ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Honomū, HI
A 442-foot waterfall seen from a paved loop of under half a mile through rain forest with bamboo and ginger. Non-residents pay an entry and parking fee; the loop has steps.
ʻAkaka Falls State Park lies on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaiʻi, about 11 miles (18 km) north of Hilo and 3.6 miles (6 km) from Honomū. The main falls plunges 442 ft (135 m) into a gorge. Along the way you also pass Kahūnā Falls, at roughly 300 ft (90 m). In Kolekole Stream above the falls lives the ʻōpaekalaʻole shrimp, and the ʻoʻopu ʻalamoʻo, a goby with a suction disk on its belly, climbs the rocks.
The loop trail is about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) long, runs through tropical vegetation and has steps in places; it is not wheelchair accessible. Allow about 30 minutes. According to the park authority, part of the trail is closed while trees felled by a hurricane are cleared (as of October 2026); check current notices before you go. The access road, Route 220, ends at the park.
- Nearest town
- Honomū, HI
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 19.8538, -155.1524
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Trailer ParkingMotorhome stopover11 mi from ʻAkaka Falls State ParkMotorhomes
- Waiakea Camp SiteCampsite23 mi from ʻAkaka Falls State Park
All campsites in Hawaii · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
ʻAkaka Falls State Park is in Honomū, HI, at GPS 19.8538, -155.1524. It is about 10 mi from Hilo.
Can you camp near ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Trailer Parking, about 11 mi away; within 25 mi there are 2 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
ʻAkaka Falls State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Kohala and the Hāmākua Coast: Kona to Hilo the northern way.
What is there to see near ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Rainbow Falls, Hilo (10 mi), Kīlauea caldera (31 mi), Waipiʻo Valley Lookout (33 mi) and Pololū Valley Lookout (45 mi).
When is the best time to visit ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)