Hāʻena State Park in short
The park sits where the road ends on Kauai's north shore. It has Kēʻē Beach, views of the first Na Pali cliffs and the trailhead of the Kalalau Trail. Visitors who are not Hawaii residents must reserve in advance. The state manages the park, and a private operator, Go Hāʻena, runs the booking system and the shuttle.
Current status (20 October 2026): The park reopened on 15 October after Hurricane Lowell and is open daily, holidays included, from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Day hikes to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and the falls are allowed again. The Kalalau Trail beyond the 2-mile point and overnight camping stay closed. Check the current DLNR notices before you go.
Ways to get in and what they cost
2026 prices for non-residents. Hawaii residents with a Hawaii ID enter free.
| Way | Price | Includes | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuttle | $45 ages 16+, $25 ages 4 to 15, free ages 0 to 3 on a lap | Round trip and park entry | Ticket valid only if you arrive by shuttle |
| Drive and park | Parking $10 per car (DLNR) or $20 per car and time slot (Go Hāʻena), plus $5 entry per person | One parking slot | The two sources differ, so check the total at checkout |
| Entry only | $5 per person | Park entry | No discount categories or national park passes |
The state page and the operator page list different parking prices, and the higher rate has no start date on either page. Do not budget from only one of them. The shuttle adult price rose to $45 from 15 June, according to the operator, without a year in its price note.
Tours near Hāʻena and the North Shore
Na Pali boat trips, helicopter flights and North Shore activities, with live prices and availability.
Booking and parking time slots
The system works with fixed windows, not with the park's opening hours.
When to book
Reservations open 30 days ahead at 00:00 Hawaii Standard Time (UTC−10, no daylight saving time). Plan the release against that clock, not your home time.
Parking slots
Morning is 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., afternoon 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., and evening 4:30 p.m. to sunset. The slot start is not the park opening time, which is 7 a.m. For a longer stay, buy more than one slot.
Changes and refunds
Cancel at least 48 hours ahead for a refund minus 10 percent. After that there is no refund. If the shuttle is suspended, the shuttle price is refunded in full.
Camping permit holders
A Kalalau camping permit normally replaces the separate entry reservation, but not the parking booking. Camping is closed at present.
Riding the shuttle
The shuttle leaves from the Waipā Park and Ride near Hanalei, where all-day parking is free until dusk. A second departure point is the Makai Golf Club in Princeville, which has no parking provided. The ride takes about 30 minutes each way. Stops include Hāʻena Beach Park, Limahuli Garden and the State Park.
From Princeville, departures are at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and the last pickup at the State Park is at 5:40 p.m. The operator's own pages disagree on the first and last runs, so treat these times as a guide and confirm them when you book.
Kēʻē Beach
The beach and trailhead are a short walk from the parking area or shuttle stop.
Plan on about 0.33 miles (0.53 km) on foot from the lot or shuttle drop-off to the beach and trailhead. The operator advises going into the water only at Kēʻē, and swimming or snorkeling can be prohibited when conditions are dangerous. It expects rougher water and more rain from October to April. Look at posted signs before you go in.
From here the Kalalau Trail starts. The walk to Hanakāpīʻai Beach is 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip, and the falls are 8 miles (12.9 km). You can also see the whole coast on the Na Pali Coast page.
Tunnels Beach and the Mākua stop
A separate stop, not the same beach as Kēʻē.
Tunnels Beach (Mākua) is reached from the Hāʻena Beach Park stop, which the operator lists apart from Hāʻena State Park and Kēʻē. A local description says there are no lifeguards at the beach, parking at Hāʻena Beach Park is limited and the sea is stronger in winter. That is not a clearance to swim. Judge the water on the day and stay out if you are unsure.
Other islands have their own north shores. See Oahu's North Shore and beaches on Maui if you travel on.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where to go from here.
Hāʻena State Park: frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Hāʻena State Park?
Yes, if you are not a Hawaii resident. Residents with a Hawaii ID enter free. Reservations open 30 days ahead at midnight Hawaii time.
How much does parking cost?
The state lists $10 per car, and the operator lists $20 per car and time slot plus $5 entry per person. Both amounts are currently online, so confirm the total when you book.
Is the park open now?
Yes. It reopened on 15 October 2026 and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. The Kalalau Trail beyond the 2-mile point is closed.
Can I swim at Kēʻē Beach?
Sometimes. Swimming can be prohibited when conditions are dangerous, and the sea is rougher from October to April. Check the posted signs and the day's conditions.
Where is Tunnels Beach?
It is a separate stop at Hāʻena Beach Park (Mākua), not at the State Park. Parking there is limited, and one local description notes there are no lifeguards.