Ho'opi'i Falls
A lush jungle hike on Kauai leading to two beautiful waterfalls with swimming holes and a Jurassic Park filming site.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Ho'opi'i Falls
Best Time
Beat the heat and crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A lush jungle hike on Kauai leading to two beautiful waterfalls with swimming holes and a Jurassic Park filming site.
"Beautiful and fun hike with pretty good falls, but parking was tough to find and I left with way too many bug bites."
👟 Wear Grippy Shoes
The trail gets muddy and slippery. Good traction is a must!
🦟 Bring Bug Spray
Mosquitos are prevalent, especially in the lush forest. Don't forget to pack repellent!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Lower Ho'opi'i Falls
First waterfall
A large waterfall with a pool perfect for jumping and swimming. Iconic Jurassic Park backdrop!
Upper Ho'opi'i Falls
Second waterfall
Features a fun rope swing into the waterfall pond for adventurous swimmers.
Jurassic Park Amber Mine
Along the trail
Discover the iconic waterfall backdrop from the opening scene of the 1993 Jurassic Park movie.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Trail Conditions & Footwear
Best Time to Visit & What to Bring
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Grippy Shoes
The trail gets muddy and slippery. Good traction is a must!
🦟 Bring Bug Spray
Mosquitos are prevalent, especially in the lush forest. Don't forget to pack repellent!
🤿 Swimsuit & Towel
You'll want to jump in! The falls have swimming holes and a rope swing.
🚗 Respect Parking
Park in designated areas and be mindful of residents. Locals dislike excessive crowds.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Grippy Shoes
The trail gets muddy and slippery. Good traction is a must!
🦟 Bring Bug Spray
Mosquitos are prevalent, especially in the lush forest. Don't forget to pack repellent!
🤿 Swimsuit & Towel
You'll want to jump in! The falls have swimming holes and a rope swing.
🚗 Respect Parking
Park in designated areas and be mindful of residents. Locals dislike excessive crowds.
🗺️ Follow the Trail Signs
Look for the entrance sign and make the correct turns at forks for the best experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Ho'opi'i Falls is a beautiful and fun hike with rewarding waterfalls, including a Jurassic Park filming location. Visitors enjoy the swimming opportunities and the lush scenery, though some note the trail can be muddy and slippery, and mosquitos are prevalent. Parking can also be a challenge.
"There are two waterfalls along this trail, both worth visiting. The trail itself is beautiful, lush, a bit challenging around the second fall- but worth it. Have shoes with good grip, a towel and wear your swimsuit. The first fall is huge, you can jump into the water and swim. The second fall is smaller, but swimming is also possible after the fall. No restrooms available. To access the trail you would have to walk from the nearby parking lot along the road. No street parking is allowed. The park itself has a bathroom."
Zsuzsanna Sziveri
"This is a nice hike through the forest to two nice waterfalls with a swimming hole at the end. The waterfall was only one cascade flowing as it hadn’t rained loads in a while."
LC 444
"This was a beautiful hike with the fun falls and River. We loved seeing the Jurassic Park Amber mine. So iconic!! Would highly recommend this hike."
Zummy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The trailhead is located in Kapa'a, Kauai. You'll typically park in a residential area and walk a short distance to the trail entrance. Be mindful of parking restrictions and local residents.
Parking is available in the nearby residential area, but it can be challenging to find a spot due to popularity. Locals have expressed frustration with visitor parking, so be respectful.
Public transportation options to the immediate trailhead are limited. It's generally recommended to have a car to reach the Kapa'a area.
While there isn't a formal park map, you can find trail maps and user-generated routes on hiking apps like AllTrails.
Look for a specific sign marking the entrance to the trail. It's often described as being in a residential area.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, tickets are not required for Ho'opi'i Falls. However, there are reports of locals enforcing opening hours, so it's best to visit during daylight.
The trail is generally accessible during daylight hours. Some visitors have reported being told they arrived too early by locals.
There is no official entrance fee for Ho'opi'i Falls. Access is typically free, though parking can be a consideration.
It's advisable to visit during daylight hours. Some visitors have encountered locals who enforce specific times for access.
There are no restrooms directly at the trailhead or along the Ho'opi'i Falls trail itself. You may find facilities at a nearby park.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The Ho'opi'i Falls hike is a beautiful, lush, and relatively short trail, about 1 mile each way. It can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain. +1
The trail is approximately 2 miles roundtrip, with each waterfall accessible within about a mile from the start. 
Yes, you can swim in the pools at both waterfalls. The first fall is larger and great for jumping, while the second has a rope swing.
The hike is generally considered easy to moderate. The first fall is easily accessible, but the second may require a bit more caution.
The Lower Ho'opi'i Falls served as a backdrop in the opening scene of the 1993 movie Jurassic Park, where amber-encased mosquitoes were found.
🎫 🦟 Nature & Wildlife
Yes, mosquitos are frequently reported on the Ho'opi'i Falls trail. It's highly recommended to bring and use insect repellent.
Expect a beautiful, lush jungle environment with dense foliage, vibrant greenery, and the sounds of nature leading to the waterfalls.
While the focus is on the natural beauty, standard precautions for hiking in tropical environments are advised. No specific dangerous wildlife is commonly reported.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1 The Jurassic Park connection offers a unique angle for themed shots. For the best light and fewer crowds, consider visiting in the early morning. 🌿 Nature Lovers
+1 The two distinct waterfalls offer different experiences, from the powerful cascade of the lower falls to the playful rope swing of the upper. It's a perfect spot to connect with the natural beauty of Kauai. +1Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Ho'opi'i Falls Trail
When you reach the first fork in the trail, making a right turn is generally advised to reach the main attractions.
It's important to note that while the trail is beautiful, it's also a breeding ground for mosquitos. Visitors consistently report being bitten, so packing ample bug spray is a non-negotiable tip for a comfortable hike.
The Jurassic Park Connection
It was here that the audience first glimpsed the amber-encased mosquitoes, the very source of the park's resurrected dinosaurs.This cinematic tie-in adds an extra layer of intrigue and nostalgia for visitors. Many travelers seek out this particular waterfall to recreate iconic moments or simply to marvel at the location that brought such a beloved film to life. The lush, tropical setting of Ho'opi'i Falls perfectly complements the prehistoric atmosphere depicted in the movie, making it a truly unique hiking destination.
Safety and Etiquette at Ho'opi'i Falls
Remember that this is a natural environment, and conditions can change rapidly.Respect for the local community is also a significant aspect of visiting Ho'opi'i Falls. Parking is often in a residential area, and visitors are urged to be considerate of residents' needs and privacy.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit