ALOHA!
So if you’ve started your research for your trip to Maui even a little bit, chances are that you’ve seen the iconic views of the Iao Valley.
Those famous views of the West Maui mountains are from hiking up the relatively short Iao Needle Lookout Trail that is a part of what’s officially called the Iao Valley State Monument.
This is one of the Hawaii state parks on Maui that come with amazing views!
More below with pictures from a short trip to Iao Valley State Park to see the Iao Needle!
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Top Maui tours
Read the reviews at partner website Viator!*
- Turtle town snorkeling tour (with photo and video)
- Lahaina ATV adventure tour
- Horseback riding tour with Hawaiian cowboys
Things you might want to pack for your Maui vacation
Read the reviews on Amazon! I'm an Amazon Associate.*
- For women: Search for a rash guard for swimming and you won't have to worry as much about putting on sunscreen!
- Search for a rash guard for men
- Water shoes for snorkeling if you won't be wearing fins, or just generally for the beach!
- Cheapo waterproof phone case so you can capture pictures of colorful fishies swimming underwater!
- I always have a camera float attached to my phone case that I put around my wrist
- Snorkeling set: mask and fins
- Fins allow you to propel further faster (aka see more in less time and energy!)
- Go cheap if you accept that you need to come up for air frequently: regular swimming googles. They are not as fashionable but if you get swimming goggles, make them the clear kind so you won't be seeing dimmed colors of the colorful fishies!
- If you are able, I recommend trying out the mask at your local lake (in summer) or pool so you will be good to go in Hawaii when there's actually stuff to see!
- Travel-friendly turkish towel for the beach (lightweight compared to regular beach towels)
- For women: Teva walking sandals (one of the best sandal brands for the outdoors, perfect for lots of walking around outside - that's not a lava field!)
- For men: Teva sandals
- For women: Merrell hiking shoes (one of the best outdoor shoe brands, perfect for walking over rugged terrain like lava fields!)
- For men: Merrell hiking shoes
- Moisture-wicking tech t-shirt for women perfect for hiking and hot days when you'll be outside a lot sweating
- tech-t-shirt for men
- For more ideas, do a search for hiking clothes or swimming clothes!
*As a Viator partner and Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission.
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What a trip to Iao Valley State Park can be like!
I went to the Iao Valley State Monument to do the Iao Needle Lookout Trail in January 2020.
So exact policies and procedures have changed since then.
Be sure to check the Hawaii state parks website for current fees so you don’t have any surprises when you get there!
In 2023, there is a $5 per person entry fee to enter the state park if you are an out-of-state visitor.
There is also a $10 parking fee on top of that to park at the Iao Valley State Monument parking lot.
You may be able to find free parking on the road leading up to the state park (Iao Valley Road).
I did when I went!
Parking along Iao Valley Road would mean that it will require a little bit of a walk to get to the state park entrance.
Consider this a part of your “hike” to see the Iao Valley needle!
Side note!
Things to buy on Amazon for your adventures!
I am an Amazon Associate. I may earn a commission.
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Some of the best outdoor travel brands:
- When you fly: If you have an iphone, you can put an airtag tracker in your luggage so you can better keep track of it! Buy just one, or buy a pack of 4. (Read the reviews!) This also makes a good travel gift!
How much time do you need at Iao Valley State Park?
Of course, how much time you need at Iao Valley can depend on exactly what you want to do when you’re there.
You can always walk around or sit around longer to take in the nature and mountains that surround you, as well as take in the sounds of the river flowing.
But if your mission is to mostly just see the Iao Needle, then you can easily make this a simple 30 minute trip to Iao Valley State Park.
If you are really ONLY going so that you can see the Iao Needle, then you can be done in less than 30 minutes since the paved hiking trail to the lookout is not that long.
Although there are stairs.
A half an hour can give you time to do walk the Iao Needle Lookout Trail, walk the loop around the small botanical garden (called the Ethnobotanical Loop), and then then go down to the Iao Stream to watch the water flowing.
Although officially, Hawaii State Parks recommends allowing 30 minutes to walk the Iao Needle Lookout Trail. Going at a slower pace will allow you to take in your natural surroundings a little more!
Botanical gardens loop at Iao Valley State Park
Streams at Iao Valley State Park
Iao Needle Lookout Trail
And that’s a bit about the Iao Needle hike!
Plus, if you are interested in Iao Valley, then you may also be interested in these top activities on Maui:
- Waihee Ridge Trail
- How to spend one day in the West Maui Mountains
- Pipiwai Trail
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Nakalele Blowhole
- Hoapili Trail
- Maui lava fields
- Driving to the Haleakala summit
- Sliding Sands Trail
- Best Maui hikes
HAPPY VISIT TO IAO VALLEY STATE MONUMENT!
