Kokee State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 7, 2025
Kokee State Park is located on the island of Kauai in Hawaii and offers visitors stunning views of Waimea Canyon, native plants and animals, and numerous hiking trails.
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Summary
The park covers over 4,000 acres and ranges in elevation from 3,200 to 4,200 feet.
Some of the reasons to visit Kokee State Park include the breathtaking scenery, numerous hiking trails, and the opportunity to see rare native plants and animals. Visitors can also camp in the park and enjoy stargazing at night.
Specific points of interest within the park include the Kalalau Lookout, which provides panoramic views of the Na Pali Coast, and the Alakai Swamp Trail, which is a boardwalk trail that takes visitors through a high-elevation bog.
Interesting facts about the park include that it is home to the endangered Kauai Amakihi bird and the native Mokihana tree, which can only be found on Kauai. The park is also adjacent to Waimea Canyon, which is often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
The best time of year to visit Kokee State Park is typically during the summer months when the weather is drier and temperatures are warmer. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and should always check the park's website for any closures or alerts before visiting.
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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.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Wiliwili Camp
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Kaluahaulu
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Hipalau
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Lonomea
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End trail
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Camp Hale Koa
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Ku'ia Natural Area Reserve
Waimea Canyon Park
Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
Ola Rd
Waimea Recreation Pier Park