Incredible view, you can walk around or drive. •Those photos you saw on the Instagram with people walking on the street with the mountains range in the background are taken ILLEGALLY at the entrance area. You aren’t allowed to stop & take photos in that area because it’s literally a road & there are cars coming thru. Park ranger put cones & warning signs not to stop & take pictures in that area. They would yell at you. •Go there early before park rangers get there if you want to take pictures there.There are stop/park areas for cars. You can park there & go on foot to take pics. Otherwise do NOT stop your car on the road & start taking pics there. You are blocking the traffic. •Would highly recommend driving if you aren’t used to walking long in humid weather or don’t like sweating too much. •When you get to the top of trail there’s a picnic area & incredible overview of the mountains.

I wish I had come earlier in the day because we didn't get to see the whole thing, but just driving through and making a few stops here and there was a phenomenal experience. The lake is such a great place for photos and views! I also loved the gardens around the welcome center. A guide there showed me a rare flower, native to Hawaii, that only blooms a short time each day. It was beautiful! Pack a picnic lunch and take it to the top of this place! There's a great pavilion there with lots of picnic tables and plenty of space for kids to run around. Make a day of this and you won't regret it! It's so beautiful and jam packed with plants you've likely never seen.

This is definitely must visit places in Oahu. It’s very beautiful place. There is a visitor center too where you can get the map of the area. The garden is divided in different regions based on plants from different countries and regions of the world. You can park your car in any spot in the garden and take a walk around or you can also drive through the entire garden. It’s a free entry but there are too much of restriction to take photos throughout the garden. I respect their prospective but there are numerous photos of the garden all over the internet. People also sneak around to take photos, we also did the same. If you want to take photo before the park opens which you would have read in other reviews as well, try to reach there atleast few hours before it opens. We reached there 30 mins before the garden opens and weren’t allowed to go in for a walk. So plan accordingly. Mahalo! 😊

Very lush greenery, and a lake. Tent camping allowed weekends only. More of an arboretum, not much in the way of flowers, but still very pretty and marked pathways. Pick up a map at the Visitor Center. Free.

Always a bit overcrowded during the weekends. However, it's always a great experience if you are a nature lover, especially during the winter whe it's cooler and less humid. Plan to spend at least 1 hour, depending on how much you are willing to enjoy. Make sure you are ready to leave before 3 PM if you don't wish to be locked in the park.

One of our favorite places to take guests when they come to visit. The botanical gardens are so tranquil and relaxing. Beautiful place to drive through or stop by and have a picnic. Bathrooms are always clean and there is plenty of parking throughout the garden.

(Translated by Google) Secluded and so peaceful (Original) 한적하고 너무 평화롭습니다

Beautiful drive and walks. I have the utmost respect for the staff that maintain this garden. Amazing.

One of the top 3 on the Island. Make this a destination point when you visit Oahu. Give yourself plenty of time to make this a full day trip.

Definitely a great spot to visit for tourists getting out of the sun and locals. I lived on island for years and never realized the fill offerings of the beautiful gardens.

Simply incredible!! I would highly recommend visiting there are so many walks and places you can drive you can spend minimum one hour or multiple days and probably not explore every area of this beautiful place! There is absolutely so much to see if you like plants or just want a stunning walk through nature this is the place to come !

I wanted to love this place, but the fact that they don’t allow to take pictures at the entrance made me really sad. There are signs that restrict videos/photos. And I don’t really understand why! So sad! But the views in the garden are breathtaking!

Beautiful gardens with a 10 minute path to a small lake with ducks and fish. My 7-year-old was skeptical but really enjoyed herself!

The Prettiest Botanical Garden 🥹 it’s just stunning to walk, drive or come and relax! We went to their Free Meditation Class that they offer, we did have to sign up online for it and make an account in the link they provided but it was soooo worth it, meditating in a room with gorgeous views and outdoor sounds 😍 10/10

Amazing & gorgeous place. Highly recommend a visit for pleasant walks and extraordinary views especially since it is free!!

Beautiful place! Amazing that entry is free. Love just sitting under the trees and relaxing. Kids walked down to the pond and fed the fish.

This is a great stop on the drive through the park. They have a beautiful assortment of plants, many with labels and information. There is a short path to a lake. In the visitor center, kids can see the different uses of plants in Hawaiian culture. Entry is free. Take a picnic!

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is by far the largest botanical garden I’ve had the pleasure of visiting in my entire life. As soon as you step foot inside, you realize that you’re in for an incredible experience. To fully explore this garden, you’d need an entire day, as it’s brimming with so many captivating sights and features. One of the most remarkable aspects of Hoomaluhia is how they’ve organized the garden into various sections, each dedicated to plants native to specific regions. This thoughtful arrangement takes you on a journey around the world, right in the heart of Hawaii. At the summit of the botanical garden, you’re treated to a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. It’s a picture-perfect scene that’s sure to leave you in awe. What’s even more impressive is that entrance to this remarkable garden is entirely free. The staff simply requests that you provide them with the number of visitors, and they keep track of entries at the garden’s entrance. To make exploration convenient, there are several free parking lots scattered throughout the garden, allowing you to drive to the sections that interest you most. This thoughtful design ensures you can enjoy every corner of this garden without having to walk its entirety. In summary, Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden is nothing short of breathtaking. It offers a diverse array of plant life, stunning views, and an unforgettable experience that’s a true gem in Hawaii.

So beautiful... must go back when not raining 😎

Such a beautiful garden many different areas to explore and the lake was wonderful I heard the the President Obama likes to visit here to. We saw some mongoose which was fun even though they are not native and eat all tge native birds eggs :(

Bring trail shoes

Amazingly beautiful and well kept garden. You find so many walks and places with a totally different atmosphere. You are literally bathing in the lush Green

A beautiful beautiful garden. You walk past these beautiful trees down to a pond carrying borrowed fishing poles and soak in some fantastic views. We had a great time, even without catching fish.

This place is wonderful. The smells and the nature is just perfect!

The best botanical

So pretty in so many areas.400 acres of fabulous views and plant l I fe

Great plant and wildlife spot with trails. We stopped for a picnic as well!

There are five smaller gardens within this larger park, each representing a different tropical zone and its native plants. Suggest starting with a walk to the lake and then following the trail to other zones. Or, you can drive between them. It had rained recently when we were there, so many spots were muddy and cleaning our shoes was a pain. Overall, though, it was a gorgeous place to walk and hike.

Beautiful place, a must visit in my books. Plenty of hiking to be had and views are outstanding.

Beautiful place with very friendly staff. I got this trip done in a couple hours but easily could’ve spent a full day here. Got here early afternoon on a Saturday and it was not too crowded (maybe due to the clouds). Wonderful can’t miss experience on Oahu.

I wore flip-flops… Not a horrible mistake, but I felt every rock on the trail by wearing flip flops. A lot of pretty saddles looked ruined that day on various guests. Beautiful plants, beautiful atmosphere… I came back to the car with wicked bug bites on my ankles and shins. You’ll never see any other plants like this, totally worth it. If it has been raining, expect to walk in some mud.

Photos are no longer allowed on the iconic road to the gardens so don't stop on the drive in. Beautiful place for photos with a short walk to the lake. Be aware that halfway to the lake the trail is no longer paved so it makes it difficult to get there with a stroller that doesn't have large tires. Staff was nice except we heard one employee arguing with others about campground issues very loudly where visitors could hear and he scared my 11-year old. Bathrooms were clean and parking was easy to find. (We visited on April 3)

Great place for a picnic, amazing views. Koi fish in the lake, ducks swimming and mongoose playing around. Beautiful flowers and plants

Really amazing place to close to the nature and have a special view of Hawaii. Large parking lot next to the visitor center, and there is ten minutes walk to the lake which will witness various tropical plants.

It’s breathtaking, beautiful, Lush green and free to visit. Staff over there is really helpful

Nice place with kids.

This place is so gorgeous. We went once and only got to do a small portion of it because it's so big. We will be going back.

Beautiful walking paths that are mostly wheelchair accessible. The path towards the lake starting at the visitors center is the best one we saw at the park. A large variety of beautiful flowering plants and trees. Definitely worth it! Make sure you stop at the visitors center for a map of the park!!

Very beautiful place, the mountain views are pretty, and has a very earthy and herbal smell when you are 🚶

It’s beautiful out there😍😍😍

Beautiful garden! Open 9-4 ,free to get and free parking. Lots to explode,some bathrooms (one near the lake currently closed but others are open),benches and tables throughout. See fish and ducks at the lake don't feed bread. The views range from very pretty to absolutely breathtaking depending on where you go. The main stop by the visitor center is usually busy but most of other parts are not. Some areas are flip flop friendly other places like stream trail you're better off wearing sneakers. Great for kids of all ages. Short areas you can use a stroller,easy to baby wear and toddlers/kids have lots of save room to run.

Extremely beautiful and peaceful!

The most beautiful park on the island of Oahu.

Beautiful

(Translated by Google) Relaxing and very peaceful. Beautiful landscapes, very well cared for. I recommend visiting it. (Original) Relajante y muy tranquilo. Bellos paisajes, muy bien cuidado. Recomiendo visitarlo.

(Translated by Google) How pretty!!!!! (Original) Que bonita!!!!!

Indoor exhibits are closed at the visitor center but camping is back open! Bring fish food.

Loved the place. It has the true Hawaiian views.

Nice and calm。 Bigger than it looks

Lots of fish in the lake

Oh, this place is so majestic!! The trails are interesting and exciting. The views are breathtaking. The Ko`olau Mountains look like GOD took his fingers and made the ridges for the waterfalls. The clouds caressed the mountain peaks. Oh, so awesome!! Truly, one of GOD'S Majestic Creation!! Amen.

I do my bicycle training rides through the park taking in the fresh environment aromatherapy.

So beautiful & serene

Beautiful gardens nice to take a walk

Where else can you see a chocolate tree

The garden is absolutely beautiful and this is a great place to hike. Also visit the lake, there's many beautiful sea life to see and a gorgeous view of the mountains

Beautiful and quiet place to walk and enjoy nature

Beautiful!

(Translated by Google) Wonderful place! Huge trees. Bold ducks and fish. We enjoyed fishing. (Original) Чудесное место! Огромные деревья. Смелые уточки и рыбки. Мы наслаждались рыбалкой.

Beautiful easy parking and free

Beautiful botanical garden. Free admission. The garden is spread out with different areas specializing in plants from different parts of the world. I wish it was easier to walk from area to area. Most people seem to drive and there are no sidewalks along the main road.

beautiful flora fauna

Love nature & tropical plants! This is a must!

Not really manicured plants. Just plants

Kinda nice, but it’s the actual gardens you want to see.

We went for camping and it was very good except for mosquitoes.

You should walk the path because cars are not allowed to stop and therefore you cannot enjoy the landscape and take beautiful photos. The park itself is nothing special. The photos were taken along the way