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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.0
380 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
48
Average
155
Poor
115
Terrible
36
G_2_the_Dub
Seattle, WA9 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.
CDNTerry
Toronto, Canada488 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, VA1,048 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.
Rodney B
Waukesha, WI1,156 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
It's always nice to get a quick stop in with some history. There's not much to see here except the rubble from the fort and a small intact section of wall. Parking is great and there is a bathroom and signage giving some history. The trail out to the ocean is nice and iffers great views. History buffs will enjoy the info.
Written January 14, 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.
leclairj35
Plattsburgh, NY75 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This was a neat little stop we made while driving. Cool to see the only Russian fort on US soil. Wont take you long, there isn't a lot left to see but if you are into history, a good stop.
Written March 6, 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.
Travel_the_world11
Clive, IA254 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We heard of this place from the Gypsy app for Kauai. Stopped by as we drove past. Walked around for a little bit. There’s an info board as you drive in that gives you more info. They have a small building with restrooms. Right off the highway.
Written January 19, 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.
Christina's Sister
Arizona180 contributions
Nov 2019
We spent just about 30 minutes here. It's very interesting to learn the history of the fort, but the park is not maintained. The stops around the fort aren't well-marked, so it's difficult to say what you're looking at or the context.
Written December 8, 2019
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.
CaliHawaii
Temecula, CA139 contributions
Sep 2019
Nice stop to get out and explore. I would stop on way back from Waimea canyon. Be careful when climbing walls with flip flops. shoes are best.
Written October 19, 2019
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.
terrijane
Seattle, WA46 contributions
Mar 2017
After reading the signage, it was a joint trading effort between the US and Russia.
If you have an active imagination, it is easy to envision tents camping within the walls, a flash being flown from the flagpole, a busy port bringing in goods for trading.
The view from the back of the forts remnants is a beautiful westward sight overlooking an active coastline.
If you have an active imagination, it is easy to envision tents camping within the walls, a flash being flown from the flagpole, a busy port bringing in goods for trading.
The view from the back of the forts remnants is a beautiful westward sight overlooking an active coastline.
Written March 24, 2017
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 B
Chicago, IL124 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
The remains of stone and earthern fort built by Russian mariners at the mouth of the Waimea River. No tours offered but interpretive panels tell of Russian efforts to fortify the islands to protect their maritime routes to Alaska.
Written September 8, 2015
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.
Our party was trying to find the Captain Cook monument, supposedly near the Russian fort. Can anyone tell me where it is?
Written March 5, 2018
its in a center of Waimea town
Written February 4, 2019
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