Iao Valley State Monument
Iao Valley State Monument
4.5
07:00 - 19:00
Monday
07:00 - 19:00
Tuesday
07:00 - 19:00
Wednesday
07:00 - 19:00
Thursday
07:00 - 19:00
Friday
07:00 - 19:00
Saturday
07:00 - 19:00
Sunday
07:00 - 19:00
About
Located in Central Maui, the park is home to a historic battleground and is punctuated by the 1200 feet tall Iao Needle rising from the ground.
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4.5
2,169 reviews
Excellent
1,038
Very good
768
Average
293
Poor
47
Terrible
24
Modest Means
Chubbuck, ID31 contributions
Dec 2022
We were a little disappointed with this site. While it is a somewhat unique feature, it certainly was not breathtaking. There are many more interesting and impressive sights on the islands.
Written 9 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA23,438 contributions
May 2022
Iao Valley State Monument is just a short drive from Wailuku, and is this lovely green valley, full of the Islands’ ancient history and traditions. There are lots of sign boards located around to starting point that talk about the Iao valley's history, but it is a very popular stop-off point with tour bus companies.
Be aware that it is a steep climb from the car park, up to a covered wooden deck that gives a great view of the Lush Mountain valley, and it’s 1,200-ft. needle-shaped peak. There are 135 steps to be exact and for the not-so-young, could be a challenge, and is definitely not Pushchair friendly.
But if you are in a group and do not feel like climbing, take the path down to the river on the left of the bridge, where there are places to sit down or just continue to underneath the bridge, it's cooler and less popular, and you can soak your feet in freshwater while waiting for your group to return hot and sweaty.
We would recommend that if you have a choice, you go there as early as you can in the morning to avoid the tour buses, especially if there is a cruise ship in port.
Restrooms here so so, suggest that you wait till you visit the Kepaniwai heritage gardens just down the road on the way home.
TIP: Parking is free on road just outside Iao Valley State Monument, or $ 10 in the Monument car park.
Please would you give a thumbs up below if you found this review informative? Thank you.
Be aware that it is a steep climb from the car park, up to a covered wooden deck that gives a great view of the Lush Mountain valley, and it’s 1,200-ft. needle-shaped peak. There are 135 steps to be exact and for the not-so-young, could be a challenge, and is definitely not Pushchair friendly.
But if you are in a group and do not feel like climbing, take the path down to the river on the left of the bridge, where there are places to sit down or just continue to underneath the bridge, it's cooler and less popular, and you can soak your feet in freshwater while waiting for your group to return hot and sweaty.
We would recommend that if you have a choice, you go there as early as you can in the morning to avoid the tour buses, especially if there is a cruise ship in port.
Restrooms here so so, suggest that you wait till you visit the Kepaniwai heritage gardens just down the road on the way home.
TIP: Parking is free on road just outside Iao Valley State Monument, or $ 10 in the Monument car park.
Please would you give a thumbs up below if you found this review informative? Thank you.
Written 2 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BD Campbell
3 contributions
Aug 2022
This review is being written to update the status of the park. It is currently closed thru the early part of 2023. There is a gate across the road just up from Kepaniwai Park which prevents further vehicle travel. We parked in Kepaniwai Park and walked around the gates and up the hill before encountering employees who said we had to go back since the park was closed. This prevented us from reaching the trails. Even so, the walk from the gate to the parking area was delightful and gives a feel for the valley area. On the way out, we enjoyed the scenery of Kepaniwai Park and a quick swim in the river.
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Wikumj
Bromley, UK202 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Currently closed for maintenance works (as of August 2022) - just wanted to let people know on here. We were told it was planned to reopen from November
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PhotoGirl75
Riverside, IL84 contributions
Jun 2022
We added a visit to this valley on the recommendation of our tour guide on the Road to Hana. We are so glad we visited. It's such a lovely little spot. We went on a Sunday and there were a bunch of people there swimming and picnicking. We hiked a little bit up the river and saw some waterfalls - not sure how far back the trail went.
There is a parking fee and when we went the bathrooms were closed - they had porta-potties to use. We did find some nicer bathrooms down the road at the Botanical Gardens.
There is a parking fee and when we went the bathrooms were closed - they had porta-potties to use. We did find some nicer bathrooms down the road at the Botanical Gardens.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jkzoo
Mansfield, OH896 contributions
Jul 2022
This place is very cool to see but at $10 for parking and $5 each per person it can be quite a hefty fee.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
roderick M
134 contributions
May 2022
The Iao Needle is an iconic formation of harder volcanic rock that remained upright after the surrounding ridges eroded over countless years by water from the clouds. The sharp, volcanic dike formation juts skyward from the lush green rainforest in the Iao Valley. This State Monument consists of a large parking lot with visitor centre, signboards, walking path with 135 steps to a viewpoint of the Iao Needle and great views of the steep-sided, green mountainous, rainforest terrain with fast flowing streams. If you got an hour or so to spare this is a quick and easy place to get to only 3 miles from Kahalui on a nice paved road with not much traffic.
Written 16 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SRosanbalm
Kansas City, MO2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
What a beautiful place !! A very simple hike throughout the park with beautiful scenery everywhere. We saw people swimming in the creek and it looked cool but be careful if you do.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kia O
Rice Lake, WI17 contributions
Jun 2022
This was a great short hike. Parking is very limited so we ended up parking on the road and walked into the parking lot to the park. Many others were parked on the road as well. We spent probably 30 minutes there hiking up the steps and then down closer to the river to explore a bit. It was a nice stop on the way from the airport to our resort.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Katie C
Sebastopol, CA2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
We really enjoyed our short hike there. The views are absolutely stunning! And the stream was a great place to cool off our feet.
Written 7 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Margaret W
Omaha, NE205 contributions
I'm trying to find an email or phone number for this site. I hope to bus from Lahaina to the shopping mall, then get an Uber to the Iao Valley. My question....Is there cell service in Iao Valley to call for a return Uber? Also awhile back I saw a site that offered an on-site tour by park staff. Can no longer find this. Any suggestions. I am heading to Maui in mid-January.
Spensar
Ottawa, Canada79 contributions
Absolutely no need for a tour guide. This is a very small footprint, and best to include with some other activity in the area. You just go past the parking lot and up the stairs, then you can go below to the stream to cool off. The scenery is seen from there and the road in. It is a short stop.
Would a 2 yr old be able to do this hike? Should we take a stroller or not? Thanks!
journey_in_wander
Homestead, FL316 contributions
A two year old could do this with maybe some help towards the end. A stroller would be complicated as there are stairs in a lot of places. Not too many to be excessive, but an inconvenience with a stroller. Hope you enjoy it, it’s a beautiful park!
Is there cell reception at Iao Valley State Park? I want to be sure that I can call a cab or Uber, as we won’t have a car.
buyersrmi
Prescott, AZ481 contributions
I did not use my phone however I did notice Bars as I was taking pictures with the phone. I have Verizon. also there is a gate attendant he could help as well
Shellco
Dallas193 contributions
is there a place for my mom to sit near the parking area while my sister and I hike?
F H
Cornwall, Canada127 contributions
Yes - there was a wall over looking the water that people were sitting on. But before you get there same road there is a park left side as you head up with picnic tables and huts etc. a great spot to enjoy a picnic, it is a tribute to those that immigrated to Hawaii.
wholelottaworld
Tyneside England101 contributions
can you walk there from town bus stop?
LisaMarieScubaDiva
Kailua-Kona, HI138 contributions
Too far and uphill. Take a taxi.
kwokfamily
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Is the park open yet?
jefferyp2017
San Antonio, TX1,981 contributions
I did some googling, and this is the most recent info I could come up with, "The County of Maui’s Kepaniwai Park at ʻĪao reopened on Monday, April 10, 2017, but according to a Parks Department announcement ʻĪao Valley State Monument in the upper section of the valley will remain closed as the State continues conducting damage assessments, clean-up and repairs. State officials have said that the plan to reopen the state facility to modified access sometime this summer. " So to answer your ? Technically, yes & no.
MoCatChaplin_SK
Chaplin, SK9 contributions
Just wondering if the park is open. Looking for a nice hike on Maui.
James R
Klickitat, WA61 contributions
I hear it is still closed from December floods but cannot be definitive on this. Iao Valley did not really have a "real hike" in it as it is more like 0.25 round trip. It has a little vertical but mostly is a beautiful place to stretch your legs.
I would hike either Haleakala area (I believe that Hosmer Grove is still closed as well) but nice further up. Past Hana, about 10-12 miles) is the Waimoku Falls trail - nice easy full featured hike.
The Wildlife Refuge and its boardwalk is a couple mile round trip and often has unique birds and mullet fish to watch.
Also around the west end as you follow Hwy 30 north along West Maui it turns from 4 lanes, down to 2 lanes and at the far north end it turns into "Hwy" 340 which is almost a full 1 lane road. There are some short trails across the rugged shoreline along the end of Hwy 30 and the beginning of 340. However use maximum caution on this misery road, It is extremely dangerous and looks on map to be the short road back to Kahului but is nasty, switchbacks, blind corners, etc. Highly recommend after hiking the NW corner, go back around Hwy 30!! That's all I got. Jim
Is the park open today?
AkamaiNick4SW
Maui123,211 contributions
No, the entire area is still closed. You cannot access any of it.
loveoc714
oc, ca27 contributions
How long should I expect to spend here with 2 toddlers? We go hikes time to time and they are better than their peers.
I plan to be there around 1pm, would it be too hot to hike?
TIA.
christyp260
Las Vegas, Nevada25 contributions
This park is high up from the ocean floor so quite cool and comfortable. The trails are quite easy and safe for kids. A nice thing to do on the way back to the airport after your trip. The airport is just down the hill.
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Iao Valley State Monument | Wailuku | UPDATED January 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Iao Valley State Monument
- Iao Valley State Monument is open:
- Sun - Sat 07:00 - 19:00
- We recommend booking Iao Valley State Monument tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Iao Valley State Monument tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Iao Valley State Monument:
- West Maui Coastline Audio Driving Tour (From €18.49)
- Lahaina and West Maui Mountains - Private Jeep Adventure (From €476.88)
- Maui Adventure Bundle: 6 Epic Audio Driving Tours, Including Road to Hana (From €27.74)
- Maui: Audio Driving Tour (From €13.86)
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour (From €277.46)
- Hotels near Iao Valley State Monument:
- (0.32 km) Howzit Hostels
- (0.46 km) Maui Inn
- (0.41 km) Wailuku Guesthouse
- (0.62 km) Banana Bungalow Maui Hostel
- (0.44 km) Newly Renovated Modern Cottage: Walk into Historic Wailuku Town!
- Restaurants near Iao Valley State Monument:
- (0.11 km) Lorraine's Shave Ice
- (0.16 km) McDonald's
- (0.28 km) 808 on Main
- (0.25 km) Giannotto's Pizzaria
- (0.22 km) Uptown Kitchen & Food Mart
- Attractions near Iao Valley State Monument:
- (0.07 km) Kaahumanu Church
- (0.07 km) Ka'ahumanu Congregational Church
- (0.27 km) Hale Hoʻikeʻike at the Bailey House
- (0.22 km) Chee Kung Tong Society Building
- (0.24 km) Cami Chartrand LMT