to hike near Papaikou

Have your own travel site? Embed these waterfalls for free.

🚗 Easy Waterfall Hikes Near Papaikou (8 waterfalls)

Easy access waterfalls are drive-up or short-walk friendly. Perfect for families, casual visitors, or anyone who loves waterfalls but is "so-so" about hiking.

Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

0.4 miles away
Hawaii
Drive Up
0.1 miles 20 ft
Kulaniapia Falls waterfall

Kulaniapia Falls

0.9 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
1.0 miles 200 ft

All 36 Waterfalls Near Papaikou

Waialae Falls waterfall

Waialae Falls

45.2 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Waiemi Falls

18.2 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Rainbow Falls waterfall

Rainbow Falls

0.4 miles away
Hawaii
Drive Up
0.1 miles 20 ft
Kaimukanaka Falls waterfall CC

Kaimukanaka Falls

12.4 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kulaniapia Falls waterfall

Kulaniapia Falls

0.9 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
1.0 miles 200 ft

Lelekaae Falls

14 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Peepee Falls waterfall

Peepee Falls

0.9 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
ʻAkaka Falls waterfall

ʻAkaka Falls

47.8 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
0.4 miles 100 ft
Waiale Falls waterfall

Waiale Falls

17.3 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kahūnā Falls waterfall

Kahūnā Falls

48.1 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
0.4 miles 100 ft

Wahiloa Falls

17 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kauwehu Falls waterfall

Kauwehu Falls

40.9 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Pukamaui Falls waterfall

Pukamaui Falls

40.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Lauiole Falls

13.5 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Koakanini Falls

13.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Wailoa Falls waterfall

Wailoa Falls

41.7 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
0.2 miles 50 ft
Hawaii Falls waterfall

Hawaii Falls

41.1 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
0.5 miles 100 ft

Poakana Falls

14.8 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
0.4 miles 100 ft

Hikiau Falls

34.4 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Waiholoa Falls

35.6 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterfalls Near Papaikou

Are there free waterfalls near Papaikou?

There are 5 free waterfalls near Papaikou, including Keanapakulua Falls.

Are there easy waterfall hikes near Papaikou?

There are 8 easy waterfall hikes near Papaikou, including Hawaii Falls.

Are there kid-friendly waterfalls near Papaikou?

There are 10 kid-friendly waterfalls near Papaikou, including Ipuu Falls.

Can you swim in any waterfalls near Papaikou?

There are 2 waterfalls that allow swimming near Papaikou, including Kulaniapia Falls.

What is the shortest waterfall hike near Papaikou?

The shortest waterfall hike near Papaikou is Aa Falls at 0.1 miles round trip.

How tall are the waterfalls near Papaikou?

The tallest waterfall near Papaikou is Hiʻilawe Falls at 1450 feet.

Do any waterfalls near Papaikou require permits?

Yes, 4 waterfalls near Papaikou require a permit. Check individual trail pages for current permit details.

What is the closest waterfall to Papaikou?

The closest waterfall to Papaikou is Waialae Falls, approximately 2.2 miles away.

🏙️ Other Cities Near Papaikou With Waterfalls

Hilo, HI
47,627 residents
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI
13,041 residents
Waimea, HI
10,458 residents
Kihei, HI
22,247 residents
Kahului, HI
27,233 residents
Wailuku, HI
16,590 residents
Waihee-Waiehu, HI
11,029 residents

Nearby Hot Springs

Hot springs near Papaikou, Hawaii

Akins Spring

16.8 mi 84°F

Akins Spring flows 84°F water on Hawaii's Big Island, 11 degrees warmer than the tropical 73°F ambient, requiring a short walk ...

Steam Vents

22.4 mi

Steam Vents represent superheated geothermal manifestations on Hawaii's Big Island where steam escapes through volcanic bedrock...
Warm Vapor

Warm Vapor

23.8 mi

Warm Vapor emerges at low-temperature geothermal conditions near Nanawale Estates at just 422 feet elevation. The designation a...
Steam Vents

Steam Vents

24.3 mi

These high-elevation steam vents rise to 13,426 feet on Mauna Loa's slopes, making them among Hawaii's highest geothermal featu...
Steam Vents

Steam Vents

24.9 mi

Steam vents emerge where volcanic heat meets restricted military lands on Hawaii's Big Island. These fumaroles sit at 4,003 fee...
Steam Vents

Steam Vents

26.4 mi

Steam vents at 3,620 feet emerge within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park where volcanic heat creates dramatic fumarolic activity...

Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Papaikou, Hawaii on SoakingSprings.

Explore Hawaii springs

Where to Stay

Orchid Tree B&B

Orchid Tree B&B

9.6 168 reviews
Hawaii Magic Skies B&B Farmstay

Hawaii Magic Skies B&B Farmstay

9.6 102 reviews
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

7.4 1,476 reviews
SCP Hilo Hotel

SCP Hilo Hotel

7.9 1,515 reviews
See all hotels near Papaikou
Cabins & Rentals VRBO

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.