Sight guide · Kauaʻi · United States
Visiting Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
At the top of the canyon road, around 1,200 metres up, Kōkeʻe has cool forest trails, a natural history museum and the Kalalau and Puʻu o Kila lookouts, which look straight down into the Kalalau Valley to the ocean.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gh5046 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout is a viewpoint in Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi. Allow 2–3 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Viewpoint
- Area
- Kōkeʻe
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- views, nature, outdoors and active
- Best months
- February and April–May
Plan a trip to Kauaʻi
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About Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
At the top of the canyon road, around 1,200 metres up, Kōkeʻe has cool forest trails, a natural history museum and the Kalalau and Puʻu o Kila lookouts, which look straight down into the Kalalau Valley to the ocean.
Tip: Clouds often roll in by late morning; if the lookout is fogged in, wait 15 minutes, as it can clear quickly.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Kōkeʻe.
Best time to visit Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- February: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- May: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- April: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 14 rainy days, moderate crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-February the sun sets at about 18:35 local time (calculated for Kauaʻi).
When to visit Kauaʻi has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Kauaʻi itinerary visits Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout on day 3, together with Hanalei Valley Lookout and Poʻipū Beach Park.
- No. 5 of the 17 sights in our Kauaʻi things-to-do list.
- Day 3 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Kauaʻi.
If you like Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
- Nā Pali Coast — North and West Shores, Half a day
- Waimea Canyon State Park — Waimea and Hanapēpē, Half a day
- Hāʻena State Park and Kēʻē Beach — Hanalei, Half a day
- Hanalei Valley Lookout — Princeville, 15 minutes
Staying near Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout
Where to stay in Kauaʻi compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout?
Plan 2–3 hours.
+Is Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout?
February and April–May for the most comfortable weather. Clouds often roll in by late morning; if the lookout is fogged in, wait 15 minutes, as it can clear quickly.
+Do I need to book Kōkeʻe State Park and Kalalau Lookout in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.