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!
1. Akaka Falls State Park (North / Hamakua coast)
Cost: $1 per person
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.
Side note!
Things to buy on Amazon for your adventures!
I am an Amazon Associate. I may earn a commission.
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Some of the best outdoor travel brands:
- When you fly: If you have an iphone, you can put an airtag tracker in your luggage so you can better keep track of it! Buy just one, or buy a pack of 4. (Read the reviews!) This also makes a good travel gift!
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)
Cost: FREE
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.
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Top Big Island experiences
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- Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
- Manta ray night snorkeling tour
- Mauna Kea summit and stargazing tour
- Captain Cook deluxe sail and snorkel tour
- Big Island Volcanoes Day Tour with Dinner
Things you might want to pack for your Big Island vacation
Read the reviews on Amazon! I'm an Amazon Associate.*
- For women: Search for a rash guard for swimming and you won't have to worry as much about putting on sunscreen!
- Search for a rash guard for men
- Water shoes for snorkeling if you won't be wearing fins, or just generally for the beach!
- Cheapo waterproof phone case so you can capture pictures of colorful fishies swimming underwater!
- I always have a camera float attached to my phone case that I put around my wrist
- Snorkeling set: mask and fins
- Fins allow you to propel further faster (aka see more in less time and energy!)
- Go cheap if you accept that you need to come up for air frequently: regular swimming googles. They are not as fashionable but if you get swimming goggles, make them the clear kind so you won't be seeing dimmed colors of the colorful fishies!
- If you are able, I recommend trying out the mask at your local lake (in summer) or pool so you will be good to go in Hawaii when there's actually stuff to see!
- For women: Merrell hiking shoes (one of the best outdoor shoe brands, perfect for walking over rugged terrain like lava fields!)
- For men: Merrell hiking shoes
- Travel-friendly turkish towel for the beach (lightweight compared to regular beach towels)
- For women: Teva walking sandals (one of the best sandal brands for the outdoors, perfect for lots of walking around outside - that's not a lava field!)
- For men: Teva sandals
- Moisture-wicking tech t-shirt for women perfect for hiking and hot days when you'll be outside a lot sweating
- tech-t-shirt for men
- For more ideas, do a search for hiking clothes or swimming clothes!
*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission.
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3. Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Kona)
Cost: FREE
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)
Cost: FREE
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)
Cost: FREE
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)
Cost: $5 per vehicle
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)
Cost: FREE
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)
Cost: $10 per person
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!
Big Island state park waterfalls: Go to Akaka Falls State Park for one of the best waterfalls on the Big Island.
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.
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!
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Where to stay near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Read the reviews at partner website!
- Volcano House (book sooner rather than later! This is THE lodging of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and it's in demand!)
- Lava Lodge at Hale Kilauea
- More budget-friendly option: Aloha Crater Lodge
Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!
Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!
For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!
Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.
👇 Explore the Big Island map on google maps!
See the list:
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Things to do in Kona