Kōkee State Park is a state park in northwestern Kauai, Hawaii, United States. The park is located north of Waimea Canyon State Park on the island's west side and is administered by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources. It includes the Kōkee Museum at the marker on State Road 550, cabins for rent and hiking trails. The park includes of mountainous terrain on a plateau ranging from about above sea level.

The main attractions of Kōkee State Park trails are the native vegetation, native forest birds, and the scenic cliffside views. Situated on a plateau between , much of Kōkee is a montane (infrequent frost) mesic forest ( annual rainfall with moist soil conditions) dominated by koa (Acacia koa) and ōhia lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) trees. The park receives around of rain per year, mostly from October to May.

At the end of the state road is a lookout onto the Kalalau Valley, once home to thousands of native Hawaiians. The valley was the backdrop for Jack London's short story Koolau the Leper.

In October it is the home of a festival honoring Queen Emma of Hawaii.

Geography and setting Kōkee State Park is situated upland of Waimea Canyon along the Waimea Canyon and Kōkee road corridor. The park includes viewpoints toward Kalalau Valley and the Nā Pali Coast. The park has views of Kalalau Valley from about elevation.

The park's elevation gives it a cooler and wetter climate than many coastal areas of Kauai. Annual rainfall is about , and average temperatures range from about in January to in July.

Historic CCC camp The park contains the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Koke'e State Park, a historic Civilian Conservation Corps camp built in 1935. The camp is a complex of 11 wood-frame buildings surrounding an open grassed quadrangle.

The camp was used for forest management, trail and road work and other conservation projects in the Kōkee area. After the CCC program ended, the camp was used during World War II, later by Job Corps and Youth Conservation Corps programs, and then rehabilitated with the involvement of Kōkee Natural History Museum and volunteers beginning in 1990. According to the Historic Hawaii Foundation, it is the only one of Hawaii's five original CCC camps that remains in a natural area.

Hiking trails

Alakai Swamp Trail, length: . Trail through native wet forest to the rim of Wainiha Pali with sweeping view of the north shore. This birdwatching trail is often wet, slippery and muddy. The majority of this trail is a plank boardwalk covered with chicken wire to provide traction. Awaawapuhi Trail, length: . A trail with mesic and dryland native plants, it has views into the steep-sided Nualolo and Awaawapuhi Valleys. Return climb of . Berry Flat Trail, length: . This trail traverses a mix of planted alien and native forest types, including Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) groves and disturbed koa/ōhia forest. Black Pipe Trail, length: . This trail is an alternate access to the Canyon Trail. Native hibiscus and iliau (Wilkesia gymnoxiphium) can be seen along the trail. Canyon Trail, length: . A trail with views of Waimea and Poomau Canyons. The trail follows the rim of Waimea Canyon and crosses Kōkee Stream. Cliff Trail, length: . A spur trail leading to a viewpoint of Waimea Canyon. Feral goats are often seen on the canyon walls. Ditch Trail, length: . A trail developed to construct and maintain the Kōkee Ditch. Vistas of surrounding forest and Poomau Stream. Faye Trail, length: . A short trail that accesses other trails in the Halemanu area. Halemanu-Kōkee Trail, length: . This trail wanders through somewhat disturbed koa/ōhia forest. Recovery from Hurricane Iwa and transition to koa forest from drier conditions is evident. Iliau Nature Loop, length: . Easy roadside nature trail through dry shrubland with plants identified. Sweeping views of Waimea Canyon and Waialae Canyon. Kaluapuhi Trail, length: . Disturbed ōhia montane mesic forest with some intact forest areas. Kukui Trail, Length: . Scenic, but steep trail into Waimea Canyon. Elevation drop of . Kumuwela Trail, length: . Mosaic of ōhia and koa/ōhia montane mesic forests with alien weed problems and hurricane damage. Nature Trail, length: . A starter trail to learn about native forest vegetation. Nualolo Trail, length: . Trail through koa/ōhia montane mesic forests and an aalii (Dodonaea viscosa) lowland dry shrubland with a view of Nualolo Valley. Return climb of . Pihea Trail, length: . A nature/birdwatching trail along the rim of Kalalau Valley, traversing ōhia montane wet forest. Puu ka Ohelo Trail, length: . Along this trail are examples of the impact that invasive alien weeds can have on native forest vegetation. Waininiua Trail, length: . A trail from which to see a relatively intact koa/ōhia montane mesic forest. Water Tank Trail, length: . This trail provides an example of a native koa/ōhia forest.

See also Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Koke'e State Park Waimea Canyon State Park Nā Pali Coast State Park List of Hawaii state parks

References

External links

Kōkee State Park Kōkee & Na Pali Coast Trail Guide Jack London's story Koolau the Leper - full text