Must visit place if you are into plants and trees, book your visit online in advance though. It's free, but limited people in a time. Everyone should sign in in the visitors center. We were lucky to book last spot for 1-3pm, and were allowed to enter at 11am. Hike is nice, a lot of side trails, great collection of plants. We were lucky to see the waterfall in the end being active. Spooky abandoned seismographic station in a trail. Very interesting! Feeling like a well maintained jungle. Please be kind and donate in the visitor center, if you are able to.

I think this place is a hidden gem. Beautiful hike with so many trails to explore. I was all beached out and missing the trees so I came to the Manoa falls trail and found this place due to getting lost. I booked a reservation (free) online for the next day and came to explore. The workers and volunteers here have maintained a well manicured garden, a veritable jungle protecting ascension species and taking out non native and invasive plants. One of the volunteers was very friendly and encouraged me to sign up to volunteer as well. I'm so glad I did. I got to talk and spend a few hours working alongside people who have a great deal of knowledge along with a great sense of humor. They were very kind to me and patient in explaining how to do the work. I learned a lot from them. This place needs volunteers so call and ask about signing up. I had to leave to fly back home the very same day otherwise I was planning on returning and volunteering here again. I can not put into words the feeling of peace, the wonderful smells and the sheer sensation of awe and belonging that I experienced here just stopping for a moment and taking in the majestic views. It was pretty neat even just stopping mid hike and looking around at the trees, flowers, frogs, skyward or even at the ground. So much to take in. I felt this was one of the best experiences I've had not just on the island but in life lately. 11/10 would recommend!

Great place! The kids absolutely loved the water features right outside the visitor center, especially the bigger one with the pavilion as it had big and little fish and also frogs and tadpoles. We hiked up the side trail (goes around the great lawn) and came back via the pavilion trail with the Buddha statue. We didn't even see a tenth of the Arboretum but still had a lot of fun and saw many different aspects of Hawaiian flora. Registration is free but required via Eventbrite. There is a recommended donation of 5-10$/adult (10 is listed on the site but the office says 5....). The gift shop is small but has a lot to offer and is where you purchase the plants offered out front. To get there drive past the Falls parking lot and keep going up the winding road till you get to the visitor center! I recommend going early in the day as it will get hit and will fill up. All-in-all a great experience and one we would love to repeat to see more!

Beeeeeeautiful arboretum! It feels like you are in a rainforest. So lush with beautiful smells. You need to reserve a spot online for the parking lot. It’s very muddy. Wear water shoes or flip flops. The waterfall at the end is nothing extra special but the walk up to it is very pleasant. Overall a great experience! Very enjoyable! Oh and it’s free! You can leave a donation :)

The best part of the garden is the lower area within 500 feet of the entrance. Beautiful and abundant tropical flora! Take mosquito repellant and/or long sleeves and pants. Take water. It is humid and lush, with an occasional breeze. Ask if the waterfall is flowing; if not, it's NOT WORTH THE HIKE to the top. The last leg up to the waterfall is not manicured or gardened, and a little steeper with loose gravel. Watch your footing if you head to the falls. Subtracting one star because the map and signage could be better... It's easy to get turned around and lose the main trail.

This place was absolutely stunning!!! You’ll need to buy tickets and plan ahead but it’s so worth it! I was blown away by the beauty of the rainforest.

Very pleasant place to walk and see the beautiful flora that grows on the island. We hiked yo the waterfall, but no water was falling. It's still worth the trip.

I don’t think I’ve seen so many beautiful plants and plant varieties in my life! Just gorgeous… and so many little hikes that you can take to find a special view and moment of peace/quiet in nature. Just make sure to keep track of where you are (unlike me) haha! This felt very special.

The Lyon Arboretum in conjunction with the University of Hawaii maintains this wonderful area in Manoa Valley. Walking in this well maintained rainforest you’ll experience how flora flourishes in such an environment. One could easily spend 2-3 hours on the main trail and off trails exploring. Tho free, a $5 donation is appreciated at the Visitor Center. The waterfall at the far end of the trail may be just a trickle depending on the weather. Tips: Wear good traction shoes(unless you’re a local), insect repellent is a must, bring drinking water.

Amazing place. Incredible plant and tree life to enjoy and soak up. Very healing environment. Was I'm awe by the inspiration point and everything else. Being an Ohioan and getting to enjoy places like this is really a blessing.

Beautiful and cool spot in the middle of hot and humid Oahu. The Arboretum is well kept with many native and foreign species that makes it worth a visit. There's also many treks to walk and the weather is cool.

Nice hike up to the waterfall. It hasn’t rained much recently so the waterfall was more of a trickle. Really wish they told us that when we “donated” to enter and do the hike. Overall very nice grounds and lots of colorful plants. Not many people around, which was nice compared to Manoa Falls next door.

Our visit felt like we had just stepped into a fairytale and was transported to a far away land. Lush forests all around, flowers at every turn. If you have 2 hours to spend, please visit. Unlike any other place we have been to.

Such a unique place. Entrance to the parking lot coat 7$ (the same parking lot to the Manoa falls trail. Both of them 7$). So many kinds of leaves! Nice and recommended. There is a visitor center in the place.

The trails around Great Lawn and up to the Valley Overlook are close to the visitor center and present many labeled plants, interesting planted beds and trials to wander. If you have kids or a mobility impaired elder this is the area for you. The longer gravel/dirt/grass road up to the falls is a mild climb and fades into a short trail to the falls. Doable in an hour each way with kids/elders but more uniform so less interesting for young minds. Environs and side trails passed up to the falls are ungroomed. Falls are intermittent based on recent rain. My favorite for an easy immersive forest walk on Oahu. Need on line reservation but free.

Nice collection of plants. Birds singing and lush green lawns make it a pleasant experience. Not crowded as the entry is restricted to those with prior reservation. No entry fee. You may donate to help upkeep the place.

Beautiful! We hiked around the Arboretum in the pouring rain, which was actually OK. Cute gift shop, they sold ponchos! Note: part of the drive to the Arboretum is shared with hikers to Manoa Falls, so the road may be filled with hikers and you’ll need to wait for them!

Great hike for little kids. We did it with 3 year olds and were to the falls and back in about 1.5 hours. There are plenty of small side paths to take. Before visiting you have to register for a time online. Atm it's groups of max 4 people.

Gorgeous botanical garden with great views of the mountains! We went to five botanical gardens on Oahu and this one was by far the best, and entry is free.

Traversing the main trail and the mini trails in this Arboretum makes you feel like you left civilization when in fact civilization is just outside the gate. The trail culminates with a modest water fall.

Make reservations to park your car. The arboretum gives a nice overview of fauna and flora of Hawaii. Book a tour with “Scott - tropical forest” on Airbnb and you’ll have a great time. He has good and funny story’s t o tell, and his historical knowledge is endless.

BEAUTIFUL! The views are unreal and the hikes are easy. A lot of plants and wildlife all in one spot. We spent about an hour and a half here.

One of the most beautiful places in the Hawaiian Islands. It’s the Garden of Eden with lush flora and pure zen experience.

Really beautiful place. Everyone was super friendly. Don't feel obligated to see the waterfall, inspiration point and the bromeliad garden are must see.

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Absolutely incredible plants and trails, make sure you schedule a time slot on their website though and get there on time or you might not make it through.

Fantastic natural beauty. Bring bug repellent though. The Mosquitos will eat you alive. AND wear great hiking shoes. Sandals are inappropriate

I have lived on island for over 2.5 years now and this is my first time here! Cant believe this place isn't on everyone's plans or agenda when visiting! A must see for its beauty and lush foliage! Bring buy spray as the mosquitos are definitely out! Dont forget to check-in at the visitor center upon arrival! If this review was helpful, please like and follow me! MAHALO!!~

Great spots for nature lovers. We visited this amazing place in August, great time, the park was full of flowering plants and various fruits.

Very beautiful place! We did first the Manola Falls hike, about a 2.5-mile round trip, then went to arboretum. It has a great variety of plants from many tropical regions of the world. We spent a total of about 3.5 hours at the hike and arboretum and walked overall 4.5 miles.

Very nice and great views. Easy main trail but lots of side trails of varying difficulty to explore. A little hard to get a reservation now die to COVID but worth it if you can get in. Enough shade to make it enjoyable.

Great hidden gem on the island. Bigger than I expected. Must wear comfortable walking shoes because there are some wild and uphill walks and partially not well maintained. So many kinds of plants and a few are very unusual. Unfortunately many of them are not well labeled. Appreciate these people who constantly work there to keep this wonderful place. There is a waterfall and I expected some more water on the day it rained I the morning but it was sort of just trickling. But still worth walking up all the way. Wonder what they do with fruits growing such as monstera deliciosa and red banana.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since we got a 2 hr time slot, the bathrooms were clean and the staff were nice. We had quite the adventure and may have got lost in this rainforest for a short time, don’t worry there are trails everywhere, some maintained more than others, bring bug spray!!!!

Park at the top...no parking fee... just past the parking attendant at bottom. Save $7. But donate at gift shop and register your car.

Worth the drive up to see so many different types of plants and trees. Nice walking paths, not difficult at all. Make sure to make a reservation on their website beforehand.