Photo: Bam / CC BY 2.0

Attractions 9 ft Bortle 1 Solitude: 90/100 (remote)

On December 7, 1941, Oklahoma's port (left) side was hit by eight torpedoes at the very start of the attack. In less than twelve minutes, she rolled over until her masts touched the bottom, trapping hundreds of men inside and under the water. Four hundred twenty-nine crew members died. Of those trapped inside, only 32 could be rescued.

Near Pearl Harbor, HI in Hawaii

What to Pack for Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.

Don't underpack for Uss Utah Memorial. The conditions here — Tropical — call for thoughtful gear choices.

Essential

Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.

Activities & Best Time to Visit Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The Tropical terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Activity options at Uss Utah Memorial range from casual () to more demanding ().

The scenery here earns a 35/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 1 excellent meteor showers.

Activities

photography — Outdoor photography invites you to slow down and frame the beauty around you.
picnicking — Whether lakeside or in a meadow, it's a relaxed way to savor both the setting and the company.
sightseeing — It's an accessible way to appreciate the character of a place.
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.

Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Terrain: Tropical — Frequent rainfall supports layered forest canopies.

Nature & Wildlife at Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The Tropical terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.

From towering Portia tree and thatch screwpine to delicate , the vegetation here creates habitat for 4 mammal species and 15 birds.

Trees (2)

Portia tree — Seed capsules are woody and buoyant.
thatch screwpine — Large fruiting structures resemble segmented spheres.

Shrubs (1)

White leadtree — The species grows in arid southwestern habitats.

Other Plants (5)

beach naupaka
Beach Morning Glory
Sea Almond
coconut palm
Guinea Grass

Mammals (4)

Humpback Whale — Adults reach 40–50 feet in length.
Hawaiian Monk Seal — Adults typically 7–8 feet long.
Spinner Dolphin — Usually 5–7 feet long.
Domestic Cat — Typically weighs 5–15 pounds.

Birds (15)

Western Cattle-Egret — Yellow bill
Common Myna — Yellow eye patch
Red-crested Cardinal — White underparts
Zebra Dove — Long tail
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn

Reptiles (5)

Brown Anole — Typically 5–8 inches long including the tail.
Green Sea Turtle — Adults can exceed 3 feet in shell length.
Gold Dust Day Gecko — Usually 4–6 inches long.
Asian House Gecko — Usually 3–5 inches long.
Mourning Gecko — Typically 3–4 inches long.

Amphibians (1)

Cane Toad

Insects (4)

Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Giant Asian Mantis
Black Witch

Other Wildlife (20)

African Giant Snail
Wedgetail Triggerfish
Thin-shelled Rock Crab
Yellow Tang
Moorish Idol

Nature Bingo at Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.

Wildlife Challenge

Western Cattle-Egret (bird)
Humpback Whale (mammal)
Brown Anole (reptile)
Cane Toad (amphibian)
beach naupaka (plant)

Botany Challenge

Abelmoschus
Abelmoschus Moschatus
Cyrtandra Hashimotoi
Gahnia Beecheyi
Panicum Beecheyi
Catharanthus Roseus

Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial Trip Planning & Access

Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.

Here are the logistics for getting to Uss Utah Memorial and what to expect on arrival.

Nearest city: San Jose (2417 mi)

Estimated fuel cost: $604.13 (28 mpg, $3.5/gallon)

Carbon footprint: 1952.6 kg CO2 (round trip by car)

Visitor Friendliness

Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).

Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
Families: excellent
Elderly: highly_suitable
Strollers: excellent (100/100)
Beginners: Perfect for beginners (Moderate difficulty (+5), Good information available (+5))
Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)

Places Near Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.

Close-by alternatives and additions to your Uss Utah Memorial visit include these 10 destinations.

Nearby Trails

Perl Trail, Honouliuli NHS 1.49 mi
Pacific Historic Parks - Bookstore, HI 1.52 mi

Nearby Campgrounds

Ymca Camp Erdman, Honolulu 22.25 mi

Nearby Attractions

Stargazing & Night Sky at Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.

The darkness at Uss Utah Memorial is rated Bortle class 1, offering Excellent dark-sky site conditions year-round.

Bortle 1 Excellent dark-sky site

Constellations

Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor.

Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole.

Meteor Showers

The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.

Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)
Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (good)
Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (good)
Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)
Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (good)
Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.

Planets

Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:

Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue

Equipment Guide

Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune

Viewing Tips

Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)

Best Viewing Months

Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep

Seasonal Highlights at Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.

The experience at Uss Utah Memorial shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.

Indigenous Land at Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.

Before trails were marked here, Nā moku ʻehā knew this land intimately.

Territories

Nā moku ʻehā

Languages

The languages traditionally spoken in this area include ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Hoailona ʻŌlelo o Hawaiʻi (Hawai’i Sign Language).

Data from Native Land Digital

Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial Geology & Natural History

Beyond the trails and wildlife, Uss Utah Memorial sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.

Endangered Species

Species at Risk: 1780
ESA Endangered: 149
ESA Threatened: 2
Conservation Score: 100/100

Temperature Records

Record High: 100°F (1997-07-16)
Record Low: 36°F (2017-10-28)

Shipwrecks

Known Wrecks: 38
Avg Depth: 9 ft

Uss Utah Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial Safety & Conditions

Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.

Before any visit to Uss Utah Memorial, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.

Flood zone: In FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone VE)