This State Park In Hawaii Is A Hidden Gem With Lush Views And Pretty Waterfalls

When trying to fit as many experiences as possible into your Hawaii vacation, consider visiting a place close to town full of sights and activities. Wailuku River State Park, a beautiful park on the Big Island, fits the bill. When you need a break from wandering around Volcanoes National Park, or you want to burn off a little of that delicious Kona coffee that you couldn't stop drinking, a couple of short hikes through a hidden gem of a state park may be just the ticket. Wailuku River State Park may be the smallest state park in Hawaii, but it's packed with beauty and worth a few hours of your trip.

The free-to-enter 16.3-acre park awaits a mere 2 miles from the town of Hilo. The longest and largest river in Hawaii — the Wailuku River — runs right through it, starting at the volcano Mauna Kea and flowing down to Mauna Loa. Within the state park, you'll find short hikes to Rainbow (Waiānuenue) Falls (pictured), Pe'epe'e Falls (which you'll sometimes see written as Pee Pee Falls, but it's pronounced Pay-ay Pay-ya), and a spot where the river flow looks like bubbling water called Boiling Pots.

Rainbow Falls is the star attraction of Wailuku River State Park, with travelers often flocking to this area. On sunny mornings, you can see rainbows in the mist above it. If that doesn't sound like a fairytale, what could? According to legend, demigod Maui's mom, Hina, lived at Rainbow Falls. It has an 80-foot cascade and a pool below it. However, you won't find any lifeguards, making it a dangerous spot to take a dip. If you want more peace and space, time your visit for early morning or evening. You can expect a short and easy hike to this attraction, with the asphalt and cement Rainbow Falls Upper Lookout trail covering only 0.1 miles out and back. However, you'll need to leave your canine companion behind, as it does not allow dogs.

Once you've had your fill of Rainbow Falls, you can hit the Wai'ale Falls Trail, which spans 0.4 miles with a 65-foot elevation gain out and back. You can hike this one with your furry companion on a leash, and it's also a great place to spot some birds. Down the river, you'll find Pe'pep'e Falls(pictured), which runs down into the Boiling Pots (pictured below). As the water from an underground flow goes over the hexagonal columns of basalt lava there, its bubbles make it look like boiling water.

The Wailuku River State Park has amenities like restrooms and a water fountain to hit before you hike. The area sometimes has flash floods, which will close the park. Check the weather report for Hilo before you head out. While you'll find plenty of wonderful places to swim in the area, the Wailuku River doesn't make the cut. Several people have drowned in the river, and travelers shouldn't risk entering the water.

Downtown Hilo offers a number of its own attractions. Don't miss the Hilo Farmer's Market, open every day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with "big market" days on Wednesdays and Sundays that feature over 150 vendors. You can pick up fruit, juice, and local food products and maybe grab breakfast before you set out to see the rainbow over the falls at Wailuku River State Park. If you work up a sweat, take a post-park trip to Wilson's By the Bay, which has 4.5 stars on Yelp, for some shave ice.

Hilo, less than an hour away, is a great base for visiting Volcanoes National Park, one of the most popular national parks on an island. However, monitor the conditions and possible closures before setting out. If you want to hit the water after your park excursion, check out the best beach on the Big Island for snorkeling and swimming.