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Short answer: Non-residents need a reservation booked before arrival: $5 per person entry plus $10 per vehicle for parking, booked for one time slot. Bookings open 30 days ahead at midnight Hawai‘i time, and no reservation means you are turned away.
Waianapanapa State Park, the black sand beach near Hana, requires a reservation for non-resident visitors. A rental car does not get you in without one, and the state has changed where cars go while it builds.
Do you need Waianapanapa State Park reservations?
Yes, if you are visiting from outside Hawai‘i. The state’s FAQ says you must reserve and pay before you arrive, and that anyone without a reservation is turned away. The exception is residents with a valid Hawai‘i State ID. Children three and younger do not pay.
What it costs
The state park page lists non-resident entry at $5 per person and parking at $10 per vehicle. The FAQ describes the parking charge as $10 per time slot. Slots run a few hours each; the FAQ’s examples are 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and you can buy more than one to stay longer.
When to book
Reservations open 30 days ahead, one day at a time, at midnight Hawai‘i time. The state says the park can sell out, so book as soon as your date opens. The park opens at 7:00 a.m., the last reservation is at 6:00 p.m., and you must be inside by 5:30 p.m.
Arrive inside your window
The state says to arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation period. Arrive later and you may be denied entry or parking, with no refund. That matters on the Road to Hana, where drive times are hard to predict. Aim for a slot with room to spare, not the earliest one you can hit on a perfect day. Our Road to Hana rental car guide covers what the drive is really like.
Construction and parking in 2026
A June 2026 state release says a facility project started July 6. The eastern day-use and tour bus parking area is closed, access to the black sand beach is routed through the western end of the park, and day-use parking along the access road shoulder is redesignated for tour buses. The comfort station is expected to finish in the fall, and the road resurfacing in early 2027. The park may close temporarily for road work, so check the state notice before you drive out.
Doing the Road to Hana by tour instead? This small-group Road to Hana tour includes a stop at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, with hotel pickup and lunch. Check what the stop includes before you book, since the park’s reservation rules apply to every visitor.
See the Road to Hana tour → (affiliate link)
Changing or cancelling
Per the FAQ, refunds are allowed up to three days before your entry date. Changes can be made until the day before, if space is available, and a cancellation fee and service fees may apply. There are no refunds for rain.
Planning the rest of the drive? See where to get gas on Maui before you head to Hana, and how long it takes to drive around Maui. Another Maui booking to plan: Haleakala sunrise reservations. Still choosing a car? Start with the Kahului Airport car rental guide.
Official details and booking: Hawai‘i State Parks, Wai‘ānapanapa.
Adding a short stop near Wailuku? See Iao Valley reservations: the booking, the fees, and the 30-minute arrival rule.
Planning more than one booking? The Hawaii reservations calendar lists every window and release time in one table.
Compare rental rates for your trip →
Photo: Katie Cerami on Pexels.
Researched and written by Neo Pecorro. Facts on this page were checked against Hawaii State Parks, plus the other sources linked above. Hawaii rules change often, so confirm on the official page before you go.
Last updated: October 7, 2026.