Height is the headline. At 442 ft, Akaka Falls ranks #4 of the 30 falls whose height has passed our source check, and you feel that scale long before you see the whole drop.
Akaka Falls sits inside Akaka Falls State Park, so the walk in comes with the park around it: marked trails, signed junctions and, usually, other things worth a stop on the same day.
It is also one of the few falls we can link to a live USGS stream gauge, so you can check how much water is coming down before you leave home.
What brings people back to Akaka Falls is how different it looks from one visit to the next. A wet spring week and a dry August afternoon can feel like two different places.
Geology and background
A 442-foot waterfall in Akaka Falls State Park, about 11 miles north of Hilo. A loop trail through the park also passes Kahuna Falls.
What makes it special
A 442-foot fall dropping into a lush gorge, with Kahuna Falls visible from the same short loop trail. The paved loop winds through rainforest just off the parking lot.
Plan your visit
Getting there and parking
Location: End of Akaka Falls Road (Highway 220), 3.6 miles southwest of Honomu; trailhead just off the parking lot; pay before arrival (limited cell reception).
Prices and passes
Fee (credit card only): Non-residents $5 per person (children 3 and under free), residents free with ID; parking non-residents $10, residents free.
Facilities
Accessibility: NOT wheelchair accessible (multiple steps).
Best time and crowds
Hours: 8:30am-5pm daily.
Closure: Partial trail closure for fallen trees was in DLNR notices in October 2026.
How long to spend
Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the 0.4-mile loop.
Trail: Loop trail: 0.4 miles, paved with multiple steps, requires some physical exertion; viewpoints of Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls.
Where to stay nearby
Stay in Honomu, 3.6 miles away, or in the Hilo area for a wider choice of places.
Safety
Safety: Stay on the trail, no mountain biking, no open fires.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Pay before you arrive — cell reception at the park is limited, and payment is by card only.
Waterfalls mark a change in the ground beneath a stream: a fault, a glacier-cut valley wall, or a band of hard rock the water cannot wear down as quickly as what lies below it.
Water flow and seasons
The stream that feeds Akaka Falls is tracked by USGS gauge 16717700. A reading well above the seasonal median means a fuller fall, and usually a wetter, muddier trail.
Flow tends to peak in spring with snowmelt and seasonal rain, and again for a day or two after a big storm. By late summer smaller falls can drop to a thin ribbon.
The listed hike to Akaka Falls is about 0.4 miles. Trail lengths in our data can mean one way or round trip depending on the source, so confirm on the trailhead sign.
Swimming is not listed. Treat the plunge pool as off-limits unless signs say otherwise: the water at the base is colder and stronger than it looks.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities depend on Akaka Falls State Park: larger parks usually have a signed trailhead, restrooms and a parking area, while smaller reserves may have none of these.
Plan as if there is no drinking water and no phone signal at the falls themselves. Use the restroom and fill your bottles before you start walking.
Fees, permits, and opening hours
No entry fee is listed. Parks may still charge for parking or day use, and federal lands often accept an annual pass instead.
Most falls are reachable from dawn to dusk. Gates, seasonal road closures and timed-entry permits are the usual surprises, so check the managing agency on the day.
How to get to Akaka Falls
Akaka Falls is in Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii. For the last stretch, navigate by coordinates (19.85389, -155.15444) rather than by name. Map apps often send waterfall searches to the wrong parking lot or the far side of the stream.
The final approach is usually the hardest part: narrow roads, small trailhead lots that fill early, and a walk that can be ten minutes or several hours. Download an offline map before you lose signal.
Our Hawaii waterfalls page maps every fall in the state, which helps when you are planning a route.
For the fullest flow, visit Akaka Falls in spring or within a couple of days of heavy rain. For easier footing and warmer air, early summer is the compromise.
Light matters for photos: the base of a fall is often in shade by midday, and an overcast day evens out the bright water against dark rock.
Crowds and timing
Weekday mornings are the quietest. On summer weekends, popular falls can fill their parking by mid-morning, and the viewpoint becomes a queue.
Holiday weekends and the first warm days of spring are the busiest of all. If the lot is full, do not park on the road shoulder: it is the most common reason for tickets and towing at trailheads.
How long to spend there
For a 0.4 mile hike, allow roughly 1.0 to 1.5 hours, including time at the falls. Add more if the trail is steep, muddy or busy.
If there are other falls nearby, they are often on the same road or trail system. Two or three in a day is very doable.
Where to stay near Akaka Falls
We do not recommend specific places to stay. The links below search for hotels and campgrounds around Akaka Falls on Google Maps, so you can compare drive times from the trailhead.
Stay on marked trails and behind railings. Wet, mossy rock near the brink is the most common cause of serious injury.
Never climb the cascade or stand at the top edge, even when the flow looks gentle.
Plunge pools hide cold water, strong currents and submerged logs. Only swim where it is allowed.
In canyons, rain upstream can raise the water in minutes. Leave if the water turns muddy or starts to rise.
Leave no trace: pack out trash, stay off fragile moss and plants, and keep drones grounded where they are banned.
What to bring
Shoes with real grip
A rain shell for the spray
Water and a snack
An offline map or screenshot
A dry bag for your phone
Cash for parking
A bag to pack out trash
Practical visitor tips
Screenshot the directions and these coordinates before you leave town.
Wear shoes you do not mind getting wet: spray reaches further than you expect.
Keep your phone in a zip bag near the base.
Pack out everything, including food scraps.
Tell someone where you are going if the trail is long or remote.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Akaka Falls, Hawaii located?
Akaka Falls is in Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii. Its GPS coordinates are 19.85389, -155.15444.
What kind of waterfall is Akaka Falls, Hawaii?
Its form (plunge, cascade, horsetail and so on) is not listed yet.
How tall is Akaka Falls?
It is 442 ft tall, a height that passed our source check.
How much does it cost, and when is it open?
No fee is listed, though parking or day-use fees may apply. Most falls are open dawn to dusk; check the managing agency for seasonal closures.
Is Akaka Falls good for families?
With a listed hike of about 0.4 miles, it can suit families. Keep children well back from wet rock and the edge.
How do I know if it is flowing?
Check USGS gauge 16717700 for today’s streamflow, and the last three days of rain in the weather panel.
The bottom line
Akaka Falls is a 442 ft waterfall worth building a day around. Go early, check recent rain, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to sit and listen once you get there.
Waterfalls nearby
One fall rarely fills a day. These are within about 40 miles.
Leave a waterfall report