Right now
Right now as of Nov 13, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Entry fee: $30 per vehicle, 3 days; cards only (NPS).
Status note (Nov 13, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell (checked Nov 13, 2026). NPS alerts listed no Pīpīwai Trail closure. NPS listed the Kīpahulu campground as closed after road damage; we can't tell whether it has reopened. What the status labels mean
Makahiku Falls is a waterfall that NPS calls "nearly 200 foot (61 m) tall," in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. Its overlook sits about half a mile up the Pīpīwai Trail, a 1-mile round trip. You pay the park entrance fee, $30 per vehicle for 3 days, by card only. As far as we can tell, the trail is open (checked Nov 13, 2026).
About Makahiku Falls
Makahiku Falls is on Maui's east side, in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakalā National Park. The National Park Service (NPS) describes it as "nearly 200 foot (61 m) tall."
That figure comes from an NPS Things To Do page last updated Dec 18, 2020. The page is several years old, but it is the only official height we found.
OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, tags the falls at 55 meters. By our math, that is about 180 feet, a little under the NPS figure.
You see the falls from the Makahiku Overlook on the Pīpīwai Trail. The same trail continues to Waimoku Falls, which the NPS Kīpahulu page calls "400-foot."
Makahiku or Waimoku?
NPS frames Makahiku as a short hike: 1 mile round trip, in about an hour. Going on to Waimoku turns it into a 4-mile round trip, per NPS.
By our math, the short hike covers a quarter of the full out-and-back distance. It suits a tight Road to Hana schedule or a rainy afternoon.
About our map pin
Our pin is the USGS GNIS point for Makahiku Falls (feature ID 1847282), at 20.665557, -156.049905. It marks the falls, not the trailhead or the overlook.
The OpenStreetMap node for the falls sits about 6 meters from the GNIS point, by our math. Navigate to the Kīpahulu District, not to the pin.
Getting there and parking
Makahiku Falls is in the Kīpahulu District, which NPS says you reach by the Hana Highway on Maui's east side. It is far from the Summit District, though one entrance fee covers both.
On the drive, you pass Upper Waikani Falls, a roadside view on the Hāna Highway. Twin Falls near Haiku is another stop on the same route.
Entrance fees
NPS lists the park's rates on its fees page, last updated Dec 18, 2025. A private vehicle pays $30, a motorcycle $25, and a person on foot or bike $15 (ages 16 and up).
Each pass lasts 3 days and covers both the Summit and Kīpahulu districts, per NPS. The Haleakalā annual pass costs $55. NPS says ages "15 and under are free."
Bring a card. NPS says the park takes no cash at entrance stations or at the after-hours self-pay machine.
NPS lists no reservation for Kīpahulu. Its $1 sunrise reservation applies only to the Summit, from 3 to 7 a.m.
Hours and contact
NPS says both districts are "open 24 hours a day" (hours page, last updated May 7, 2026). We found no Kīpahulu Visitor Center hours on the NPS pages we read.
Park phones are down from Oct 21 to Nov 21, 2026, per an NPS alert. Until then, NPS gives the email HALE_INTERPRETATION@NPS.GOV and a temporary cell, 808-490-9870.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
The short hike to the Makahiku Overlook
NPS puts the Makahiku Overlook about 0.5 mile (0.8 km) from the trailhead. That makes a 1-mile (1.6 km) round trip, which NPS says takes about 1 hour.
Don't expect a flat stroll. NPS warns of "a significant amount of elevation gain in a short distance," with stairs along the way.
The NPS hiking page (last updated Nov 15, 2024) describes the trail as unpaved, rocky, rooty and often muddy. Shoes with good grip help on wet days.
Going on to Waimoku Falls
From the overlook, the Pīpīwai Trail continues to Waimoku Falls. NPS says the full out-and-back is 4 miles (6.4 km) and gains 800 feet to the Waimoku viewing area.
Trail rules
NPS says "Off-trail travel is dangerous and illegal." Stay on the marked trail and behind the overlook.
NPS lists no pets for this hike. On the Makahiku hike page, it says "Reservations are not required" and lists the hike as open year round.
When to visit
NPS lists the Makahiku hike as open year round and names no best month. The park itself is open 24 hours a day, per NPS.
Alerts on Nov 13, 2026
The NPS alerts feed we read on Nov 13, 2026 listed no Pīpīwai Trail closure. As far as we can tell, the trail is open.
The same feed said the Kīpahulu District Campground is closed after road damage from heavy rain. It gave the closure as "through at least Monday, November 9."
The alert's end-date field reads Nov 3, so the two dates disagree. We can't tell whether the campground has reopened.
The NPS conditions page (last updated Feb 11, 2026) says the Pools of ʻOheʻo are not accessible for swimming. It says you can view them from the Kūloa Point Trail.
Check the NPS alerts page on the morning you drive.
| Height | about 200 ftNote: NPS says "nearly 200 foot (61 m) tall" on a page last updated Dec 18, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Trail | The Makahiku Overlook is about 0.5 mi (0.8 km) up the Pīpīwai Trail, per NPS. The 1 mi round trip takes about 1 hour, with elevation gain and stairs. |
| Difficulty | No official rating for the short hike. NPS notes "a significant amount of elevation gain in a short distance," plus stairs. |
| Time needed | About 1 hour round trip (NPS) |
| Entry fee | Haleakalā entrance fee, per NPS (fees page last updated Dec 18, 2025): $30 per private vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per person 16 and up. Each lasts 3 days and covers both districts. Annual pass $55. Cards only, no cash. |
| Permit / reservation | No reservation needed for Kīpahulu, per NPS. The park entrance fee applies. |
| Parking | Kīpahulu District (NPS) |
| Hours / season | Open 24 hours a day in both districts (NPS hours page, last updated May 7, 2026). No Kīpahulu Visitor Center hours found. |
| Dogs | No. NPS lists no pets for this hike. |
| Swimming | Not recommended: NPS says entry and wading in the streams is not recommended. The Pools of ʻOheʻo are not accessible for swimming (conditions page, last updated Feb 11, 2026). |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No accessible route listed. NPS calls the trail unpaved, rocky, rooty and often muddy, with stairs. |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Best time to visit | No official best month. NPS lists the hike as open year round. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Haleakalā National Park, Kīpahulu District) |
Safety and swimming
NPS warns: "Flash floods and sudden rock falls can occur at any time!" Its Kīpahulu page (last updated Mar 16, 2023) says entry and wading in the streams is not recommended.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Health warns about leptospirosis, a bacterial disease. Its page (last reviewed May 2023) says: "Do not swim or wade in any freshwater streams or ponds in Hawaii."
Stay on the trail and behind the overlook. NPS says off-trail travel is illegal as well as dangerous.
Carry water and rain gear. Turn back if heavy rain sets in or the stream rises.
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on flash floods and slippery rock.
Conditions change: confirm with NPS before you go.
Where to stay near Makahiku Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Hāna.
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Photos
Makahiku Falls FAQ
How long is the hike to Makahiku Falls?
NPS puts the Makahiku Overlook about 0.5 mile from the trailhead, a 1-mile round trip. It says the hike takes about 1 hour and has a significant amount of elevation gain, plus stairs.
How tall is Makahiku Falls?
NPS says it is nearly 200 feet (61 m) tall. That page was last updated Dec 18, 2020, and it is the only official height we found.
Do you have to pay to see Makahiku Falls?
Yes. You pay the Haleakalā entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle or $15 per person 16 and up, valid 3 days. NPS takes cards only, no cash.
Can you swim at Makahiku Falls?
NPS does not recommend it. NPS says entry and wading in the streams is not recommended. It also warns that flash floods and sudden rock falls can occur at any time. The Hawaiʻi DOH also warns against swimming in freshwater streams.
Is the Pīpīwai Trail open?
As far as we can tell, yes (checked Nov 13, 2026). The NPS alerts feed listed no Pīpīwai closure. The Kīpahulu campground was closed after road damage, with an unclear end date.
Are dogs allowed on the hike to Makahiku Falls?
No. NPS lists no pets for the Makahiku hike.
Nearby waterfalls
Sources
- NPS: Short hike to Makahiku Falls (height, distance, time; last updated Dec 18, 2020; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Hiking (trail surface, off-trail rule; last updated Nov 15, 2024; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Kīpahulu District (flash flood warning, stream advice; last updated Mar 16, 2023; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Fees & Passes (last updated Dec 18, 2025; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Operating Hours & Seasons (last updated May 7, 2026; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Current Conditions (last updated Feb 11, 2026; read Nov 13, 2026)
- NPS Haleakalā: Park alerts feed (campground closure, phone outage; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Hawaiʻi Department of Health: Leptospirosis (last reviewed May 2023; read Nov 13, 2026)
- USGS GNIS: Makahiku Falls, feature ID 1847282 (coordinates)
- OpenStreetMap: Makahiku Falls, node 571151115 (55 m height tag; read Nov 13, 2026)
Last verified Nov 13, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service (Haleakalā National Park, Kīpahulu District) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.