A woman standing by a waterfall in a lush green environment

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Wailua Falls Lookout

View the 80-foot double-tiered falls directly from the paved roadside parking lot.

Photo: tour listing on Viator

The official viewing area sits at the end of Ma'alo Road (Hwy 583), roughly 5 miles from Lihue Airport. You do not need to hike to see the cascade. The paved space offers direct sightlines into the river gorge.

Parking is strictly limited to designated stalls. Non-residents pay $5 per person for entry and $10 per vehicle for parking using a credit card at the automated kiosk.

A woman sitting on a rock in a pool at the base of a waterfall

Upper Viewing Deck

10-15 minutes

This paved area sits right next to the small parking lot. It provides the most direct sightlines down to the 80-foot falls. Arrive early in the morning. The sun angle often creates rainbows in the mist.

Fresh fruit and flowers in the foreground with a waterfall in the background

Roadside Wall

5-10 minutesSecure loose items

A stone retaining wall curves along the edge of the road. It offers slightly different vantage points into the river gorge. Keep a firm grip on your phone or camera when leaning over the barrier.

Group of people kayaking on a river surrounded by lush green mountains

Trailhead (Closed)

0 minutesStrictly prohibited

You will see the start of a steep, heavily eroded dirt path leading down the cliffside. The state has fenced this off. Do not bypass the warning signs. The trail is illegal and highly dangerous due to mud and rockfalls.