Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park gives you the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of kupuna (Hawaiian elders) to the Pu'u Loa (hill of long life). This area is a sacred gallery of petroglyphs. The etchings document the life and culture of native Hawaiian people and were used to cradle the piko (umbilical cord) of their children.
The piko was brought to this area in hopes of receiving the blessings of a long and prosperous life.
The earliest written observation of the petroglyphs at Pu`u Loa was in 1823 by Reverend William Ellis, a missionary to the Hawaiian and Society Islands.
Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Trail
The trail is approximately 1.4 miles round trip. One thing to note is this is not a flat paved trail. You are hiking along lava and up and down the lava flow. Please be prepared with sturdy shoes, water, sunscreen, a baseball hat, and a snack.
The trail is not long but the hot Hawaiian sun can do a number on you by the time you reach the boardwalk.
Once you reach the boardwalk at Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park make sure you walk in both directions. We saw different petroglyphs each time we walked along the path.
Depending on the time of day and where the sun is at can also change how the petroglyphs look on the rocks.
Check out the best things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Along the way to the boardwalk keep an eye out for petroglyphs. The entire area is packed with petroglyphs and carvings!
This area has the largest concentration of petroglyphs in all of the Hawaiian Islands. More than 23,000 ki'i pōhaku (petroglyphs) have been identified in the area.
Please make sure you are prepared for the sun with water, a hat, and good shoes. I had on flip flops and it was not a very comfortable walk. I was able to do it but felt every pebble and rock as I walked along. I was very happy to reach the boardwalk and take a break.
It didn't feel very hot out as we started out on the hike but once we were in the lava field it quickly heated up and I found myself turning red along the way.
Where is the Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Trail
The trailhead is located at the bottom of Chains of Crater Road.
There is a small pull out for cars, an interpretive sign and emergency call box at the parking lot.
Things to know when planning a visit to Pu'u Loa Petroglyph Trail
There is no water, bathroom, or shade along this trail. I know I keep saying this but I really want to make sure you are prepared and can enjoy the trail.
Please do not take any rubbings of the petroglyphs. This can cause them to erode faster and cause damage to them.
If you can try to plan your hike in the early morning to get the cooler temperatures.
Don't miss all of the amazing Hawaii Volcanoes NP Hiking trails.
Check out all of our Hawaii Volcanoes National Park travel posts and articles!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$40.00-$75.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Where to stay when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
I have personally visited the Big Island of Hawaii several times, and I even proposed to Tammilee at Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park just north of the Kona Airport!
Volcano House is the only lodge in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is perfect for exploring the Park. However, there are only 33 guest rooms, which can make it a challenge to find a room available. Here are a couple of options.
Make sure to book your stay at Colony I at Sea Mountain if you want to be close to the park and far from large cities like Kona and Hilo. Here you can relax in paradise and enjoy other top destinations like Punalu'u Black Sands Beach, South Point, Green Sands Beach, and the town of Naalehu, home of the Punalu'u Bake Shop! This is a condo/timeshare style hotel that provides numerous amenities, including barbecue grills, a furnished kitchen, a washer/dryer, a coffee/tea maker, and a TV with cable. The only drawback is that you are far from several of the top attractions that Hawaii offers like going to a luau, organized tours, etc.
Hilo has several hotel options and an international airport. Hilo is known as the wet side of the island, and where many locals live. I have never stayed on the Hilo side, but I know there is the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, a Doubletree by Hilton - 4-star hotel in the heart of Keaukaha.
Most visitors to Hawaii prefer to stay on the Kona side of the island and fly into the Kona Airport (KOA). Kona is known as the dry, sunny side of the island with numerous tourist activities.
If you are looking for a fantastic hotel with breathtaking views, I would suggest the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. This contemporary Hawaiian-style resort comes to life with lush, manicured gardens, endless blue skies, and ocean views to die for. Did I mention that it is just steps away from Hapuna Beach, one of the best beaches on the island!
My other favorite hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. You will love this resort as it is on the north end of Alii Drive (the heartbeat of Kona) and makes the perfect place to explore both Kona and the Island. They also have great A/C, nice rooms, and the Island Breeze Luau is fantastic!
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