Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
3
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Russian Fort Elizabeth/Paʻulaʻula o Hipo is a National Historic Landmark and is administered as the Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park just southeast of present-day Waimea on the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaiʻi. It is located at the site of the former Fort Elizabety, the last remaining Russian fort on the Hawaiian islands, built in the early 19th century by the Russian-American Company as the result of an alliance with High Chief Kaumualiʻi. The star fort was employed by the Kingdom of Hawaii in the 19th century under the name Fort Hipo (Hawaiian: Paʻulaʻula o Hipo).
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
3.0
377 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
47
Average
154
Poor
115
Terrible
35
CDNTerry
Toronto, Canada353 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
Great piece of history here, especially if you are into Hawaiian history and the struggles of the different island kingdoms. Don’t expect to see some big fabulous fort, it’s quite overgrown and only some 6-8 foot walls remain with lots of vegetation on them. Great statue of King Kaumuali’i the last great king of Kuaui. The fort is right across the river from the spot Captain James Cook likely first landed at the Hawaiian islands so some bonus history there too!!
Written November 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike B
Mineral, VA1,023 contributions
Oct. 2022
Went on a Shaka audio tour of the Waimea Canyon, and this was the first stop. Total dud. The story behind it, on the audio guide, was kind of cool. But the site is a pile of rocks that looks more like someone's yard wall than a fort. And nothing is marked or well cared for.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RickSch-US
Wichita, KS24 contributions
Jul. 2022
The picture you see is a recreation of what it would have looked like. In person/reality it is a disorganized pile of rocks. Don't waste your time unless you happen to already be in the area. And, even then don't go. There are so many other things to do on Kauai.
Written July 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia38,566 contributions
Apr. 2022
When you rent a car, you are so free to explore places you never knew existed. This was true when we stopped at the Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park. It was built by a German doctor on request of a Russian trading company because of an alliance with High Chief Kaumali’l. Today, the park consists of a statue of the High Chief, the outer stone walls of the fort, and the foundation of some buildings. This is a reminder of the first and last presence of Russia on the Hawaiian Islands.
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
beth ann k
Halstead, KS1,792 contributions
Feb. 2022 • Couples
This park has a cool story and you can walk all around. Its a good stop and very informative. And, of course, chickens everywhere.
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne-Martha G
Blanco, TX33 contributions
Jan. 2022
Interesting narrative. The Russians could have owned Hawaii but, thankfully, didn’t seize the opportunity. The park is not very well presented. Hard to visualize the fort. Good statue though. With a brief stop.
Written February 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert R
Woodbridge, VA524 contributions
Nov. 2021
Old Russian fort located right on highway where Waimea River flows into the Pacific Ocean. Lots of parking, not a lot to see of the Fort, crumbling lava rock walls, everything overgrown, information panels provide history of site. A statue has been added of King Kaumualii, King of Kauai & Niihau. Good ocean vistas and short walk to mouth of river and ocean surf - probably not suitable for swimming or other water activities, but kinda cool and does not take much time.
Written November 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ginger_Traveler99
Richland, WA8 contributions
Nov. 2021
Really not much to see. There is a depiction of what the fort "may" have looked like. Way too many other things to do and see.
Written November 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
G_2_the_Dub
Seattle, WA12 contributions
Oct. 2020
The ruined walls of the fort from 1815-1817 are all that remains. There’s a historical sign with very basic info on the fort’s history. I wouldn’t waste the five minutes it takes to check this place out, unless I happened to be obsessed with the history of the Russian presence on Kauai.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ2,077 contributions
Feb. 2020
The place is overgrown with brush. The walls are crumbling down but if you have an imagination and read the signage then you can figure out what happened here and you can see the shape of things. I gave it a 3 because it is not being kept up so that people can actually wander around the fort.
Take the short walk down to the mouth of the Waimea River where it enters the ocean. That was interesting to watch the surf meet the river.
Take the short walk down to the mouth of the Waimea River where it enters the ocean. That was interesting to watch the surf meet the river.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don H
Frederick, MD205 contributions
Our party was trying to find the Captain Cook monument, supposedly near the Russian fort. Can anyone tell me where it is?
Alexander M
Dorogomilovo, Russia11 contributions
its in a center of Waimea town
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Claim your listingRUSSIAN FORT ELIZABETH STATE HISTORICAL PARK - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
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- Kauai Adventure Bundle: 4 Epic Audio Driving Tours (From C$41.12)
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- (0.33 km) Spacious, West side, Beachfront Home
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- (0.54 km) Inn Waimea
- (1.49 km) Waimea Plantation Cottages
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- Restaurants near Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park:
- (0.77 km) JoJo's Shave Ice
- (0.98 km) Porky's Kauai
- (0.44 km) Aloha-n-Paradise
- (0.55 km) Wrangler's Steakhouse
- (0.48 km) Da Booze Shop