Big Island Scenic Drives With over 4,000 square miles to explore and enjoy, the Big Island of Hawaii requires a car rental to fully experience all it has to offer. And getting between destinations provides a ton of sightseeing opportunities, but if you’re willing to get off the beaten path on your way to your next adventure, consider taking one of these incredible Big Island scenic drives. Red Road (Kapoho-Kalapana Road) Scenic Drive – Big Island Puna, HI14 miles A gorgeous scenic drive that offers views of tree tunnels, beach parks, hot ponds, and amazing lava formations throughout the trip, it’s a brief but loaded experience. At the village of Kalapana-Kaimu, the road terminates as a result of a lava flow in 1990, where visitors can recharge with a snack or drink and learn more about the destructive nature of living in an active flow area. While the red cinder pavement from which the road derived its name is only visible along the northern stretch of the drive, the Red Road is mostly covered in traditional asphalt, but retains its narrow, winding reputation. You’ll traverse right along the oceanfront, over small hills, and through dense tropical vegetation, necessitating a slow, careful drive (there are some blind corners and hills). Along the way, stop in at MacKenzie State Park to take in the views of the ocean and investigate the park’s supposed paranormal activity (yes, really), see where the 2018 lava flow cut across the road and created a huge black sand beach at Isaac Hale Beach Park, and visit Kehena Beach, a natural black sand beach that enjoys its share of not-so-legal nudity. Chain of Craters Road Scenic Drive – Big Island Volcano, HI20 miles Of all the named roadways on the Big Island, Chain of Craters lives up to its namesake, delivering absolutely incredible views of volcanic craters along its nearly 20-mile stretch. When the road is fully open
The 5 Best Scenic Drives on the Big Island
