Right now
Right now as of Nov 4, 2026
- Status Closed: DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice said "Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice"; only Waimea Canyon Lookout is open.
Status note (Nov 4, 2026): Closed: DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice said "Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice"; only Waimea Canyon Lookout is open. Its lookout notice adds that "other lookout areas remain CLOSED." The Canyon Trail starts at Puʻu Hinahina Lookout or Halemanu Road, both off the closed road. What the status labels mean
Waipoʻo Falls drops about 800 feet in two falls into Waimea Canyon on west Kauaʻi, per the State of Hawaii Data Book. DLNR's Canyon Trail runs 1.8 miles along the rim and ends at the falls. Per DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice, Kōkeʻe Road is closed until further notice after Hurricane Lowell, and only the Waimea Canyon Lookout is open.
About Waipoʻo Falls
Waipoʻo Falls is closed to visitors for now: the Canyon Trail to it starts off Kōkeʻe Road, which DLNR has closed until further notice.
What is closed and what you can do instead
DLNR's Important Park Notices, with the newest entry dated Nov 2, 2026, say: "Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice. Access ONLY to Waimea Canyon Lookout OPEN." The same notice says all Kauaʻi camping and all other Kauaʻi state parks remain closed.
The Waimea Canyon Lookout reopened on Saturday, October 24, 2026. DLNR called it "a partial opening, other lookout areas remain CLOSED." It is open daily during daylight hours, including holidays, unless there is an emergency park closure.
The Canyon Trail to Waipoʻo starts at Puʻu Hinahina Lookout or Halemanu Road, per DLNR's trail poster. Puʻu Hinahina is one of the other lookout areas, and both trailheads are off the closed Kōkeʻe Road. No DLNR notice names the Canyon Trail itself.
DLNR does not say whether you can see Waipoʻo Falls from the Waimea Canyon Lookout.
For a Kauaʻi waterfall hike, Hanakāpīʻai Falls in Hāʻena State Park reopened for day hiking in October 2026, per its page. DLNR's Nov 2 notice says other Kauaʻi state parks remain closed, so check that page before you go. Our Hawaii waterfalls guide lists other Kauaʻi falls; check each page's status before you go.
Hurricane Lowell closures
DLNR's Sept 19, 2026 release said: "Most DLNR lands remain closed due to widespread, unmitigated damage from Hurricane Lowell." It added that Kōkeʻe Road would stay closed until clearing and utility work is completed.
That release also listed closed Nā Ala Hele trails, including the Waimea Canyon Trail. That is a different trail on the canyon floor, not the Canyon Trail on the rim to Waipoʻo.
On Oct 13, 2026, DLNR said "Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks remain closed until further notice due to extensive damage." DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice lists the Oct 24 lookout reopening and keeps Kōkeʻe Road closed.
About the falls
The State of Hawaii Data Book lists "Waipoo (2 falls)" with an 800-foot cascade over a horizontal distance of 150 feet. It cites USGS records and DLNR Commission on Water Resource Management records. GNIS spells the name Waipoʻo Falls.
Getting there and parking
You can't reach the Canyon Trail now, because Kōkeʻe Road is closed and only the Waimea Canyon Lookout is open.
When the road reopens, the trail starts at Puʻu Hinahina Lookout or Halemanu Road, per DLNR's Kōkeʻe trails poster. DLNR publishes no trailhead coordinates. The map pin marks the falls, from GNIS, not a trailhead.
Fees and parking
Waimea Canyon State Park charges non-residents $5 per person to enter and $10 per vehicle to park. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii driver's license or ID, and children 3 and under, are free.
DLNR says parking tickets are valid in both Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park lots. We found no reservation, timed entry or shuttle.
DLNR lists restrooms, picnic tables, a picnic pavilion, a walking path and a scenic viewpoint at Waimea Canyon State Park. It lists no drinking water, so bring your own.
Map and nearby falls
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Canyon Trail (trailheads closed)
DLNR's Kōkeʻe trails poster lists the Canyon Trail as moderate and 1.8 miles long. It follows the rim of Waimea Canyon, crosses Kōkeʻe Stream and ends at Waipoʻo Falls. DLNR does not say whether 1.8 miles is one way.
Two short trails connect to it. The Black Pipe Trail, easy to moderate and 0.5 mile, links the Canyon Trail and Halemanu Road as an alternate route. The Cliff Trail is a 0.1-mile spur off the Canyon Trail with canyon views.
The trail reaches the top of the falls, not the base. DLNR gives no elevation gain or accessibility details.
DLNR says Kōkeʻe trails can be rocky, slippery and muddy, and it recommends good boots.
When to visit
As of DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice, you can't drive to the Canyon Trail. Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice.
When will the Canyon Trail reopen?
DLNR has not given a date. Its Sept 19, 2026 release tied the road reopening to clearing and utility work. Check DLNR's Important Park Notices before you plan a trip.
Hours and seasons
DLNR lists Waimea Canyon State Park hours as daily during daylight hours. It gives no flow or best-season statement for the falls.
Kōkeʻe camping was closed even before the storm. DLNR said construction for campground improvements would begin in May 2026 and extend through spring 2027.
| Height | 800 ft (cascade)Note: two falls with an 800-ft cascade, per the State of Hawaii Data Book, citing USGS and DLNR water commission records |
|---|---|
| Trail | Canyon Trail: 1.8 mi, moderate, from Puʻu Hinahina Lookout or Halemanu Road (DLNR poster; one way or round trip not stated). It follows the canyon rim, crosses Kōkeʻe Stream and ends at Waipoʻo Falls. Trailheads closed with Kōkeʻe Road |
| Difficulty | Moderate (DLNR); rocky, slippery and muddy, and DLNR recommends good boots |
| Entry fee | Waimea Canyon State Park (DLNR): non-residents $5 per person entry and $10 per vehicle parking. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii driver's license or ID and children 3 and under are free. Parking tickets are valid in Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park lots |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; non-resident entry and parking fees apply |
| Parking | State park lots; trailheads closed |
| Hours / season | Waimea Canyon State Park: daily during daylight hours (DLNR). Kōkeʻe Road is closed until further notice |
| Dogs | No: DLNR lists no animals or pets at Waimea Canyon State Park and on Kōkeʻe trails |
| Swimming | No DLNR swimming rule for the falls. The Canyon Trail ends at the top of the falls, and DLNR lists hazardous cliffs and flash floods among Kōkeʻe hazards |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No accessibility statement for the Canyon Trail |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | DLNR lists restrooms at Waimea Canyon State Park, with no drinking water |
| Best time to visit | No official best month or flow statement |
| Managed by | Hawaii DLNR (Division of State Parks and Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Kōkeʻe trails) |
Safety and swimming
Do not enter closed roads, lookouts or trails. DLNR says Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice and other lookout areas remain closed.
When the trail reopens, follow DLNR's hiking advice for Kōkeʻe. Stay on designated trails and boardwalks, because pig trails and fog can get you lost. The forest gets dark early and quickly. Take plenty of water.
DLNR lists hazardous cliffs, flash floods and submerged objects as hazards in Kōkeʻe State Park. The Canyon Trail ends at the top of the falls, so stay back from the edge.
DLNR's pages give no swimming rule for Waipoʻo. Pets are not allowed: DLNR lists no animals or pets at Waimea Canyon State Park and on Kōkeʻe trails. DLNR also notes pig and seasonal goat hunting nearby.
See our waterfall safety guide for more on cliffs and flash floods near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Waipoʻo Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Waimea.
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Photos
Waipoʻo Falls FAQ
Is Waipoʻo Falls open?
No. DLNR's Nov 2, 2026 notice says Kōkeʻe Road remains closed until further notice, with access only to the Waimea Canyon Lookout. The Canyon Trail starts at Puʻu Hinahina Lookout or Halemanu Road, both off the closed Kōkeʻe Road.
Can you see Waipoʻo Falls from the Waimea Canyon Lookout?
DLNR doesn't say. The lookout reopened on October 24, 2026, but no DLNR source states that the falls are visible from it.
How tall is Waipoʻo Falls?
About 800 feet in two falls. The State of Hawaii Data Book lists an 800-foot cascade, citing USGS and DLNR water commission records.
How long is the hike to Waipoʻo Falls?
DLNR lists the Canyon Trail at 1.8 miles and rates it moderate. It ends at the top of Waipoʻo Falls. DLNR does not say whether that distance is one way.
How much does it cost to visit Waimea Canyon State Park?
Non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, per DLNR. Hawaii residents with ID and children 3 and under are free. The parking ticket also works in Kōkeʻe State Park lots.
Are dogs allowed on the Canyon Trail?
No. DLNR lists no animals or pets at Waimea Canyon State Park and on Kōkeʻe trails.
Can you swim at Waipoʻo Falls?
DLNR gives no swimming rule. The Canyon Trail ends at the top of the falls, and DLNR lists hazardous cliffs and flash floods among the hazards in Kōkeʻe.
Is the Waimea Canyon Trail the same as the Canyon Trail?
No. The Waimea Canyon Trail, listed as closed in DLNR's Sept 19, 2026 release, runs on the canyon floor. The Canyon Trail follows the rim to Waipoʻo Falls.
Nearby waterfalls
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Sources
- Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks: Important Park Notices (newest entry Nov 2, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Hawaii DLNR news release nr26-114 (Sep 19, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Hawaii DLNR news release nr26-123 (Oct 13, 2026; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Hawaii DLNR: Waimea Canyon State Park (fees, hours, rules; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Hawaii DLNR: Kōkeʻe State Park (fees, notices; read Nov 4, 2026)
- Hawaii DLNR: Kōkeʻe Trails poster (Canyon Trail; read Nov 4, 2026)
- State of Hawaii Data Book 2010, Table 5.12: Major named waterfalls, by island (DBEDT; read Nov 4, 2026)
- USGS GNIS: Waipoʻo Falls (coordinates; read Nov 4, 2026)
Last verified Nov 4, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Hawaii DLNR (Division of State Parks and Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Kōkeʻe trails) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.