Mauna Kea

Drove to the Visitor Center at Mauna Kea hoping to see the sunset. It's approx 10,000 ft in altitude at this spot so it's cooler than you might expect. Bring warmer clothes. A jacket won't hurt. If you're also coming for the sunset, plan your trip. It's a bit of a drive and many others will have the same idea. But it's worth the time and effort!!

Wow! An experience of a lifetime… be prepared for the dizzying heights, cold temperatures, and spectacular views. After sunset, head back down to the visitor center for a presentation by a ranger with a laser pointer for some incredible stargazing!

The rangers were very nice - they made sure we were acclimated and made sure we knew how to shift gears on the car going up and down the volcano. The way up was breathtaking and the sunset was amazing. I would suggest arriving around 3pm. We came a little late (around 445pm) and almost couldn't make it. After sunset, stay for starters gazing- you see a lot more stars than on the ground. There are 2 areas up on the hill that you can star gaze other than at the visitor center. Remember to bundle up!

Visiting Mauna Kea is an unforgettable experience — the views are breathtaking, and the observatories are incredible. At nearly 14,000 ft above sea level, the skies are some of the clearest in the world, perfect for stargazing and astronomy. 🌌🔭 That said, this is not recommended for children under 13 or for anyone sensitive to high altitude. The air is very thin, and you can easily feel sick — in rare cases, altitude sickness can even be dangerous or fatal. We had to stop for almost an hour just to let our lungs adjust before going higher. If you go, take it slow, bring layers (it gets very cold), and respect that this is also a deeply sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

This is my second visit, just as good as the first time. Grand views of Haleakala and Niihau. Had a great conversation with an employee of the VLA who was working on the scopes.

Amazing sunsets! A little hike to the summit from the visitor Center and sunset looked stunning. Super windy - make sure you’re prepared. We didn’t have a good experience with star gazing coz it was super crowded and people kept turning on their car headlights

Go early. We arrived an hour prior to check in station and missed the actual sunset by 3 minutes. Long line to drive up, people asking rangers too many questions and the process was slow. Many tourists cannot drive in 4Lo and that slows us all down. Worth the trip up. Go early!

Highest mountain on earth! Cold clean air, above the clouds. Spectacular views.

Being almost 14,000 feet high is quite an achievement to be able to weather the cold and pressure, or lack thereof when at this altitude. Various telescopes and communication satellites are located along the highest ridge of Mauna Kea along with various research teams from outside of Hawaii. to reach the summit, you must have four-wheel-drive and the ability to shift between low and high gears to prevent brakes from over-heating or lack of power getting up the switch-backs going to the top. Once there, you'll be over the clouds and able to seethe sky in all its glory. I had to leave a few passengers at the information booth, as those with weak hearts or generally not conditioned might feel the effects of high altitude. My goal for this trip was to 4 X 4 up to the station to visit the reknowned facility. I would recommend taking the trek if you enjoy the nerdy things in life...

On a last-minute adventure to the other side of the island, we decided to take a peek at the legendary Mauna Kea. I'd read about the breathtaking views and the magical night skies where the stars twinkle so brightly, you feel like you're floating among the clouds. Since this wasn't a planned detour, we didn't exactly pick the right car for the job. To reach the summit, you must have a 4-wheel drive, so we made a stop at the visitor center instead and honestly, I'm so glad we did! We soaked up fascinating historical facts about the area and learned so much about the unique ecosystem that calls Mauna Kea home. The temperature dropped and you could feel the chill in the air a complete difference from the hot beating sun as the UV rays penetrate your skin and sweat beads trickle down your face. So be sure to pack for colder weather. Even without making it to the very top, the drive up was magical. The sky was draped with low, dreamy clouds, and it genuinely felt like we were climbing into a secret world hidden above the earth. It's one of those moments where you just stop, breathe, and take it all in. And yes, we learned about all the tiny bugs that live here too... which I completely appreciate as long as they stay safely in their little display boxes and not crawling or flying anywhere near me. I'm already counting down the days until I return, this time properly equipped and ready to conquer the summit. Mauna Kea, I'm not done with you yet!

Standard visitor center, but at least it was kinda warm inside. They sell Nene Goose dolls.

We went for sunset and missed it by a few minutes. So get there by 6:30 the latest because you have to go up the mountain to catch the best view. Depending on your fitness level, it may take you longer than others, but give yourself at least 10-15 min to get to the top. It can get a little slipper with loose rocks and dirt, so wear proper shoes. I suggest coming back down before it gets too dark. Once you're back at the visitors center, you can wait till it gets dark to see all the stars come out. They do not have telescopes available. It is nice that they keep the store and restrooms under red light to make the star visibility easier. Parking is available at the visitors center. Driving back down the mountain at night is not for the faint. There's a lot of curves. Go slow. If you want to go to the summit, you do need a 4x4 vehicle and need to arrive even earlier. They do also have tours up to the summit. Wear warm clothing.

High Altitude with lot of walking trails. Much cooler up the hill. Wish I could walk to the Lake after the trails. Maybe next time with good walking shoes.

Forgetting how big the island is especially since I wanted to experience both sides, I could easily stay twice as long and just scratch the surface. Not realizing Mauna Kea is half an hour closer to the Hilo side and only two nights there, made the trek for sunset and stargazing from the Kona side and it was still worth it. Without a 4-wheel drive, we did not get to go up to the summit but at 9000 ft at the visitor center level, once you walked up the hill, it is still breathtaking, literally. If you do have a 4-wheel drive and plan on heading up to the summit, you do have to stop at the visitor center first to acclimate before they allow you to continue on. If you are there for the sunset, stay afterwards so you can experience the starry sky without the light pollution. They may even have free talks available.

Spend the recommended time acclimating yourself to the elevation. We didn't spend as long as we should have and experienced mild hypoxia at the summit. Having said that, the telescope arrays are impressive. That road from the visitor center to the summit is...trying but the experience at the top is a worthwhile reward.

Great place to stop especially if you can't make it to the summit! This is where you can get a souvenir or acclimatize to the altitude as you wait to ascend to the summit. We finally were given the green light once the winds fell below 50mph!

We drove from Volcanos, specifically Volcano Village Estates in Volcanos as a day trip to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, from the Visitor's station to Waimea/Kamuela (Big Island Brew Haus), then to Paauilo (Hawaiian Vanilla Company) , Tex Drive Inn (Malasadas) on the Hamakua Coast and back to the Volcano Village Estates at the end of the day, several hundreds of miles. The drive up Saddle Road was smooth and paved, nothing like how my husband remembered it several decades ago when it was a rough, pot-holed, one-laned road in both directions back in the 90's - now a smooth transition from Hilo/Volcanoes up to the Visitor Center. There were a few tents there at the base of Mauna Kea from the protests that erupted a few years ago, but there wasn't anyone to stop us from going up to the visitor's center this time. The road up was clear, with a bunch of twisty, turning roads that we had to put the car into low gear to prevent strain on the car, but other than that, no problems getting to visitor's center. If you want to drive to summit, you will need a 4-wheel drive and will need to get your vehicle checked out by the rangers at the visitor's center before proceeding up. The Visitor's Center was a small place with a small historical side off to the right, a shop on the left and bathrooms in the back of the parking area. The people manning the shop were super friendly. Keith and Pua (?) were both graduates of Roosevelt High School (Oahu) and somehow managed to end up 9,200 ft above the clouds spreading cheer and joy to whomever walk into the Visitor's Center. I ended up buying a cool University of Hawaii Astronomy shirt on a guess in size (no fitting rooms) and some "astronaut ice cream" (freeze-dried ice cream) for the kid. Used the bathroom off to the side of the parking lot; Women's bathroom had weird red lights in them, and I wanted to ask the rangers or anyone else why the red lights, but didn't get to do so, and now it's still a mystery, so if anyone knows, please shoot me a message. We didn't do the hike from the parking lot up to the small hill summit as suggested by the kind shop keepers as we were wanting to get going, and the main reason is that husband did not bring a jacket and it was probably upper 40's and 50's in late April. It is very cold up there, take a jacket!! The drive down was a bit more challenging with the fog rolling in, and having to go down slowly in low gear as it was very steep (and foggy). Next time we come back, we will take a 4 WD just to get to the summit to watch the sunset and the stars! This is a must on my bucket list, so stay tuned, we will be back!

Amazing spot to see the sun set. The visitor information station is free and has some exhibits, merchandise, parking, and restrooms and staffed well. You can climb a steep hill outside to get a better view but it's quite a workout so know your limits. Also would bring a jacket as it can get cold depending on time of day and elevation. This is a great family destination that's memorable and doesn't require spending much money. Interesting exhibits on how many scientific observatories are in the area.

This place is great. We wanted to see the sunset at Mauna Kea summit so we have to stop at Mauna Kea visitor center first prior to heading to the summit. There is a line for cars at the visitor center for direction and guide how to go up the mountain and only four wheels can go up the mountain. Staff was nice and answered all questions. Today is my first time seeing the sunset at Mauna Kea summit. Compare to seeing the sunrise in the past, I liked both. If you want to see sunrise, waking up super early is a must. I remembered in the past I woke up at 3am ish. This time seeing the sunset does has limited timeframe of being at the summit. All vehicles must leave about thirty minutes after sunset. Overall spectacular view.

This visitor center is much smaller than I thought it would be. I came here with 3 young kids (10, 8 and 5). There wasn't too much to see, the exhibit was small and the workers did not interact with us. We wanted to get some snacks, it was very limited. We got some taro chips. I think the main reason to come to this visitor center is as a base for ascending to the summit.

The rangers were super helpful. You could tell that our safety was their first priority but you could tell they truly wanted everyone to have the best experience.

So haven't been here in a while but da family had their first look and had a blast. We went to the visitor center and hung out for 30 min to get acclimated to the altitude. Went to the gift store and got some astronaut snacks. The rangers weee all so helpful and knowledgeable to explain everything

Visiting Mauna Kea aka the tallest mountain in the world from sea base level, was hands down one of the most surreal and beautiful experiences I have ever had. I was very lucky to be able to make it up to the summit two times on two separate trips last month. The first time made my second experience even better. Here are the tips you need to know for a smoother experience. 1. You don't need to book the tour to be able to visit the summit, you just need to have a 4WD vehicle. Maybe we didn't do hard enough research for the first time, but my initial understanding was that the only way to make it up to the summit was by booking the tour which was sad because it was so expensive. However, that is NOT TRUE! Fortunately, we happened to have a 4WD rental which was a pleasant surprise when we initially went up to the visitor center. 2WD vehicles are able to drive up to the visitor center, but there is a checkpoint where rangers will make sure your vehicle is 4WD before they let you advance up the mountain. At this point, rangers will also go over how to use your vehicle and give you instructions for going up and down the mountain. 2. Make sure you acclimate for at least 30 minutes at the visitor center. The visitor center is at 9,200 feet and you can definitely begin to feel the side effects of high altitude at this point. This is the perfect time to walk around, check out the visitor center, shop and grab some merch or snacks, fill up any water bottles and have a bathroom break. 3. The best time to go up to the summit is for sunset and end your day stargazing from the hill across the street from the visitor center with just a short hike up. With this in mind, be prepared to block off 6-8 hours for the full experience. For the itinerary that worked for me - we left around 4 PM from our hotel in Kona to be able to make it to the visitor center around 5 PM. Considering the 30 minutes to acclimate and the drive to the summit, that brings you around or slightly past 6 PM which is just in time for sunset. Take all your photos, enjoy and take in all of the beauty before you leave. I would recommend to make your way back down the mountain before it gets dark for safety reasons. It's completely dark about an hour after sunset so expect to start stargazing around 8-9 PM. 4. Make sure you are driving down the mountain in 4WD low. This is so you maintain a speed under 20-25 mph and keep you from needing to use your breaks so often. There's another checkpoint as you come back down to the visitor center where the rangers will check your brake temperature. 5. Listen to your body and know your limits. Altitude sickness is serious and not something you want to deal with. Between the two experiences I had it was different each time. The first time as we drove up we could definitely tell a difference in how we felt but we felt good enough to continue. We took quick pictures and left not truly being able to take in the experience. The second time I went up (maybe because it was only 3 weeks apart) I felt great the whole drive up. I'd like to think it was because my body acclimated to high altitudes. We stayed much longer, took photos and walked around a lot more. It wasn't until I finally sat down on the Jeep after all the walking where I immediately felt very dizzy and lightheaded. I immediately told my date that we needed to leave at the fear that I was about to pass out. Unfortunately, I never got my Jeep photo but it was the right thing to do. Needless to say, if you're feeling sick at any point it's always best to turn around. Each time I went, we made a pact that if one of us felt sick we would turn around regardless of making it up to the summit or not. I think that's a good rule of thumb to have. Also a reason why you should definitely have a buddy system going up in case you get sick and are unable to drive. 6. Be prepared and bring the essentials. Dress warm because it's very cold. If this is on your itinerary, make sure you pack one warm outfit. Check the weather before, for the day you plan on going. Conditions and visibility may or may not be great but at least you're aware of what to expect especially if you want to try to see the Milky Way. Unfortunately, it was cloudy the times we went but the stargazing is still so worth it. Bring water and snacks. Staying hydrated is important especially if you begin having a headache from the altitude, keep that oxygen flowing in your blood. I also recommend buying a can of boost oxygen because you never know when it might come in handy. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before you start making your way to the visitor center. You will see how quickly 4WD will drink your gas for this trip. Hopefully this guide helps you on your trip to Mauna Kea as this is everything I wish I knew as a first timer. This was a very rewarding experience & makes the perfect date night activity!

Absolutely beautiful and amazing experience of my life and truly recommend when you visit the island!! This is life changing and so impactful, seeing the absolute beauty of God's creation!! This experience was nothing but amazing and once in a lifetime. I can't describe how in awe I am over the absolute beautiful of God's work! We often are so busy with our daily activities that we never take the time to stop and look at all the beauty that surrounds us. Mauna Kea is the highest point in the state of Hawaii and the worlds second highest peak of an island on earth. We didn't have a 4WD so we didn't make it to the summit however arrived at the Visitor Center which sits at 9,200 ft. Before embarking on a 20-minute hike up the mountain to view the sunset we had to sit at the visitor center altitude for 30 minutes to adjust to the change in altitude. They have a gift shop but due to COVID you have to check in and add your name to the list since they are limiting the amount of people inside. Be sure to use the restroom while there and before taking your hike for viewing of the sunset. After arriving at the top of the mountain, we were above the clouds and experienced the most incredible sunset! Although I'm petrified of heights and froze a few times during the climb, I made it! This is absolutely one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had and I hope my daughter never forgets it either! After viewing the sunset, we hiked back down and headed to the car area to stay for star gazing. This was another exceptional experience!! Yes the pictures I attached are stars that we experienced first hand!! It is the absolute most beautiful thing I've ever seen! I wish we had a camera and video to record our experience! Pictures do not tell the full story and cannot capture the beauty here. The pure beauty just make you tear up in awe of the magnificence of God and all his glory and creation. A reminder that despite the beauty of something like this, still God loves us more than this. We saw Jupiter and Venus and the Milky Way to name a few. I still want to know what the question mark looking constellation is!! It would glow on and off and I was obsessed!! The night sky just looked like a canvas that was laid over us. So beautiful and absolutely grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to experience this.

I joked with my friends that this was the one thing I had to do when visiting the Big Island. Mauna Kea is known as being one of the best things to experience when visiting Hawaii. However, Hawaii is also a good instigator for you to relax and do nothing. That's the reason why planning your itinerary and timing are so important. Ultimately going to the summit of Mauna Kea became too difficult when balancing a packed day earlier in the morning. To go up to the actual summit you will need either a 4 x 4 vehicle or be part of a tour that specifically goes up to the summit. If you are neither equipped with that type of vehicle or booked for that kind of tour the next best thing to do is take your regular vehicle and drive up to this visitor center. Before you go I do recommend a few things. Firstly, this visitor center is a perfect location to see the stars away from all the light pollution you would find in the cities. Because it is so high up you might get a little bit of altitude sickness. Luckily there is a ranger located at this visitor center as well as a few staff members who work in the gift shop. Not to mention the visitor center also has an indoor bathroom. This means that if you do feel a little queasy there are facilities as well as staff to help you. Secondly, although the island can be pretty warm and humid just about anywhere you go when you come to this area because you are so high in altitude the weather is going to be cold. Make sure to bring either a jacket, sweater, and/or pants so you don't freeze. Thirdly, I would also recommend get a thermos so that you can bring with you a hot beverage to enjoy while looking at the stars. Lastly, whether you are coming from Kona or from Hilo just know the drive to this area is going to be about 1 to 1 1/2 hours long. Be mindful of the time so that if you do want to come up to watch the sunset you plan your leave time accordingly. As beautiful as the stars are at night the sunset is even more so. It cost nothing to visit this place but I do recommend leave a donation to help sustain such a wonderful area. If you do you get a chance to speak with the workers or the Rangers that work here please do so. They have great stories, great tips on viewing, and are overall just great people. Enjoy the night sky and the gorgeous views above.

Mauna Kea is technically the tallest mountain in the world if you count the entire height below sea level. I think this is a must visit if you are on the Big Island! If you don't have a 4x4 (4WD), the visitor station is the furthest you can go up Mauna Kea. AWD is not the same as 4WD, and they had a guy checking under the cars for 4WD and turning around any cars without it. However, you can still park in the lot and hike up the small hill across the road to experience the views. At 9000 ft, you are above the cloud layer and sunset there is stunning. The hike is pretty easy, about 10-15 min. In December, the temperature was around 35F at this elevation. If you do plan to go all the way to the top, they recommend staying at the visitor center elevation at least 30 minutes to adapt to the rapid altitude change to 14,000 ft at the peak. During COVID, the visitor center itself is closed. There are porta potties outside.

We were debating whether we shall drive all the way up to the summit, so we decided to stop at the visitor center. The staff is very friendly, and there are a lot of reminder that only 4wd car can go up to the summit. There is a hiking trail you can go down to a lake but the shortest one way hike is like 4.8 miles. I don't think I'm doing the hike but still not sure whether we shall do the drive. It's attempting

Manua Kea is a must-see spot when on the Big Island. We stopped by the visitor center, which is where many folks stop to use the restroom (very clean, but expect lines), purchase food and souvenirs, be subjected to a ranger check (need to have an approved car to summit), and learn more about the mountain and observatories from the rangers. There is also an opportunity to take a walk and see the near extinct Mauna Kea silversword plant that is only found on the island of Hawaii. We were able to see three plants on our walk and they really are silver! One important reason to stop and rest here is to allow your body to acclimate to the high altitude before ascending. It was recommended we stay hydrated and walk around. Many summit tours stop here for a break and or provide meals to their guests.

We made the trek up to see the sunset and starry night sky. The rangers and staff at the visitor center were amazingly informative and helpful. Check the moon stage before heading up as it can/will impact the star gazing. Despite that, we all left inspired.

Amazing stopping and adjustment point on the way to Mauna Kea. The VIS has a merch shop and information in regards to the location and the observatory. Those that work there are very nice and knowledgeable. You will be asked a few questions before heading up to the summit and 4x4 vehicles are required.

This was a nice and interesting little spot beyond the sulphur fields. Lots of fascinating information that I learned while at visitor center. It is very small but worth a look around.

This a must stop for the Big Island. We had Jeep and were able to drive to the top of Mauna Kea. The stop at the visitor center made the trip very enriching. The displays are very well written and presented, without being overwhelming. Be sure to talk to the staff, they are very well informed.

Being up on the summit of Mauna Kea was hands down one of the best experiences in my life. Mauna Kea is the highest sea mountain in the world and measures 14,000 ft above sea level. My husband planned for us to be up there to watch the sun set, which I highly recommend. Before driving up to Mauna Kea, you will have to wait 30 minutes at the visitor's center (@ 9,200 ft) for your body to adjust to the high altitude. If you do choose to go for the sunset, make sure to arrive with enough time for the 30-45 minute drive, and the 30 minutes for your body to get used to the altitude. Anyone who is pregnant, has heart or respiratory problems, or has gone scuba diving within the last 24 hrs should not go up to the summit. The park rangers on site will ask you these questions and provide instructions on how to drive up to the summit. Most importantly, you absolutely MUST have a 4WD car or you will not be allowed to drive up the mountain. If you decide that you do not want to drive up Mauna Kea, there are companies that offer shuttle services up and down Mauna Kea, but they are very expensive and needs to be booked in advance. The clouds were literally next to us as we drove up. At the top, you are above the clouds. Watching the sun set from above the clouds was truly a sight to behold. About an hour after the sun sets, the park rangers will kindly ask you to descend Mauna Kea. At the visitor's center parking lot, you may enjoy star gazing. We were able easily see so many stars with the naked eye.

Drove up here on our last day on BI. It was also our only clear day. We drove up in a Dodge Caravan that actually kind of struggled and slipped getting up the last bit of the 4 mile drive.... It was a rental and I initially couldn't figure out how to downshift. Figured it out on the way down which was necessary. We got there at about 10 and the visitor station doesn't open till 10:30 but we got to traverse the ground a bit. Then the Ranger gave us some info on the one small peak we thought our kids could do and up we went. Our kids are 10, 7, and 2 5 year olds. I'd it were just my husband and I we could have made it up in 20 min or less. But we got 4 kids (not the most athletic ones either) so it took a little longer. We went in all slippers. It was about 59 degrees. The kids varied from getting hot and cold as they hiked so several stops to peel or add layers. Idk if shoes would have made it better.... There is loose dirt and gravel and I kind of feel like shoes or slippers both kind of slip in that.... We took a selfie stick so we could easily and safely get a pic of the whole family and the mauna. Kids did amazingly better on the way down.

We have never been up to Maunakea before so decided to pay a visit. We did not go all the way to the top as we did not have a 4 wheel drive which is required and we have a child under the age of 13 which we they do not recommend go all the way to the top. However right across from the Visitors Center is an easy 15 minute hike to some stunning 360 views. Known as the Rooster Tail it's a simple hike that most people should be able to do quickly and easily with basic athletic shoes, sunscreen as the UV is intense and water. The views are amazing, rock and endless mountains, great photo opportunities and just nature at its finest. It's well worth the trip and a great way for the whole family to take an extra easy hike with an amazing payoff at the top!

Nothing really to see with COVID closing the visitor center but it's a good stopping point, and as far as you can get without 4WD. We had thoughts of going to the top but discovered the road was closed for weather. We did explore the cooler temps (50s), a double rainbow given the misty rain, and what appeared to be a memorial area. Portable toilets and parking are available but there's nothing really to see at the visitor center. This was my second visit and realized the thrill of seeing the closed visitor center was nothing special. If you visit, suggest checking if the road is open and ensuring you have a 4WD vehicle to really explore Maunakea. Otherwise the road up and down to the visitor center is uneventful and somewhat steep in areas as it winds back and forth.

A very cool sojourn on you way to Hilo or Kona depending on your direction. We drive to the summit each time we visit the Big Island (5 times so far) Mauna Kea is of course a dormant volcano. Standing at over 13000 feet it is easily the highest point in Hawaii. In fact it is, if measured from its base deep in in the ocean well over 33000 feet tall and would be the highest mountain on the planet by that measure. Because of the altitude it is not uncommon to see snow there as counter intuitive as it may seem. Indeed the ancient Hawaiian's established a quarry high up the volcano to acquire the unusually dense basalt for tools (the rapid cooling at the summit helped create the density). In addition they also used the summit as a holy area. Given its latitude and its altitude, Mauna Kea is an ideal place to place a telescope. Low light, humidity, turbulence, lack of pollution, and the like ensures that astronomers flock to the summit. So how do you get there. Until recently those going to Hilo faced two options. You could go via the coast which while awesome, takes forever. The more adventurous would careen down a two way road (that is a charitable description) with lots of bumps and humps. It was a bumpy ride but shaved hours off the trip. In recent years it has been made into a more modern 4 lane highway and the ride is much smoother. It also goes right the access road to Mauna Kea. About 1/3 of the way up is the visitor center. Its a good place to stop. The very first time we headed up, we blew past this center and headed right on up. We could feel the effects fo the altitude pretty quickly and had to had back down 9 ( I had some pulmonary edema and the wife a splitting headache) so now we spend at least 30-60 minutes here to adjust a bit. After leaving you begin a very steep winding road. Slow down and take your time. The paved road gradually becomes a narrow dirt road. Be mindful of the engine temperature. The relentless slow speed and grade can result in overheating. Pull over in a safe spot periodically if this happens. Once you get near the top the paved road resumes. At the summit if it is dark there is a no headlight rule so as to not spoil the astronomy. We have only done the drive in the summer months and have never encountered bad weather but I would avoid it if there was any indication of it. If its dry then a standard rental car makes it just fine. The views are spectacular and its cool to drive around and see the telescopes. The only one that has a small visitor center is the Keck and by small I mean a bathroom and some information boards. There is a spot to view the actual telescope and the nice person manning it last time told us to wait a few minutes and they would be moving it into position for the night viewing which was cool to see. If you are planning to hike, first off you are a hard core nut IMHO. its cold up there with often a 50-60 degree differential between the summit and the beach. In the summer that means 35-40 F. The altitude is brutal as well. Also please be mindful and respectful. The area is considered a holy one for Hawaiians so stay on established trails and don't go all haole.

First off, you are REQUIRED to stop at the visitor center before driving further up to the actual summit. This is so that your body can acclimate to the elevation change. I stayed here for about an hour to play it safe. I recommend taking a walk to view the endangered silversword plants that are endemic to Hawaii during the waiting period. The entrance is located near the picnic tables/restrooms. There is an informative video about safety that I highly recommend watching, but there are also a lot of safety/caution signs around as well. I like how there is a hot water station, where you can grab some hot water. There are also flush toilets available during their business hours, but there are some portapotties available as well. The stargazing program unfortunately was not available during my visit due to construction, but I still had a good visit to Maunakea. The staff at the visitor station informed me that the program probably wouldn't be back up and running until a few months down the road due to construction. Unless you plan on purchasing something from the gift shop area, there was no admission fee and no parking fees or any other fees.

I would arrive at the Visitor Station at least two hours before sunset because you will need to get acclimated for at least 30 minutes (an hour is best), eat, use the restroom, and leave to the top at least hour before sunset. The actual sunset will be 15 minutes earlier than predicted if there are clouds on the horizon, so leave early to catch it. Call ahead or check the website for current conditions and if the road to the peak is open. It is a 30-minute drive up to the top from the Visitor Center. You will need a 4WD vehicle, such as a Jeep, and be in 4L (four-wheel drive, low range) the whole round trip from the Visitor Center, because the road is unpaved and steep, and because the air is so thin, on the way down you want to minimize using breaks and instead use engine-braking. Have the "M" (manual shift lever position) on 3 to 5 going up (higher is faster, up to 25 mph), and 1 to 3 going down (up to 15 mph). To shift in to 4L, stop with your foot on the break, put your vehicle in neutral and then shift the lever hard to the 4L position. Then put your vehicle back in drive, and it should shift quickly if you are on flat ground. Keep in mind sharp turns are hard in 4WD. You have to leave the peak 15 minutes after sunset, and if you are lucky there won't be clouds and the stars will be visible back at the Visitor Center. Also remember to drink lots of water, and take your time. The air is really thin and may cause light-headedness and feeling out of breath.

Great visitor center, everyone so helpful with information and a special thank you to ranger Paul and the other ranger (sorry didn't catch his name) standing out in the rain on 6/28/24 at 2:30pm to keep visitors safe as they drive to and from Mauna Kea summit area. Mahalo!

Went here for stargazing on Mauna Kea! Got to see many beautiful and breath taking views of the stars from the parking lot. Was really bummed that the Visitor Center was closed due to COVID. I got here a bit early so I went exploring on a trail. Just be careful when you get here as high attitude sickness can occur, especially if you are planning to go to the Summit. You have to acclimate for 30-60 min before you can head up. There is a ranger stationed on the road to inform you about the hazard conditions.

Ah, Mauna Kea! The highest point on the Big Island, and in the state of Hawaii. It's the 6th highest state high point in the United States. It's a massive volcano, and if you measure it from its true base (rather than from sea level), it's the tallest mountain on earth! And, you can drive *almost* all the way to the top. You'll still have to do an easy, 15 minute hike to reach the true summit. Here's a sign telling you to not do it out of respect for the native peoples of this land. My question is...what about all these MASSIVE telescopes? Those are OK, but a trot to a summit on dirt is not? Kinda weird if you ask me... Speaking of discouragement...there are also lots of reports that you need a 4X4 to get up here. That's not true. Not only do you not need a 4WD or AWD vehicle, you don't even need a HC (high clearance) vehicle. Any rental car will do. They would *prefer* you have a 4WD vehicle, as it will damage the road less severely when you lose traction. Anyway, it's an otherworldly landscape up here. "It looks like Mars". Red earth all around and snow and ice can be observed into April. If you plan on spending a lot of time up here, be sure to pack lots of warm clothes! It'll seem weird when you land in Kona, but you'll be glad you have them!

Mauna Kea is one of the most memorable drives and views I've ever seen. It's totally worth it. As a tourist, here's what you need to know: 1) Google Map the Onizuka Center for Astronomy, not the Mauna Kea Visitor Info Station. That will take you to some random warehouse in Hilo. 2) I would allocate at least 4 hours from Hilo/Kona to go to the summit, the more the better. I wouldn't do this as a last tourist stop before heading to the airport to fly home. 3) Even at the visitor center, it is cold. The summit is above the clouds and even colder. We brought layers and sweatpants to wear over our brotank and shorts and we were fine, but dress for winter weather. Scarfs are recommended as well; the windchill is crazy at the summit. I also did not see any bathrooms at the summit. Treat the visitor center as your last pit stop. 4) As you probably see from others, you need a 4WD vehicle. You can get to the visitor center in a 2WD, but they have a checkpoint before ascending with people checking for 4WD. If you have a 4L gear, even better. Our rental Jeep had it, and we were using it the entire time. If you don't know how to use the 4WD options on your car, google it or check the owners manual before going ascending. 5) Use engine speed and low gears for the way down. The road will kill your brakes. 6) The guy at the checkpoint recommended we had at least 3/4 tank of gas. I was skeptical at first, but I totally understand after coming down. We had 1/2 tank on our 4 cyl Jeep and we burned a little more than quarter tank easy driving up and down the summit. I also don't remember seeing any gas stations on the 2000. Fill up at Hilo/Kona before heading to Mauna Kea. 7) Personally, hiking up to the summit from the visitor station is out of the question. If you have any doubts on your hiking abilities, this isn't for you. We saw 3 hikers on our way up and down, we ended up picking up two of them trying to hitchhike on the way down. If you have a 2WD vehicle and want to go to the summit, ask around the people waiting in the visitor center. Chip in for gas and see if you can hitch a ride with them. 8) That being said, you'll see a lot of people outside the visitor center and parking lot. Most are probably getting used to the altitude. Take your time. Move around. Give yourself 30 min at the visitor center to acclimate, and another 30 at the summit. Drive slow, drive carefully, and charge that phone because you will want to take your time taking pictures and enjoying the summit.

Need a good car for the rough rocky road near the top with decent brakes for the ride down. The ride is memorable with awesome views. Not many visitors today as it's out of the way or hard to do. But I highly recommend this drive and it goes to the observatory that first discovered our first sighting of a celestial object that looks like it came from something intelligent. Not very cold up there like the one in Maui. There is nothing but some outhouses when you get up top. The best thing is it's free!

Get off the coast and visit the Hawaiian Highlands. The visitor center on Mauna Kea is about 9000 feet above the sea and is above the clouds with amazing views. If you want to see the sunrise or sunset or star at a clear night sky you need to be here. TIP: During the Summer, to see sunrise, you will need four wheel drive to get past the visitor center to take the dirt road to the top. At the visitor center after May the sun will be up quite a bit before it hits the visitor center area. TIP2: It is also very high up and a lot cooler. It was about 45 degrees F in early June. There are pictures of snow in the cooler months, so dress accordingly. Be aware there are many cultural areas that you will need to avoid and ALWAYS stick to trails.

Employee sitting outside on the information table didn't greet us. Stared at us awkwardly until we walked past, into the store. Some of the clothes were nice, prices were average. Overheard a customer ask the lady at the front desk "Do you have this shirt in a medium" and the employee lady sarcastically responded "in our warehouse we do" to which the the customer awkwardly had to ask "where's the warehouse?" When it was our turn to pay, it felt as if she was impatient, not welcoming at all. Also, don't be like the people in the picture ..

Great job to the staff directing us up the mountain and also the showing us about the Milky Way galaxy and beyond in laments terms

Amazing views. make sure to bring a sweater as the temps are way colder up at that elevation. it's a must see at sunset and once all the lights go out!

Great little visitor's center and gift shop. Loved the night guide who pointed out the different star clusters and names using a flashlight to point us in the right direction. I have never seen stars so vibrant as they were up here. Truly breathtaking to watch the sunset and watch the stars make their debut.

The drive up is breathtaking! The overall visitor center was ok. They had an informative video, information about the area and a small gift shop. They have several picnic tables to enjoy a meal or snack. The bathrooms were not particularly clean and the views were obstructed with your busses and the building.

This review is just for the visitor's center. There's not that much to do here unless you want to hike or hire a tour to go up higher to the top. The visitor's center is at 9,000 feet above sea level and is sort of fun to look at the view with the clouds underneath you. The drive up to the visitor's center is only a few miles out of the way on your way to Hilo, so you might as well take the short detour to be able to say you're standing on the world's tallest volcano (measured from the sea floor). There's a bathroom here as well as a small gift shop. If you're driving from Kona to Hilo or vice versa, it's a nice stop halfway for a restroom break.

The Visitor Information Center is a mandatory stop at about 9,200 feet above sea level. Mandatory for all two wheel drive vehicles. Period. Certainly advisable for those going a mile higher up to the observatories at the Mauna Kea summit in 4-wheel drive vehicles. Spend some time here, allow your body to adjust to way less O2 than it's used to. Yes, it's a gift shop. But it also has a small video section with folding chairs. The videos vary, but they are always educational about astronomy and Mauna Kea. Spend some time here before kicking the tires and lighting the fires of your 4x4 to venture to the summit. By the way, stop here while descending from the summit to kibitz with real, live astronomers and look through their mega-powerful telescopes. The Center is open from 7 PM to 11 PM, as are (ahem) the restrooms. Plan accordingly. When you manage to reach the observatories, it will be cold, windy and very dry. Dress for success here, success meaning survival. The Rangers will strongly encourage your departure from the summit about 30 minutes after sundown. Very strongly. They will, however, permit descending a bit and pulling over off the road (be careful, it's dark, and you're about 13,000 feet high) to view the stars. Stars?? There was no moon, and so many stars visible one can't recognize the usual constellations like Orion or The Big Dipper. Additionally, since Hawai'i Island is so far South, and since the elevation is about 13,000 feet, the Southern Cross is visible !! This constellation is normally only visible in the southern hemisphere. FYI, it is also visible from the Visitor's Center.

Mauna Kea should be on everyone's list when visiting the big island of Hawaii! Being at the summit for sunrise was simply incredible. Yes, it's early, but so worth it!! If you are flying in from the continental US, I'd recommend going the very first morning because you'll already be getting up early. You do need to spend about 30 minutes at the visitor center (9000ft) prior to going up to the summit (nearly 14000ft) to get acclimated to the elevation. You don't want to risk altitude sickness. You need a 4-wheel drive vehicle, not just all-wheel drive to make it up there. It is gorgeous (and chilly) up at the summit. I would have loved to do an observatory tour but all of them are closed with COVID. Plan your trip around this visit!!

Great place to stop before driving up to summit of Mauna Kea. The park rangers are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They go over the recommended gears and settings for your car as you drive up the summit. You MUST have a four wheel drive to get up to the summit (they check the cars before letting you through). Be sure you have at least a half tank of gas before you start, more is better. The closest gas station is over 20 miles away. After watching the sunset at the summit, you have to descend before 7pm. The visitor center is a must stop for stargazing before you head home. I've never seen so many stars- absolutely breathtaking. Just a warning the visitor center parking does fill up very quickly.

Probably the best night time activity on the Big Island. A cute little gift shop visitor center with hot chocolate, tea and coffee. Come up here Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings after 7pm and volunteer guides will help show you the stars. They set up three telescopes, targeted at the moon, Mars and the Andromeda galaxy. Quick warning - it's a steep drive uphill to get there - especially through the clouds.

If I had to image how it felt like to drive through a foreign planet, my visit to Mauna Kea would be the inspiration! Where do I begin? Fun Fact: There is a large population of donkeys in the Island. The incline drive to the access road was beautiful! The terrain of Big Island changes drastically depending on what part of the island. There are sections where it is just volcanic rocks until the eyes hit the mountain(s) in the horizon. In contrast, there are sections with fields of green vegetation that comes with goats, donkeys, chickens and horses. Reaching the access road there was about a mile until the off road driving started. I underestimated how tall Mauan Kea was! Majority of the road up the summit was unpaved. There are hardly as ramps along the edges and it gets narrow in some sections. As I drove further and further up Kauna Kea, it was getting to be more challenging and a little scary. Good thing there was hardly any other cars! As much as the drive was a little nerve racking, the view was astonishing! The weather was sunny,however there were plenty of pretty white clouds. It also go colder the higher up. The level before the summit also provides a great view and there are about 4 telescopes. This level looks like something out of a space movie. The sky is clear, the telescopes are hidden away in metallic domes, the rocks are red and enormous and there were hardly any other people! The summit was breathe taking but it felt very deserted! I was exhausted from the drive up so the drive down, I took the back seat and just knocked out. From what I remember before knocking out, the view was even more beautiful! Pros: - Scenic views at all directions! - There are portable restrooms at the summit. - A mile before the summit, the road is paved. - It is free! Cons: - The drive up is not for the faith of heart! Tips: - Bring a light jacket/sweater. It gets very cold! - Be smart and have a four wheel drive! - Takes lots of photos! It is definitely an accomplish making it to the top!

"Space... The final frontier... These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise Its continuing mission... To explore strange new worlds... To seek out new life; new civilizations... To boldly go where no one has gone before!" -Captain James Tiberius Kirk Is there a clearer place on planet Earth to see the stars? (One thats easily accessible that is) We beamed in here before sunset to see the transition. It gets COLD! Bring a warm beanie, sweater, and jacket. They bring out some telescopes. Its nice, but Jupiter is just a white ball and you can barely make out the red stripes. Just staring up at the sky was amazing enough. I'll be sure to bring some wine next time. Just to keep warm of course.