Puako Petroglyph Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 7, 2025
Puako Petroglyph Park is located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii, and features one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the state.
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Summary
The park is open to the public year-round, and there is no cost to enter.
There are many good reasons to visit Puako Petroglyph Park. The park is incredibly scenic, with views of the surrounding ocean and mountains. The area is also steeped in history, as the petroglyphs are believed to have been created by Native Hawaiians between 1200 and 1450 AD.
Some of the specific points of interest to see in the park include the petroglyphs themselves, which are carved into the lava rock. Visitors can also explore the nearby trails and see the various types of flora and fauna that inhabit the area.
Interesting facts about Puako Petroglyph Park include the fact that many of the petroglyphs depict human figures and animals, such as turtles and birds. Additionally, the park is home to several endangered species, including the Hawaiian green sea turtle and the hawksbill sea turtle.
The best time of year to visit Puako Petroglyph Park is during the winter months, when the weather is cooler and the ocean conditions are calmer. However, the park is open year-round, so visitors can enjoy it during any season.
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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.
Related References
Holoholokai Beach Park
Hapuna Beach State Park
Spencer Beach County Park