Diamond Head Reservations

Diamond Head requires reservations for all visitors. No walk-ups. No exceptions. The reservation system launched in May 2022 to manage overcrowding at Oahu's most popular hike, and it is not going away. Here is exactly how to book your Diamond Head reservation, what it costs, and how to snag the popular sunrise time slot.

How to Make a Diamond Head Reservation

All reservations are made through the Hawaii DLNR Go State Parks website. This is the only official booking system. There is no phone reservation option, and third-party booking sites cannot sell Diamond Head reservations.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to gostateparks.hawaii.gov
2. Click "Diamond Head State Monument"
3. Select your date (reservations open 14 days in advance)
4. Choose a time slot (entry windows are in 30-minute increments)
5. Select the number of people in your group
6. Choose whether you need parking ($10 per vehicle) or are arriving by foot/transit/rideshare (no parking fee)
7. Pay online with a credit or debit card
8. Save your confirmation email — you will need it at the gate

Each reservation is tied to the name on the booking. You must bring a valid photo ID that matches the reservation. The confirmation can be shown on your phone screen or as a printed copy.

Diamond Head Reservation Fees

Fee Type	Cost	Notes
Entry (non-resident)	$5 per person	Required for all non-Hawaii visitors
Entry (Hawaii resident)	Free	Must show valid Hawaii state ID
Parking	$10 per vehicle	Optional — only if driving
Children under 3	Free	No reservation needed

A couple visiting Diamond Head and driving will pay $20 total ($5 per person + $10 parking). A family of four driving pays $30 ($20 entry + $10 parking). If you skip the car and take the Waikiki Trolley (Blue Line) or a rideshare, you save the $10 parking fee.

Time Slots and Operating Hours

Diamond Head is open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The last entry is at 4:00 PM — you need enough daylight to hike up and back (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours round trip).

Entry time slots are available in 30-minute windows:

• 6:00 AM — First slot. This is the sunrise hike slot and the hardest to get.
• 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM — Early morning slots. Also popular. Less crowded than midday.
• 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Midmorning to midday. Hotter, more crowded, but easier to book.
• 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM — Afternoon slots. Hottest time of day. Least crowded. Easiest to book.

You must enter during your reserved 30-minute window. If you arrive outside your window, you may be turned away.

How to Get the Sunrise Slot

The 6:00 AM slot sells out in minutes every day. If a Diamond Head sunrise hike is a priority, here is the strategy:

• Set an alarm for 11:55 PM HST, exactly 14 days before your planned hike date. New dates become available at midnight HST. Be on the website, logged in, with your payment info saved, ready to click.
• Have a backup date. If your first-choice date is gone, immediately try alternate dates in your trip window.
• Use a fast internet connection. Every second matters when hundreds of people are clicking at the same time.
• Book for the correct number of people — the reservation is checked per person at the gate.

If you miss the 6:00 AM slot, the 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM slots still get you beautiful early-morning light without the peak crowd rush. You will not see the actual sunrise from the summit (the mountain blocks the eastern horizon), but the golden-hour lighting over Waikiki and the ocean is spectacular at any early slot.

Cancellations and Changes

Reservations can be cancelled through the Go State Parks website for a full refund, provided you cancel at least 24 hours before your reserved entry time. Changes to date or time are not supported — you must cancel and rebook. If it is raining or you feel unwell, cancel early so someone else can grab the slot.

Getting to Diamond Head Without a Car

Driving is not the only option, and skipping the car saves $10 on parking.

• Waikiki Trolley Blue Line — Stops at Diamond Head. Convenient if you are staying in Waikiki.
• TheBus (Route 23) — Runs from Waikiki to the Diamond Head crater entrance. $3 per ride.
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — About $10-15 from Waikiki. Drop-off is right at the tunnel entrance.
• Walking from Waikiki — About 1.5 miles from the east end of Waikiki (Kapiolani Park area). Add 30-40 minutes each way.

What to Know Before Your Hike

The Diamond Head hiking trail is 1.6 miles round trip with 560 feet of elevation gain. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours for the full experience. Bring water (at least 1 liter per person), wear closed-toe shoes, and apply sunscreen. There is no shade on the trail. Restrooms are available at the trailhead but not on the trail itself.

The summit lookout offers panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu, the Ko'olau mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. On clear days you can see all the way to the Waianae mountains on the west side of Oahu.