Should You Do The Akaka Falls Hike with Kids?

Are you looking for things to do in Hilo with kids? Keep scrolling to learn how to do the Akaka Falls hike near Hilo, Hawaii for a fun adventure.

This post about how to do the Akaka Falls hike with kids was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Are you looking for Big Island waterfall hikes in Hawaii that are kid-friendly?

We just did the Akaka Falls hike with a 5-year-old and I highly recommend it! Keep scrolling for my honest tips and trips for how to hike Akaka Falls with kids.

Plus, I’ll tell you what to wear, what to pack, and how to make the most memorable time exploring this Big Island waterfall with your family.

You can enjoy hiking at Akaka Falls without worrying about your little one getting tired or bored on the trail. It’s also an excellent way of keeping them active while showing them some beautiful scenery along the way.

And if they do get tired then don’t worry because there is a covered sitting area near the lookout where you can take a break before continuing back to your car.

The best part is that we didn’t have any issues finding parking so it was easy peasy! If you’re planning a trip soon then definitely check out my blog post for more information on this awesome waterfall hikes Big Island Hawaii offers for kids!

So let’s dive right into our top 5 favorite things about hiking Akaka Falls with kids.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Where is Akaka Falls on the Big Island?

Akaka Falls State Park is located about 30 minutes from Hilo, Hawaii. The address is 875 ʻAkaka Falls Road, Honomu, HI 96728. The Akaka Falls hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The drive up there is really pretty, and you’ll pass a few fruit stands and even a goat farm when you go to visit Akaka Falls. There is Steve’s Akaka Falls farm as well.

Parking and Entrance Fees

There is a decently large parking lot at Akaka Falls State Park. You do have to pay for parking as well as entrance for everyone. Non-residents pay more than Hawaii residents.

I went with my 5-year-old and we paid about $20 for an entrance and parking fee at Akaka Falls.

They also had staff members hanging out near the payment booths to make sure people paid to enter.

I did see a few cars park on the road right outside of the parking lot to avoid the parking fees. I don’t recommend doing this. The parking fees help offset the Hawaii state budget. Be a responsible tourist and just pay the fees.

What Can I do at Akaka Falls State Park?

Really, the main thing to do at Akaka Falls is to hike the paved path to see this waterfall on the Big Island. Your parking ticket will give you about 1 hour to explore, which is plenty of time.

There’s also a public restroom, so you can make it a potty stop as well.

5 Favorite Things about Hiking Akaka Falls Near Hilo with Kids

Here are some of our favorite things about the Akaka Falls State Park hike!

1. The Entire Path is Paved

I always appreciate pathways that are clearly marked, and it doesn’t get much clearer than a paved path. It also means you don’t have to watch out for tree roots or large rocks that might trip younger kids.

There are also a lot of stairs on this path, which are often easier than climbing up a hill on a path that might be slippery.

But the paved path makes it one of our favorite Hawaii waterfall hikes and one of the best waterfall hike Big Island has to offer.

If you need are looking for a Big Island accessibility tip, head to the path on the left to get a view of the falls without doing the stairs. This easily accessible trail makes it another reason why it is one of the best hikes on the Big Island!

2. There are Handrails

If you feel a little unsteady walking (especially if you are pregnant), you can simply reach out and use the handrail. Actually, they have them on both sides of the Akaka Falls trail.

This makes it another one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii for families of all ages!

3. Stunning Photo Spot on the Big Island

I’m always down to get a cute selfie with my kids at a pretty spot in Hawaii. It doesn’t get much better than the Akaka Falls lookout! You’ll feel pretty close to the waterfall and get some beautiful photos.

This is definitely one of the prettiest waterfalls near Hilo, Hawaii! And Akaka Waterfalls are one of the top Big Island Instagram spots!

4. It Takes Less Than an Hour

My kids aren’t always up to tour around all day long. So, I always try to find some short excursions we can do if they are running out of steam.

This is a great activity to do in just 30-60 minutes. Plus, it’s only about 25 minutes from Hilo, so you can knock it out pretty quickly.

You can easily see the Hilo Hawaii waterfalls and get back to swimming, snorkeling, and having fun somewhere else!

5. There’s a Bonus Waterfall

If you do the circle tour (the path that goes to the right), you get to go to a tiny overlook where you’ll see a different waterfall tucked away in the hills. This is Kahuna Falls.

It has its own little viewing platform, and it kind of makes you feel like you’ve “discovered” it in the jungle with the lush rainforest filled with greenery, which is fun for kids.

You will get to see two of the best waterfalls on Big Island with just one hike and one entrance fee, making it so much fun to visit Akaka Falls!

Tips for the Akaka Falls Hike with Kids

Here are a few tips for hiking Big Island Hawaii waterfalls! While it is a short hike to see these beautiful waterfalls, you’ll want these easy hike tips, to make your hike easier!

What to wear

Because you’ll be walking around in the jungle in Hawaii, it can get quite warm. We went right when they opened at 8:30 a.m. and I was a hot, sweaty mess by the end.

So, I suggest shorts and a shirt/tank top. You could probably do the Akaka Falls hike in flip-flops, but athletic shoes or sandals are my recommendations. The path was a little wet, and we felt sturdier in real shoes versus flip-flops.

What to pack

Definitely add bug spray to your backpack if you tend to get bitten. We felt some bugs on us when we were walking, and my son touched some of the plants where mosquitos were hanging around.

Sunscreen is another smart idea. It’s always good to put sunscreen on first thing in the morning and then reapply throughout the day. Most of the trail is shady, but the scenic viewpoint is in direct sunlight.

Which path to take

So, there are actually two paths for the Akaka Falls hike. The sign will recommend the circle tour, which is the one we did. I hiked it with a 5-year-old in about 30 minutes, and we stopped to take photos and look at plants along the way.

This hiking trail allowed us to see two of the best waterfalls near Hilo, HI!

There’s also a shorter path that goes to the Akaka Falls viewing platform. This is a great option if your kids are tired or you just want a quick stop to see the waterfall.

Families with babies and toddlers

The path is completely paved the entire way. However, there are LOTS of stairs. So, it’s definitely not stroller-friendly. Instead, plan on using a baby carrier.

If you have a few grown-ups, you could send one with older kids on the circle tour while another does the shorter path with babies or toddlers. They both meet at the scenic lookout.

So, is it worth hiking Akaka Falls with kids?

Absolutely! This was one of our favorite things to do in Hilo, and it was totally worth the entrance and parking fees.

I loved that it was a short Big Island hike on a paved path, and we got to see a majestic waterfall up close. It’s no wonder why Akaka Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in Hawaii.

I think it is one of the top Hilo waterfall hikes that takes you through a lush rainforest and shows you both Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls all in one trip.

So, if you are looking for waterfall hikes in Hilo, you cannot go wrong with this one! Many tour buses will stop here so you can see the falls as well, but if you can make a day trip and visit these waterfalls on your own time, you will absolutely love it!

Waterfalls on the Big Island FAQs

What Are Some Other Kid-Friendly Waterfalls on the Big Island?

Now that you know how awesome Akaka Falls is, you’re probably wondering if there are any other Big Island Hawaii waterfalls worth checking out with kids.

Here are some of the waterfall hikes Hawaii Big Island offers that are great for kids:

Rainbow Falls in Hilo

There’s actually a super accessible waterfall just minutes from downtown Hilo. Rainbow Falls is tucked away in a residential area, and it’s one of the easiest Big Island waterfalls to see.

You basically park and walk like 20 feet to get to the first viewing platform. You can take a few more steps to go up to another platform for a slightly different angle. It’s one of the most popular Hilo waterfalls for families.

They used to have a hike to get up to the top of the waterfall, but that closed in March 2020 and hasn’t re-opened yet.

Looking for more things to do in Hilo? Check out my guide to the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, where to taste chocolate in Hilo, things to do on the Big Island with kids, and my Waipio Shuttle review.

P.S. Join our Hawaii Travel with Kids Facebook group to get connected with other families planning a trip to Hawaii!