Peacock Flats via the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road

Mokulēʻia and Kuaokalā Forest Reserves, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (northwest Oʻahu, Waiʻanae Range)

Peacock Flats is a pair of forest-reserve campsites high in the Waiʻanae Range on Oʻahu’s northwest end. Most campers drive in by four-wheel drive, but the state also lists a hiker and bike route: the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road, which switchbacks up from Oʻahu’s North Shore to the campsites. The state describes an upper-elevation meadow with Cook pines, eucalyptus, and the occasional native tree, with wide views and good stargazing.

It’s a short, steep overnight, and access has been unsettled in 2026.

The hike

Noah Lang describes starting at a gate off Farrington Highway on the North Shore, with parking just outside it. He measured 3.6 miles one way to Peacock Flats with about 1,600 feet of climbing; the state’s campsite listing says 4.2 miles. After about 2 miles, Lang counts four steep switchbacks, and he notes an old structure near the last one. He says the road has little shade and warns that vehicles and bikers coming down the switchbacks “pick up a lot of speed.”

Near the top, Lang describes viewpoints over the rim of Mākua Valley, with sunsets he calls “quite spectacular.” At Peacock Flats, the road splits into several trails. He notes the Mokulēʻia Shelter at a junction connecting to the Waiʻanae Summit Trail.

The other way in is from the west. The state says 4WD vehicles reach the camps on 7.3 miles of unpaved Kuaokalā Road after passing the Kaʻena Point Satellite Tracking Station. That gate is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., non-U.S. citizens can’t go past the station’s security checkpoint, and the military sometimes closes vehicle access without notice. Wikipedia notes that the road “occasionally” closes when the military raises security levels and that hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders share the trails, which are slippery and “very treacherous” when wet.

2026 has been rough on access. In March, the state closed both the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road, for storm erosion, and the Satellite Tracking Station Road, for security concerns. Honolulu Civil Beat reported in May that Kona low storms had heavily damaged both roads and that camping permits were unavailable, though the Mokulēʻia road was open to foot and bike travel. On June 8, the state said vehicle access to Peacock Flats via the Satellite Tracking Station Road was restored.

Tips

Bring all your water. The state says there’s no water at the campsites.
Hike early. Lang notes there’s little shade on the road.
Watch for traffic. Vehicles and bikes come down the switchbacks fast.
Expect mud. Wikipedia and the state warn that trails and Kuaokalā Road get very slippery in rain.
Check access. Both roads closed for months in 2026; confirm before you go.
Print your permit. The state says to carry it at all times.

Camping

Camping at Peacock Flats requires a state permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. The state’s listings say each campsite has a shelter, with Clivus toilets, picnic tables, and a pavilion nearby. There’s no drinking water. Ground fires are banned; fires are allowed only in containers such as a hibachi or a 50-gallon drum. Check-in is after 2 p.m. and checkout by noon. Dogs are allowed on a leash. The listing prohibits alcohol, ATVs, and commercial activity. The listing also says refunds must be requested at least 15 days ahead and forest reserves close during tropical storm and hurricane warnings.

Inside Intel: In a 2021 review on The Dyrt, Laura H. warned that “sites can be quite wet” and suggested “hammock camping the first time” to stay off soggy ground, especially in the rainy season. The state’s listing for Campsite A describes it as a meadow with panoramic views, good for stargazing.

Trail facts

Distance: 3.6 to 4.2 miles one way on the Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road (about 7 to 8 miles round trip)
Route type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate; steep switchbacks, little shade
Elevation: About 1,600 feet of gain (Noah Lang)
Campsites: Peacock Flats Campsites A and B, each with a shelter
Water: None; carry it all
Permits: State camping permit (Division of Forestry and Wildlife)
Dogs: Allowed on leash
Fires: No ground fires; container fires only
Trailhead: Mokulēʻia Forest Reserve Access Road gate, off Farrington Highway on the North Shore
Last verified: October 6, 2026

The Lowdown

Cooking above Mākua Valley:

Ground fires are banned at Peacock Flats and there's no water at camp, so a compact stove and every drop you carried up the switchbacks do the work. See the stoves testers like.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.