Kokee Natural History Museum

The basics

The museum is partway between Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Lookout atop the fabled Napali Coast and is an easy stop on drives through Kokeʻe State Park. The museum is also a great place to start your visit—in addition to natural history exhibits, the museum has trail map displays, maps for purchase, and volunteers to help answer questions. Stop here to find your trailhead and pick up souvenirs and crafts by local artists before exploring the park.

Things to know before you go

• Admission is free, though the suggested donation is at least US$1 per person.

• The museum is wheelchair accessible, with an access ramp to the entrance.

• A museum shop sells Hawaiian books, local crafts and art, Ni‘ihau Shell jewelry, hiking sticks, and more.

How to get there

The Koke'e Natural History Museum is in Koke'e State Park, about one mile (1.6 kilometers) past the park entrance. Once you reach the entrance, drive past mile marker 15 on Highway 550—also called Koke'e Road—to the park headquarters in Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow. Although Kauaʻi has a public bus service, the best way to get around the island is by car, taxi, shuttle, or ride-share.

When to get there

The Koke‘e Natural History Museum is open every day of the year, including major holidays, from 11am to 3pm on weekdays and from 10:30am to 4pm on weekends. The best time to hike in Waimea Canyon and surrounding state parks is during summer when trails are less likely to be cloudy and wet.

Things to do in Kokeʻe State Park

The museum is the de facto visitor center for Kokeʻe State Park, which offers some of the finest hiking trails in Hawaii. These trails lead through lush forests, plateaus, Waimea Canyon, and beyond and are ideal for spotting endemic wildflowers, plants, trees, and even native forest birds such as the ʻapapane, ‘iwi, and moa. The state park also has two lookouts over the Kalalau Valley and camping spots and rustic cabins for overnight stays.

Ways to explore

Located in a remote section of Kauai, the museum is best seen as part of a trip to the surrounding state parks. Admission is free, with a suggested donation, and visiting only takes around 30 minutes. Browse the exhibits, pick up a trail map, check on trail conditions, or stroll the short nature trail just behind the building.

While most park tours don’t include the museum, you can book outdoor adventures to enjoy before or after your visit. Many tours explore Kokeʻe State Park and nearby Waimea Canyon on foot or by bike, stopping at vista points along the way.

Accessibility

You can enter the museum via a wheelchair-accessible ramp.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Cash for suggested donation, drinking water, binoculars for spotting birds

What to wear

Hiking shoes, layers, brimmed hat

Not allowed

Smoking, plant removal from anywhere in the park, driving off of paved roads

Amenities

Restroom, gift shop, restaurant at nearby Koke’e Lodge

Address

The museum is in western Kauai, about one mile (1.6 kilometers) past the entrance to the Koke’e State Park. You can take a bus to Waimea and take a shuttle or taxi to the park, but having your own car is more convenient.

Driving

From Waimea, drive north of Highway Route 550 (Waimea Canyon Drive). It’s a scenic, roughly 15-mile (24-kilometer) drive. Enter the state park, continue on Koke’e Road, and park in front of the museum.

Public transportation

There is no direct public transportation to the Kokeʻe Natural History Museum. You can take the Kauai Bus route #100 or #200 to Waimea and arrange a shuttle, taxi, or guided tour from there to the museum.

Best times to visit

Arrive before noon to ensure the museum is open and allow time for hiking the nature trail and grabbing a bite at Koke’e Lodge afterward (note that the restaurant kitchen closes around 4pm).

Best days to visit

Visit on weekends, when the museum keeps extended opening hours, allowing for additional time to explore the exhibits and the rest of the park.

Best months to visit

Generally, Kauai is beautiful year-round, but the rainy season (March–November) affords ample opportunities to explore indoor spaces like museums.

Special events

The Emalani Festival, dedicated to Queen Emma of Hawaii, celebrates her legacy with lei-making, local food, and cultural exhibits. Events take place in various locations around Kauai, including Kokeʻe State Park, typically in October and November.