Booking choice: The Secret Falls Kayak & Hike, from $135 per person. Check dates Compare the options below
Status checked September 27, 2026 against the Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks notices. Hurricane Lowell hit Kauai in early September 2026, and state parks across the island closed. They began reopening on Monday, September 21, with extra limits in Wailua River State Park.
Below: exactly what is open and closed, what happens to a tour you have already booked, and where to find a waterfall while Uluwehi is off limits.
The quick answer
No. Since September 21, 2026 you can paddle the Wailua River and use the designated landing and trailhead, but hiking past the trailhead is prohibited and access to Uluwehi (Secret) Falls remains closed in its entirety. DLNR has given no reopening date. Individual kayakers also cannot enter the Fern Grotto.
Is Secret Falls open right now?
No. DLNR's current notice says hiking beyond the trailhead and access to Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) remain closed.
The falls closed with the rest of Kauai's state parks when Hurricane Lowell arrived in early September 2026. The river reopened on September 21; the trail did not. Check the DLNR park notices before you book and again the day before you go.
What has DLNR reopened on the Wailua River, and what hasn't?
The river, the designated landing and the trailhead are open; the trail, the falls and kayak access to the Fern Grotto are not.
| Place | Status (September 2026) |
|---|---|
| Wailua River (paddling) | Open since September 21 |
| Designated kayak landing and trailhead | Open |
| Trail beyond the trailhead | Closed: hiking strictly prohibited |
| Uluwehi (Secret) Falls | Closed in its entirety |
| Fern Grotto by kayak | Closed to individual kayakers |
| Fern Grotto by riverboat | Permitted operator only |
| Other Kauai state parks | Remain closed; Koke'e Road closed |
Want the classic day when it returns? Every trip here cancels free up to 24 hours before.
Check dates for the Secret Falls Kayak & HikeWhy is Secret Falls closed?
Hurricane Lowell: DLNR closed Kauai's state parks for the storm in early September 2026 and has reopened them in stages.
Na Pali Coast and Polihale closed first, from September 4. Parks began reopening on September 21, but DLNR kept the Uluwehi trail shut and says all other Kauai state parks and all Kauai camping remain closed. It has not said what work the trail needs, so treat any reopening date you read elsewhere with caution.
Can you still book a Secret Falls kayak tour?
Yes, the tours are still listed, but a day on the river cannot include the hike to the falls until DLNR reopens it.
Outfitters may run a river-only paddle, move you to a later weekday, or cancel and refund. Ask the operator what your date includes. The Secret Falls Kayak & Hike ($135) and every other trip on this site cancel free up to 24 hours before, so a booking for later in the season costs nothing to hold.
Booking for later in 2026? Hold a date on the most-booked trip and cancel free if the trail is still shut.
Explore the Secret Falls Kayak & HikeCan you kayak to the landing and walk to the falls on your own?
No. Rental paddlers may use the river and the designated landing, but hiking past the trailhead is strictly prohibited.
That applies to everyone, guided or not. If you rent a paddleboard now, you get the river and the landing, not the falls. More on the two ways to do it in rental or guided tour.
Can you visit the Fern Grotto?
Only by riverboat: the permitted riverboat operator may land at the Fern Grotto, but no individual kayakers are allowed in.
The only Fern Grotto trip on this site is a riverboat shore excursion that can be booked only by Norwegian Pride of America passengers. More in the Wailua River kayak guide.
What are the best waterfall alternatives while Secret Falls is closed?
Trips on private land and on the Hule'ia River near Lihu'e are not affected by the Wailua trail closure.
The Hule'ia River kayak and waterfall hike ($162) is the closest match: a tandem paddle, a short hike to a waterfall and swimming hole, and a motorized canoe back. The Lihu'e waterfall hike and swim ($93) visits two falls on private land, and the helicopter tour shows the big falls you could never hike to.
Still want a kayak and a waterfall this week? The Hule'ia River trip runs near Lihu'e, off the closed trail.
Explore the Hule'ia River kayak and waterfall hikeNo paddling, just a swim under two falls near Lihu'e.
Check dates for the Lihu'e waterfall hike and swimWhen will Secret Falls reopen?
DLNR has not given a date: the notice says only that the falls remain closed.
When it reopens, expect the classic tours to restart quickly, weekdays only as before. We update the notice at the top of the homepage when DLNR changes its status. Meanwhile, plan the rest of the day with what the hike involves and what it costs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wailua River open after Hurricane Lowell?
Yes. DLNR reopened the river and the designated landing and trailhead on September 21, 2026. Hiking beyond the trailhead and Uluwehi (Secret) Falls remain closed.
Will I get a refund if my Secret Falls tour cannot go?
Operators may offer a river-only paddle, a new date or a refund. On Viator you can also cancel free up to 24 hours before departure.
Can I hike to Secret Falls without a kayak?
No. There is no road or land route in, and the trail beyond the landing is closed for now anyway.
Where do I check the official status?
The Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks important park notices page, which lists every Kauai closure.
Ready to book
Choose your river day
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before on every option. Prices are from-prices in USD and move with the season.
Secret Falls Kayak & Hike
- Guided kayak on the Wailua River (about 4 miles round trip)
- Guided rainforest hike to Uluwehi Falls (about 2 miles round trip, 465 ft gain)
- Kayak, paddles, backrest and life jacket
Hule'ia River Jungle Kayak & Waterfall Hike
A kayak-and-falls day off the Wailua
