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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Amazing Maui experiences you need to consider:
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- Majestic Haleakala sunrise tour
- Molokini snorkeling tour on a 3-deck catamaran (from Ma'alaea Harbor)
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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!
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!
