On the slopes of windward Mauna Kea, Laupāhoehoe includes examples of wet montane forests of ‘ohi‘a and koa. The poorly drained portions contain wet grasslands and small montane lakes. Numerous streams run through the Reserve.

Laupāhoehoe is located in the North Hilo District on the island of Hawaii, and stretches from just above 1,600 feet to about 4,600 feet elevation. Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge is adjacent to Laupāhoehoe Reserve, and protects habitat for several endangered forest birds known to occur in Laupāhoehoe as well. Five native natural communities can be observed in the Laupāhoehoe Reserve, including a tall-stature koa/‘ohi‘a forest in both montane and lowland zones, ‘ohi‘a/hapu‘u (Cibotium spp.) forest, Carex alligata wet grassland, and non-native dominated patches.