Mauna Kea State Recreation Area, State recreation area at Saddle Road, Hawaii County, United States.

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area is a 20.5-acre (8.3 ha) park at the southern base of Mauna Kea, on Saddle Road (Route 200) about 35 miles (56 km) west of Hilo at roughly 6,500 feet (2,000 m) elevation. It has restrooms, cabins, camping and a picnic area, and looks out toward Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

The area developed over time as a recreation and hunting ground in the high mountain region of the island. In 2014, administration transferred to Hawaii County, which led to improvements to the facilities.

The park lies at the southern base of Mauna Kea, not between the two volcanoes, and wild pigs and sheep may be hunted in the surrounding area. Its dry shrublands sit at about 6,500 feet, where nights turn cold. Nearby Bradshaw Field, a military airstrip on the Pohakuloa Training Area, and artillery practice can disturb the quiet of the site.

The park sits on a winding mountain road at high elevation, where temperatures can drop sharply at night even if the day feels mild, so bring warm layers. Weather can shift without much warning, and wind is common throughout the day.

Despite Hawaii's warm reputation, this spot sits above 6,500 feet (about 2,000 meters) and can experience frost and occasional snow, conditions most visitors do not expect on a Pacific island. The cold is most felt at night, when the lack of tree cover leaves the area fully exposed to the wind.