Are there fees or permits required for Peepee Falls?

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

Is swimming allowed at Peepee Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Peepee Falls.

Nearby gauge (Wailuku River) · 255 ft³/s · Higher than usual

Peepee Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Peepee Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Peepee Falls.

Hawaii

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Photo Credits (5)

kahunapulej CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

justinkellerislame CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

javacrat CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Rob Lee CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

dolanh CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.2 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Peepee Falls

Peepee Falls, located near Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii, is a picturesque waterfall known for its cascading waters and proximity to the popular Boiling Pots area. The falls are part of the Wailuku River State Park and are a popular spot for visitors seeking natural beauty.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Kulaniapia Falls (120 ft) lies 0.6 miles to the north.

Kulaniapia Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The trail to Peepee Falls is a short and easy walk from the parking area. It is well-maintained and suitable for most visitors, including families with children. The trail provides scenic views of the surrounding lush vegetation and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the falls.

What to Expect

Visitors can expect a serene and scenic experience at Peepee Falls. The falls are surrounded by tropical greenery, and the nearby Boiling Pots area adds to the natural beauty of the location. The sound of cascading water creates a peaceful atmosphere.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Peepee Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Peepee Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The falls can be visited year-round, but mornings are typically less crowded. Visiting after rainfall may enhance the flow of the waterfall, but exercise caution as trails may be slippery.

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

Exercise caution near the water as currents can be strong and unpredictable. The rocks around the falls may be slippery, especially after rain. Stay on designated trails and observe all posted safety signs.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 1 hour ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Wailuku River, 1.1 miles away, not on Peepee Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

255 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Higher than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

16 36 236 419

Based on 97 years of record

4.22 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

Wailuku River at Piihonua, HI

USGS 16704000

1.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 220 sq mi

Altitude: 1,090 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Wailuku River at Piihonua, HI (2 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

255 cfs

↓ Falling

Today

Moderate

255 cfs

8/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

248 cfs

5/10

Fri

Moderate

272 cfs

5/10

Sat

Moderate

261 cfs

5/10

Sun

Moderate

282 cfs

5/10

Mon

Moderate

272 cfs

5/10

Tue

Moderate

328 cfs

5/10

Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to mid May, peaking in April.

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 Wainaku hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Peepee Falls Frozen?

Updated about 16 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing

Peepee Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 76°F to 68°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 369 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.

The ground through the falls loses about 108 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 844 feet above sea level.

The ground changes about 46 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 88 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing east, the falls catch soft morning light.

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

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Peepee Falls near Wainaku, Hawaii, showing about 108 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing east

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

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

Ground elevation: 844 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 108 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: East; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

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

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

Location & Access

Getting There

Peepee Falls is located about 1.5 miles from downtown Hilo. Visitors can reach the falls by taking Waianuenue Avenue and following signs to Wailuku River State Park. The falls are accessible via a short walk from the parking area.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a small parking lot available near the falls, but it may fill up during peak times.

Elevation

823 feet above sea level

Coordinates

19.715226° N, -155.134232° W

Visitor Tips & Gear

Arrive early to secure parking, especially during weekends or holidays. Wear sturdy shoes as the trail may be slippery after rain. Bring a camera to capture the stunning views.