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

17 of 36 waterfalls near Papaikou are flowing strongly today

Aa Falls Roaring Aimoo Falls Roaring Hakalaoa Falls Roaring Hiʻilawe Falls Roaring Ipuu Falls Roaring Kakeha Falls Roaring Kaluahine Falls Roaring Naalapa Falls Roaring Nanaue Falls Roaring Papala Falls Roaring Waiholoa Falls Roaring Waiamoa Falls Roaring 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 Roaring Lahomene Falls Roaring Waiʻilikahi Falls Roaring Waiokanalopaka Falls Roaring Kemole Falls Roaring Waiemi Falls Barely Flowing Waialae Falls Barely Flowing Wahiloa Falls Barely Flowing

Updated about 2 hours ago via USGS

Best Day to Hike

Wednesday

Rain Showers · 80°F

Tod 82°F Rain Showers
Wed 80°F Rain Showers Best
Thu 80°F Chance Rain Showers
Fri 80°F Chance Rain Showers
Sat 80°F Chance Rain Showers
Sun 81°F Chance Rain Showers
Mon 81°F Chance Rain Showers

Flowing best right now near Papaikou

Updated about 2 hours ago

Ranked by live stream-gauge flow versus each waterfall's seasonal normal.

  1. 1 Papala Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 95th percentile
  2. 2 Nanaue Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 95th percentile
  3. 3 Naalapa Falls Roaring · 6 cfs 95th percentile
  4. 4 Lahomene Falls Roaring · 7 cfs 95th percentile
  5. 5 Waiʻilikahi Falls Roaring · 7 cfs 95th percentile
  6. 6 Keanapakulua Falls Roaring · 7 cfs 95th percentile

Know when to go.

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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

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

Kulaniapia Falls

0.5 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
1.0 miles 200 ft

All 36 Waterfalls Near Papaikou

Ipuu Falls waterfall

Ipuu Falls

6.2 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hakalaoa Falls waterfall CC

Hakalaoa Falls

5.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Hiʻilawe Falls waterfall CC

Hiʻilawe Falls

5.8 miles away
Hawaii
Hard
4.0 miles 900 ft
Kakeha Falls waterfall

Kakeha Falls

5.3 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kaluahine Falls waterfall

Kaluahine Falls

17.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Aa Falls

15.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Aimoo Falls

15.7 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Papala Falls waterfall

Papala Falls

15.6 miles away
Hawaii
Easy
1.4 miles 200 ft

Nanaue Falls

15.4 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
1.0 miles 200 ft
Naalapa Falls waterfall

Naalapa Falls

15.3 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Waiamoa Falls waterfall

Waiamoa Falls

17.1 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Lahomene Falls

12.9 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft

Waiʻilikahi Falls

12.7 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Kemole Falls waterfall

Kemole Falls

6.8 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Waiokanalopaka Falls waterfall

Waiokanalopaka Falls

7.6 miles away
Hawaii
Moderate
2.4 miles 350 ft
Keanapakulua Falls waterfall

Keanapakulua Falls

12.7 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 1,450 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.

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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
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