Hikes · Honolulu
Diamond Head Reservations
Visitors cannot walk up and pay at Diamond Head. Every non-resident needs a timed reservation from the state parks site, bought up to 30 days ahead: $5 a person, plus $10 for the car if you drive into the crater. Here is how to book it, which slot to pick, and what to do when your date sells out.
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Diamond Head (Lēʻahi) has run on reservations for visitors since May 2022. Entry and parking are sold in time slots on the state’s Go State Parks site, and the gate turns away anyone without one. Hawaiʻi residents with a state ID or driver’s license are exempt. The friends and family they bring from the mainland are not.
The hike is 0.8 mile each way to the summit, with 560 feet of climbing on switchbacks, a tunnel and stairs near the top. It is short and steep, and the crater floor heats up fast after 9 a.m. Book the earliest slot you can get.
The Rules
Diamond Head Reservations in One Pass
Where: gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead, the only official seller. When: up to 30 days ahead. Cost: $5 per visitor aged 4 and up, plus $10 per car for a parking reservation, credit card only. Arrive: within the first 30 minutes of your slot, or you can be turned away. Hours: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last reservation is 4 p.m., and you must be on the trail by 4:30. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Who Needs a Reservation
| Who | Reservation? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiʻi resident with a state ID or driver’s license | No | Free |
| Visitor, age 4 and older | Yes | $5 entry, plus $10 per car to park |
| Child 3 and under | No charge | Free |
| Visitor traveling with a resident | Yes | $5 entry. Residents are exempt; their guests are not. |
| New resident without a Hawaiʻi ID yet | Yes | $5, until the ID arrives |
The entry fee covers anyone who goes into the crater, including the person who waits at the picnic tables while everyone else hikes.
How to Book Diamond Head
- Go to the official site. Book at gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. Listings elsewhere that sell “Diamond Head tickets” are shuttles or tours with a reservation built in, at a markup.
- Pick the ticket type. “Parking and entry” if you are driving into the crater. “Entry only” if you are walking in, taking TheBus or the trolley, or getting dropped off.
- Choose a date and time slot. Dates open 30 days ahead, and the early morning slots go first.
- Buy an entry for every visitor 4 and older. Credit card only.
- Screenshot the confirmation. You show it at the gate.
At the gate
Be there in the first 30 minutes
Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation or the park can turn you away. If you drove in, the car has to be out by the end of your parking window, so do not book a parking slot that ends before you will be back down. Walk-ins and drop-offs can stay until closing.
Weather is not a refund reason unless the park itself closes. When Hurricane Lala closed it for several days in August 2026, the state refunded affected reservations automatically, minus service charges.
Which Time Slot to Book
Take the first slot of the day if you can get it. The trail faces the morning sun with little shade, and by late morning the climb is noticeably harder. The park’s own FAQ says most people take 60 to 90 minutes round trip. State Parks tells you to allow 1.5 to 2 hours. Plan on the longer number if you want time at the summit.
Wear shoes that stay on, carry water, and bring a hat. The summit trail is not wheelchair accessible; the crater floor is. If sandals are all you packed, our guide to easy hikes you can do in flip-flops has better picks than this one.
Diamond Head is the first stop on the Oahu Drive Map. A 6 a.m. slot puts you back at the car around 8, which is when the drive east toward Hanauma Bay and Makapuʻu should start anyway.
Getting There Without a Car
TheBus. Routes 2 and 2L stop on Diamond Head Road at 18th Avenue, below the crater. From there, walk up the park access road and through the tunnel into the crater. It is uphill, so leave time before your slot, and book entry only. Older guides say Route 23. That route now runs from Kahala to Sea Life Park and does not serve Diamond Head.
Trolley. The Waikiki Trolley’s Green Line stops at Diamond Head Crater about once an hour, for $22 for adults. You still need an entry-only reservation.
Rideshare. Get dropped off at the crater with an entry-only reservation and skip the $10 parking.
Shuttle with the reservation included. If your date is sold out or you would rather not deal with the booking, a shuttle from Waikiki with the entry reservation built in runs about $40.
Diamond Head Hike Shuttle with Reservation Tickets Included
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If Your Date Is Sold Out
- Check again. The booking window rolls forward a day at a time, so a new date opens every day. Look at later slots and the following mornings too.
- Switch to entry only. If parking is gone but entry slots are open, take TheBus, the trolley or a rideshare.
- Book the shuttle. Tour operators reserve on a separate commercial track, so a shuttle can have seats when public slots are gone.
- Swap the hike. The Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail needs no reservation, is paved the whole way, and in whale season it is the better view.
Diamond Head Questions
Do you need a reservation for Diamond Head?
Yes, if you are not a Hawaiʻi resident. Visitors need a timed entry reservation from Go State Parks, plus a parking reservation if they drive into the crater. Residents with a Hawaiʻi driver’s license or state ID are exempt; the guests they bring are not.
How far in advance can you book Diamond Head?
Up to 30 days ahead, on gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. Early morning slots sell out first, so book as soon as your dates are set.
How much does Diamond Head cost?
$5 per visitor aged 4 and older, plus $10 per car if you park in the crater. Children 3 and under are free, and so are Hawaiʻi residents with ID. Payment is by credit card only.
Can you walk up to Diamond Head without a reservation?
No. The park turns away visitors without a reservation. Only Hawaiʻi residents with a state ID or driver’s license can enter without one.
How long does the Diamond Head hike take?
The trail is 0.8 mile each way with 560 feet of climbing. The park’s FAQ says most people take 60 to 90 minutes round trip; State Parks advises allowing 1.5 to 2 hours.
Can you take TheBus to Diamond Head?
Yes. Routes 2 and 2L stop on Diamond Head Road at 18th Avenue, and you walk up the access road into the crater. Book an entry-only reservation. Route 23, which older guides mention, no longer serves Diamond Head.
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