Kalalau Trail status on 20 October 2026
Check the latest DLNR notices on the day you go, because storm closures can change.
Open: the first 2 miles
Hāʻena State Park reopened on 15 October 2026, daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Day hikes to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Valley and to the falls are allowed again.
Closed: beyond the 2-mile point
The coastal trail stays closed past the 2-mile point until further notice. Overnight camping is closed as well. A permit is not an exception to a closure.
Reservation still needed
Visitors from outside Hawaii still need the entry or shuttle reservation for Hāʻena. Details are on the Haena State Park page.
The Kalalau Trail at a glance
The full trail is 22 miles (35.4 km) round trip and is rated difficult. Most day hikers go only as far as Hanakāpīʻai. Beyond Hanakāpīʻai, a camping permit is required by the state even for a day hike, and right now the trail is closed there anyway.
The trail begins a short walk from Kēʻē Beach. From the parking area or the shuttle drop-off it is about 0.33 miles (0.53 km) to the beach and the trailhead.
Kalalau Trail options compared
Times are the operator's estimates and depend on weather and fitness.
| Hike | Distance round trip | Time | Needs | Status, October 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanakāpīʻai Beach | 4 miles (6.4 km) | 3–4 hours | Hāʻena day access | Open |
| Hanakāpīʻai Falls | 8 miles (12.9 km) | 6–8 hours | Hāʻena day access, stream crossings | Open |
| Kalalau Valley, full trail | 22 miles (35.4 km) | – | Camping permit | Closed beyond mile 2 |
Kauai tours and day trips
If the trail is not for you, see the Na Pali Coast from a boat or a helicopter. Live prices and availability.
Hanakāpīʻai Falls
The falls trail leaves the main path at Hanakāpīʻai and leads into Hanakāpīʻai Valley. It is 8 miles (12.9 km) round trip from the park, and it crosses streams. Do not cross a flooded stream. If the water is rising fast or looks muddy, wait until it drops, and turn back if it does not.
Start early. The operator's estimate for the falls is 6 to 8 hours, and that leaves little margin if you start at noon. Tell someone where you are going, because there is no mobile coverage along the Na Pali Coast, according to the state.
Safety on the Kalalau Trail
- The path is narrow and slippery in places, with steep drops. Rockfall is possible below cliffs, waterfalls and in narrow gorges.
- Streams can rise quickly. Never cross a flooded stream, and do not count on a stream you crossed in the morning being passable in the afternoon.
- The sea is dangerous. The state warns of heavy surf and currents, even in summer, and of no lifeguards along the remote coast. The reservation operator advises going into the water only at Kēʻē Beach. Do not plan a swim at Hanakāpīʻai.
- There is no mobile coverage on the Na Pali Coast, according to the state.
Getting in: reservations, parking and the shuttle
Visitors from outside Hawaii need a reservation for Hāʻena. Entry is $5 per person for ages 4 and older, and children up to 3 are free. Reservations open 30 days ahead at midnight Hawaii time. The operator lists the shuttle from Waipā Park and Ride near Hanalei at $45 for ages 16 and older and $25 for ages 4–15, with entry and parking included.
If you drive, the sources differ. The state lists $10 for parking per car. The operator lists $20 per car and time slot, plus $5 entry per person. Check both pages when you book. More details are on the Haena State Park page.
Camping and permits when the trail reopens
Right now there is no camping on the Kalalau Trail, and there is no date for a reopening. For later, the regular rules are these:
- The fee is $35 per person and night for non-residents and $25 for Hawaii residents.
- The maximum stay is 5 nights, and at Hanakoa you cannot stay 2 nights in a row.
- Permits can be booked 90 days ahead. Since 1 February 2026 the state points to Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi for camping bookings.
- A Kalalau camping permit normally replaces the separate Hāʻena entry reservation, but not the parking reservation. For overnight parking, get the permit first and then book the parking.
Commercial boat transfers that drop passengers at Kalalau are illegal. If you want to see the valley's coast from the water, take a Na Pali boat tour or read about the Na Pali Coast.
Not to be confused: the Kalalau Lookout
The Kalalau Valley can also be seen from the Kalalau Lookout in Kōkeʻe State Park, at about 4,000 feet (1,219 m). That is a different place, reached by road, and Kōkeʻe was closed on 19 October 2026. See Waimea Canyon for the current status.
Other islands have their own hiking guides: Haleakala on Maui and Diamond Head on Oahu.
More on the Na Pali side of Kauai
Pages that go with this hike.
Kalalau Trail: frequently asked questions
Is the Kalalau Trail open?
Only the first 2 miles. The trail is closed beyond the 2-mile point and camping is closed, as of 20 October 2026. The day hikes to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Falls are allowed again.
How long is the hike to Hanakapiai Falls?
8 miles (12.9 km) round trip from the park, with stream crossings. The operator estimates 6 to 8 hours. The beach is 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip and takes 3 to 4 hours.
Do I need a permit for a day hike?
Not for Hanakāpīʻai. You need the Hāʻena entry or shuttle reservation if you live outside Hawaii. Beyond Hanakāpīʻai, the state requires a camping permit even for a day hike.
Can I swim at Hanakapiai Beach?
Do not plan on it. The state warns of dangerous surf and currents and no lifeguards along the remote coast, and the reservation operator advises entering the water only at Kēʻē Beach.
How much does camping cost?
Normally $35 per person and night for non-residents and $25 for Hawaii residents, for up to 5 nights. Camping is closed right now.