Puakō Petroglyph Park — Attraction in Hawaii

The beach and grassy park areas are very nice, and make a great picnic stop. However, I'm giving the park a 3 only because the Petroglyph Trail is ridiculous. I am not one to avoid an unimproved trail, but...... It would appear that the powers-that-be would prefer no one go to the site. Many reviewers state that the first part is paved, and the latter is ON basalt. In fact, a very short portion at the beginning is paved, and the remainder is quite primitive -- and while it winds within an old lava flow, to say you are walking on a lava flow gives an impression of more stability than one encounters. The trail winds through dark woods, and is narrow, rocky (rough, sharp basalt half buried in shadow and debris), punctuated by 3" tall tree stumps (right in the middle of the trail), and crossed by large branches -- and don't forget the spiny trees. The odds of falling , incurring a concussion, or driving a spine through your shoes, are good. One in our party tripped, fell and came away with two bloody knees, a broken toe, and cut hand. Even a national park ranger told us afterward that he never recommends this trail because it is not safe. Apparently, there are petroglyphs to see along the way, but there was so much leaf litter, we didn't see more than one. I read one sign that referred to the trail as a boardwalk -- which is no where near what it is. Definitely one should wear sturdy shoes -- but unless you read a review this is not something you would know ahead of time -- and take it slow.

Frankly, the petroglyphs relocated (or re-created?) to the beginning of the trail are far more interesting than the ones in situ (in fact, grass and litter did a good job of disguising the petroglyphs at...

GO IN THE MORNING IF YOU CAN! Trail not accessible to wheelchairs, or those with impaired mobility. I would not recommend bringing young children unless they can obediently stay away from spiny branches.

We absolutely loved our time here! The Petroglyph Park is located off the back of the parking lot for the Beach - it almost looks like a tiny dirt trail that maybe should be there. After walking down a small dirt path, you cross over onto a larger circular path where petroglyphs are laid out in gallery fashion. This is a small glimpse of what is to come. Walking down the trail further will lead you into a densely forested area. Most of the trees and brush have spines of some sort. Wear thick sole-shies and bring antihistamine cream. One of my group stepped on a spine and it went through the sole of his new tennis-shoes and he felt the poke in his sock. I reacted to the spines when scratched. We wandered along until a fork in the path. The left goes to a large utility road (wrong way). The right goes further into the brush, out into a meadow, and back into the trees (right way). We thought we had gone the wrong direction and almost turned around 3 times. I am so glad we didn't.

After seeing the sign for the petroglyphs, start watching where you step. There are a few petroglyphs scattered along the path long before you reach the full field of them. There is a large platform, and a smaller path around the main expanse. We were so glad we took the full trail around. Of the 3 petroglyph displays we saw on the island, this was by far, the largest.

The hike itself was very hot, and often exposed. if there had not been a breeze, it would have been unbearable. Bring water, wear a hat, and sunscreen....

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Puakō Petroglyph Park on my trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, and it was one of the most memorable experiences. As someone who is fascinated by ancient Hawaiian culture and history, seeing the incredible petroglyphs up close was a truly awe-inspiring experience.

Walking through the park's rugged terrain, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and curiosity as I studied each intricate rock carving. The sheer number and variety of petroglyphs were truly astounding, and it was amazing to think about the stories and beliefs that inspired their creation.

But what also made the experience special was the park's natural beauty. The rugged lava-strewn landscape was both breathtaking and eerie, and it transported me to another time and place. I felt like I was walking through a world that was both familiar and otherworldly, and it was an experience that I'll never forget.

Overall, I would highly recommend a visit to Puakō Petroglyph Park to anyone visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a unique and memorable experience, this park is not to be missed. It's a truly special place that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the rich and fascinating culture of...