Are there fees or permits required for Hoʻopiʻi Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Hoʻopiʻi Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Hoʻopiʻi Falls?

Yes, swimming is allowed at Hoʻopiʻi Falls.

Nearby gauge (Left Branch Opaekaa Str) · 4 ft³/s · Higher than usual

Hoʻopiʻi Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Hoʻopiʻi Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Hoʻopiʻi Falls. Hiking guides report leashed dogs are allowed; no official rule for this trail was found.

Hawaii

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

State Department of Land State Resource Management Area SRMA · SDOL

Before you go

The upper falls trail is on state land, but the way to the lower falls crosses private land with no-trespassing signs in places. Do not park along narrow Kapahi Road where it blocks driveways or emergency access.

Photo Credits (1)

OKJaguar CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Difficulty

Moderate

Trail Length

2.0 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

200 ft

About Hoʻopiʻi Falls

Hoʻopiʻi Falls is a series of waterfalls on Kapaʻa Stream near Kapaʻa on the east shore of Kauaʻi, used as a filming location in Jurassic Park (1993) for the fictional Mano de Dios Amber Mine. A trail from the end of Kapahi Road follows the stream through forest and pasture to an upper falls of about 18 feet with a swimming hole, then continues roughly a quarter mile to a lower falls. The state owns most of the land the trail crosses, but the route to the lower falls passes through private land.

The Setting

Hoʻopiʻi Falls sits at 75 feet within State Department of Land State Resource Management Area, in the coastal lowlands of Hawaii.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls (151 ft) lies 4.2 miles to the south.

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

Trail & Hike Details

2.0 mi distance 200 ft climbed

The Approach

The moderate 2.0-mile out-and-back trail gains 200 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

The trail to Hoʻopiʻi Falls is an out-and-back route of approximately 2.0 miles with about 200 feet of elevation gain; the overall difficulty is rated moderate. The path travels through dense tropical forest and is primarily a dirt track that can become muddy and slippery after rain, so good footwear is recommended. This route is on SDOL-managed SRMA land (not a USFS trail), so there is no USFS trail number to reference.

What to Expect

Swimming is permitted. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is not wheelchair accessible. Uneven terrain and elevation changes require steady footing.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hoʻopiʻi Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Hiking guides report leashed dogs are allowed; no official rule for this trail was found.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Hoʻopiʻi Falls?

✅ Swimming is allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

Morning hours are ideal to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures. The falls are typically flowing year-round, but water levels may vary depending on recent rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Heavy rains during wet season (November through March) bring higher flow but can make trails slippery.

Safety Information

The trail can be slippery and muddy, especially after rain. Exercise caution near the waterfalls as rocks can be slippery, and the water current may be strong. Avoid swimming during high water levels or after heavy rainfall.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Left Branch Opaekaa Str, 4.2 miles away, not on Hoʻopiʻi Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

4 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1 1 3 6

Based on 66 years of record

1.04 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year.

About This Gauge

Left Branch Opaekaa Str nr Kapaa, Kauai, HI

USGS 16071500

4.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 1 sq mi

Altitude: 458 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Left Branch Opaekaa Str nr Kapaa, Kauai, HI (7 km away).

High confidence

Barely Flowing right now

4 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

4 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Mon

Low

4 cfs

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

4 cfs

5/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

3 cfs

5/10

Thu

Low

4 cfs

4/10

Fri

Low

4 cfs

4/10

Best window: Tomorrow — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late November to mid January, peaking in December.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Kapaa hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Hoʻopiʻi Falls Frozen?

Updated about 7 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded

Hoʻopiʻi Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 80°F to 72°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 4 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 201 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Elevation at the pin is about 78 feet.

The whole reach is steep: about 162 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 81 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northeast and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Hoʻopiʻi Falls near Kapaa, Hawaii, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Hoʻopiʻi Falls near Kapaa, Hawaii, showing about 201 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing northeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 78 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 201 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Northeast; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

The trail starts near the end of Kapahi Road in the residential Kapahi area above Kapaʻa, and the trailhead has no sign. The state owns most of the land along the trail, but the path to the second (lower) falls crosses private land with fences and no-trespassing signs in places, so stay on the trail and off posted property.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Kapahi Road is a narrow, one-lane, dead-end county road, and residents report hikers' cars blocking driveways, mailboxes and emergency access. A 2026 hiking guide says parking is no longer allowed near the trailhead and directs hikers to the public lot at Kapahi Park, about a 15-minute walk away, though the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau has said that residential park is not meant for falls parking.

Elevation

75 feet above sea level

Coordinates

22.105298° N, -159.339049° W

Land Management

State Department of Land State Resource Management Area SRMA

Managed by SDOL

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early, wear sturdy shoes for mud and roots, and bring insect repellent and water. Keep noise down on Kapahi Road and do not block driveways; residents have petitioned the county over hiker traffic.

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With 2.0 miles and 200 ft of elevation gain, sturdy boots and trekking poles will help on this moderate trail. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.