How to Visit ʻĪao Valley State Monument (Tips + Visitor Info)

There are plenty of can’t-miss spots on Maui, and one of my favorites is ʻĪao Valley State Monument.

In this guide, I will detail how to visit ʻĪao Valley State Monument, a little bit about its history, and some tips for your trip!

Please note that ʻĪao Valley State Monument does require reservations, and I will take you through the process of how to secure your timeslot below. 

Let me know if you have any questions or comments below. Thanks!

About ʻĪao Valley State Monument

ʻĪao Valley State Monument is located in the center of Maui and spans 4,000 acres.

It is a very important cultural monument for native Hawaiians, and the ʻĪao needle rock (Kūkaʻemoku) has become one of the most iconic sites on Maui! It is 1200 feet high and truly breathtaking!

In 1790, the Battle of Kepaniwai occurred here between the Army of Maui and King Kamehameha I.

This was a piece of history that changed the islands forever, and today, ʻĪao Valley is held sacred by Native Hawaiians as a result. You will be able to learn more in-depth history on your visit there.

How to Get to ʻĪao Valley State Monument

ʻĪao Valley State Monument is situated merely 3 miles away from Wailuku and 5 miles from Kahului. I visited with my rental car, but you can head there by taxi (or bike if you have one).

Taxi prices with Uber and Lyft are as follows:

• Kahului to ʻĪao Valley State Monument: anywhere from $20-30
• Wailuku to ʻĪao Valley State Monument: anywhere from $15-22

Please note that if you’re driving to ʻĪao Valley State Monument, the road can get a bit windy once you get past Wailuku.

Also, be sure to be vigilant of those on bikes that may be making their way there, as you will be sharing the road with them, and there are many blind spots.

Parking at ʻĪao Valley

There are two large parking lots at ʻĪao Valley State Monument. When you arrive, you will see a large one, and if you don’t find parking there, continue driving and turn left, where there is a second one that should have some spaces.

The reservation system that has been put in place at ʻĪao Valley keeps numbers in check better than before, so you should be able to find something.

Parking at ʻĪao Valley is $10 per car, and you will pay when you make your reservation (I discuss more about that below!). Do know that the parking is only per car. So while tickets have a price based on the number of people, you will only pay the $10 once.

Accessibility at ʻĪao Valley

ʻĪao Valley State Monument is wheelchair-friendly in many areas (but not entirely throughout). You will also find an accessible bathroom on-site at the entrance just past the parking lot.

The main path that takes you to see the famous needle at ʻĪao is also wheelchair-friendly. There is a small, renovated hut that will be located at the furthest accessible point in ʻĪao Valley State Monument.

Reservations at ʻĪao Valley State Monument

A few years back, ʻĪao Valley started requiring reservations to visit. If you are a resident of Hawaii, you do not need to pay the parking fee or the ticket fee.

If you are not a resident and are coming by rental car, you will need to pay the $10 fee at the time of securing your reservation.

Ticket prices are $5 per person. This is regardless of whether you’re coming with a car or on foot/bike/taxi. There is also a small order processing fee that must be paid on the website.

I will reiterate that this $5 ticket is excluding the parking payment, which also must be paid at the time of your reservation if you’re driving there.

Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance, and honestly, it is best not to wait because timeslots do sell out, and it can be hard to get in if that happens!

Show up 30 minutes before your reservation on the day of your visit.

ʻĪao Valley Opening Hours

ʻĪao Valley State Monument is open from 7am until 6pm (last entry slot for parking is 4:30pm to 6pm). You must enter the park no later than 5pm.

ʻĪao Valley Highlights

There are a few things to do in ʻĪao Valley State Monument. The most popular thing to do is to see Kūkaʻemoku, the iconic needle rock that juts high into the sky. The covered lava remnant is 1200 feet high and is the most notable feature of the park.

The ʻĪao Stream runs through the park and is a spot you can take a dip in while there. Do check beforehand to ensure it is safe (flash flooding is pretty common in central Maui!). Swimming in the ʻĪao Stream is at your own risk.

There are also botanical gardens throughout, including ones where ‘canoe plants’ live. Canoe plants can be anything from breadfruit (ʻulu) to bamboo to bananas… and more.

These were brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesian explorers to help them create medicine, tools, food, and more.

Hiking at ʻĪao Valley State Monument

Another option for those visiting ʻĪao Valley is to take a little hike within the park. The ʻĪao Needle Lookout Trail and Ethnobotanical Loop is the famous trail that runs throughout the park. It is 0.6 miles long and classified as easy.

The path is paved to the main viewpoint (of the needle), but the pavement stops there and the rest is proper trail. Be sure to check the official webpage for ʻĪao Valley State Monument to get trail updates.

Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens

Upon entering the valley to get to ʻĪao Valley State Monument, you will come across the Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens. This is a small botanical garden, but worth the stop! 

Situated along the Wailuku Stream, the 7.6-acre gardens were built to honor all the cultures and people who have come to Hawaii and shaped the island into what it is today.

You will see everything from Polynesian gardens to Portuguese ones. The Battle of Kepaniwai also took place here in 1790, but today it is one of the most peaceful spots on the island.

Do you have any questions about visiting ʻĪao Valley State Monument? Let me know in the comments… thanks!