Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park Photo: brewbooks from near Seattle, USA / CC BY-SA 2.0
United States › Hawaii

Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 6,175 acres (25 km²)
  • Signature route: the Kalalau Trail, 11 miles (18 km) from Keʻe Beach to Kalalau Beach
  • Gateway: Hāʻena and Hanalei, on Kauaʻi’s north shore
  • Managed by: Hawaiʻi Division of State Parks

The landscape

The Nā Pali Coast is a wall of fluted green cliffs rising up to 4,000 feet (1,220 m) from the Pacific, cut by deep valleys, waterfalls and sea caves. The Kalalau Trail traces the only land route along it, crossing five major valleys to Kalalau, once home to a thriving Hawaiian community. Seabirds nest on the cliffs, and spinner dolphins and humpback whales pass offshore.

Best time to go

Summer brings calmer seas and a drier trail. Winter brings big surf, frequent rain and more flash floods, and the trail is closed often in stormy weather.

Kalalau BeachPhoto: sergejf · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Kalalau TrailPhoto: Matt Wright · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Hanakapiʻai BeachPhoto: Jeff Kubina · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Hanakapi'ai FallsPhoto: Bryce Edwards from San Jose, CA, USA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
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Getting there and around

The trail begins at Keʻe Beach at the end of the road in Hāʻena State Park. Entry and parking there are by reservation. The first 2 miles (3.2 km) to Hanakāpīʻai Beach are open to day hikers with a Hāʻena reservation; beyond that, a Nā Pali Coast camping permit is required.

Things to do

Day hikers walk to Hanakāpīʻai Beach, and some continue up the valley to Hanakāpīʻai Falls. Permit holders backpack the full trail to Kalalau Beach and camp. In summer, guided sea kayak trips run along the coast.

Staying safe

Stream crossings are the biggest danger: flash floods have killed hikers, and streams can rise in minutes after rain upstream. Never cross if the water is brown, fast or above your knees; wait it out. The surf at Hanakāpīʻai and Kalalau is deadly, with strong rip currents; do not swim. Parts of the trail, such as Crawler’s Ledge, are narrow and exposed. Carry plenty of water, a satellite messenger and a first aid kit.

Know before you go

A Nā Pali Coast camping permit is required to go past Hanakāpīʻai, even for day hikes, and entry and parking at Hāʻena State Park must be reserved. The trail closes often in bad weather. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so check Hawaiʻi State Parks for current status and permit rules before you plan a trip.

Navigation
Coordinates
22.1752, -159.6576
Magnetic declination
9.2° E (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

27 places in Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

On the trail 6

Trailheads

Route

Campgrounds

Sights 21

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Beaches

Peaks 10

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeWeekend backpackingBackcountrySea kayaking

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
CoastCliffsBeachesForest
Key hazards
Flash floods at stream crossingsDeadly surf and rip currentsExposed cliffside trailSlippery mud and rockfallHeat and dehydration
Best seasons
Summer (calmer seas and drier trail)
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
The Kalalau Trail starts at Keʻe Beach in Hāʻena State Park, at the end of Highway 560 on Kauaʻi's north shore. Entry and parking at Hāʻena are by reservation, with a shuttle option.
Water
Streams only; treat all water. Leptospirosis is present in fresh water.
Cell / satellite coverage
None beyond the first mile. Carry a satellite messenger.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911 (Kauaʻi Fire Department runs rescues).
Permits & regulations
A Nā Pali Coast camping permit is required to go past Hanakāpīʻai (mile 2), even for day hikes, and parking or entry at Hāʻena State Park must be reserved.
Leave No Trace
Camp only in permitted areas, pack out all waste, stay on the trail, and respect cultural sites.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high71°F(22°C)22°C(71°F)
Average low55°F(13°C)13°C(55°F)
Rainfall4.6 in(118 mm)118 mm(4.6 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 41 minSunrise 6:33 a.m., sunset 6:14 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Kanalohuluhulu station, 3 miles (5 km)5 km (3 miles) away at 3,600 feet (1,097 m)1,097 m (3,600 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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