This is another in our series about the Top 10 stops for families travelling with teens and tweens on the Big Island of Hawaii. Click the above link to see the full list and to find links to individual posts.
This is Not a Drive By!
A truly hidden gem is Lava Tree State Monument, located about 20 miles south of Hilo on the way to the Kalapana Ocean Entry Viewing Area. This is one of those special places that is easy to miss if you don’t put some extra time in the schedule but it is truly worth the stop. It is one of the reasons we recommend staying 2 or 3 days on the east side of the island so you have time to take it all in.
Lava Trees are left behind when lava cools around a live tree
You’ll Think You Entered Jurassic Park!
From the road it doesn’t look like much, but once you get to the parking area and start to walk the paved .7 mile loop trail you will think you have entered Jurassic Park. The ferns and living trees grow to prehistoric proportions. By comparison the black lava trees are stark and somewhat sinister.
The foliage of Lava Tree State Monument towers overhead
Lava Trees are formed when molten lava cools around standing live trees and remains after the live trees decay. These particular trees date to an eruption from the 1700s.
The easy loop trail welcomes you to Lava Tree State Monument
The site is nice cool stop when exploring the Puna Region.
