Diamond Head Closing 10 Times At Height Of Summer Travel

Imagine arriving on Oahu ready to hike Diamond Head—only to find the gates locked. That’s precisely what’s about to happen to thousands of summer travelers.

Hawaii’s most visited state monument will shut down for eight full weekdays in June, just as peak visitor numbers hit the island. It’s the next phase of an ongoing rockfall mitigation project, but this time the closures land in the middle of one of the busiest travel months of the year.

We planned to visit Diamond Head last week in June, but are unsure how to make it work. Like many residents and returning visitors, we’ve learned the hard way that even familiar spots in Hawaii can suddenly become off-limits with little warning.

Key closure dates and visitor hours.

According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Diamond Head State Monument will be closed from June 17 to 20 and June 24 to 27. During those eight days, no public access will be allowed through the tunnel or into the crater at any time.

On June 16 and 23, the park will close early at 2 p.m. That partial schedule will also apply to all other weekdays in June. Weekend hours remain unchanged, with the park open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The rockfall mitigation work is expected to wrap up by July 25, 2025. In the meantime, visitors arriving on closure dates will be turned away—many without warning.

A landmark hike that just got harder to plan.

Diamond Head isn’t just a hike. It’s an Oahu bucket list item. For many first-time travelers, it’s the centerpiece of the trip. But closures like this—especially during the high season—are making even the most reliable experiences harder to access.

This is the second wave of closures tied to the same project. The state shut the park in March and April, mostly on weekdays. Those spring closures caught some visitors off guard, but this summer round will likely impact far more people.

One Beat of Hawaii reader said they were shocked to arrive in April and find the trail closed. They shared, “We planned our whole morning around it. There was no notice at the hotel, no signs until we got to the gate. I understand safety, but the timing was a mess.”

Diamond Head reservations and entry costs.

Even on days when Diamond Head is open, it’s no longer as simple as just showing up. Visitors are now required to make a reservation for entry between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, and walk-ins are no longer permitted during those hours.

Reservations can be made online through the official DLNR system and typically open 14 days in advance. Entry for non-residents is $5 per person, with an additional $10 parking fee per vehicle. Hawaii residents enter for free with a state ID.

These rules are in place year-round, so travelers in June need to plan around the closure dates and the reservation system if they hope to visit the park.

What visitors say now.

The view from Diamond Head is still unforgettable—but the experience has changed. One longtime visitor recalled hiking it in the 1970s and often having the summit to themselves. They returned many times over the years, but said their last visit about 20 years ago felt so overcrowded that they stopped going entirely.

More recent hikers describe a different kind of challenge. One traveler said the sunrise hike was shoulder-to-shoulder at the top, even with a reservation. Others reported waiting for space at the railing, or dodging tour groups taking selfies in tight spots. A visitor who hiked it in May said it was worth doing once, but “more of a walk than a hike” and not something they’d repeat unless someone else really wanted to go.

Still, some travelers say the crowds didn’t ruin the moment. For many first-timers, it remains a “must-do” and a highlight of their Oahu trip. Just don’t expect solitude—and don’t expect to be alone on the trail, even at dawn.

Why the timing feels off.

It’s no surprise that Diamond Head needs maintenance. The crater hike sees thousands of people daily, and safety should be a priority. But closing Hawaii’s most visited paid attraction for more than a third of the month—during the peak of summer—raises questions.

The state hasn’t explained why the work wasn’t scheduled for shoulder season or overnight hours. And there’s been little public outreach to help visitors plan around the disruption. That combination frustrates travelers who expect better communication from a destination that relies heavily on tourism.

Oahu alternatives that can still deliver.

For visitors impacted by the closures, there are still ways to take in Oahu’s coastal scenery and get a good hike in.

Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is a paved, moderate walk with expansive ocean views and, during some months, whale sightings.

Tantalus Lookout offers panoramic views over Honolulu and Diamond Head without the climb. The view from Punchbowl Crater is also beautiful.

And the Lanikai Pillbox hike remains a favorite for early morning sunrise watchers, though parking is tight.

While none of these options exactly replace the Diamond Head experience, they’re still worth considering for travelers looking to make the most of their time on the island.

A bigger shift in Hawaii’s visitor experience.

The Diamond Head closure is part of a larger trend. Across Hawaii, popular sites are now requiring reservations, limiting hours, or undergoing maintenance that didn’t happen during peak travel periods.

Visitors are expected to adjust, plan ahead, and stay flexible, but clear information and accessible alternatives don’t always meet those expectations.

For many travelers, this shift feels like a new Hawaii trip. There’s still beauty and wonder, but also more logistical hurdles, missed moments, and questions about how the state is balancing tourism with preservation.

What to do next.

If Diamond Head is on your list for June, check the official Diamond Head State Monument page for real-time updates. Book your reservation as early as possible and consider aiming for a weekend if your schedule allows.

Even better, have a Plan B in place. With closures confirmed for eight weekdays and early closures on several more, flexibility is now part of the experience.

Is Diamond Head still on your summer list? Let us know how this closure affects your plans—or what you’re doing instead. Your insights help other travelers navigate the changing Hawaii experience.