Your Base Camp for Exploring Kauai's High Country
Your Kauai high country adventure begins at Kokee Lodge, the perfect base camp for exploring Kokee State Park and Waimea Canyon.
- Address: 3600 Kokee Road, Waimea, HI 96796
- Phone: (808) 335-6061
- Website: www.kokeelodge.com
- Map: Google Maps
- Next Door: Kokee Museum
-
Open: Daily
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Positioned amid breathtaking vistas and abundant natural wonders in Kokee State Park, Kokee Lodge offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of Kauai's mountain splendor. With a restaurant, café, Koa Bar, retail shop, nearby rental cabins, and campgrounds throughout the area, the lodge serves as the perfect base camp for visitors eager to explore the region's many hiking trails and spectacular viewpoints.
Kokee State Park begins just beyond Waimea Canyon State Park. Together, these neighboring parks encompass one of Hawaii's most remarkable natural landscapes, where colorful canyons give way to lush native forests, misty mountain peaks, and sweeping vistas. Nestled between these two extraordinary parks, Kokee Lodge is the ideal mountain retreat.
Nearby are some of Kauai's most spectacular attractions and hiking trails. Just before reaching the lodge lies the breathtaking Waimea Canyon area. Kokee Lodge sits at mile marker 15, only two miles beyond the canyon's Puu Hinahina Lookout at mile marker 13. Kauai's famous Kalalau Lookout, with its unforgettable views of the Na Pali Coast, is just a short drive away, along with neighboring Puu o Kila Lookout, which offers similarly spectacular scenery. Few places in the world allow visitors to look down upon the ocean from sea cliffs rising more than 4,000 feet above sea level, and Kokee State Park offers two unforgettable opportunities to experience exactly that.
Hiking trails abound throughout this mountain paradise. One of the area's most popular hikes is the Canyon Trail, located just beyond mile marker 14 and less than a mile from the lodge. The trail leads hikers to the top of Waipoo Falls overlooking Waimea Canyon. Another favorite, the Awaawapuhi Trail, is a bucket-list destination that rewards hikers with one of the finest viewpoints on the Na Pali Coast. Near Kalalau Lookout, the Alakai Swamp Trail provides an otherworldly journey through one of the world's highest-elevation swamps via an elevated boardwalk winding through native forest. Altogether, the surrounding parks offer more than twenty hiking trails ranging from short nature walks to challenging backcountry adventures.
Getting to Kokee Lodge
The historic town of Waimea serves as the gateway to Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. From Waimea, follow Highway 550 (Waimea Canyon Drive) before turning right onto Kokee Road. The road quickly climbs into the mountains with numerous switchbacks, narrow sections, and spectacular overlooks along the way. Drive carefully, as there are many sharp curves and steep drop-offs. Visitors who are uncomfortable with mountain roads or heights may find portions of the drive a bit intimidating.
For your return trip, consider continuing along Kokee Road instead of retracing your route via Waimea Canyon Drive. This scenic descent offers different perspectives of the landscape, including beautiful views toward the island of Niihau before ending near Kekaha Beach on Kauai's west coast. If you're visiting on a Friday, it's also the perfect opportunity to stop in nearby Hanapepe for the popular Hanapepe Art Night.
Kokee Lodge is the only commercial establishment within the park, so we recommend filling your gas tank and purchasing snacks or other supplies in Waimea before heading into the mountains.
We also recommend bringing a lightweight, water-resistant jacket. Frequent rain showers and elevations exceeding 3,500 feet can make Kokee surprisingly cool, even when the coast is hot and sunny. Temperatures sometimes fall into the 50s, and on rare occasions can even dip into the 40s at night. Combined with rain and mountain breezes, the cool weather can feel much colder than many visitors expect.
Kokee State Park Fees
Entry to Kokee Lodge is free. However, non-Hawaii residents are required to pay an entrance fee to visit the scenic attractions within Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park.
Fees may be paid at self-service kiosks located at the Waimea Canyon Lookout, Puu Hinahina Lookout, Kalalau Lookout, and Puu o Kila Lookout. After payment, simply display the receipt on your vehicle's dashboard. The receipt is valid for all fee collection areas and scenic lookouts within both Waimea Canyon State Park and Kokee State Park during your visit. More information about entry fees...
Arriving at Kokee Lodge
As you climb into Kauai's mountains, you'll feel as though you've been transported to a mountain village in the Pacific Northwest rather than a tropical Hawaiian island. Towering forests, cool mountain air, and sweeping vistas create a surprisingly alpine atmosphere that makes Kokee unlike anywhere else in Hawaii. Upon arriving at the lodge, you'll likely be greeted by the island's famous free-roaming Kauai chickens, which seem to consider the lodge their home as much as anyone else's.
Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow
The lodge sits beside the beautiful Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow, a broad grassy clearing that contrasts dramatically with the surrounding forests. According to an ancient Hawaiian legend, the meadow was once covered with trees like the rest of the mountain.
In those days, the meadow served as a waypoint along an ancient trail connecting communities across Kauai, including the distant Kalalau Valley. A fearsome spirit (akua) lurked within the forest, attacking, robbing, and even killing travelers who passed through. Desperate for protection, the people prayed to Kanaloa, one of Hawaii's principal deities.
Kanaloa warned the evil spirit to change its ways, but the warning was ignored. Enraged, Kanaloa tore every tree from the meadow, piled them together, and destroyed them with a bolt of lightning. He declared that trees would never again grow in that place so the spirit would forever have nowhere to hide.
Today, the meadow remains remarkably free of trees, creating a beautiful park-like setting where visitors gather for picnics, games, and quiet relaxation.
Kokee Lodge History
Kokee Lodge, along with the neighboring Kokee Museum, was established in the early 1950s under the leadership of Joseph M. Souza Jr., affectionately known as "Kokee Joe." Souza oversaw the relocation and conversion of two World War II buildings from approximately two miles farther up the road. Ruth Knudsen Hanner and Isabel Faye also played important roles in bringing the vision to life.
At the time, the territorial park received relatively few visitors and offered limited services. Thanks to the generosity of more than 300 Kauai residents and visitors, along with support from the Kauai Historical Society, the lodge and museum officially opened on November 28, 1953—nearly six years before Hawaii became the nation's 50th state.
More than seventy years later, Kokee Lodge and the neighboring Kokee Museum remain the heart of the park, welcoming generations of hikers, campers, photographers, and nature lovers.
Managed by Hale Puna
Today, Kokee Lodge is operated by Hale Puna, a Kauai-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Kokee State Park through conservation, education, cultural stewardship, and community partnerships. Revenue generated by the lodge helps support the organization's efforts to care for this remarkable mountain landscape while improving the visitor experience for generations to come.
The Restaurant and Café
Delicious, hearty meals await at the Kokee Lodge Restaurant, making it the perfect place to fuel up before or after a day of exploring. While prices are somewhat higher than elsewhere on the island, visitors consistently praise the generous portions, fresh local ingredients, and quality of the food. Many compare the experience to dining at a cozy ski lodge—complete with hearty mountain-style meals and prices that reflect the lodge's remote location.
Breakfast favorites include Kokee Pancakes topped with candied macadamia nuts, fresh fruit, and whipped cream, as well as the always-popular Loco Moco.
Lunch offerings include the Island Beef Burger made with local grass-fed beef, Kalua Pork Plate, hearty chili made with black and kidney beans, grilled cheese sandwiches on Midnight Bear sourdough, roasted eggplant, and the popular Strata featuring Mayan spinach, kale, provolone cheese, and organic sourdough baked casserole-style and served over fresh greens. Kokee Nachos topped with Kalua pork and BLT sandwiches are among the many additional menu favorites.
The café also offers an extensive selection of coffees, espresso drinks, teas, smoothies, milkshakes, lemonades, and other refreshing beverages. Whether you're warming up after a cool morning hike or cooling off after an afternoon on the trails, there's something for everyone.
Koa Bar
The Koa Bar offers a warm and relaxing retreat where visitors can unwind with their favorite beverage after a day of exploring. Featuring beautiful koa wood accents and a cozy fireplace, the bar provides a welcoming mountain atmosphere that encourages guests to slow down and relax.
Despite its remote mountain location, the beverage selection is surprisingly diverse. Signature drinks celebrate nearby attractions with names such as Kalalau Coffee, Lookout Lemonade, and Waipoo Falls. Daily craft specials, premium pours, locally sourced ingredients, classic cocktails, tropical favorites, and refreshing mai tais all contribute to an impressive beverage menu that perfectly complements the lodge's mountain ambiance.
Kokee Retail Shop
The retail shop at Kokee Lodge offers visitors and local residents a delightful shopping experience while serving as an important resource for those exploring the park.
A useful assortment of trail essentials is available, including snacks, beverages, sunglasses, maps, hats, sweatshirts, jackets, and other outdoor necessities. Because of the lodge's remote location, however, we recommend purchasing most supplies in Waimea before heading into the mountains.
The shop also features an excellent collection of Kokee-inspired souvenirs and locally made gifts that help commemorate your visit. Jewelry, artwork, postcards, books, prints, mugs, gourmet foods, kitchen accessories, candles, apparel, and many other unique items provide wonderful reminders of your adventure in Kauai's high country.
A Place to Connect and Share Stories
Beyond its restaurant, café, Koa Bar, and retail shop, Kokee Lodge serves as a welcoming gathering place where hikers, campers, photographers, families, and local residents can relax, connect, and exchange stories from the day's adventures. Tucked away in the rear of the lodge, just beyond the Koa Bar, is a cozy lounge featuring comfortable seating, tables, board games, books, and a warm mountain atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and unwind. Whether comparing trail recommendations, planning the next day's itinerary, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon by the fireplace, it's an inviting space that embodies the relaxed spirit of Kokee.
Final Thoughts
In a world of constant connectivity and fast-paced living, Kokee Lodge offers a refreshing opportunity to slow down and appreciate one of Hawaii's most spectacular natural landscapes. Surrounded by towering forests, dramatic canyon vistas, and some of Kauai's finest hiking trails, the lodge is far more than simply a restaurant or gift shop—it's the heart of Kokee State Park. Whether you're stopping in for a hearty breakfast before hitting the trails, enjoying lunch after a day of sightseeing, relaxing with a drink at the Koa Bar, or spending time in the cozy lounge swapping stories with fellow travelers, Kokee Lodge provides the perfect complement to any mountain adventure. It's a place you'll likely remember long after you've left Kauai's breathtaking high country behind.
