Intro
The state parks on the island of Oahu in Hawaii are an extremely underrated phenomenon. These parks have incredible views of the ocean and breathtaking scenic trails. The best part is they also have cheap admission rates or are completely free to enter, making these a super affordable way to vacation in Oahu while seeing some fantastic natural landscapes.
Because Oahu does not have any national parks, I spent my 10 days there exploring some of Oahu’s state parks. While I was barely able to scratch the surface, I had a wonderful time exploring the state parks I was able to visit. I loved them so much that I wanted to share my experience with the Oahu state parks I visited and give a little breakdown.
I’ll talk about the state parks I visited, what they are great for as well as mention some others that I wish I could have visited. I’ll also give you some tips to ensure that whichever Oahu state park you decide to visit that you feel well prepared and enjoy yourself!
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Table of contents
Must-See Oahu State Parks
Ka’ena Point State Park
Area: Wai’anae
What To Do: Swimming, Snorkeling, Hiking, Fishing
Best For: Families, Couples and Individuals
Ka’ena Point State Park offers a breathtakingly rugged coastline along the northwest corner of Oahu. Here you will find beautiful sandy beaches which provide many opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and even fishing.
When I visited, this state park was full of local families grilling, having barbecues and having a good time. The drive into the state park is also beautiful. You will be driving right along the ocean most of your trip. Depending where you are staying, driving to Ka’ena can be a bit far as it’s located on the very northwest corner of Oahu. While it may be a trek, it is certainly worth exploring and staying at least an hour or two.
PRO TIP: Make sure to check out Kaneana Cave either on your way there or as you’re leaving!
Additionally, there is a hiking trail here, Ka’ena Point Trail, that you can do. I personally did not, but the trail head is quite easy to find and I’m sure is just as spectacular as the beaches.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: To learn more about the wonders of Ka’ena Point, head over to their official website here.
Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park
Area: East Oahu
What To Do: Camping, Hiking, Beachgoeing
Best For: Families, Couples, Individuals
Where jaw dropping jungle meets the Pacific Ocean is where Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park lives. This picturesque state park is located right off the highway.
This state park has amenities which include picnic tables as well as bathrooms located across the street. This is also one of the few state parks you can camp at. I was lucky when I arrived here to find that there was hardly anyone here.
Beautiful trees lead you to the beaches where you can enjoy the ocean waves. I will say that the beaches had quite a bit of debris from nearby trees so it wasn’t the most tidy beach. But the views are beautiful. There are also two main hiking trails, Kapa’ele’ele and Nakoa Trail, that are open to the public.
PRO TIP: Before or after your visit to Ahupua’a, take a detour to Kualoa Ranch! It’s about a short 10 minute drive and it is so much fun. Either spend the day there and take a tour or you can just walk around the property and check out their market storefront which is what I did. You will find lots of produce and local products all made on Hawaii! It’s a great way to support the local economy while getting some tasty snacks.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: To see and discover more about Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana, click here to visit their official website.
Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Area: East Oahu
What To Do: Hiking, Swimming
Best For: Families (older children might enjoy this more than younger), Couples, Individuals
Thanks to local advocacy saving this land from development, you can now enjoy Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline in all of its glory! This is personally one of my favorite Oahu state parks because not only is there a beautiful of the eastern Oahu shoreline but the a great hike to Makapu’u Lighthouse.
The hike to Makapu’u Lighthouse is a 2 mile round trip trek where you are going uphill and gaining about 500 feet in elevation. This hike has little to no shade so you want to be be prepared by bringing lots of water and sun protection.
On your way up, there are plaques you can read about the history of the area and if you’re in Oahu during whale season, you might spot a gray whale!
NOTE: There are no restrooms located in this park so either go before arriving or plan on taking a dip in the ocean afterwards.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: To learn more about Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, you can look at their official website here.
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area
If you’re looking for a place that combines a day at the beach with some WW2 history than Mālaekahana State Recreation Area is perfect for you!
Like the sign in the picture states, the small islands off the shoreline from Mālaekahana were used as target practice during WW2. Despite attempts to find and clear the area of the debris, the risk still remains that you potentially could run into some shrapnel from these testing projects.
But there’s no need to worry. When I visited, there were plenty of people here enjoying the beach and out surfing in the water. I actually met someone who had moved to Oahu from Portland and she mentioned when the tide is low that people including herself venture out to the smaller islands to walk around.
This state park also includes picnic tables, restrooms and showers. You can swim here but the waves are a little rough so just be cautious.
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: To read more about Mālaekahana, you can visit their official website here.
Even More Oahu State Parks
The fun with Oahu state parks doesn’t end here. There were so many other places, both outdoor and historical landmarks, I wanted to explore but simply did not have the time for. While I personally did not visit them, I know they are stunning in their own way. S if you have the time and availability, I would recommend adding at least one of these to your itinerary!
- Diamond Head State Monument
- Hanauma Bay
- ‘Iolani Palace State Monument
- Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area
- Pu’u ‘Ualaka’a State Wayside
- Queen Emma Summer Palace
- Wa’ahila Ridge State Recreation Area
Complete Oahu State Parks List and Map
The Department of Land and Natural Resources for the State of Hawaii has a really great map and list of all of the state parks, including historical areas that you can check out. They have a list and map for all of the major Hawaiian Islands, including Molokai.
MAP: For the map of Oahu state parks, click here.
LIST: For the list of Oahu state parks, click here.
Tips For Visiting Oahu State Parks
Cultural and Environmental Considerations
Despite colonization, Hawaiian culture and values are still prominent on Oahu. However, it is a growing problem for visitors to not display any respect or demonstrate any mindfulness towards the land, ocean and sacred sites. When you are visiting Oahu’s state park and historical sites, be respectful and mindful of where you are. This is a very basic human skill. Some examples of what this might look like in Oahu are:
- Staying on marked paths and trails
- Following marked signage and do not go past where you are welcomed
- Cleaning up after yourself/packing out all trash
- Refraining from smoking/littering on the beach
- Leaving flowers and other flora and fauna where you found it
Pack Wisely
When planning for any outdoor activity, packing well can make all the difference between a good trip and a bad trip. I know I’m probably just over conscientious, but I try to pack to be prepared for as many different things as I possibly can. Whether you are planning on swimming or hiking some trails, you want to make sure you pack wisely. Here are some things you really don’t want to forget to bring:
- Backpack
- Water bladder and/or a water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit
- Snacks
- Good hiking boots lOR some good hiking sandals like these
Conclusion
You should now have a good idea on some of the best Oahu state parks to visit. There are truly so many to choose from and they all offer incredible insight as to what makes Oahu so magical. Whether you are hiking, swimming or checking out historical sites, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Make sure you pack to be prepared and you are being mindful of the cultural presense on Oahu as you’re out exploring. This beautiful island will treat you very well if you treat it well in return.
If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, be sure to check out my other articles I’ve written to help with your future planning!
Additional Information
The Ultimate Free Travel Guide To Oahu, Hawaii
A Guide for Snorkeling in Oahu
