Many travelers visit Koke’e State Park as part of a tour of Kauai’s West Side along with other popular attractions such as Waimea Canyon and the villages of Waimea and Hanapepe. Start your visit at the Koke’e Museum where you can learn about the natural and cultural history of the park and pick up maps and information on the hiking trails in the park. Highlights in the park include a hike through the Alakai Swamp, one of the wettest spots on Earth and the views of the Na Pali Coast from the Kalalau Lookout.
Koke’e State Park is located on the western side of Kauai next to Waimea Canyon State Park and just inland from the Na Pali Coast. Koke’e is 41 miles (66 kilometers) from Lihue and accessible via Waimea Canyon Drive. Most visitors arrive by car or on a tour of Kauai’s west side; no public transportation is available in the park.
Koke’e State Park is open year-round and the Koke’e Museum is open daily from 9am to 4pm. Thanks to mild year-round weather, Kauai is a delight to visit in any season. The island’s rainy season runs from December through March, which coincides with the busiest tourist season as travelers look to escape winter temperatures back home. April through early June and September through November tend to see less visitors making it an excellent time to visit.
Near the end of the park road, you’ll find the Kalalau Lookout, the highest point you can reach in Kauai by road. This accessible lookout offers sweeping views into the Kalalau Valley and is one of the best viewpoints in all of Kauai. If you continue down the road to the end of Highway 550, you’ll come across the Pu’u O Kila Lookout where you can hike down to the ridge for better views.
