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.
More below with pictures from a short trip to Iao Valley State Park to see the Iao Needle!
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Here are some ideas for your time on Maui!
Among the most popular things to do on Maui are Haleakala National Park, the Road to Hana, and Waianapanapa State Park!
For Haleakala National Park, the most famous spot is the Haleakala summit at high altitude of 10,000+ feet! For an epic hike, you will want to be sure to do the Sliding Sands Trail to hike into a crater with a volcanic desert landscape.
Most people do the Road to Hana as a day trip. There are so many Road to Hana stops that it can turn into a really long day. You can make it into a more relaxing 2-day trip by staying overnight in Hana at the Waianapanapa State Park cabins (bring your own everything) or the Hyatt Hana!
Waianapanapa State Park is home to the best black sand beach on Maui. (Reservations required.) You may also want to hike the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail so you can see lava fields with ocean views!
Some more of the best Maui hikes with views you need to see are the Pipiwai Trail (bamboo forest!), Waihee Ridge Trail, and Kapalua Coastal Trail.
Also head to West Maui to see the famous blowhole of Maui, the Nakalele Blowhole.
Read more for your Hawaii trip prep:
Save the Maui video playlist to watch on youtube later!
IMPORTANT!!! If you wanted to see the famous Iao Valley in the West Maui Mountains, unfortunately it will be closed through April 2023. Check the Hawaii State Parks website to confirm.
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! As of spring 2021, there is a $5 per person entry fee to go enter the state park. 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). 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
- Driving to the Haleakala summit
- Sliding Sands Trail
- Best of Maui hiking
HAPPY VISIT TO IAO VALLEY STATE MONUMENT!
See the list:
- Things to do on Maui (for VIEWS!)
- Things to do in Haleakala National Park
- Road to Hana stops (for views!)
- Things to do on Lanai
- Maui to Lanai ferry
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Top things to pack for your Hawaii vacation!
The ultimate beach towel for travel?!
Turkish towels are considered to be more absorbent and lightweight than your average beach towel. Be sure to check out turkish towels like these!The cheapo way to waterproof your phone
You can take underwater pictures with a simple waterproof phone case like this. Touch screen may not work well underwater - try the volume button to snap the pic instead!Get your suitcase more organized!
Packing cubes can make it so you're spending less time on your vacation looking for things! They are basically a form of drawers in your suitcase. Take a look at these packing cubes.Wear less sunscreen by wearing a UPF swim shirt!
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