Wailuku River State Park

State park · Hilo

Wailuku River State Park

State park · Hilo

1

2-198 Rainbow Dr, Hilo, HI 96720

Photos

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Wailuku River State Park by Melissa Marshall (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by Sarah Vanheel CosmopoliClan (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by Melissa Marshall (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by David Hayes/Alamy
Wailuku River State Park by Drewscura (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by notoriousFIG (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by jennavee (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by andyschwarz (Atlas Obscura User)
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null
Wailuku River State Park by null

Highlights

80-ft waterfall known for rainbows, lush vegetation, and banyan trees  

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2-198 Rainbow Dr, Hilo, HI 96720 Get directions

dlnr.hawaii.gov

Information

Static Map

2-198 Rainbow Dr, Hilo, HI 96720 Get directions

+1 808 961 9540
dlnr.hawaii.gov

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 28, 2025

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12 Natural Wonders You Can Visit Via Public Transportation

"This breathtaking 80-foot waterfall is located inside Wailuku River State Park, which is located in the city of Hilo. The natural wonder was thought to be the home of the Hawaiian moon goddess known as Hina. Legend has it that Hina lives in the lava cave behind the falls, only coming out on certain nights.  The falls are known as Waiānuenue in the native Hawaiian language. The word roughly translates to “rainbow water,” and it’s easy to see why. Almost every morning at around 10 a.m., when the sun faces the waterfall, the falls produce a dazzling series of rainbows. The falls provide a peaceful oasis and a reminder of the Big Island’s deep connection to Hawaiian mythology. There’s a viewing platform right next to the parking lot and another one at the top of Rainbow Falls. When visitors climb the stairs towards the top, they’ll notice a small pathway. Hidden behind the lush vegetation are some amazing banyan trees. Just a mile upstream of the Wailuku River is another viewing platform. This one overlooks the boiling pots, a series of terraced pools in which the turbulent water appears to be boiling, and allows visitors to catch a glimpse of yet another waterfall called Pe’epe’e Falls." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/natural-wonders-public-transportation
View Postcard for Wailuku River State Park

Nicole Gerritsen

Google
Beautiful waterfall. Lots of places to walk to look at it. Definitely worth a short stop. Bathrooms suck, not enough for the amount of people there and there is a huge line, definitely when the tour busses come. And on the same line, not enough parking.

Leah Hartenberger

Google
Rainbow Falls is worth seeing~ a foretaste of Heaven’s beauty I do believe! The kids spent just as long playing in the nearby trees and having a blast!

Walter R

Google
A very nice and popular state park. We hardly found a parking spot as it was really crowded. The park is well-know for the Rainbow Falls. A must-visit when in town.

Jean Johnson

Google
Beautiful park lovely flowers. A short walk up the steps gives you a different view of the falls and the river feeding the falls.

James Coonrod

Google
This is the state park where the beautiful Rainbow Falls are located, so you will see a beautiful state park with some very gorgeous waterfalls coming down And I highly recommend visiting this site.

Jonathan Sauder

Google
Cool spot, but the overlooks don't really provide a good view of the various falls. They are much more handicap accessible than most of the other viewpoints. The parking lots and bathrooms are decent. The banyan tree you can climb is much cooler.

Avila

Google
Quick stop when visiting Hilo, the falls are super close to the parking lot, but if you go up to the lookout and go to the right you can see some very impressive banyan trees as well!

David Chong

Google
Both the Boiling Pots & Rainbow Falls was awesome! Water flow was not too strong so no rainbow for us! It was pretty busy with limited parking.
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Michael B.

Yelp
Solid park with a great feature attraction of Rainbow Falls. If you're lucky enough to get a spot in the main parking area then you can almost see the falls from your car. There's a lower viewing platform next to the parking lot and a higher one up a few dozen stairs above the parking area - the high one is not ADA accessible. Other parking options are available nearby and all of them seem to be free. There's a restroom by the main parking area. Be sure to visit the most amazing banyan tree just after the high viewing platform - see my photos and videos!
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May A.

Yelp
Located near downtown Hilo Both the Boiling Pots and the Rainbow Falls can be found in this park. Each stop has its own parking area which makes it easy access to the two overlooks. Both of these areas are quick and easy spots to visit. We made it first to the Pe'epe'e Falls then to the Rainbow Falls. The Boiling Pots was uneventful since the water level was low... not much "boiling" going on on those pots LoL! Pe'epe'e Falls can be viewed from a distance... like waaaay distant. Rainbow Falls was pretty but we were not able to see any rainbows. At a certain time on a sunny morning a rainbow can be seen by the waterfall, hence the name. Remember, Hilo in the Big Island is the rainy side. Seeing a rainbow provides a rare treat for photographers. We arrived at high noon LoL Wailuku River State Park is worth some of your time if you're in the Hilo area. In Hawaiian "wai" means fresh water and "luku" means destruction so Wailuku means river of destruction. There have been drowning deaths on the Wailuku River. Review #2289
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Jillian S.

Yelp
Easily accessible park in Hilo. Located on Rainbow drive off of Waianuenue Ave. Parking and public restrooms are available. Park and walk a short distance to see the beautiful 80 ft rainbow falls. If you go early in the day you might just see a rainbow. Walkways are paved well and guard rails line the trail. The walkway above the falls is currently closed off. This place is an excellent quick stop while exploring Hawaii's Big Island.
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Abbey H.

Yelp
Pictures really don't do this state park justice! We were lucky enough to see a little rainbow from the mist.. the whole place is beautiful and well kept.
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Kelly M.

Yelp
Stop by to see Rainbow Falls. Nice waterfalls without needing to hike to see them (about 50 feet from the parking lot).  When you go greatly influences how much waterfall there is.  So go after a rain if you can. Definitely worth a quick stop and a photo.
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Karra M.

Yelp
Unassuming, down to earth, community park that is nostalgic for all locals. Before heading to park, purchase day old bread a nearby Love's bakery. Drive into park main entrance and turn to left to park near to small wooden walkways to calm river. Ducks are everywhere!! Throw bread into water to prevent them from jumping the kids for food. Super fun entertainment, kids stayed entertained as long as we had bread. Farther a walk away are large arched bridges that are totally fun to traverse. Bring shoes or slippers you dont mind getting muddy. To the right, large pavilions to bring a take out bento lunch to eat with canned guava juice. Bathrooms located nearby.
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Veronica P.

Yelp
The Wailuku River runs 18 miles and ends in the Hilo Bay. There are two landmarks at this park, although they are two miles apart. They are Rainbow Falls, named for the rainbow that can bee seen at the bottom from the forming mist. The waterfall is not large by most standards, about an 80 foot drop. The Boiling Pots is probably the more interesting of the two sites, where a small waterall, PeePee Falls. The water then flows into a succession of large pools whose water appears to be boiling as it rolls over many rocks. Many locals and tourbooks will tell you that the best time to see these attractions is during the early morning, although I think they are spectacular any time of day.
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Edward L.

Yelp
If you're in Hilo, this is one of the nicer parks out in the area. Parking is available, but is also a bit limited. Their claim to fame here is Rainbow Falls (see my other review). It's a nice area to walk around. I didn't go to the Boiling Pots so therefore cannot comment.
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Bryan K.

Yelp
Five out of six Hilo guys recommend you don't swim in the big pools above Rainbow Falls. Supposedly there is trick-a-nosis or some such disease that gets in your body through cuts or swallowing water or whatever. Symptoms are fever, diarrhea, etc. Unfortunately my friend was the one out of six. It was a super hot and humid Hilo day, we were sightseeing at the Falls, and boy was that water cool and inviting. Besides, I huli'd walking down the muddy trails leading to the Falls and got my pants all muddy. Ooohhh the water was nice. And there are some big rocks, probably 20 feet high that you can jump from into the water. We completely enjoyed ourselves, totally unaware of such troubles lurking in the water. In fact, until the other five Hilo guys enlightened us, we were planning on going again the next day. So take it for what its worth. Do you listen to the one guy or the five guys? Be ignorant and happy, or be hot sweaty sticky and stinky like a pig.
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Amanda G.

Yelp
I saw my first waterfalls on this trip. What an amazing way to start! We saw both major landmarks,Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls. I'm not sure which I liked better, it's tough to say.They are both astoundingly beautiful. This state park is truly breathtaking.If you're in the area, you have to put this on your agenda!
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Satnam B.

Yelp
If you want to see King Kamehamaha statue this is good, other than that the rest of the park is meh 3 stars

Leilehua Y.

Yelp
This beautiful park is a wonderful place steeped in Hawaiian legend and lore. Great for picnics and gentle hiking and picnicking (bring bug repellant!!!). The Hawaiians named this river "Wailuku" (Destruction Waters) for a reason - the river is deadly! "No swimming" signs are posted. Heed them! This river claims lives every year. A simple rule for swimming in Hawaii - not just in the Wailuku, but in any river or beach in the islands - if you don't see locals in the water, there is a reason. You're not going to find an "undiscovered" swimming hole. Locals have been swimming in every good spot for 1,000 years. So, if there are no locals in the water, you should not be in the water, either. It's a beautiful park, but just remember - despite being walking distance from town and having paved paths, it is a wilderness area. The locals are used to living intimately with nature - wild pigs can be found in back yards right in town! Hawaii is wonderful, but it is not a theme park. Keep your wits about you, teach your children to respect the awesomeness of nature. As of March 30, two people have died in the river in 2018.