Mauna Kea summit and Visitor Information Station

Mauna Kea's free Visitor Information Station sits at 9,200 feet, open about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You need 4WD to drive past it, the summit closes from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and children under 16 aren't allowed beyond the station. It's a sacred place, named a Traditional Cultural Property in March 2025.

• Visitor Information Station (VIS): 9,200 feet on the Mauna Kea Access Road off Saddle Road (Route 200); free; about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Above the VIS, a 4WD vehicle is required (low gear, about 4,600 feet of climb). Most rental contracts forbid the summit road, so a tour is often the practical choice.
• The summit is closed from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Watch the sunset, then go down.
• Altitude: no one under 16 past the VIS, and don't go up within 24 hours of scuba diving. People who are pregnant or have heart or lung problems should not go up. Spend about 30 minutes at the VIS first to adjust.
• The public stargazing telescope program stopped in 2019. Commercial summit and stargazing tours run about $230 to $290 or more.
• It's very cold at the summit (often near freezing), so bring warm layers. Mauna Kea is sacred to Native Hawaiians: stay on roads and trails and don't stack rocks.

Source: Wanderlustyle: Mauna Kea guide (Aug. 2026)

Last checked Oct. 29, 2026. Hours, fees and rules can change, so confirm with the official source before you go.