Kalalau Permit Guide
Kalalau Trail Permit Guide
Learn how Kalalau permits work, when they are released, what they include, whether parking is included, and what to do if your dates are sold out.
Last updated: July 2026
Short answer: The Kalalau Trail starts inside Hāʻena State Park. If you want to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai or camp overnight along the Nāpali Coast, you need a Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit. If you only want Hāʻena State Park, Kēʻē Beach, Hanakāpīʻai Beach, or Hanakāpīʻai Falls, you need a Hāʻena day-use reservation instead. A Kalalau permit includes entry to Hāʻena State Park, but it does not include parking.
Access
Two ways to access the Kalalau Trail area
The Kalalau Trail starts inside Hāʻena State Park at Kēʻē Beach. What you need depends on how far you plan to go.
1. Overnight Kalalau permit
Choose this if you want to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai or camp overnight along the Nāpali Coast.
- A Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit is required to hike past Hanakāpīʻai, even if you do not plan to camp overnight.
- This permit lets you access the Kalalau Trail beyond the first 2 miles and camp overnight where allowed by the permit.
- A valid Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit acts as Hāʻena State Park entry so you can reach the trailhead.
- It does not include parking. Overnight parking is a separate reservation through Go Hāʻena after you have a valid overnight permit.
2. Hāʻena day-use reservation
Choose this if you only want to visit Hāʻena State Park, Kēʻē Beach, or hike the first part of the Kalalau Trail to Hanakāpīʻai Beach or Hanakāpīʻai Falls.
- Hāʻena day-use access lets you enter Hāʻena State Park.
- It covers the first part of the Kalalau Trail up to Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Hanakāpīʻai Falls.
- It does not allow hiking beyond Hanakāpīʻai. For that, use the Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit path.
- Hāʻena day-use reservations can be Parking + Entry, Shuttle + Entry, or Entry Only. Entry Only requires being dropped off, walking, or biking in.
Visitors book Kalalau permits through the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system. HawaiiPass does not replace the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system; it only helps monitor selected dates after they are sold out. For current rules, confirm with DLNR Kalalau Trail information.
Parking
Does a Kalalau permit include parking?
No. A Kalalau permit can get you into Hāʻena State Park to reach the trailhead, but it does not include parking. Overnight parking is separate and is reserved through Go Hāʻena after you have a valid overnight Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit.
Timing
When do Kalalau permits open?
Kalalau permits are released inside the official 90-day booking window. Popular dates can sell out quickly, especially during peak travel periods.
If your trip is more than 90 days away, wait until your dates are closer before starting alert monitoring. HawaiiPass monitoring only works for dates inside the official booking window.
Sold out
What if Kalalau permits are sold out?
If Kalalau permits are sold out, check the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system, stay flexible on dates if possible, and watch for cancellations. Sold-out Kalalau permit dates can reopen later when other visitors cancel, but openings are unpredictable and may disappear quickly.
Want help watching for reopenings?
HawaiiPass monitors selected Kalalau permit dates and emails you when matching cancellations appear, so you can book through the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system.
HawaiiPass is independent and does not issue permits or guarantee availability.
Learn how Kalalau cancellations work / See recent Kalalau reopening activity
Trail route
Kalalau Trail sections
Keʻe Beach to Hanakāpīʻai
2 miles one way — Hāʻena day-use access required
This first section is the popular day-hike portion from Keʻe Beach to Hanakāpīʻai. Hāʻena day-use access is required, and visitors should confirm current ocean, weather, and trail conditions before hiking.
Hanakāpīʻai to Hanakoa
4 miles — Kalalau permit required
A valid Kalalau permit is required beyond Hanakāpīʻai. This section is more strenuous and continues deeper along the Nāpali Coast toward Hanakoa.
Hanakoa to Kalalau Beach
5 miles — remote trail conditions
The final section is remote, exposed, and more serious. Trail, ocean, and weather conditions can change, so hikers should confirm current official guidance before going.
Camping rules
Kalalau camping permits
Kalalau is often searched as a camping permit because overnight access and camping in Kalalau Valley are central to the permit. People planning to camp need to secure official Kalalau permit dates before their trip.
Camping fees
Nāpali Coast camping fees are $25 per person per night for Hawaiʻi residents and $35 per person per night for non-residents.
Maximum stay
The maximum stay is 5 nights in Nāpali Coast State Park.
Campsites
The two permitted camping areas along the route are Hanakoa and Kalalau Beach.
Hanakoa limit
Within the 5-night maximum, no 2 consecutive nights are allowed at Hanakoa.
Campground facilities
Authorized camping areas do not have tables or drinking water. Composting toilets are available at Hanakāpīʻai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau.
Fast sellouts
Popular Kalalau permit dates can sell out quickly, especially during peak travel windows.
Official booking note
Always complete your booking through the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system. HawaiiPass is an independent alert service that helps monitor reopenings; it does not sell or issue Kalalau permits.
Where to go next
Kalalau Trail permit FAQ
Do I need a Kalalau permit or a Hāʻena reservation?+
If you want to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai or camp overnight along the Nāpali Coast, you need a Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit. If you only want to visit Hāʻena State Park, Kēʻē Beach, Hanakāpīʻai Beach, or Hanakāpīʻai Falls, you need a Hāʻena day-use reservation.
Can I hike to Hanakāpīʻai Beach with a Hāʻena reservation?+
Yes. A Hāʻena day-use reservation gives access to Hāʻena State Park and the first section of the Kalalau Trail, including Hanakāpīʻai Beach and Hanakāpīʻai Falls.
Can I hike past Hanakāpīʻai with a Hāʻena reservation?+
No. To hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai, you need a valid Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit.
When are Kalalau Trail permits released?+
Kalalau permits are released inside the official 90-day booking window. Popular dates can sell out quickly once they open.
Do Kalalau permits include Hāʻena State Park entry?+
Yes. A valid Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit acts as entry into Hāʻena State Park so you can reach the Kalalau Trail trailhead.
Do Kalalau permits include parking?+
No. Parking is separate. Overnight Kalalau parking is reserved through Go Hāʻena after you have a valid overnight Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit.
When can I reserve overnight parking for Kalalau?+
Overnight parking is separate from the Kalalau permit and is reserved through Go Hāʻena. You need a valid overnight Kalalau/Nāpali Coast camping permit before reserving overnight parking.
What should I do if Kalalau permits are sold out?+
Check the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system, stay flexible on dates if possible, and watch for cancellations. Sold-out Kalalau permit dates can reopen later when other visitors cancel, but openings are unpredictable and may disappear quickly.
Can Kalalau permits reopen after cancellations?+
Yes. Sold-out Kalalau permit dates can reopen later when visitors cancel or change plans, but reopened Kalalau dates are unpredictable and may disappear quickly.
Is there a waitlist for Kalalau permits?+
No. There is no waitlist or standby list for Kalalau permits. After a date sells out, the only way back in is through cancellations or reopened availability, which is what alerts help monitor.
Does HawaiiPass book Kalalau permits for me?+
No. HawaiiPass is an independent alert service. It monitors selected dates and emails you when matching cancellations appear, but you book through the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system.
Need help watching for Kalalau reopenings?
HawaiiPass monitors your selected Kalalau permit dates and emails you when matching cancellations appear.
HawaiiPass does not issue permits or guarantee availability. You still book through the official State of Hawaiʻi permit system.