8 Hawaii state parks on the Big Island you need to know about!

ALOHA!

So if you’re looking for some things to do on the Big Island with amazing views, you can have a look to some Hawaii state parks! 

You’ll find Big Island state parks on the Kona side, the Hilo side, and even near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

There are 14 Hawaii state parks or state sites on the Big Island.

This count includes sites that are called a state park, state historical park, state recreation area, state park reserve, state monument, and state wayside. There’s even a palace.

I spent 3 weeks on the Big Island and went to a bunch of state parks. Here are the ones to know about!

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1. Akaka Falls State Park (North / Hamakua coast)

Visit Akaka Falls for one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island!

Make sure to take the Akaka Falls circle trail that loops around the park that will take you through nature and past banyan trees.

This is best made a part of your day when you are visiting around the Hilo side of the island.

See more about the Akaka Falls State Park hike and check official info for updates.

2. Kekaha Kai State Park (Kona)

Visit Kekaha Kai for white sand beaches on the Big Island!

There are 3 great beaches to visit at this state park, but visit Kua Bay for the easiest access.

Otherwise, it’s a bit of a bumpy road and then a short walk to Mahaiula Beach. (I was able to swim with turtles here!)

Some of the best hikes on the Big Island can also be found in Kekaha Kai State Park!

From Mahaiula Beach to Makalawena Beach is a little bit of a hike through lava fields.

Or, if you have a 4-wheel-drive, there’s a bumpy dirt road you can take to get to this beach too.

You can also do a short hike up the Puu Kuili cinder cone for stunning views of the Kona coast! You can park at Kua Bay and then do this hike.

This Big Island state park is located on the Kona coast, just north of the Kona airport.

See more about things to do in Kekaha Kai State Park and check official info for updates.

3. Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Kona)

Visit Kealakekua Bay for one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.

This bay can be accessed from 2 sides.

If you want to just visit the bay with no snorkeling, there’s one side that can be accessed by road (free).

The side that can be accessed by road isn’t the side of the snorkeling spot though.

The other side with the snorkeling cove can be accessed by hiking (free), kayaking, or a boat tour.

This is located towards the southern side of the Kona coast.

See more about the Kealakekua Bay hike and snorkeling spot and check official info for current updates.

4. Lapakahi State Historical Park (Kohala)

This has a nice coastal trail with ocean views as you walk through remnants of an ancient Hawaiian village.

This is another good snorkeling spot on the Big Island.

 
This is on the Kona side of the island, but far up near the northern tip of the island, on the Kohala coast.

See more about the best Big Island snorkeling spots and check official info for current updates.

5. Wailuku River State Park (Hilo)

The main attraction here is Rainbow Falls.

This is one of the famous waterfalls on the Big Island.

There’s also a short set up stairs that lead up, and you can see the river that leads to the waterfalls, as well as be surrounded by banyan trees.

This can be a short visit and it can be paired with a visit to Akaka Falls, as Rainbow Falls is located basically in Hilo town.

See more about Rainbow Falls at Wailuku River State Park and check check official info for current updates.

6. Hapuna Beach State Park (Kohala)

This has been said to be one of the best white sand beaches on the Big Island, and there’s a wide stretch of sand here.

This is located on the Kona side of the Big Island, a bit further up north, also on the Kohala coast.

Hapuna Beach is the Big Island state park beach that has been named #1 beach in America.

Check official info for current updates.

7. Lava Tree State Monument (Puna)

It will give you a glimpse of the power of lava (and of some trees that stayed standing!) as you see tree molds that have retained their form but completely covered in lava.

This can be a quick stop that you can make time for if you’re staying near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This is located in Puna which is about an hour from the national park. 

You can spend a day in the Puna area by driving Red Road, visiting black sand beaches, and then a stop at the lava tree state monument! (You can actually do this in just a couple of hours if you want to.)

Check official info for current updates.

8. Hulihee Palace (Kailua-Kona)

This can be a way to see a glimpse of what Hawaiian royalty lived like.

If you’re staying in Kona town for a few days, there’s a good chance you’ll walk right past this palace at some point.

See more about the palace history and check official state info for current updates.

Recap! Hawaii state parks on the Big Island you need to see!

1. Akaka Falls state park

Big Island state park waterfalls: Go to Akaka Falls State Park for one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island.

2. Kekaha Kai State Park

Big Island state park beach: Go to Kekaha Kai State Park for some of the best white sand beaches on the Big Island.

3. Kealakekua Bay state historical park

Big Island state park snorkeling: Go to Kealakekua Bay for one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island.

4. Lapakahi state historical park

Big Island state park snorkeling: Go to Lapakahi State Park for another good snorkeling spot, along with a trail through an ancient Hawaiian village.

5. Wailuku River state park

Big Island state park waterfalls: Go to Wailuku River State Park for more good waterfalls.

6. Hapuna Beach state recreation area

Big Island state park beach: Go to Hapuna Beach State Park for another white sand beach and the #1 pick in 2021 for best beach in America according to Dr. Beach!

7. Lava tree state monument

Big Island state park lava: Go to Lava Tree State Park to see tree molds formed by lava near the Puna coast.

8. Hulihee Palace

Big Island state park palace: Go to Hulihee Palace to see a glimpse of Hawaiian royalty of the past.

Here is the full list of Big Island state parks:

• Akaka Falls State Park, North/Hamakua Coast
• Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Kohala
• Hulihee Palace, Kona
• Kalopa State Recreation Area, North/Hamakua Coast
• Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, Kona
• Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park, Kona
• Kiholo State Park Reserve, Kona
• Kohala Historical Sites State Monument, Kohala
• Lapakahi State Historical Park, Kohala
• Lava Tree State Monument, Puna
• MacKenzie State Recreation Area, Puna
• Manuka State Wayside, South
• Wailoa River State Recreation Area, Hilo
• Wailuku River State Park, Hilo

See more about these state parks from the official Hawaii state parks website.

For more of the best Hawaii state parks, also see the list of state parks on Maui with VIEWS!

HAPPY HAWAII STATE PARK VISIT ON THE BIG ISLAND!