Manoa Falls Trail
7.5Friend Score / 10#13 of 13 Parks & Outdoors in Honolulu
Known formanoa fallshikingwaterfallrainforest
A 1.6-mile round-trip rainforest walk to a roughly 150-foot waterfall, ten minutes from urban Honolulu — bamboo groves, banyans, and movie-set jungle (Jurassic Park filmed nearby). Easy and family-friendly, but perpetually muddy and popular. Parking at Paradise Park runs $7; no swimming at the falls — rockfall and leptospirosis are real.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | TheBus route 5 to near the end of Manoa Rd, then a 10-minute walk to the trailhead |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours round trip |
| Best time to go | Early weekday mornings — quieter trail, and a day or two after rain gives the falls maximum flow |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.5/10- Value8.0
- iconic6.5
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level5.0
- Authenticity7.5
- Accessibility7.0
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Manoa Falls cost?
- The trail itself is free; the convenient Paradise Park lot at the trailhead charges $7 (discounts for kama'aina and military), open roughly 8am to 6pm. Some folks find free street parking lower in the neighborhood and walk up.
- How do I get to Manoa Falls without a car?
- TheBus route 5 from Ala Moana runs up Manoa Rd; get off near the end of the line and walk about 10 minutes up to the trailhead. Around 40-50 minutes total from Waikiki — one of the most transit-doable hikes on Oahu.
- How hard is the Manoa Falls hike?
- Easy-moderate: about 1.6 miles round trip with gentle elevation gain, doable for most kids and casual walkers in 60-90 minutes. The challenge is mud and slick roots, not steepness — wear shoes with grip, not slippers.
- Is Manoa Falls where Jurassic Park was filmed?
- Scenes from Jurassic Park and Lost were shot in this valley and the surrounding Manoa area — you'll recognize the vibe immediately. The bamboo grove section of the trail is everyone's favorite photo stop.
- What should I wear for Manoa Falls?
- Shoes you don't mind getting muddy (it is always muddy somewhere on this trail), and bring mosquito repellent — Manoa Valley mosquitoes mean business. A light rain layer never hurts; the valley showers most afternoons.
- What are the trail hours for Manoa Falls?
- The trail is open sunrise to sunset, with signs advising no starts after 5:30pm. The Paradise Park lot's 8am-6pm hours are the practical constraint if you park there.
- Is the waterfall always flowing?
- Yes, but volume swings a lot — after dry stretches it can be a modest ribbon, and after heavy rain it thunders. Shoulder days after rain are the sweet spot; during downpours the trail gets sloppy and flash conditions are possible.
- Can you swim at Manoa Falls?
- No — the pool is fenced off due to rockfall danger, and Hawaii's freshwater streams carry leptospirosis risk, so it's a look-don't-touch waterfall. The view from the barrier is still worth every step.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Lyon ArboretumAttraction0.12 km · 1 min walk
- Lyon ArboretumPark0.21 km · 3 min walk
- Mānoa Falls TrailAttraction0.39 km · 5 min walk
- ManoaNeighborhood2.08 km · 26 min walk
- Morning Glass Coffee + CafeCafé2.62 km · 33 min walk
Where to stay near Manoa Falls Trail
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