Hoopii Falls Trail in Kauai: A Hike for the Whole Family

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Two waterfalls, cliffs to jump from, a rope swing… what more could you ask for? Oh, how about also being a location from a famous scene in Jurassic Park? It’s no wonder the Hoopii Falls trail in Kauai was one of my family’s favorite things we did on our family vacation in Kauai. And it definitely makes my list of the 6 most kid-friendly hikes in Kauai.

The Hoopii Falls trail in Kauai is a pretty flat 1.8-mile out-and-back hike that takes you to two different waterfalls. Knowing this would be a pretty short hike, we set out to do it between breakfast and lunch, only bringing some snacks. But if/when we do it again, we will definitely pack a lunch and stay at the falls longer. The kids could have stayed all day, and they asked every day if we could go back.

Getting To the Ho’opi’i Falls Trailhead

The Hoopii Falls trailhead is right in the middle of a neighborhood in Kapa’a. When visiting the Ho’opi’i Falls in Kauai, be courteous of the neighbors who live there. Obey the speed limit and limit the noise.

As always, pack it in and pack it out. There are many signs around the neighborhood reminding people to be courteous and to drive slow. Also, be mindful where you park. Do not park on the residential side of the street, and don’t block any of the resident’s houses or driveways.

Edited to note: We just went back and completed this hike again in November 2025, and most of the street is now labeled as no parking. Instead, you can park at the park nearby and then make the easy .4-mile walk to the trailhead.

The trailhead is located on Kapahi Road in Kapa’a. Parking is about halfway down Kapahi Road, in the gravel on the left. We had no trouble finding parking when we visited around 10am, however there were definitely other cars there, so it was easy to spot the correct location.

The Hoopii Falls Trail

This 1.8-mile out-and-back Hoopii Falls trail is pretty easy, however it can get very muddy. The trail only gains about 164 ft. in elevation, so it’s not a very steep hike, however there are some steep (but short) parts leading down to the second falls. It’s also a nicely shaded hike, as most of the trail is shaded by a beautiful canopy of tree branches.

When we were hiking to Ho’opi’i Falls, we actually ended up at the second falls first, somehow missing the first falls altogether. It worked out though because the kids loved the first falls (and jumping in) so much that we may have never made it to the second falls, had we started there.

About ten minutes into the hike to Hoopii Falls, you’ll find a stream that you will continue to follow. You should reach the first waterfall about 20 minutes in.

The Waterfalls

The first falls are where you will find a nice swimming hole beneath the falls and will likely see locals jumping in–if the conditions are right. There are various heights you can jump from–I only did the shortest jump, but my husband and kids all jumped form the highest point. FYI, the water is very chilly at both of the falls!

It’s always advised that you check the water depth before making the jump, so you can be sure you are steering clear of any rocks or shallow areas that you could jump on. Ask a local before you take the risk, as there have been many injuries and even deaths at the Hoopii Falls when people have jumped and hit rocks below.

Use Caution

When we visited, there were many locals who were already jumping in, so we got to watch them first and knew where to jump from and where to aim.

When you continue on the Hoopii Falls trail after the first waterfall, you will walk under some beautiful, large trees with thick foliage surrounding you. It really made me feel so far away from civilization even though this was such a short neighborhood hike.

Eventually you will get to a part where the trail continues straight, but there is an obvious second trail that goes down a steep hill to the left. This is where you will see a rope that can help assist you down this slope.

Note: if you get to a dead end at the top of the falls, you missed a turnoff along the way. There is no way down to the falls from this point. Don’t worry though. You will just have to back track a short ways (about 50 yards) and look for a trail that goes up and over to the right. This will take you to the part of the Hoopii Falls trail that goes down to the falls and swimming hole.

The second of the Hoopii Falls are where scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed, both at the waterfall and at the swimming hole. So cool! The falls have a large swimming hole next to them and a fun rope swing that you can use to swing into the water. Be careful though, as there were quite a few large rocks in this swimming hole.

Final Thoughts on Preparing for the Hoopii Falls Trail

Use this packing guide for Hawaii to help you prepare for your upcoming Kauai trip.

If you’re new to hiking, be sure to check out my list of hiking must-haves. I share my personal favorite hiking gear. I also have this list of kids hiking essentials if you’re looking for gear for the whole family. And if you’re up for a bigger adventure, consider checking out the hike to Makaleha Falls or the kayak and hike to the Secret Falls as well.

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