Kalopa State Recreation Area

Tucked into the misty slopes above Honokaa on Hawaiʻi’s Hamakua Coast, Kalopa State Recreation Area offers something rare in the islands — a cool, lush native Hawaiian rainforest you can walk through, sleep in, and actually breathe. At roughly 2,000 feet elevation, temperatures here run 10–15 degrees cooler than the coast, making it a genuine retreat from the tropical heat below.

The park’s standout feature is its native forest nature trail, a 0.7-mile loop through towering ʻōhiʻa lehua trees draped in ferns, mosses, and epiphytes. This is one of the most accessible places on the Big Island to experience what Hawaiian forests looked like before invasive species took hold. Birdwatchers should listen for the ʻapapane and other native honeycreepers in the canopy overhead.

Kalopa’s cabins and group lodge make it one of the better camping setups in the state park system. The cabins sleep up to eight and come with bunks, a shared kitchen, and hot showers — a far cry from roughing it. Tent camping is not currently available, but the cabins fill the gap nicely. Reservations fill up fast, especially on weekends, so book well ahead through the state parks system.

The Hamakua Coast gets rain year-round, so pack layers and rain gear regardless of when you visit. That said, mornings are often clearest. The payoff is a green, quiet park that most tourists never find — with a 4.7-star rating from those who do.

Explore Nearby

• Laupāhoehoe Point Light — Lighthouse in Hawaii
• Lā’au Point Light — Lighthouse in Hawaii