Mauna Kea State Recreation Area

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area is 20.5 acres in size and located on Hilo Island of Hawaii. The area provides visitors with a place to picnic and lodge at a 6500-foot elevation. Visitors will have views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

For visitors to wish to go hunting they can do so nearby with pig, sheep and bird hunting options available. The weather is dry and clear, the evenings can become quite cool. If visitors choose to stay at the area overnight they will be treated with some amazing stargazing due to the clear weather.

The military host's maneuvers and training exercises nearly which at times can disrupt the peace and quiet of the area. Though these exercises tend to happen during off-peak visiting times. There are no entry fees into the area and there are services such as restrooms, lodging, trash cans and drinking water available for visitors to use.

Getting to Mauna Kea State Recreation Area can be tricky and some car rental companies may not allow their cars to travel along Saddle Road. As the area is located 35 miles inland and 6,500 feet about sea level, Saddle Road is a windy, bumpy mountain road which is best travelled in a 4x4. It is also recommended that visitors book a place with a tour company that provides 4x4 transport and camping accommodation allowing visitors to arrive safely so that they can explore by day and observe the sky at night.