The city of Hilo, HI is the largest settlement on the Island of Hawaii and a fantastic gateway to go on day trips and explore the unspoiled beauty of the area in your 2022 Honda Pilot Sport. Whether you are looking for a pristine sandy beach to spend a day sunbathing, or a challenging hiking trail through lush rainforests, here are three nearby destinations you should not miss.
Hit the Road! 3 Great Day Trips You Can Take Near Hilo, HI
1. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Boasting lava tubes, glowing craters, and live lava flows, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique and breathtaking destinations in the entire Hawaiian archipelago. Encompassing an area of a little over 320,000 acres and managed by the National Park Service, this nature reserve provides habitat to several different species of native birds and local flora.
Located just under 30 miles southwest of Hilo, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park can be reached in less than 40 minutes via route HI-11. Welcoming over one million visitors each year, this place was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Some of the amenities you can find here include a museum, a visitor center, and viewpoints offering dramatic volcanic landscapes.
2. South Point Complex
A remote nature reserve boasting dramatic cliffs, long hiking trails, and a sandy beach in the southernmost point of the United States, South Point Complex is a fantastic destination for anyone traveling around Hawaii’s “Big Island”. Open year-round between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, this place encompasses the site of some of the earliest settlements in the archipelago.
Located about 75 miles southwest of Hilo, South Point Complex can be reached in a little over one hour and a half via route HI-11 and Hawaii Belt Road. Registered as a National Historic Landmark, this place is a wonderful destination for hiking, swimming, sunbathing, wildlife watching, and other recreational activities.
3. Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge
A forested wildlife preserve featuring unique bird species and stunning landscapes, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to learn more about the native species of flora and fauna that live on the Island of Hawaii. This nature reserve can only be visited on organized tours led by certified guides. Getting here from Hilo takes about one hour and a half, driving 40 miles west along Saddle Road.
In order to explore the unique and remote destinations that Hawaii has to offer, you will need a reliable 4WD vehicle. Stop by Tony Honda Hilo and ask one of our team members to tell you all about the different models we have available for you. Having served Hawaiian families for over 35 years, we offer a comprehensive line of Honda vehicles and the best customer service in the region.
Image by bibianagonzalez from Pixabay
Connect with us
