Visitors to this park can kayak, take riverboat cruises and explore the rainforest.

The Wailua Complex of Heiau, a National Historic Landmark,[2] was once the center of chiefly power on the island.

[5] Wailua was the land of the ali'i (kings) and was one of the largest ahupuaʻa (subdivisions) on Kauai.

The huaka'i po (Ghost Warriors) are said to walk ancient trails along the river at night up to Mount Waiʻaleʻale.

Wailua has many moʻo ʻōlelo (ancient stories) of the area that begins at Hikinaʻakalā heiau to Kaʻawakoʻo atop Mount Waiʻaleʻale, the area long known as the King's highway, and it is still very sacred to many Hawaiians.