National and State Parks in Hawaii
National parks in Hawaii reveal volcanic landscapes, rainforest and places central to Native Hawaiian culture. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is on the island of Hawai‘i, while Haleakalā National Park is on Maui. Choosing the island comes before connecting individual park visits.
State parks in Hawaii add canyon viewpoints, coastal trails, waterfalls and historic places across the islands. Use the map and listing to explore destinations on your chosen island, then check entry, parking and transport arrangements before filling the rest of your itinerary.
How many parks in Hawaii you can find on Traveler Map?
- national historical parks: 3
- national historic sites: 2
- national memorial: 1
- national monument: 1
- national parks: 2
- National Park Service site: 1
Two national parks on different islands
Hawaii has two parks formally designated National Park. Both offer volcanic scenery, but they are separate trips with different access, conditions and cultural settings. Neither should be reduced to a single photo stop.
- Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: Explore volcanic landscapes and the natural and cultural connections of the island of Hawai‘i. Check current conditions and closures before deciding which areas to visit. Visible lava is not a guaranteed part of a park visit.
- Haleakalā National Park: Plan a Maui visit around the district and activity that interest you. A summit outing and a visit to a coastal rainforest area require separate route planning rather than an assumption that every part of the park connects directly by road.
The NPS Hawaii directory also includes national historical parks, historic sites and trails. These destinations offer important context beyond the two national parks.
Choose state parks by island
On Kaua‘i, Waimea Canyon State Park offers canyon lookouts, a scenic drive and walking options. It can work as a viewpoint-focused day or part of a longer upland visit, depending on the weather and the walks you choose. Check the official Waimea Canyon information before setting out.
On O‘ahu, Diamond Head State Monument is a familiar option to consider when staying around Honolulu. On Maui, compare Wai‘ānapanapa State Park with ‘Īao Valley State Monument according to your route and interests. These places have different designations and visitor systems even though they appear together in state park trip planning.
Check reservations before fixing the day
Several popular state-managed destinations require advance reservations for nonresidents. Entry and parking are not necessarily the same booking, and camping or trail permits can be separate again. The official Hawaii state park reservation guide directs visitors to the appropriate systems.
For national parks, check the requirements for your specific experience through NPS. A general entrance pass should not be treated as confirmation that every activity or visit time is available.
Allow for weather and island travel
Coastal warmth does not tell you what conditions will be like at a high summit. Look up the forecast for your destination and bring suitable clothing for the activity. For a trail or ocean outing, ask for local condition information rather than relying only on a statewide weather summary.
If you have a limited number of days, explore one island’s parks thoroughly. Adding another island means transport and accommodation changes as well as another national park. Reserve the places that require a fixed time first, then leave room for a slower beach, viewpoint or woodland day.