Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Russian Fort Elizabeth near the town of Waimea on Kauai's southern coast is a site marking an era of Russian presence of Kauai to seemingly help wrest control of the island ceded by King Kaumuali‘i to Kamehameha who ruled from the Island of Hawai'i. The fort, built by a Doctor Scheffer who was working for a Russian company, turned out to be a ruse that Scheffer believed would help him gain power in his relationship with the former king of Kauai. 

Over time, both King Kaumuali‘i, as well as Scheffer's company back in Russia would become suspicious of Scheffer's efforts. The situation ended with Scheffer fleeing to Oahu before ultimately fleeing to Brazil and assuming a different name.

As for the fort itself, there's not much left of the site. A walking trail from the parking area leads to the interior of the fort walls, which are pretty basic mounds of stone. From the elevated site, views across the mouth of the Waimea River below offer an interesting perspective of the town that hasn't been overcome by the island's tourism.

A memorial statue to King Kaumuali‘i stands on the site. But aside from these things, there's not much else here. A bathroom, a picnic table, and an interpretive sign make up the rest of the site. 

There are no fees to park and visit the National Historical Landmark.

Those looking to dig a little deeper can read up on the history of the fort here.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

None

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Views over the mouth of Waimea River.

Cons

Not much to the site.

Features

Historically significant
Big vistas
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Picnic tables
Near lake or river

Location

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