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Hawaii’s Big Island is a dream for National Park Passport Stampers. One National Park, two National Historical Parks, one National Historic Site, and a National Historic Trail. Five places to explore nature and learn about history. The best way to visit them all is by taking a Big Island National Parks Road Trip.
The plane lands in Hilo just before lunch. After a quick bite to eat, we hit the road. Our goal is to reach Waimea to visit a National Park Site. Then we will head down to Kona and visit a second. Two parks in one day. The quickest way to accomplish this goal is to drive across the middle of the island using Saddle Road.
Mauna Kea
Saddle Rd. passes through Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, and Hawaii’s highest mountain. Driving up the volcano to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station will provide stunning views. The mountain is a popular place for stargazing in Hawaii. Having a 4-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for driving to the summit. We skip this adventure. Driving through Mauna Kea on Saddle Rd. is already above my Pulmonary Hypertension altitude restriction (5,000 feet). The summit is 9,200 feet, and it is recommended that you spend at least thirty minutes at the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area to acclimate to the high altitude before you start the drive to the Visitor Information Station.
Driving the mountain road is stunning, so I imagine the views from the summit are outstanding. We stop at the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area to stretch our legs and appreciate the mountain landscape. We also use the on-site restrooms. As long as I keep my activity to a minimum, my Pulmonary Hypertension doesn’t cause breathing issues.
It takes us a little over two hours to drive across Saddle Road on our Big Island National Parks Road Trip
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Pu’ukohola Heiau is the smallest site we visited during our Big Island National Parks Road Trip. Due to its size, our plan was to stamp our National Park Passport book, watch the film, see the Heiau, and head down to Kona to visit a second site. Our plan changed once we met the Park Ranger. This National Historic Site is the least visited on the Big Island, and one of the least visited in The United States. Being the only afternoon visitors, the Park Ranger offered to give us a guided tour. It was an outstanding experience getting a tour from someone with a deep connection to the site.
We did not regret spending more time than anticipated.
Driving straight to our bed and breakfast, we plan to visit more parks tomorrow.
Click Here Read About our Visit to Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Kona
Kona is one of Hawaii’s most popular destinations. Stopping in Kona for a night or two is a must when taking a Big Island National Parks Road Trip. There is an abundance of accommodations, eateries, and activities. We spent two nights at Ka’awa Loa Plantation Bed and Breakfast. The stay was magical, and the breakfast was delicious. The setting was an ideal respite after days filled with activities. We loved spending time in Kona and wished we had more time there.
You can’t visit Kona without visiting at least one coffee farm. We visit one small farm and one large. The morning is spent getting highly caffeinated and learning all things coffee at Hala Tree Farm and Greenwell Farms.
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Hala Tree Farm
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Greenwell Farms
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
This is the best Big Island National Park Site if you want to hike/walk along the beach or swim in the clear water. It’s also a site to learn about Hawaii’s pre-colonial history.
Start your visit at the Visitors Center building. Stamp your National Park Passport Book and view the exhibits on display. Then ask the Park Ranger for driving directions to the entrance that leads to the park’s major sites.
If one of your Hawaii trip goals is to see turtles in their natural habitat, this is a must-stop on a Big Island National Parks Road Trip.
Due to the turtle viewing availability, Koloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is a popular stop for tour groups, making it the second busiest park site we encountered.
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
An Evening in Kona
After our park visit, we enjoy a dinner of Loco Moco and savor an exquisite sunset while eating shave ice.
After our noshes, we relax on Ka’awa Loa Plantation’s wrap-around porch, listening to the Coqui frogs sing in the trees.
Click Here to Read About Eating on The Big Island
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
The National Historic Trail starts at Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site and ends at Volcanoes National Park. You will find well-maintained trails at all four Big Island National Park Sites. The other trail areas are not maintained. It is discouraged to hike on unmaintained sections of the trail.
Since we walked on part of the trail at each site we visited, we added the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail stamp to our book. You can find the trail stamp at all four Visitors Centers.
Pu’uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park
After one last incredible breakfast at Ka’awa Loa Plantation, we check out and head to Pu’ukohola o Honaunau National Historical Park.
This park is a sacred space. It is a space for quiet contemplation and education about Hawaii’s past. We spend a few hours exploring before setting out on the road.
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Pu’uhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park
Big Island Side Quests
Though the main objective of our Big Island National Parks Road Trip was visiting the parks, it wouldn’t be an Obligatory Traveler trip without a few side quests.
I was intrigued by the reviews of Joe’s Nuts. We wanted to bring some Macadamia Nuts home and preferred to purchase from a local, small farm, rather than at a souvenir shop.
We enjoyed our visit, but per the reviews, your experience may differ.
Read About our Visit to Joe’s Nuts
There are only four green sand beaches in the world, and one is located on Hawaii’s Big Island.
Visiting Hawaii’s Green Sand Beach is an adventurous activity. It’s not for everyone. Do your research ahead of time to determine if it is a skip or bucket list dream.
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Hawaii’s Green Sand Beach
One of our travel goals was to see a clear, light-pollution-free night sky. Volcanoes National Park can offer excellent stargazing, but as I researched, I learned that clouds or smoke often obstruct the sky.
Open Gate Hostel is an hour’s drive from Volcanoes National Park. It sits on a cooled lava field. It is out of the way and advertises stargazing.
We happen to arrive on the same night the town holds its weekly night market.
From having a bird accompany us on our accommodation tour, to watching revelers dance to a local band, indulging in yummy Thai noodles, sipping a drink called the Sponge Bob, and getting the stargazing experience we hoped for, this night on the Big Island was one of the most memorable of our travels thus far.
Click Here to Read About Our Stay at Open Gate Hostel
Read About Our Night at Uncle Robert’s Awa Bar and Market
After walking on a Red Sand Beach (Maui) and a Green Sand Beach, we needed complete the Hawaii trifecta and walk on a Black Sand Beach. Fortunately, Kehena Black Sand Beach was a short drive from Open Gate Hostel.
Click Here to Read About Our Visit to Kehena Black Sand Beach
Finally, it was time to road-trip to one of the United States’ most well-known National Parks.
Volcanoes National Park
Taking a Big Island National Parks Road Trip wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Volcanoes National Park. It is the most visited National Park in Hawaii. The crowds are not without reason. The landscape is unique, and the park is easy to traverse by car.
Unsure if we will ever visit Volcanoes National Park again, we decided to go all out. We stayed in the park at The Volcano House and had dinner at the lodge’s The Rim restaurant.
The park is a road trip within a road trip. There are short and long hiking trails, petroglyphs, sprawling lava fields, and endless volcano views.
Even if you have to wake up extra early to beat the crowds to the Nahuku Lava Tube, or wait your turn for the chance to take a photo of the Holei Sea Arch, Volcanoes National Park is a bucket list park.
Click Here to Read About Eating at The Rim Restaurant at Volcanoes National Park
Click Here to Read About Staying at The Volcano House
Click Here to Read About Spending a Half-Day at Volcanoes National Park
Click Here to Read About Spending a Full-Day at Volcanoes National Park
Hilo
Our last evening on The Big Island is spent at an Airbnb in Hilo. We needed to do laundry and reorganize our luggage.
With an afternoon flight to catch the next day, we spent the morning strolling through Hilo’s Farmers Market and visiting Rainbow Falls.
Located in Wailuku River State Park, close to downtown Hilo, Rainbow Falls is a popular attraction. People complain that the falls are too touristy, unimpressive, and crowded. Crowded, yes, but we thought the falls were pretty and the trail to the massive Banyan Tree was worth the visit.
Conclusion
How you accomplish a Big Island National Park Road Trip is up to you. There are airports in Hilo and Kona. To visit all of the parks, you drive a loop. You can start at Volcanoes National Park or end there. We decided to end at Volcanoes because Volcanoes National Park requires multiple days. The other parks only take a few hours per site.
Our week-long Big Island National Parks Road Trip was an unforgettable experience. Each Big Island National Park Site has distinctive features, and they are all worth a visit.
Find a Great Place To Stay On The Big Island of Hawaii
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