Hanakapiai Falls Pool
- Hike
- 8 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
Vehicle entry needs a reservation: Hāʻena day-use entry/parking reservations up to 30 days in advance. Entry fee: Hāʻena State Park entry and/or parking reservation required (fees via gohaena.com). Hanakapiai Falls Pool is a waterfall basin on Hanakāpīʻai Stream in Kauai County, Hawaii.
Closures and warnings
DLNR: trail to Hanakāpīʻai Falls recommended for experienced hikers only. Stream crossings can flash-flood; Hanakāpīʻai Beach ocean swimming is extremely dangerous (rip currents, no lifeguard). Falling rock hazard near waterfalls. As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Water type | Waterfall basin |
|---|---|
| Current | Strong |
Access
| Hike | 8 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Trailhead at Keʻe Beach in Hāʻena State Park; Kalalau Trail then inland valley trail. |
| Parking | Hāʻena State Park parking by advance reservation only (or entry reservation / shuttle); camping permit holders for Nāpali Coast SWP are exempt from day-entry reservation. |
| When it fills | Reservations available up to 30 days ahead at gohaena.com; popular slots sell out. |
| Fee | Hāʻena State Park entry and/or parking reservation required (fees via gohaena.com) |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Hāʻena day-use entry/parking reservations up to 30 days in advance; camping permit required past Hanakāpīʻai Valley. |
| Managed by | Hawaii Division of State Parks (Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park / Hāʻena State Park) |
| Restrooms | No |
|---|---|
| Showers | No |
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | No |
| Note | No facilities on the Kalalau/Hanakāpīʻai Falls route; pack out all trash. |
Rules
| Camping | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Hanakapiai Falls Pool open?
DLNR: trail to Hanakāpīʻai Falls recommended for experienced hikers only. Stream crossings can flash-flood; Hanakāpīʻai Beach ocean swimming is extremely dangerous (rip currents, no lifeguard). Falling rock hazard near waterfalls. As of September 28, 2026.
Can you swim at Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How long is the hike to Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
It's a 8 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Trailhead at Keʻe Beach in Hāʻena State Park; Kalalau Trail then inland valley trail. Parking: Hāʻena State Park parking by advance reservation only (or entry reservation / shuttle); camping permit holders for Nāpali Coast SWP are exempt from day-entry reservation. Reservations available up to 30 days ahead at gohaena.com; popular slots sell out.
Do you need a reservation for Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Hāʻena day-use entry/parking reservations up to 30 days in advance; camping permit required past Hanakāpīʻai Valley.
Is there a fee at Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
The fee is Hāʻena State Park entry and/or parking reservation required (fees via gohaena.com).
What facilities are at Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
No restrooms, showers, drinking water, and picnic sites. No facilities on the Kalalau/Hanakāpīʻai Falls route; pack out all trash.
What are the rules at Hanakapiai Falls Pool?
Camping is not allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Sources
5
- https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/haena-state-park/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.hikeDistanceMi, rules.camping)
- https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/kauai/napali-coast-state-wilderness-park/park-info/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.reservationWindow / parking / fee)
- https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/kauai/kalalau-trail/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote / experienced hikers only)
- https://www.hawaii-guide.com/kauai/beaches/hanakapiai-beach (accessed September 28, 2026; backs amenities)
- https://www.to-hawaii.com/kauai/waterfalls/hanakapiai-falls/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName / swimmerNotes.waterType)
More: Hawaii swimming holes