Akaka Falls State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 7, 2025
Akaka Falls State Park is a beautiful natural attraction located on the Big Island of Hawaii.
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Summary
The park features a 0.4-mile loop trail that takes visitors through lush rainforest and past two impressive waterfalls. The main attraction is the 442-foot Akaka Falls, which is one of the highest waterfalls in the state of Hawaii.
One of the best reasons to visit Akaka Falls State Park is to experience the stunning natural beauty of Hawaii. The park offers a unique opportunity to explore the island's lush rainforests and see some of the state's most impressive waterfalls up close.
In addition to Akaka Falls, visitors can also see the 100-foot Kahuna Falls, which is located along the same trail. The park also features a visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas, and a small gift shop.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the land was once covered by sugarcane plantations and that the park was established in 1951. The park's name comes from the Hawaiian word "akaka," which means "split" or "crack," a reference to the deep gorge that the waterfall flows into.
The best time of year to visit Akaka Falls State Park is during the dry season, which runs from May to September. This is when the weather is typically sunny and dry, making it easier to navigate the park's trails. However, visitors should be prepared for rain at any time of year, as the area is known for its frequent showers.
Overall, Akaka Falls State Park is a must-visit attraction for anyone traveling to the Big Island of Hawaii. With its stunning waterfalls, lush rainforest, and unique natural beauty, the park offers a one-of-a-kind experience that visitors are sure to remember for years to come.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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