Right now
Right now as of Oct 27, 2026
- Permit No permit needed. Fee: no entry fee listed; paid private lot.
Status note (Oct 27, 2026): Open. DLNR's weekday maintenance closures (March 30 to April 10, 2026) were set to end with regular hours back no later than April 11, 2026. We found no newer DLNR closure notice as of October 27, 2026. DLNR can close the trail at short notice after storms. What the status labels mean
Mānoa Falls is a waterfall about 150 feet tall at the back of Mānoa Valley in Honolulu, on Oahu. The Mānoa Falls Trail is about 1.6 miles round trip and often muddy, and we found no trail fee listed. The trail is open, and we found no newer DLNR closure notice as of October 27, 2026. Trailhead parking is a private paid lot, with free street parking in the neighborhood below.
About Mānoa Falls
Mānoa Falls drops about 150 feet down a rock face at the back of Mānoa Valley, on Oahu, according to Wikipedia. We found no agency figure for its height. There is a pool at the base, but read the safety section before going near it.
The trail is part of the state's Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program, run by DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife. DLNR says the trail reopened in July 2021 with a newly refurbished trail. Lyon Arboretum sits at the base of the trail and holds more than 5,000 plant species, according to Wikipedia.
You may recognize the valley from the screen. Wikipedia lists the trail as a filming location for Jurassic Park, Lost and Hawaii Five-0. DLNR has pointed to heavy use as one cause of the erosion and mud it has had to repair.
Getting there and parking
The Mānoa Falls Trail starts at a private paid lot at the back of Mānoa Valley in Honolulu. We found no fee listed for the trail itself, and there is free street parking in the neighborhood below.
The trailhead lot is privately owned by Paradise Park, not the state. If no attendant is on duty, Honolulu Magazine said in 2016 that you pay at the Rainbow's End Snack Shop next door.
We couldn't confirm the lot's current price from an official source, so check the posted rate when you arrive.
To skip the paid lot, Honolulu Magazine noted free parking in the neighborhood below the trailhead in 2016. Park legally and keep driveways clear.
Wikipedia gives the trail's hours as sunrise to sunset. In its 2026 maintenance notice, DLNR listed open hours of 6am to sunset on days without maintenance. Start early enough to be back before dark.
Getting there from Waikiki
From Waikiki, drive to the back of Mānoa Valley and use the private trailhead lot or the free street parking below it. We couldn't confirm a bus route on an official TheBus page, so check the trip planner on thebus.org for the current route and stop.
Arrive early, since neither parking option is guaranteed on busy days.
Map and nearby falls
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The Mānoa Falls Trail hike
The Mānoa Falls Trail is an out-and-back route of about 0.8 miles each way, or about 1.6 miles round trip. Honolulu Magazine estimated about an hour round trip in 2016. Allow extra time when the path is very muddy.
We rate it moderate because of the footing, not the distance. The path is often muddy and slick, and DLNR has had to repair erosion and storm damage. Wear shoes with good grip and expect them to get dirty.
Sources disagree on the elevation gain, so we don't list one. The trail isn't wheelchair accessible.
You don't need a permit, reservation or guide. We found no trail fee listed, and the trail is open to anyone during its hours.
Nearby trails
The Aihualama Trail (1.3 miles) branches off the route and links to the Honolulu Mauka Trail System. If Mānoa is closed, DLNR suggests the Puu Pia Trail and the Makiki Valley Loop as nearby alternatives.
Other Honolulu-area falls take more planning. Lulumahu Falls and Maunawili Falls are nearby; see their pages for current access rules.
When to visit
The trail is open year-round, but DLNR closes it for repairs from time to time. From March 30 to April 10, 2026, it was closed on weekdays from 6am to 2pm to fix erosion, mud and storm damage. DLNR said regular hours would return no later than April 11, 2026.
Closures can also come with no warning. In May 2025, DLNR closed the trail for a time after a falling tree limb brought down bamboo and caused minor injuries to three people. Check the Na Ala Hele site the morning you go.
Best time and rain
Rain falls in Mānoa Valley year-round, so there's no truly dry season for this trail. Expect mud on most days. Morning starts give you the most daylight to walk slowly on slick ground and finish before sunset.
Watch the forecast for the mountains, not just the coast, because DLNR's safety guidance links stream rises to rain on the ridges. For a paid garden walk to a falls with lifeguards on the same island, see Waimea Falls on the North Shore.
| Height | 150 ftNote: about 150 ft per Wikipedia; no agency figure |
|---|---|
| Trail | About 1.6 mi round trip (0.8 mi each way), often muddy |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time needed | About 1 hour round trip (Honolulu Magazine, 2016) |
| Entry fee | No trail fee listed; the trailhead lot is private and paid |
| Permit / reservation | None needed |
| Parking | Paid private lot at the trailhead; free street parking below |
| Hours / season | Sunrise to sunset (Wikipedia); DLNR's 2026 notice listed open hours of 6am to sunset on days without maintenance |
| Swimming | Not advised; Hawaii DOH warns against freshwater swimming (leptospirosis), and Honolulu Magazine reported a landslide warning sign near the pool in 2016 |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Managed by | Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program |
Safety and swimming
The Hawaii Department of Health says not to swim or wade in any freshwater stream or pond in Hawaii, and that includes the pool here. Leptospirosis bacteria from animal urine can enter through cuts, eyes, nose or mouth.
According to the Department of Health, leptospirosis symptoms usually start 2 days to 4 weeks after exposure. They include fever, chills, muscle aches, headache and red eyes.
Honolulu Magazine reported a landslide warning sign near the pool in 2016. Stay back from the base of the cliff. The May 2025 tree-limb incident is a reminder that falling branches are a risk too, so wait for DLNR to reopen the trail after storms.
DLNR's older Na Ala Hele hiking-safety sheet says rain on the ridges can raise a stream suddenly, even when it looks dry where you are. It advises extreme caution at swollen crossings. Wait for the water to drop or find another route. For general tips, see our waterfall safety guide.
Where to stay near Mānoa Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Honolulu (Mānoa Valley).
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Photos
Mānoa Falls FAQ
How long is the Mānoa Falls hike?
About 1.6 miles round trip (0.8 miles each way). Honolulu Magazine put it at about an hour round trip in 2016. The trail is often muddy and slick, so allow extra time.
How much is parking at Mānoa Falls?
The trailhead lot is privately owned by Paradise Park and charges a fee. We couldn't verify the current rate, so check the posted price when you arrive. You can park free in the neighborhood below, and we found no fee listed for the trail itself.
Can you swim at Mānoa Falls?
No, it's not advised. The Hawaii Department of Health advises against swimming or wading in freshwater pools like this one because of leptospirosis. Honolulu Magazine also reported a landslide warning sign near the pool in 2016.
Is Mānoa Falls Trail open?
Yes, as far as we could find on October 27, 2026. DLNR said its spring 2026 weekday maintenance closures would end by April 11, 2026, and we found no newer closure notice. DLNR can close the trail at short notice after storms, so check the Na Ala Hele site before you go.
What is the best time to hike Mānoa Falls?
Any time of year, since rain falls in Mānoa Valley year-round and the trail is often muddy. Start in the morning so you have daylight to spare. DLNR's 2026 notice listed open hours of 6am to sunset on days without maintenance.
Do you need a reservation or guide for Mānoa Falls?
No. The trail needs no permit, reservation or guide, and we found no trail fee listed. The only cost is the private trailhead lot, and free street parking is available in the neighborhood below.
How does Mānoa Falls compare with Waimea Falls?
Mānoa is a muddy 1.6-mile round-trip trail in Honolulu with no fee listed, and swimming is not advised. Waimea Falls is on the North Shore inside Waimea Valley. Adult general admission is $26 (2026; Hawaii residents pay less), the path is paved, and swimming is allowed only when lifeguards approve.
Nearby waterfalls
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Sources
- DLNR: Trail maintenance brings modified hours to Mānoa Falls (3/23/26)
- DLNR: Mānoa Falls Trail temporarily closed (5/15/25)
- Na Ala Hele Trail and Access
- Honolulu Magazine: Mānoa Falls Trail (2016)
- Hawaii DOH: Leptospirosis
- DLNR Na Ala Hele: Hiking safety
- DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife: Oahu FAQ
- Waimea Valley: Admission & hours
- Waimea Valley: Waimea Falls (swimming rules)
- Wikipedia: Mānoa Falls Trail
Last verified Oct 27, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Hawaii DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Na Ala Hele Trail and Access Program before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.