Sacred Falls
Hawaii • 80 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Sacred Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
Sacred Falls State Park has been closed to all entry since a fatal 1999 rockfall. The gates are locked and DLNR enforcement officers cite trespassers.
Photo Credits (5)
About Sacred Falls
Height: 80 feet
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sacred Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
The park is closed to all visitors, with or without dogs.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Sacred Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Sacred Falls is not open to visitors, so there is no recommended time to visit.
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 area is prone to landslides and flash flooding, making it extremely dangerous. Visitors are strongly advised to respect the closure for their safety and the preservation of the site.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Kaluanui Stream, 0.7 miles away, not on Sacred Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
7 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Higher than usual for this time of year
Based on 59 years of record
4.09 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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Kaluanui Stream nr Punaluu, Oahu, HI (1 km away).
Today
Low
8 cfs
4/10Tomorrow
Low
8 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
8 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
9 cfs
4/10Mon
Low
8 cfs
4/10Tue
Low
6 cfs
4/10Wed
Low
9 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — low flow, scattered rain showers (trip score 4/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early April to mid April, peaking in March.
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 Punaluu hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Sacred Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Sacred Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 77°F to 69°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 6 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.
1-meter lidar shows Sacred Falls dropping about 779 feet in a single sheer step. That is more than the listed 80 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 569 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 673 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 740 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 569 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 779 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
390 feet above sea level
Coordinates
21.577056° N, -157.914348° W
Land Management
Managed by SPR No Public Access
Where to Stay
Amazing Beachfront Condo by Pool
Beachfront Condo with AC
Breezy Beachfront Bali-Style Haven 180 Degree OceanView
Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley, and Laie Point State Wayside.
Wildlife
The area is home to native Hawaiian flora and fauna, but visitors cannot access it due to the closure.
Cities near Sacred Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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