Top Nature Reserves in Hawaii

for parking, arrive before 10 am. i got lucky and found a spot, but it fills up fast, especially on weekends. save yourself the stress!

If you're a fan of photography go to the ‘Tree of Life’ around sunset. The light is absolutely stunning but get there by 5 PM to set up and avoid rush hour with other tourists

If you're planning your hike, I suggest hitting the trails early, like around 7 AM. It gets pretty crowded and hot later in the day, and you want to avoid the midday sun!

Don’t forget to bring cash! Some of the local food trucks and vendors nearby only take cash. I almost missed out on some amazing tacos because I didn’t have any!

My advice is to bring a refillable water bottle. There are no shops inside the reserve, so save money and the environment by refilling at the visitor center. I regretted not doing this

I suggest starting your hike early, around 7 AM. The weather is cooler and you'll avoid the crowds, plus the views in the morning light are stunning. I wish I had done this!