Iao Valley State Monument and the Iao Needle
add photosNo entrance fee.
Restrooms available.
8 Reviews for Iao Valley State Monument and the Iao Needle
5
00 families found this helpful
"It is worth checking out."
This is a pretty cool piece of scenery. However, you must get there early so that you can beat the crowds. The only complaint about this is that is it setup very "touristy" and that kinda take the magic out.
The good new though is that this is free and it is convenient so it will not take much time to explore the site. Which is good for my family as we are always trying to maximize our time.
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'11, '12, '131 family found this helpful
"Our best family picture was taken here"
This is a lovely park with lush green plants and trees. Not the best place to take a stroller as there are many steps to get into the park. However, we did push my 2 year old in his stroller as fas as we could (maybe 1 city block in length) and that was good enough for us to see the beautiful surroundings. Would go again. There is no food available for purchase here.
0 families found this helpful
"my favorite location in Maui"
I could not take my daughter yet, but if I go to Maui, I am 100 percent sure to go to this place. Iao valley really releive your stress and I am sure kids will feel something inside too. Beautiful beautiful place that we have to keep for the future childrens !
0 families found this helpful
"Worth checking out!"
I first went to the Iao needle as a teenager and loved it! It is a nice hike/walk, but some children may find it to be too much walking. Especially interesting if your children are interested in Hawaiin history. It's in the rainforest and always seems damp, bring a sweater.
1 family found this helpful
"Fine if you have nothing better to do"
With all the incredible places on Maui from beaches to waterfalls and volcanoes, this one just didn't impress me. The needle is more historically interesting than naturally beautiful. I suppose one of the things that bothered me were the paved hiking trails. I wanted to see more unspoiled beauty. If it were anywhere else in the world it probably would be more interesting, but here in Maui it's just not.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Iao Needle is a 2,250-foot cinder cone, around which are several popular hiking trails that are great for families. You can’t miss the large stone monolith rising up from the lush valley. This was also the site of a great fight between Kamehameha and the Maui warriors. Historical accounts say the battle was so intense, the soldiers’ blood turned the stream red. The Iao Needle Lookout Trail is an easy 0.6 mile walk on paved road that winds alongside the Iao stream to a beautiful viewpoint of the Iao Needle. The trailhead is just beyond the park restroom.
From the parking lot another easy walk is the Tableland Trail. It climbs for about two miles, and the beautiful views encompass all of the valley. If swimming in the pools is on your agenda, simply walk down to the valley floor and follow the stream.
NOTE: If it has rained lately, this area may be muddy and hard to navigate. Bring clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and plenty of mosquito repellent.) If altitude changes are too difficult for your group, try the Waihee Trail, which stays level and journeys over two suspended bridges to the stream.
3 families found this helpful
"Good alternative to Road to Hana"
I found this park, just as scenic as some parts of the Road to Hana, but much more accessible than that road. The parking is relatively easy, and there are bathrooms. The little streams and creeks are great for wading and cooling off a bit. There were some local kids taking money from tourists to jump off a bridge into a natural pool in the creek. I found this a bit unnerving, but my son was enthralled. Make a stop at the Hawaii Nature Center on the way up. It's super cool!
1 family found this helpful
"Stunning beauty"
Near Wailuku, this is a beautiful natural area boasting abundant plant life, towering sharp cliffs, and long graceful waterfalls. Good parking area, paved and not particularly strenuous trails. Great place to visit if/when you get tired of the beach. Tends to be rainy, so come prepared.
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