Ho’oip’i Falls Trail on Kauai is a short but action-packed hike taking you to two waterfalls. The first falls are a great spot for cliff jumping or a refreshing dip. The second falls is one you may recognize from the film Jurassic Park. The trail is very muddy at times but leads you through some unbelievable scenes as vines and ferns are strewn throughout huge trees on either side of the Ho’opi’i Falls trail.
I hiked all over Kauai for over a month and documented all of my adventures. In my opinion, these are the 15 best hikes on Kauai.
Ho’opi’i Falls Hike Details
- Hike Distance: The distance of this out-and-back trail is 2.4 miles
- Hike Duration: The suggested duration is 1-2 hours
- Hike Difficulty: Depending on the current condition of the trail it can be slippery, especially after heavy rain but is relatively easy.
- Hike Incline: 75m
Ho’opi’i Falls Trail Directions
To find the Ho’opi’i Falls trail entrance I have included the directions below. There is ample street parking at the trailhead.
Ho’opi’i Falls Trail
The 2-mile out-and-back trail begins on a wide dirt path, which can become quite muddy after a big rain. Branches that look like tree roots that would normally grow underground seem to form tunnels throughout the trail on this early part of the journey to the first falls. After 10 minutes the trail begins to follow the stream, which flows beneath a canopy of trees, with ferns draped throughout the canopy. Ho’opi’i Falls Trail feels like a movie scene and has a great natural feel despite being on the best easy hikes on Kauai.
After about 20 minutes you will reach the first falls. The pool is quite narrow but deep enough to jump into. However, it is only deep enough in certain parts. The water is dark so you must jump with a local who knows where the rocks are hiding beneath the surface or do a thorough check. If you jump in without checking you could land on one of the big builders just feet below the surface. This is one of many epic cliff jump spots on Kauai.
There was also a small pool that water cascades into and then into the main pool. It looks like a natural hot tub, except it wasn’t hot. In fact, the water was freezing compared to the warm Pacific Ocean at the beaches of Hawaii. We stayed at this spot cliff jumping and hanging out for about thirty minutes before we continued on the trail towards the main falls.
The trail became increasingly slippery and there were a few slips on short inclines and declines as the trail became less worn. The last moments before reaching the second falls were my favorite. Huge trees surround you. Their trunks are draped in ferns and sunlight catches the small leaves floating through the air between the thick foliage. It’s an epic scene not to be hurried through.
The trail continues on straight but there is a clear trail heading down the hill to the left. It is well worn and hard to miss. This will lead you to the second falls. It is quite slippery but tree roots and branches will help assist your journey down the hill. At the bottom of the hill is a huge pool, which doesn’t get incredibly deep but definitely deep enough to have a refreshing swim. A rope swing looks fun but beware of the rocks beneath and enjoy that one with care.
The main falls are in a famous location. It is the scene of Amber Mine from Jurassic Park. It doesn’t look quite the same and a lot greener when I visited but nonetheless, you will find yourself standing on a Hollywood set as you watch the water flow down Ho’opi’i Falls.
Allow a couple of hours for this adventure and take shoes you don’t mind getting muddy. A bottle of water and a snack will suffice for this short journey along the Ho’oip’i Falls Trail on Kauai.
MY TOP HOTEL PICKS FOR KAUAI
- Kauai Shores Hotel – Luxury (but value also): A luxury feels with the resort-style property, palm trees, and a beautiful pool area.
- Koloa Landing Resort – Luxury (high-end): LARGEST pool on all of Kauai with beautiful, natural-style landscaping.
- The Grand Hyatt Resort – Best Family Resort: Best kids’ club on the island, a 5-acre pool complex with a lazy river pool, a waterslide, and a saltwater lagoon big enough for kayaking.
- Read my full guide: You can check my favorites in my Kauai: Where to Stay Guide
Leila
Thursday 26th of June 2025
As a lifelong resident of Kapahi, born and raised here for over 20 years on my family’s private estate, I am deeply disturbed by this continued promotion of Ho‘opi‘i Falls — especially without acknowledging the serious legal, cultural, and community concerns surrounding this area.
Let’s be absolutely clear: there is no legal access trailhead to Ho‘opi‘i Falls. The land this trail crosses is privately owned, kuleana land, tied to generational Native Hawaiian families. This means access is not permitted, and any entry without explicit consent constitutes criminal trespassing under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes §708-814.
Your post not only encourages illegal activity, but it contributes directly to the active harm our community is facing every single day:
• Blocked driveways and emergency access routes • Property damage, littering, and trespassing • Desecration of sacred ʻāina, wai (freshwater), and potentially iwi kūpuna (ancestral remains) • Physical danger to visitors you’re misguiding into remote, unregulated, and medically inaccessible areas
For context, this issue has now reached the Kaua‘i County Council, and we are working directly with Councilmember Fern Holland and the Kaua‘i Police Department (KPD) to address this growing crisis. A community-led hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2025, as we work toward long-term protective measures. Signage, barriers, and formal enforcement are already in progress.
It is absolutely irresponsible to describe this as a “trail” or to encourage cliff jumping and swimming — in a location with no official management, no permits, contaminated water, and no emergency response infrastructure. Furthermore, descriptions like “just park on the road” or “locals didn’t say anything” do not absolve liability. Our silence does not equal consent. Many locals here are tired, overwhelmed, and have been ignored for years.
You’re profiting off a narrative that romanticizes a place you do not understand, and it’s hurting real people. This is not a movie set. This is our home.
I urge you, as a content creator with a platform, to do the right thing: → Remove this post or revise it to include a clear legal and cultural disclaimer. → Stop promoting Ho‘opi‘i Falls as a hike or tourist destination. → Direct your audience to legal, state-managed alternatives that are equipped for visitors.
Anything less is a blatant disregard for the people of this land, and for the safety of your readers.
firmly, Leila K. Sivanathan Kapahi Resident | Community Advocate
Laura
Friday 8th of April 2022
This is NOT a tourist attraction ! The author of this story is an idiot !
Eric
Thursday 17th of February 2022
Photos show hikers trespassing. The only legit trails are down the hill to top of falls & then next to the stream. Writer neglected to mention that there ard no camping, restroom or trash removal facilities. This is an extremely dangerous area prone to flash floods & steep,muddy,slippery trails. There a few rescues every month. Parking is at the county park 1/4 mile up the road from trial head, not in residents yards.
Friday 10th of July 2020
Injured hiker rescued from Ho‘opi‘i Falls By The Garden Island | Thursday, July 9, 2020, 12:05 a.m.
Jackson
Friday 10th of July 2020
Hope he is okay and recovers well.
Top 11 Best Kauai Waterfalls you Should Visit | Hawaii Travel with Kids
Thursday 31st of October 2019
[…] the eastern shores of Kauai Island, the Ho’opi’i Falls is certainly a hidden gem that’s hard to […]