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Wailua River State Park, Wailua, HI

Photo: Joel Bradshaw, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Wailua River State Park

River valley park on Kauai with boat cruises, waterfall views, and ancient heiau sites.

Wailua, HI

About Wailua River State Park

This state park on Kauai's east side follows the Wailua River valley through lush tropical scenery. Visitors can take a riverboat trip to Fern Grotto, a fern-covered cave, and view the Opaeka'a and Wailua Falls. The park also protects the Wailua Complex of Heiau, a National Historic Landmark of temples, places of refuge, and birthstones tied to former chiefly power. Picnic spots sit among riverside coconut trees, and Wailua Marina offers dining and gift shopping.

  • #river
  • #waterfalls
  • #heiau
  • #historic landmark
  • #boat cruise

What's around here?

The closest stops to Wailua River State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums

    Albert Spencer Wilcox Building

    Under $25

    Historic Lihue building that now houses the Kauai Museum, with exhibits on the island's history and culture.

    5.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Moir Gardens

    Check prices

    A historic Kauai garden on the Kiahuna Plantation grounds, known for cactus and succulents suited to Poipu's dry south shore.

    14 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    McBryde Garden

    Check prices

    Self-guided tropical garden on Kauai's south shore, known for its large Hawaiian native plant collection and a breadfruit agroforest.

    14 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    National Tropical Botanical Garden

    Check prices

    Hawaii-based nonprofit running several tropical botanical gardens and preserves focused on plant research, conservation, and education.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Allerton Garden

    Check prices

    Garden on Kauai's south shore shaped by Robert and John Gregg Allerton, reached by guided tour and shuttle.

    15 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing

    Cook Landing Site

    Check prices

    A National Historic Landmark at the mouth of the Waimea River on Kauai, marking where Captain James Cook first came ashore in Hawaii in 1778.

    22 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing