Facility Overview

The Lake Waiau Parking Lot is an unpaved, open-air high-altitude trailhead parking turnout situated along the Mauna Kea Summit Road on the upper slopes of Mauna Kea on the Island of Hawaiʻi. Located at an extreme elevation of approximately 13,020 feet (3,968 meters) above sea level, this rugged surface lot serves as the primary designated vehicle access point for hikers trekking to the sacred alpine waters of Lake Waiau. The facility consists of a compact, unstriped volcanic gravel and cinder parking apron cut into the mountainous volcanic terrain. Because it is completely open to the sky, there are no overhead clearance height restrictions, making it suitable for taller expedition vehicles; however, vehicle suitability is strictly dictated by terrain and mandatory safety regulations. Only true four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles with low-range capability (such as full-size 4WD SUVs, pickup trucks, and rugged off-road conversions) are permitted beyond the Visitor Information Station. Standard low-clearance passenger cars, minivans, and two-wheel-drive vehicles are strictly forbidden from ascending to this elevation due to steep, rough, and unpaved mountain gradients.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned within the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and adjacent to the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve, the parking area provides immediate access to some of the most remarkable natural and cultural landmarks in the Pacific:

• Lake Waiau Trailhead: Located right at the edge of the turnout. The trail leads approximately 0.5 to 0.75 miles (roughly a 20- to 30-minute hike each way at high altitude) down into the Puʻu Waiau cinder cone to reach Lake Waiau, one of the highest alpine lakes in the United States.
• Mauna Kea Summit & Astronomy Observatories: Approximately 1.5 to 2 miles further up Mauna Kea Summit Road (a 5- to 10-minute drive), granting views of world-renowned astronomical research installations including the W. M. Keck Observatory, Subaru Telescope, and Gemini North.
• Puʻu Wēkiu: The highest natural point in the Hawaiian Islands (13,796 feet), reachable via summit access trails and summit roads just minutes uphill.
• Onizuka Center for International Astronomy (VIS): Situated roughly 6 miles downhill at the 9,200-foot level, serving as the essential acclimatization and educational hub.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Reaching the Lake Waiau Parking Lot requires careful vehicle navigation. Drivers must first take Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road / Route 200) to the junction with Mauna Kea Access Road. From there, ascend 6 miles on paved roadway to the Onizuka Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200 feet, where all visitors are required to stop for a mandatory 30-to-45-minute acclimatization and safety inspection. Beyond the VIS, the road transitions into a steep, washboarded, graded gravel road for approximately 4.5 miles before returning to pavement near the Lake Waiau turnout. Ingress and egress require cautious turning on loose cinders, and motorists must yield to descending traffic. There is zero public transit, scheduled shuttle, rideshare, or taxi service operating to this remote location. All transit must be conducted via approved 4WD personal/rental vehicles or commercial guided summit tour coaches.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level volcanic cinder turnout accommodating approximately 8 to 12 vehicles at any given time.
• Direct Trail Access: Immediate connection to the marked Lake Waiau hiking footpath and interpretive signage.
• Infinite Vertical Clearance: No height barriers or ceilings, easily accommodating roof racks, gear containers, and high-clearance 4WD vehicles.
• Scenic Mountain Outlooks: Expansive views across the saddle toward Mauna Loa and surrounding alpine cinder cones.
• Complimentary Access: Free daytime parking managed under the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority (MKSOA) and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
• Zero Structural Amenities: There are no restrooms, running water, trash bins, or emergency call boxes at this turnout; all facilities must be accessed at the VIS below.

Ideal For

• Day Hikers: Outdoor enthusiasts and mountaineers trekking the trail to view Lake Waiau and historic volcanic geological formations.
• High-Altitude Landscape Photographers: Visitors capturing unique alpine contrasts, cloud inversions, and stark volcanic terrains.
• Summit Excursionists: Explorers planning a brief hike prior to watching the sunset from the Mauna Kea summit ridge.
• Cultural & Eco-Tourists: Travelers respectful of Native Hawaiian cultural heritage and sensitive alpine ecosystems.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Driving and parking in this extreme environment demands thorough preparation:

• Altitude Acclimatization: Never drive directly to 13,000 feet without resting for at least 30 to 45 minutes at the Visitor Information Station (9,200 feet). Acute mountain sickness (AMS) can set in quickly.
• Mandatory 4WD Operation: Engage low-range four-wheel drive (4WD Low) when descending the steep gravel grades to use engine braking and prevent dangerous brake fade and overheating.
• Cultural Reverence: Lake Waiau is a deeply sacred cultural site (wahi pana) in Hawaiian tradition. Swimming, wading, touching the water, or disturbing stones (ahu) is strictly forbidden.
• Hours and Departure: The summit road closes 30 minutes after sunset. Plan your hike early enough to ensure return to your vehicle well before nightfall, as daytime temperatures drop rapidly and fog or ice can appear abruptly.
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: There are no trash receptacles; preserve this pristine natural reserve by carrying out all waste, bringing ample drinking water, and dressing in layered thermal gear.