The only thing that got in the way of Jurassic Park was Hurricane Iniki in 1992. It was the last day of filming this epic blockbuster on Kauai when Iniki roared across the island. Since then, Jurassic Park and its sequels have roared across screens world-wide. You can visit some of the filming locations on Kauai and Oahu while you are here. And when you are at the lifeguard station at Hanalei (Pine Trees), the first two homes on the left side facing the mountain belonged to the late author Michael Chricton, who wrote the book that started it all.
Jurassic Park on Kauai starts at the National Tropical Botanical Gardens.
Start at Poipu’s National Tropical Botanic Gardens. A not to be missed adventure takes you deep into the Allerton Garden. Not only are the gardens exquisite; they also have a storied past association with both TV shows and movies. Enjoy the ceiling-high roots of their famous Moreton Bay fig trees. Those are the ones which are seen in both Jurassic Park (1993) and in Pirates of the Caribbean.
To visit the garden, you’ll take part in one of their tours, an example of which is their 2 1/2 hour Allerton tour, which you won’t regret. The cost is $60 for adults, and $30 for children up to age 12. The tours are totally unlike anything you’ve experienced, and are part garden and part art exhibit. You’ll be guided through splendid “garden rooms” with exotic plants, water features, and sculptures. Another tour we like is their sunset tour after hours that includes Allerton Garden and the Allerton Beach and Estate.
The Allerton Garden (sister to the McBride garden, which is featured in its own tours), is “a masterpiece of landscape architecture named one of the ’50 Places of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler.”
Then head to Jurassic Falls on Kauai.
We recently landed at Jurasic Falls, the real name of which is Manawaiopuna Falls, and we simply couldn’t have enjoyed it more.
First, you have this virtually all to yourself. We landed there with 6 people, and coming into the valley and dropping precipitously to the landing at this epic location, is unquestionably of “chicken skin” quality. See our Jurassic Falls review for all the details. The falls, which are at the headwaters of the Hanapepe River, feature prominently in the background of multiple scenes from the 1993 Steven Spielberg film Jurassic Park. It’s located on private property and is only accessible via one helicopter tour which has the exclusive agreement with the landowner.
Jurassic Park Gate Trail on Kauai.
What’s left are the two poles from the famous park sign in the movie. Reviews are mixed. Most feel it’s better to reach in a 4-wheel drive vehicle instead of the 10 mile hike. There’s also a small swimming hole as a reward for your efforts. Located near Kapaa. Our suggestion before going is to research the hike on All Trails.
Jurassic Park at Kualoa Ranch Oahu.
Kualoa Ranch, on the northshore of Oahu, is the site of many scenes from three Jurassic Park iterations (Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and The Fallen Kingdon).
The 2.5 hour Jurassic Adventure Tour takes you to their iconic film locations in Kualoa, Hakipuu, and Kaaawa Valleys. It’s a slow and bumpy ride to see the original film locations, plus those for the sequels. “Relive the excitement of the Indominus Rex paddock with its 60 foot walls, the bunkers and authentic dinosaur cages used in the movies, and visit the most famous field of all the Jurassic franchise, where the galli… galli… gallimimus are flocking this way!”
You may not know that editor Rob is a regular at Kualoa Ranch, where he performs weddings. But that’s another story. The ranch is renowned for its Jurassic Adventure Tour. Its beauty is epic, which belies its short distance from bustling Honolulu. In the valley where the movie scenes were filmed, you’ll find dozens of waterfalls.
As an aside, more of the original Jurassic series was filmed on Kauai, whereas a preponderance of the Hawaii-based scenes from the latter movies were filmed here at Kualoa Ranch. Part of the reason for that is that thirty years ago, Hurricane Iniki destroyed the film sets as they were completing their work. Spielberg ended up changing locations to Oahu, which was relatively unscathed, for the final scenes.
Ironically, it is the gyrosphere depot of “Jurassic World” where Rob has performed weddings.
At Kualoa Ranch, the Jurassic Adventure Tours are priced as follows: Adults, $139.95 children, $69.95.
Behind the scenes filming of Jurassic Park.
Fascinating video from the filming on Kauai. Go to 20 minutes to see the falls in action.
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Chris R says
I was a travel nurse on Oahu for a year and a half. During the pandemic Kualoa Ranch offered great Kama’aina rates so I took advantage and went on multiple tours, multiple times. Each tour offered different views and sites. The jungle tour was the rough and tumble and took us to the Jurassic World Indominus Rex pen as well as some other sites. The bus movie tour took us to the original Jurassic park log location that Dr. Grant and the children hide under. The bike tour offers another Jurassic world location with a velociraptor cage and finally the horseback tour takes you through the countryside. I recommend Kualoa Ranch to anyone that asks my advice.
Steve B. says
My wife and I have been to the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, Allerton Gardens and McBride
Gardens. They are all beautiful in their own way. They are very lush with all varieties of trees, plants vines and flowers.
It is well worth your time and cost of tickets. It’s breathtaking and not to be missed. I think I took over 100 pictures.
Roy says
Kauai is properly named, Garden Isle. Up at the old Kuks golf course McBride has a garden there too, it comes with a walk that overlooks the south side of the island and the ocean, it’s worth your time. Just after the hurricanes Kauai was incredibly inexpensive, that condition is no longer. Kauai is more susceptible to hurricanes than the rest of Hawaii. All of the islands are very different from each other, do your homework.
Randy R says
Pretty wild times, I was in Waikiki on business the day Iniki hit. Never forget getting a call from an account asking where I was going, knew nothing about it the day before, went downstairs at the Hyatt Regency looked like the pictures of the evacuation of Saigon, people rushing around to get on the last flights out at 1000 AM. Hurricane bypassed us, rains, winds etc, Poipu, Tunnel of Tree’s, Stouffer Waiohai totally destroyed, location now a Marriott. The Grand Hyatt was the gathering place and the Library in particular being High ground and heavy concrete. Took 5 years for Kauai to come back on the south end. Bruce Willis was also there, back in Oahu, Nick’s Fishmarket re-opened in time for dinner, I think Hy’s as well.