How to get to Iao Valley State Park 🌴 Where is free parking at Iao Valley and Iao Needle Trail? 🌴 Maui Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

 

So you’re headed to the Iao Valley state monument to see the iconic Iao Valley “needle”!

 

 

 

I made a visit to Iao Valley state park in January 2020 and this is based on my experience. Parking situations can change!

 

 

There are basically 2 options for parking:

• Free parking on the side of the road leading up to the state park
• $10 parking fee at the parking lot

 

More below on getting to Iao Valley State Park!

 

 

🌴

 

 

 

So…

Where is the free parking at Iao Valley state park?

 

So once you get close to Iao Valley State Park, you’ll start to see signs for the state park.

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 $10 parking fee, you can keep driving to find a parking spot at the official Iao Valley State Monument 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.

 

 

Cost of Iao Valley State Park entry in 2023

The parking fee is $10 per vehicle.

Aside from the parking fee, there is an entry fee of $5 per person for Iao Valley State Park.

There used to be no entry fee if you arrived on foot, but now there is.

You can check for current entry fees here.

 

 

And that’s a bit about parking at Iao Valley!

 

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 DRIVING IAO VALLEY ROAD TO THE STATE PARK!