Papakolea Park
Rate this placeNearby: Dole Playground Kamamalu Park
Last Updated: December 7, 2025
Papakolea Park, located in the state of Hawaii, is a beautiful destination for travelers seeking natural beauty and outdoor adventure.
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Summary
The park is known for its green sand beach, which is composed of olivine crystals that give the sand a unique green color. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on the beach.
Aside from the beach, Papakolea Park offers various other points of interest for visitors to explore. The park features ancient Hawaiian ruins, including fishponds and rock walls, which provide insight into the island's rich history and culture. There are also hiking trails in the area that offer stunning views of the coastline and surrounding landscape.
One of the most interesting facts about Papakolea Park is that it is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The green sand is formed by the erosion of a nearby cinder cone, which releases olivine crystals that mix with the sand.
The best time of year to visit Papakolea Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and dry. However, visitors should be aware that the park can be crowded during peak season, so it's best to plan ahead and arrive early in the day.
Overall, Papakolea Park is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Hawaii, offering a unique combination of natural beauty, cultural significance, and outdoor adventure.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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