Mauna Kea State Recreation Area
Mauna Kea State Recreation Area
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
134 reviews
Excellent
82
Very good
32
Average
15
Poor
1
Terrible
4
Shannon145
Augusta, GA88 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Breathtakingly beautiful! The views are amazing but it gets colder the higher up you drive. Bring warm clothing. Our hero didn't have a top and it rained off and on, the higher we drove. Totally worth it!
Written 23 June 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.
Elizabeth D
Ottawa, Canada38 contributions
Jan 2023
WE only made it to the visitor center as we did not have a 4WD vehicle. If you are looking to get to the very top, rent a 4WD. With 5 tall people, we needed more space and had a van which could only go to the visitor center. Still worthwhile. From the visitor center, we climbed a cinder cone to see the sunset and then back down to wait for the dark skies to see the stars.
Written 7 January 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.
Rookster13
Lake Wylie, SC26 contributions
Jun 2022
Drove up to the Visitor Center. Nice little shop with snacks and various souvenirs. Clean restrooms and if after hours they did have port a potty's. We did not have a 4 wheel drive to go beyond the visitors center so we hiked a few hundred feet up the hill. It is cold, so remember to bring warm clothing if you plan to get out and walk around/hike.
Written 25 June 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.
gw2047
Atlanta, GA143 contributions
May 2022
Excellent place to stop for a walking break, a food break or for clean restrooms. Easy on/off from Saddle Road.
Written 19 June 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.
Lisa B
Chicago, IL60 contributions
Feb 2020
We've seen many sunsets along our travels and this was the most unique. Light clouds above and below the sunset which reflected the colors of the sunset amazingly. Since we were there in Feb there was snow at the top (and about 30F degrees). We were fortunate to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle and able to make the drive up to the top on our own - saving a ton of money not having to pay for a tour. I would follow the guidance NOT to do this drive if you do not have a 4 wheel drive and know how to use it. There is a length of road about 3-5 miles that is unpaved and, though not terrible going up, would have been pretty scary going down in the dark without it.
Written 23 February 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.
Delilah A
5 contributions
Jan 2020
We had a beautiful exceptional sunset at Mauna Kea Sate Recreation Area. It was breathtaking. The allitude to go all the way to the top was not good for elderly people and there are signs posted everywhere and onlyl 4 wheel drive vehicles were allowed to drive to the top. But we got a very good sunset from the Recreation centre.I would recommend this particular outing to family and friends.
Written 2 February 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.
zodreb
New York City, NY189 contributions
Oct 2019
I'm sorry I never stopped here more often as it is a halfway point between the west and east sides of the island. The bathroom is nice and the parking is plentiful. There are playgrounds for kids. Since it is up on the mountain it is refreshingly cool there as opposed to the punishing heat of the rest of Hawaii. That drive on the highway really is way too long with no good way to detour off it and this is a good break to take. A great place to rest and look at the mountain. I passed it about 4 times before realizing I could stop there.
Written 29 October 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.
Michele D
8 contributions
Sep 2019
Since the summit was still closed due to protestors, we stopped here for a picnic dinner and to use the bathrooms. Nice rest stop, with playground, picnic tables etc
Written 22 October 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.
Vacationer619490
4 contributions
Sep 2019
The rest area was was quiet pleasant area to enjoy the view. It appears that they had cabin for rent but it was not renting season.
We were not able to visit the summit because of the "Protectors." They shared much knowledge about why they are present there and what they expect to achieve. We went there as skeptics but left as believers in the cause. We did not see the summit but saw the light. WELL WORTH THE TRIP!!!
We were not able to visit the summit because of the "Protectors." They shared much knowledge about why they are present there and what they expect to achieve. We went there as skeptics but left as believers in the cause. We did not see the summit but saw the light. WELL WORTH THE TRIP!!!
Written 27 September 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.
Sunset92
Brooklyn, NY1,911 contributions
Aug 2019
We were unable to go to Mauna Kea because it was closed , due to protesters. When we drove up, we stopped and spoke to the protesters. They were so welcoming, educated us and even offered us food. They have been camping out there for owner a month. Hope everything works out for them.
Written 17 August 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.
Becky G
Van Buren
Is the visitors center still a good place to watch sunset? Also is there snow at the visitors center in January?
Jim W
Fernandina Beach, FL170 contributions
There was a little snow when we were there. You can see a nice sunsets on a clear day, but the best sunset is at the top of Mauna Kea. The visitor's center (at 9,000 ft.) has nice telescopes set up at night and they will explain what you're looking at. They say you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to the top of Mauna Kea. However, we saw many front wheel drive vehicles make the climb. It is totally awesome.
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Claim your listingMAUNA KEA STATE RECREATION AREA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Mauna Kea State Recreation Area
- Hotels near Mauna Kea State Recreation Area:
- (0.09 km) Hilo Bay Hostel
- (0.50 km) Dolphin Bay
- (0.34 km) Pakalana Inn
- (0.52 km) Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast
- (0.72 km) Hilo Bay Hale Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Mauna Kea State Recreation Area:
- (0.04 km) Mo's Fish & Chips
- (0.05 km) Papajac's Cafe
- (0.06 km) Moon and Turtle
- (0.09 km) Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
- (0.11 km) Tina's Garden Cafe