Iao Valley State Monument
Iao Valley State Monument
4.5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Located in Central Maui, the park is home to a historic battleground and is punctuated by the 1200 feet tall Iao Needle rising from the ground.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Iao Valley State Monument and nearby attractions

See what travelers are saying
  • aehall7
    Columbus, Ohio167 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tranquil and locale for reflection
    We’re so glad the Iao Valley State Monument opened up by the time we visited Maui. It was cloudy the day we were there but tranquil and calming. We also walked along the stream and made our way across the rock footings. Tried to picture times from long ago. Recommend the visit!
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 4, 2023
  • Taylor Morris
    Boise, Idaho81 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fun little hike
    This is a good place to see the needle. It’s not marked too great, we thought it was just a small loop at first, but there is a path to the left that goes along the water. There are pools where you could sit or play in the water. It’s cold water though so we just put our feet in. It was a good little hike to start off our Maui experience, but not a must do which is why I docked 1 star.
    Visited February 2023
    Written June 23, 2023
  • Kelly C
    Carrollton, Texas22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iao State Park and Monument
    Just beautiful! So many excursions are really expensive. At just $5/person plus $10 for parking this is an amazing value. We were able to get a same day reservation. All of the main paths are paved and the trails were well maintained. We spent about 2 hours at the park. The hike to the top was easy and my 75 year old mom did have any issues. We then went down to the river that runs through the park. There are educational signs throughout the park that tells the tale of Maui and the aloha culture.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 24, 2023
  • smhr
    Pickering, Canada277 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place was one of the highlights for our Maui visit
    What an amazing place. This is really beautiful. I will strongly recommend to go up the trail from the parking lot and also go all the way down to the stream. Going down to the stream is way easier. We noticed that there are leaves there which have black seed attached to them. I never even imagined that this is even possible. There is an entrance fee but if you park on the side of the road just before the entrance.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 18, 2023
  • jane2001
    Columbus, Ohio197 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyable Visit
    It's been a few years since we visited Iao Valley State Monument and there have been improvements to the parking area and the trails seem to be better maintained. Some guests park outside the gates and hike in but that actually takes funding away from upkeep. I know it costs a lot ($10/car, $5/person), but the fees really do help maintain the park. The park still has a nice casual feel to the trails and the plant areas with many opportunities to swim and lounge around. We enjoyed the park and hike up the creek. Though the signage could probably use some updating, they do share a good story about the cultural significance of the area. It's a must-do on any visit, but not every time you visit Maui.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written November 27, 2023
  • EliHodges
    Mansfield, Texas7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty; hike involves climbing over rocks/boulders and up trails - fun!
    Wear shoes that can get wet if you plan to go up the trail to the soaking pools. Remember this is literally a major battle site so imagine the warriors fighting hand to hand in this terrain... Be respectful as it is sacred for that reason and others. The clouds never seem to leave this area. One of the wettest places on the planet. Water is cold, but I got in during November for a soak. Bring a sack lunch and go to the restroom before you hike.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written December 10, 2023
  • Christie R
    Bountiful, Utah4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Permit Required
    The needle is cool. We took the nearby trail and hiked along a stream. You do need to get a permit to enter the area. We drove back down the canyon where we had some bars on our phone. We registered and turned around to drive back up the canyon to the iou needle
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 12, 2024
  • Hrothmir
    202 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a stop (but park outside the park and walk in).
    The view of the "needle" in the park is impressive. The walk to it is paved and short. The botanical gardens at the site seemed in a poor state when we were there (Feb.). Going to the needle and seeing the botanical garden took about 30 minutes. One needs a timed ticket to go Iao Valley State Monument now. We purchased a timed ticket for entrance and also for parking. I believe the parking was $10. When we got there, we realized many smart people were parking on the road just outside the park entrance (no charge) and walking in (short distance). I wish we had known to do that.
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written March 13, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,188 reviews
Excellent
1,048
Very good
775
Average
294
Poor
47
Terrible
25

Hrothmir
Smyrna, GA202 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
The view of the "needle" in the park is impressive. The walk to it is paved and short. The botanical gardens at the site seemed in a poor state when we were there (Feb.). Going to the needle and seeing the botanical garden took about 30 minutes.

One needs a timed ticket to go Iao Valley State Monument now. We purchased a timed ticket for entrance and also for parking. I believe the parking was $10. When we got there, we realized many smart people were parking on the road just outside the park entrance (no charge) and walking in (short distance). I wish we had known to do that.
Written March 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wizard
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
Pay to play SCAM recently introduced.
Thing is, the girl at the hut gave me the most disgusting and disrespectful LIE I think I’ve ever heard here.
They did a poor cleanup job and shut down the park for close to a year and upon reopening they started a forced reservation system that costs more than the park is worth.
The LIE, the girl at the scam hut told me they are charging because of the Lahaina fire, and it’s to pay for that.
Absolutely disgusting lie.
Hawaii and DLNR do better, stop scamming and lying
Written March 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christie R
Bountiful, UT4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Friends
The needle is cool. We took the nearby trail and hiked along a stream. You do need to get a permit to enter the area. We drove back down the canyon where we had some bars on our phone. We registered and turned around to drive back up the canyon to the iou needle
Written February 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

rmartinmitch
Boston, MA573 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
We had a chance to visit the Iao Valley State Monument during our recent trip to Maui. It is a very beautiful and tranquil site, with various hiking trails and a covered lookout post.

There are multiple trails available for hiking and ponds for swimming. But take care, the water is very, very cold - hard to understand how that is even possible in Hawaii.

The area is the site of a famous battle among native Hawaiians and is considered a sacred site by locals.

Worth visiting.
Written January 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EliHodges
Mansfield, TX7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
Wear shoes that can get wet if you plan to go up the trail to the soaking pools. Remember this is literally a major battle site so imagine the warriors fighting hand to hand in this terrain... Be respectful as it is sacred for that reason and others. The clouds never seem to leave this area. One of the wettest places on the planet. Water is cold, but I got in during November for a soak. Bring a sack lunch and go to the restroom before you hike.
Written December 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jane2001
Columbus, OH197 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
It's been a few years since we visited Iao Valley State Monument and there have been improvements to the parking area and the trails seem to be better maintained. Some guests park outside the gates and hike in but that actually takes funding away from upkeep. I know it costs a lot ($10/car, $5/person), but the fees really do help maintain the park. The park still has a nice casual feel to the trails and the plant areas with many opportunities to swim and lounge around. We enjoyed the park and hike up the creek. Though the signage could probably use some updating, they do share a good story about the cultural significance of the area. It's a must-do on any visit, but not every time you visit Maui.
Written November 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

smhr
Pickering, Canada277 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
What an amazing place. This is really beautiful. I will strongly recommend to go up the trail from the parking lot and also go all the way down to the stream. Going down to the stream is way easier. We noticed that there are leaves there which have black seed attached to them. I never even imagined that this is even possible.

There is an entrance fee but if you park on the side of the road just before the entrance.

Written November 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

loo
Athens, Greece25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
We climbed the well maintained path and it was well worth it but the best part was when we went off the main path. We went past the swimming holes and found beautiful running water (not really waterfalls but almost) and gorgeous scenery. And it smelled amazing. It does get a little harder to hike the farther you get from the official path but it’s worth it
Written October 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Becky V
Norcross, GA347 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
My husband and I visited the Iao Valley State monument and park. The walking trails are very well maintained and the views are very beautiful.
Written October 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kelly C
Carrollton, TX22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Just beautiful! So many excursions are really expensive. At just $5/person plus $10 for parking this is an amazing value. We were able to get a same day reservation.
All of the main paths are paved and the trails were well maintained. We spent about 2 hours at the park. The hike to the top was easy and my 75 year old mom did have any issues.
We then went down to the river that runs through the park.
There are educational signs throughout the park that tells the tale of Maui and the aloha culture.
Written August 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 2,037
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

IAO VALLEY STATE MONUMENT: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Iao Valley State Monument

According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Iao Valley State Monument: