ALOHA!
Akaka Falls is one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island. These waterfalls are near Hilo.
Below is what you need to know about driving to Akaka Falls State Park!
This is how it was when I went.
Parking situations can change!
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There are basically 2 options for parking:
- Free parking on the side of the road leading up to the state park
- $5 parking fee at the parking lot
Where is the free parking at Akaka Falls?
So once you get close to Akaka Falls, you’ll start to see signs for the waterfalls.
You’ll then basically just drive to the end of the road.
Then if you’re arriving at a time where there are a bunch of people there, then you’ll see cars parked on the side of the road before you even see the entrance to the state park.
And it’s around here that you’ll park to get the free parking!
So you’ll be parking on the shoulder.
Or, if you don’t mind a $5 parking fee, you can keep driving to see if there are parking spots at the official Akaka Falls parking lot.
But just know that the difference between paying for parking and not paying for parking is determined by which side of the yellow gate you park on!
If you go past the yellow gates, you’ll enter the paid parking area.
When I was there, there were no signs indicating the paid parking area and free parking area.
How to pay the parking fee at Akaka Falls
So if a $5 parking fee is no big deal to you, then you can drive all the way into the main state park area to try to find a parking spot.
Although, the parking lot here is small so parking is limited, and you might have to park in the free parking area anyway!
But if you do find a parking spot at the official Akaka Falls State Park parking lot…
Right at the Akaka Falls trail start is an attendant.
This is where you’ll pay the $1 Akaka Falls entry fee per person no matter where you park.
The attendant will ask you where you parked.
If you tell him you parked in the state park parking lot, you’ll be charged the $5 parking fee. (Yes, it’s based on an honor system!)
You can pay by credit card here, even for a $1 entry fee.
More for after you go to Akaka Falls
If you’re interested in Akaka Falls, you may also be interested in these things around the Big Island:
- Rainbow Falls (map)
- Waipio Valley (map)
- Kaumana Caves (map)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (map)
- Punaluu black sand beach (map)
- Pololu Valley (map)
- Wailuku River State Park (map)
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Best state parks on the Big Island
How to enjoy Akaka Falls State Park
You can get a glimpse of the waterfalls from the parking lot without paying anything.
But it’s worth paying the $1 entry fee to get a closer view of it!
Once you’re on the Akaka Falls Trail, there are basically 2 ways you can get to Akaka Falls.
The first way is the direct way.
If you’re short on time and just want to see the waterfalls, then you can go directly for a 5 to 10 minute walk.
But if you have 30 minutes or more to spare, take your time by taking the Akaka Falls trail via the circle route!
This will be a longer nature trail, and you’ll get a more dramatic approach to the waterfalls.
Plus, you can walk through banyan trees by taking the circle route!
See more of the Akaka Falls loop trail.
And more Big Island waterfalls that are easy to visit.
Plus more of the best Hawaii state parks on the Big Island!
HAPPY VISIT TO AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.