Most people are surprised to learn that the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible farms, ranches, and sprawling fields. It also might come as a surprise that the Aloha State is actually home to the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. In fact, this working cattle ranch, located on the Big Island, is also one of the country’s oldest ranches. Don’t believe me? Read on to learn more about this incredible ranch.

Welcome to Parker Ranch, an unexpected cattle ranch nestled on Hawaii Island sure to surprise and fascinate you.
Tom Benedict/Flickr
Founded in 1847, Parker Ranch is one of the country’s oldest ranches, predating many mainland ranches in Texas and other southern states by more than 30 years.
bkang83/Flickr
Home of the Paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboy, Parker Ranch is the birthplace of ranching and the cowboy lifestyle in the Aloha State.
Mark Goebel/Flickr
Currently covering approximately 130,000 acres in the center of the Big Island, Parker Ranch was once home to nearly 500,000 acres (nearly half of the island).
Melinda Stuart/Flickr
Parker Ranch is currently the ninth largest cow and calf operation in the United States, owning approximately 26,000 head of cattle, mostly Angus and Charolais breeds, with 17,000 grazed on the ranch, with the remaining found in pasture or feedlots on the mainland.
debcha/Flickr

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bkang83/Flickr
At one point, horses were almost as legendary as the cattle raised at Parker Ranch. Importing thoroughbreds from the mainland, the ranch not only produced working horses but polo ponies and racehorses as well. The Ranch even supplied many horses to the U.S. Cavalry and the U.S. Army, including General Patton’s personal horse. How cool is that?
Just to give you a sense of how truly massive this operation is, let’s put it in perspective. At Parker Ranch, you will find approximately 850 miles of fence, more than 300 paddocks, and 15 corrals. The water system consists of three large reservoirs, 145 water tanks, 175 miles of pipeline, three dams, and 650 water troughs.
Nicholas D./Flickr
Tom Burke/Flickr
Traveling to this area of the Big Island is altogether unlike anywhere else you’ll experience across the Hawaiian Islands. The rolling hills seem to continue for miles, and miles, and you will suddenly be transported to the American West, rather than a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Alex Schwab/Flickr
If you want to visit, Parker Ranch is open on weekdays for public tours of two historic homes — Puuopelu and Mana Hale — on the property, as well as a visitor’s center and gift shop in the nearby town of Waimea.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Parker Ranch is located at 66-1304 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI, 96743, and is open on weekdays only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Have you ever visited Parker Ranch in Hawaii? Tell us about it in the comments below, and then click here to read about our favorite Hawaiian farm, the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm.

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More to Explore

Parker Ranch in Hawaii

Sarah M. | August 12, 2022

Is Parker Ranch the only place where wild animals roam free in Hawaii?

Hawaii Island is home to scores of cattle, and not just Parker Ranch. The island is actually home to thousands of wild cows that were introduced at the end of the 18th century and roam the forested areas of the island. The massive herds destroyed crops; and while hunting was eventually allowed, many of the feral cattle remain to this day. The best places to spot them are while driving across the middle of the island on the Saddle Road, as well as the Mauna Kea Access Road.

If wild horses are your thing (and really, who wouldn't want to see wild horses?), you can see wild horses roam free in Hawaii in the Hamakua Coast's Waipio Valley. This area is an untouched and beautiful natural wonder home to a breathtaking black sand beach, one of Hawaii’s tallest waterfalls, and the infamous wild horses in Hawaii. Wild horses have called this remote valley home as long as anyone can remember, and they are quite used to human guests — but don't be surprised if the wild horses fail to make an appearance during your visit. You'll want to plan out this wild adventure in Hawaii, however; though Waipio Valley is absolutely breathtaking, the road to the valley’s floor from the lookout is pretty rough; with an elevation gain of 800 vertical feet in just 0.6 miles, it is actually the steepest road of its length in the entire country. While it is possible to drive the road into Waipio Valley if you have a 4-wheel-drive vehicle, due to the aforementioned challenging terrain, the Waipio Valley is often on the list of prohibited places to take a rental car. While hiking is certainly possible, we think the best way to explore the valley is by horseback, which is certainly befitting of this wild horse-viewing adventure in Hawaii!

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Featured Addresses
Parker Ranch Headquarters, 66-1304 Mamalahoa Hwy, Waimea, HI 96743, USA