A National Tropical Botanical Garden site in Hāʻena’s Limahuli Valley, a 17-acre garden that HTA highlights for native plants and ocean views. Admission includes a fold-out map and guide with section overviews in English and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi.
Why we love it
It’s the best place on the North Shore to slow down and learn the valley’s plants and moʻolelo (stories), with mountain-to-ocean views as the reward for the climb.
Current conditions: NTBG says Limahuli has reopened after the post-Lowell closure, with an updated self-guided tour from Sept. 1, 2026. HDOT still lists Route 560 from Hanalei to Kēʻē as local access only (Oct. 20, 2026).
What to expect
Most visitors walk the self-guided 0.75-mile loop, which climbs about 200 feet and includes many sets of stairs. Admission includes a fold-out map and guide, and a deeper $5 guidebook covers history, rare plants and moʻolelo. Guided small-group tours (ages 13 and up) and a lāʻau lapaʻau (traditional medicine) tour need reservations. The garden sits on the Hāʻena stretch of Kūhiō Highway, so check road access before you drive. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays.
Know before you go
- Reservations
- Book online. Reservations open 30 days ahead and are strongly encouraged, since they guarantee your parking spot.
- Shuttle riders
- North Shore shuttle passholders can walk in 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. without a reservation and get a $5 admission discount.
- Trail
- A 0.75-mile loop with a 200-foot climb and many stairs. Wear good shoes.
- Days
- Closed Sunday and Monday. The gate closes at 2:15 p.m.
- Road access
- HDOT lists Route 560 past Hanalei as local access only as of Oct. 20, 2026. Confirm before driving.
Illustrative photo — not taken at Limahuli Garden and Preserve.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Caracas1830 assumed (based on copyright cla via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5
