Waterfalls near Hilo

43 named waterfalls within 50 miles of Hilo, nearest first, with height and directions.

Showing the waterfalls around Hilo, nearest first. Tap the button to start from where you are instead.

    Waterfall names and positions: USGS Geographic Names Information System (public domain) and © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Heights are from OpenStreetMap where a mapper recorded one. Data as of September 2026. Always check the land manager for trail status, closures and parking before you go.

    Waterfalls around Hilo at a glance

    There are 43 named waterfalls within 50 miles of downtown Hilo. The nearest is Rainbow Falls, about 1.5 mi WSW in a straight line, a 79 ft drop. Most of the falls around the city lie to the west: 33 of the 43. All of them are in Hawaii.

    Distances here are straight lines from the city centre. Roads bend around ridges and rivers, so a fall 20 miles out can take an hour to reach. Search your own street or tap Find falls near me above to measure from where you are.

    How far you have to drive

    WithinNamed waterfalls
    10 miles of Hilo24
    25 miles of Hilo26
    50 miles of Hilo43

    Well-known falls within reach of Hilo

    Rainbow Falls (1.5 miWSW) and 'Akaka Falls (9.6 miNNW) are among the best-known waterfalls within 50 miles. Each is described on its state page: waterfalls in Hawaii.

    The 15 nearest waterfalls to Hilo

    WaterfallDistanceHeightWhere
    Rainbow Falls 1.5 mi WSW 79 ft Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Kaimukanaka Falls 2.0 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Waialae Falls 2.8 mi NW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Wai‘alae Falls 2.8 mi NW not recorded Hawaii
    Peʻepeʻe Falls 3.0 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii
    Peepee Falls 3.0 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Kulaniapia Falls 3.1 mi W not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Lower Waiʻale Falls 3.3 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii
    Waiʻale Falls 3.4 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii
    Waiale Falls 3.4 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Lelekaae Falls 3.7 mi W not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Kauwehu Falls 4.5 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Pukamaui Falls 4.6 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Lauiole Falls 4.6 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii
    Koakanini Falls 5.1 mi WSW not recorded Hawaii County, Hawaii

    Tallest recorded waterfalls near Hilo

    Heights as recorded in OpenStreetMap. 3 of the 43 falls have one; the rest are often small ledges and cascades. Why published heights differ.

    WaterfallHeightDistance
    Hiʻilawe Falls2,051 ft41 mi NW
    ʻAkaka Falls443 ft9.6 mi NNW
    Rainbow Falls79 ft1.5 mi WSW

    Before you go

    The map shows where falls are, not whether a trail reaches them or the land is open. Check the land manager for closures, fees and parking, and stay on the trail near the water. See waterfall safety, waterfall hikes near me and the best time to see waterfalls.

    Waterfalls near other cities: Honolulu.

    Waterfalls near Hilo: common questions

    How many waterfalls are near Hilo?

    Our map has 43 named waterfalls within 50 miles of Hilo, 26 of them within 25 miles. The count uses USGS and OpenStreetMap names as of 2026-09-23; unnamed and seasonal falls are extra.

    What is the closest waterfall to Hilo?

    Rainbow Falls, about 1.5 mi WSW of the city centre in a straight line, with a recorded drop of 79 ft. The drive is usually longer; use the Directions link in the list above.

    What is the tallest waterfall near Hilo?

    Among falls with a height recorded in OpenStreetMap, Hiʻilawe Falls at about 2,051 ft, 41 mi NW of Hilo. Published heights vary between sources.

    When is the best time to see waterfalls near Hilo?

    The winter wet season, roughly October to April, brings the strongest flow on the windward sides, but rain falls year round and many falls run in every month.