Are there fees or permits required for ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls.

Live Conditions · 78 ft³/s · About average

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls.

Hawaii • 151 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified May 2026

Wailua River State Park SP · SPR

Photo Credits (5)

Michelle Maria CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

sarowen CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Joel Abroad CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Drive Up

Trail Length

0.1 miles

Elevation Gain

50 ft

About ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls is a striking 151-foot (46 m) cascade on the ʻŌpaekaʻa Stream, set in the lush gorge of Wailua River State Park on the eastern shore of Kauai. Nestled within this state park and managed by SPR, the falls are an easy, photogenic stop for visitors driving the island’s scenic roads. The overlook along Kuamoʻo Road offers sweeping views down into the ravine where the water plunges over an ancient volcanic cliff. Beyond the scenic view, the site reveals fascinating geology: the waterfall spills over basalt deposited by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, and from the ridge you can make out the vertical basalt dikes that cut through the horizontal Koloa lava flows. That dramatic contrast of rock and rainforest makes ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls a memorable and accessible introduction to Kauai’s volcanic landscape.

The Setting

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls sits at 95 feet within Wailua River State Park, fed by the Sf Wailua River, in the coastal lowlands of Hawaii. At 151 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Hawaii.

Height: 151 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Wailua Falls (80 ft) lies 1.4 miles to the southwest.

Wailua Falls

Trail & Hike Details

The Approach

No hiking required. ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls is accessible by vehicle with a roadside viewing area.

Trail Description

Viewing access: designated lookout point along Kuamoʻo Road; there is no developed trail to the base of the falls. Trail data: length ~0.1 miles, elevation gain ~50 feet, reported difficulty: drive_up. Trail type: unknown. Height of falls: 151 feet. Surface/grade/class: not specified in provided data. The short approach is primarily a roadside overlook rather than a through-hike—plan to park at the turnout and use the marked viewpoint for the best views.

What to Expect

The falls plunge 151 feet.

Accessibility

This waterfall is viewable from a vehicle-accessible area. No hiking is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The falls flow year-round, but they are most impressive after heavy rainfall. Morning visits often provide the best lighting for photography.

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

Stay within designated areas at the lookout to avoid accidents. The area can become slippery during rain, so exercise caution. Do not attempt to hike to the base of the falls, as it is unsafe and not permitted.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Moderate

78 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

4 7 83 150

Based on 109 years of record

2.84 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

SF Wailua River nr Lihue, Kauai, HI

USGS 16060000

1.4 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 24 sq mi

Altitude: 240 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge SF Wailua River nr Lihue, Kauai, HI (2 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

78 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

78 cfs

9/10

Tomorrow

Strong

47 cfs

8/10

Tue

Strong

63 cfs

8/10

Wed

Strong

46 cfs

8/10

Thu

Strong

65 cfs

8/10

Fri

Strong

65 cfs

8/10

Sat

Strong

52 cfs

8/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, sunny (trip score 9/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early November to early December, 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 Wailua hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls is easily accessible via Kuamoʻo Road (Highway 580) on the east side of Kauai. The falls are located near Wailua and are visible from a designated lookout point along the road.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking lot available at the ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls lookout, which is free of charge. Parking may be limited during peak times.

Elevation

95 feet above sea level

Coordinates

22.048214° N, -159.362012° W

Land Management

Wailua River State Park SP

Managed by SPR

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early in the day to avoid crowds and secure parking. Bring a camera or binoculars for a closer view of the falls. Be cautious near the lookout area, especially during wet weather, as surfaces may be slippery.

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For this easy 0.1 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Icy conditions are common in winter — traction cleats are a smart addition.