Iao Needle Trail | Hiking in Iao Valley | Easy Family Hikes Maui Hawaii

Iao Valley State Park is one of Maui’s most scenic and family-friendly hikes, and it made a perfect outing while our family was visiting us with their small kids. Located near Wailuku on Maui’s west side, the park features a short, paved 0.5-mile trail that leads to an overlook of the towering 1,200-foot Iao Needle—a striking green peak that rises dramatically above the rainforest-covered valley. The views from the trail were incredible and gave us a real sense of Maui’s lush interior.

We started our visit by exploring the beautifully maintained garden area near the entrance, where we spotted banana trees—complete with clusters of bananas—which was a fun surprise for everyone. After wandering through the gardens, we headed down to the river to swim in the cool freshwater pools. The gentle current and crystal-clear water made it a refreshing stop, especially for the kids. We finished our visit with the short walk up to the main viewpoint, taking in the sweeping views of the valley and surrounding peaks.

Parking at the state park is $5. Just a short drive away, Kepaniwai Park is also worth a stop. It features cultural gardens and a Japanese temple, adding a peaceful and historic touch to the day. It was the perfect way to round out our visit to Iao Valley before heading back toward town.

Gear used for this video:
📸: GoPro HERO8 - get it at https://amzn.to/3DCjjqc
📸: Foretoo selfi stick (waterproof): get it at https://amzn.to/3DHc801
🎒: Hiking Backpack: Osprey Talon 22 - https://amzn.to/3AIjzSS
👟: Gerald's Hiking sandals - Keen Newport - https://amzn.to/3BJpyrX
👟: Hailey's Hiking sandals - Chaco - https://amzn.to/3lIZOGu

Other gear:
🤿: Mask/Snorkel - get it at https://amzn.to/3vhAaf5
🤿: Toddler/Kids Mask - get it at https://amzn.to/3BL3PzI
👟: Gerald's Trail Runners - Saucony Peregrine - https://amzn.to/2YVccL0
🏕️: Madera Hammock/Rain Fly/Camping Gear - https://bit.ly/3BsEc74

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