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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , Itineraries

One day in hawaii volcanoes national park (+ suggested itinerary).

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most spectacular sites on the Big Island (and in the whole state!).

This is a one day in Volcanoes National Park itinerary for those looking to embark on a day trip there!

If you’re traveling to Volcanoes National Park last minute, you want to ensure you have tours booked ahead of time! Below are our top picks!

Best Tours from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes NP:

• Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo (6 hours long)
• Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and More (also stops by Rainbow Falls)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights (5.5 hours)
• Elite Volcano Hike From Hilo (9 hours)

Best Tours from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes NP:

• Volcanoes National Park and Kona Coffee Farm (12 hours)
• Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour (10 am until 11 pm)

Additional options for renting a car:

• Private tour of Volcanoes National Park (starts inside of the park!)
• Shaka Guides audio and GPS guide  (less than $15!)

Traveling to the Big Island independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!

Home to two of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, the park houses some of the most beautiful and cherished landscapes and natural wonders in the world.

In addition, the park is a sacred place for the Hawaiian people, so visitors will be able to learn more about the culture and importance of the sights within the Hawaiian National Park.

If you have a limited amount of time during your trip to Hawaii, one day might be all you can spare for a trip to Volcanoes National Park.

And while you can easily spend more than a day in Volcanoes National Park, it is certainly enough time to explore the park deeply if you’re coming from Hilo or nearby.

This guide will break down the main attractions in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and give options for a half-day and a one-day itinerary for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We also include nearby sights if you have more than a day there.

Also included are some tips to help you plan your day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as some of the best tours to take you there without a car!

Let us know if you have any questions in the comments! Thanks!

Planning Your Trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Although Hawaii is rather warm all year round, it is important to note that Volcanoes National Park is a bit colder and wetter than the rest of the state.

Considering its altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level and luscious rainforests nearby, the 200 inches of rain the park gets annually can really make it cooler than you’d think.

In our opinion, the best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in the spring because the park is warm, but there aren’t many visitors.

Summer is also a great time to visit, but you’re going to face far larger crowds in June and July .

In addition, November to March is the rainy season, so the area can be subject to torrential rain and strong winds. In short – visit in the spring!

Volcanoes National Park Kilauea Visitor Center

The first stop that we recommend before you embark and truly explore the park is to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Kilauea Visitor Center where it is possible to get information about what to do in the park, where to hike, and details about other activities.

The visitor center is open all week from 9:00 AM  to 5:00 PM and is closed on public holidays. Click here for additional information .

While the visitor center closes, the park itself is open 24 hours a day.

Entrance Fee 

In order to visit Volcanoes National Park, the fee is $15 per person if traveling by foot or bicycle, $25 per motorcycle, and $30 per vehicle.

Is Kilauea Erupting?

The world’s most active volcano is often doing its thing, so the best way to keep up with its activity is to head over to the daily report on the National Park’s website .

How to Get to Volcanoes National Park 

If you are coming from Hilo, drive 30 miles southwest on Highway 11, which should be a 45-minute drive. You can also get there within 2 to 3 hours on Highway 11 if you’re coming from Kailua-Kona or in 2 hours on Highway 200 from Waikoloa.

You can also try to use public transportation, such as Hele On Bus , but it has limited routes. Many people prefer to use rental cars to make the journey… but you can also take a tour (we mention this below).

However, keep in mind that there is no public transportation in the park, and ride-sharing companies most often don’t take visitors.

The main roads in the park are Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road, Hilina Pali Road, and Mauna Loa Road. 

Best Day Tours to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This guide is written targeting those with a car but if you are taking a day tour to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park… it truly is a great option!

I have only visited one time and I actually bummed a ride with my friend’s friends but did my own thing for part of the day.

Here are some top-rated Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours to consider if renting a car is not for you. Please note the location where the tours depart from to ensure it works for where your accommodation is (we have broken it into sections).

Tours to Volcanoes National Park from Hilo

You will find several tours taking you to Volcanoes National Park from Hilo. It is only 45 minutes away (about 30 miles), and it really is the best location to base yourself for the excursion.

However, do note that Hilo is rainy so perhaps don’t book a stay there for your entire Big Island trip . Below are the top-rated tours from Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

• Evening Volcano Explorer from Hilo (leaves at 1230, 6 hours long, also stops by Volcano Winery and Kalapana)
• Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens (5.5 hours long, also stops by Rainbow Falls)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Highlights (small group tour, 5.5 hours)
• Elite Volcano Hike From Hilo (9 hours, will trek the 2018 Kilauea lava flow and more, leaves at 0930)

Tours to Volcanoes National Park from Kona

The best thing about staying in Kona is that the area is known for sunshine and pretty perfect weather conditions. Hilo is quite the opposite. However, you will be a lot further away from Volcanoes National Park!

If you’re visiting Kona and want to book a day trip to Volcanoes National Park from Kona, the tours below will help you do so! Please note that most tours include other sights, so plot an entire day for the trip!

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kona Coffee Farm (12 hours, will also stop by Punalu’u Beach)
• Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour (small group, 10 am until 11 pm)

Private Tour (Meet at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)

If you have a rental car for your trip but still are keen to hire a guide for the day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – this private tour is the perfect option for you and your travel companions!

You will meet your tour guide at the Volcano House Hotel in Pahoa at the park and will have 5-6 hours of skilled expertise as you explore the grounds of this national park!

>> Click here to check tour rates and availability

Audio Driving Tour of Volcanoes National Park

Another great option for those with a rental car is to book an audio tour with Shaka Guides . These are, hands down, the best and most recommended audio guides for your trip! 

They have GPS-guided audio tours for you and are super affordable (less than $15)!  

>> Click here to book a Shaka Guides audio guide to Volcanoes NP

As noted above, the way we have organized this guide is that we have included the park’s main highlights directly below this text and then we have created suggested itineraries at the bottom of the guide depending on the length of time you have to spend at the park.

Please also note that we discuss the two roads below (Chain of Craters Road and Crater Rim Road) as though they were their own drive entirely… just giving some highlights along the way.

The actual itineraries of individual attractions and things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are toward the bottom of the guide.

We hope you find this useful and please reach out if you have any questions!

Chain of Craters Road

Chain of Craters Road is the most scenic drive of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is filled with lava fields, flows, and pit craters. The road stretches for 19 miles from the summit of Kilauea Volcano to the sea.

If solely driving the road, your trip will start from several pit craters, including Lua Manu and Koʻokoʻolau. Then, take a trip down Hilina Pali Road, and see breathtaking views at the end of the road.

About four miles in, you’ll find several campgrounds like Kulanaokuaiki, the old Kipuka Nene Campground. 

The next stop is at a 150-foot-wide and 165-foot-deep crater called Devil’s Throat. Further down the road, you’ll see the Hi’iaka and Pauahi Craters. 

Other must-sees are the 7-mile-long Napau Crater Trailhead with fascinating landscapes, Mau Loa O Mauna Ulu, a black sea of pahoehoe lava, Halona Kahakai pullout with opportunities to view the coast, Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Field, and Holei Sea Arch. 

Crater Rim Drive

Crater Rim Drive is an 11-mile road that travels across the Kilauea summit caldera from Uēkahuna to Keanakākoʻi Crater and boasts picturesque vistas and hiking opportunities. A good place to start your trip is at the Kilauea Visitor Center. 

The rangers will provide you with all the necessary information and a map. Wander for several minutes in the museum to get acquainted with the life of the area. 

Guided tours and public restrooms are also available. To the left, check out the Volcano Center Art Gallery, where you can enjoy local artwork. The Volcano House is a lodging place for visitors dating back to 1846. 

Some prominent guests of the house have included Mark Twain and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Furthermore, visit Sulfur Banks, an open area covered with sulfur, Steam Vents, the beating heart of the volcano, Jaggar Museum & Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Southwest Rift Zone, Keanakako’ i Overlook, and Kilauea Iki Overlook.

Steam Vents

One mile past the Kilauea Visitor Center, you’ll find the Steam Vents area. Hawaiians call it Wahinekapu . Groundwater and rain seep into the warm rocks and evaporate, returning to the surface as steam. 

You can explore this thermal wonder and feel the breath of Mount Kilauea. The landscape here changes from rain forests to grassy fields as only some shallow-rooted plants can survive in this region. 

Enjoy a short walk on a trail starting from the Steam Vents parking lot and stretching to Steaming Bluff. The area bears unique cultural significance.

Hawaiians come here to get rid of bad toxins. This is also the place where they present offerings to Pele, the volcano deity.

Devastation Trail

Wheelchair and stroller accessible? Yes

The Devastation Trail is one of the main volcanic sites you can reach from Crater Rim Drive. This paved path stretches through the landscape buried under the cinder from lava fountains dating back to the 1959 Kilauea Iki eruption.

There’s a parking place at the beginning of the trail. The trail is easy to walk and spans merely a mile round trip. 

Along your way, stop at the Kilauea Iki Crater and walk to a former lava lake. After a short walk through a tree-lined path, you’ll reach the lands devastated by lava.

Take a closer look at the ground, and you’ll see volcanic debris in the form of strands, which are drops called Pele’s Tears and Hair.

If you’re lucky, you’ll see Hawaiian geese, known as nene, on your path.

Halema’uma’u Crater

Halemaʻumaʻu Crater is a pit crater located within the Kīlauea Caldera at the top of Kīlauea volcano. This is the most active vent of the volcano. The name means house of the amaʻu fern. 

The crater is about 280 feet deep and 3,000 feet across. Its size has significantly changed over the last century because the magma flows under the surface and sometimes erupts, filling the crater’s floor. 

The Halemaumau Crater emits tons of sulfurous gas steaming up through the cracks in the black lava rock. A small water pond appeared in Halemaʻumaʻu in 2019 that was boiled away in 2021 and refilled with lava. 

Halema‘uma‘u is regarded to be the home of the Hawaiian fire goddess Pele. Not far from Halema‘uma‘u, on the western rim of Kilauea, you can check out the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

To visit, you must hike the moderately-difficult trail. It is not wheelchair or stroller-friendly.

Holei Sea Arch

Hōlei Sea Arch is located at the end of Chain of Craters Road. Take a short walk along the road, and you’ll see a massive lava rock formation about 90 feet high stretching from the sea cliffs into the Pacific Ocean.

This basalt formation was born from marine erosion in which the waves of the ocean made a natural bridge. 

Holei Arch is one of the youngest sites of Volcanoes National Park. It was created only in the last 100 years!

But the arch may also be the next to disappear because the recent earthquake activity that takes place on the volcano, as well as the waves, may finally cause the arch to collapse. 

The Hōlei Sea Arch Trail is open for hiking, but it’s closed for horse riding and biking. Be sure to stay back from the cliff edge and follow all the instructions when you’re embarking on this Volcanoes National Park day hike .

Kīlauea Iki (Trail)

In 1959, the eruption of Kīlauea Iki Crater became the most spectacular lava sight of the 20th century. It lasted for 36 days and created unique opportunities for geologists to study the ongoing processes of the Kīlauea volcano. 

The eruption began when a curtain of lava burst from a half-mile crack. Later, fountains of lava appeared from the vent and flooded the crater, creating a lava lake.

When the lava lake grew higher than the vent, the eruption stopped. Lava started pouring back into the vent faster and faster. 

The large cinder cone on the left of the crater, Puʻupuaʻi, was formed. Today, one can see this bathtub ring on the walls of the crater and walk on its lava-formed floor. 

Although Kīlauea Iki is peaceful(ish) now, you can still feel the pulsating magma through the volcano.

To reach the site, drive along Crater Rim Road for a few miles until you find the large parking place for the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It is not a wheelchair or stroller-friendly trail.

Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs

Pu‘uloa means “a long hill” and is a sacred place for Hawaiian people. Situated on the southern part of the Kīlauea volcano, Puʻuloa is a vast area containing numerous images carved into the hardened lava, called petroglyphs. 

The site covers more than 23,000 unique petroglyphs. The Pu’uloa Petroglyphs were carved by the ancestors of the Pueblo people from about 1300 through the late 1680s.

Some of them even pre-date the Puebloan period, dating back to 2000 B.C.

Here, you’ll also find small holes in which the locals used to put their newborns’ umbilical cords to grant them a long life. 

To avoid damaging the petroglyphs, the park administration constructed a boardwalk above the surface where visitors can walk along and view the site. 

Drive along the Chain of Craters Road, proceed about 16 miles, and you’ll see a road sign marking the petroglyph field.

Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)

Thurston Lava Tube , or Nāhuku, is a 500-year-old massive lava cave. The flows of molten lava caused the cave to form its shape. The active lava flows through the tunnels at about 2,000º F, and when it stops or gets diverted, it leaves empty caves behind. 

There are several similar caves throughout the park, but Nahuku is the most accessible and definitely the most famous.

The Thurston Lava Tube was discovered in 1913. Lava drippings once covered its roof, which later disappeared because of souvenir collectors.

The entrance of the cave is equipped with electric lights and has a flat rock floor, but after a short stroll, you’ll reach the section that is completely dark with an uneven floor, so be sure to have strong flashlights.

You can have a short day hike into the tube from Crater Rim Drive passing through the Hawaiian rainforest while enjoying bird watching.

Volcano House Hotel

With its iconic location and dramatic views, the house always attracts visitors from all over the world. Mark Twain was known to stay here and wrote about it in the book Roughing It . 

The oldest building regarded as the predecessor to Volcano House dates back to 1846. It was built by Benjamin Pitman, the husband of Princess Kinoʻole o Liliha Hoʻolulu and a famous businessman. 

Today, the Volcano Art Center is also situated here. The restored Volcano House provides 33 guest rooms overlooking Kilauea caldera, a dining room, snack bar, lounge, and gift shop, as well as cultural events and exhibits. 

Guests can access a lending library, board and card games, free bicycle rentals, and guided tours around the park. It also boasts camper cabins and campsites in the nearby Nāmakanipaio Campground.

This is the only hotel inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

If you’re taking a private tour of Volcanoes National Park , your meeting point may be here!

To be 100% honest with you, a half-day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will only work if you’re already in the vicinity of the park (or in Hilo). 

When I went, I pretty much spent a half-day at Volcanoes National Park (6-8 hours in total) as I stopped by several places nearby beforehand. However, I did not do any super crazy hikes that day and only visited the main attractions within the park.

Here is a short itinerary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for those with only a short amount of time to visit the park!

• Kilauea Visitor Center (closes at 5pm so go on your way into the park)
• Steam Vents (these are worth a quick stop and if you want to see more, you can take the Sulphur Banks Trail which is mentioned in the second itinerary option)
• Kilauea Lookout / Halemaumau Crater (when I was last here, it offered a glimpse of lava but who knows now. Apparently, lava is back as of September 2021, however)
• Kilauea Iki Overlook (this offers a view of the entire crater!)
• Thurston Lava Tube (you only need 15-20 minutes here but it is an essential stop)
• Kilauea Iki Trail (this trail can be long or short – you can take the short one from the Thurston Lava Tubes parking lot if pressed for time). Be careful of rocks along the way and at the bottom!
• Devastation Trail (this trail only needs about 30 minutes but is a park highlight)
• Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Hike (I love this hike and it is only an hour-long max – about 20 minutes each way)

While many may recommend getting an early start in the park, I actually loved visiting in the afternoon as I got to see the sunset there and see the crater at night filled with lava.

I have no idea if the lava is there today as it disappeared in May and was back by September – either way… worth a stop!

If you have a full day at Volcanoes National Park, you will be able to take your time a bit more inside of the park and enjoy some of the hikes there without feeling pressed for time.

Here is our recommended itinerary for spending one day in Volcanoes National Park:

• Sulphur Banks Hike (1.2-mile hike round trip along a paved path – easy and great for kids as there are many steam vents!)
• Kilauea Iki Trail (this trail can be long or short – you can take the short one from the Thurston Lava Tubes parking lot if pressed for time). Be careful of rocks along the way and at the bottom! I actually enjoyed the longer version of this hike and it doesn’t take too long.
• Puhimau Crater (only need about 10 minutes here)
• Mauna Ulu Eruption Trail (easy, half-hour hike loop trail – this actually is a short part of a much longer hike !)
• Holei Sea Arch (you will see the ocean from here… there are also a ranger shed, picnic tables, and restrooms)

If you have more than 1 day in Volcanoes National Park, you can slow down the itineraries mentioned above and enjoy all of the hikes and landmarks and attractions in between the ones we noted.

Alternatively, you can visit some places near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (and inside!) that we think are worthwhile! Here are a few of our top favorites to add to your Hawaii Volcanoes National Park itinerary.

Mauna Loa Lookout

The Mauna Loa Lookout , located at the end of an 11-mile journey outside of the park, offers a stunning viewpoint. The region offers panoramas of the Kilauea Crater and serves as the starting point for hikes to the world’s largest subaerial volcano.

The Mauna Loa Strip Road leads travelers to the overlook, which is located at an elevation of 6,662 feet (2031 meters). It’s a one-way road with a length of 11.2 miles in total.

The trek to the summit is a major challenge, so amateurs are discouraged from doing the hike and it is best if you have more than 24 hours in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park dedicated to this trail nearby.

The trail traverses through steep, jagged, and frequently unstable lava on its way to the peak, which is at a high elevation. It’s mostly because of this that the area is difficult to climb.

Furthermore, the trail is marked by stacked rocks and could be difficult to locate in limited visibility situations.

It’s only possible to stay here for three nights in a row. If you’re considering a trip here, keep in mind that you’ll need to be well-prepared and have some experience with high-altitude trekking.

You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of wonderful tropical birds during your visit, and if you’re lucky, you might even see the rare ‘i’iwi bird.

Maunaulu / Pu‘uhuluhulu Hike

If you have two days in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, definitely consider the Maunaulu / Pu‘uhuluhulu Hike .

This lunar-like landscape is from the 1969-1974 Maunaulu lava flow and eruption and you will find a variety of landscapes there (it is a geologist’s dream)!

It is a moderate trail that includes mostly easy terrain but there is a small 1/4 mile climb up the Pu‘uhuluhulu cone that can be slightly challenging.

The trail is 2.5 miles long and takes around 2-3 hours. Please note that the beginning of the trail is an easy, beginner-level trail that will be crowded.

The trailhead is 100 yards from the parking area at Maunaulu. You will see stacked rocks that mark the trail along the way – do not move them and please stay on the trail!

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

The Big Island black sand beach is a popular stop on the way to Volcanoes National Park.

Situated between Pahala and Naalehu on the southeastern Kaʻu coast, Punaluu Black Sand Beach is one of the distinguished areas on the Big Island.

The black sand formed as a result of the rapid cooling of basaltic lava that hit the ocean water and shattered into tiny pieces. 

The waves pushed the sand black to shore, so the beach evolved. Punaluu is home to endangered Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbill Sea Turtles.

One can see them chilling along the sand, staying warm in the sun. Please do not touch them and never block their access to the sea or land. 

If the weather is calm, you can swim or snorkel in the bay. Behind the beach, you’ll find a freshwater pond with alluring views of water lily plants.

Have you ever taken a day trip to Volcanoes National Park? Let us know your top tips for a one day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park itinerary below.

• 4 days in Oahu
• 4 days in Kauai
• 2 days in Honolulu
• 7 days on the Big Island
• 7 days in Maui
• Things to do on the Big Island
• Big Island itinerary
• Day hikes in Volcanoes National Park
• Best beaches on the Big Island
• State parks on the Big Island
• Best things to do in Hilo
• Top things to do in Kona
• What to do in Waikoloa
• Waterfall hikes on the Big Island

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The Ultimate Guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island

Heading to the big island and hope to see real lava on your hawaiian vacation scroll to find out everything you you need to know in this guide to hawaii volcanoes national park, the only unesco world heritage site in hawaii., this guide to hawaii volcanoes national park was written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Believe it or not, the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island is a new island and is constantly growing. The growth is all due to the hot spot that has continuously spewed lava into the ocean.

It’s also one of the few places in the world where regular people can hike to the active lava spots and get amazing photographs of the lava flowing into the ocean.

But the lava isn’t the only thing you can do here at Big Island Volcano Park. There are tons of things to do in Volcanoes National Park if you have the time.

So How much time do you need at Volcano National Park? There is no easy answer to this question. It all depends on how much time you have.

There are several activities you can do that allow you to get a brief glimpse of what the park has. Or, you can spend days exploring every inch of the Hawaii National Volcano Park.

So, whether you are doing a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or are planning on spending several days there, this Volcanoes National Park guide has you covered!

First trip to the Big Island ? Read THIS first!

Don’t have time to read many Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting the Big Island.

Popular Big Island Tours/Activities

• Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour (you can ONLY do this on the Big Island)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour (this is the BEST way to see lava if you aren’t renting a car)
• Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour (this is a cool adventure for teens and adults)
• Swim with Dolphins (this is a unique experience for kids of all ages and adults)
• Kona ATV Tour (we love this one because they also do cultural activities)
• Book a Photo Shoot (this is a Hawaii souvenir you’ll treasure forever)

Favorite Big Island Resorts/Hotels

• Hilton Waikoloa Village (this is a mega resort where you can swim with dolphins or just enjoy their massive pool area)
• Courtyard by Marriott’s King Kamehameha Beach Hotel (this is a moderately-priced Kona hotel right on a little lagoon)
• Fairmont Orchid (this is a swanky resort with an awesome pool area and beach)

Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii? One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

The Ultimate Guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Here is your Volcano National Park guide to learn all there is to see and do here along with how to get to Volcano National Park.

Where is Volcano National Park located?

Before you can start planning on what to see and do at the park, you need to know where to go. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the south side of the Big Island between Hilo and Kona .

Starting in Kona — Fastest Way

If you are starting out on the Kona side of the island, or the “dry” side, you will have to take Highway 11. Start by going southeast, you’ll cut through Kealakekua, Captain Cook, South Point, Na’alehu, and Pahala.

Don’t just drive through these areas, there are tons of things to see. You can stop and enjoy the black sand beach that is located on the Ka’u Coast. Look for signs for Punalu’u.

Have a picnic and enjoy the basking turtles for a bit before heading back on the road.

Then you can simply continue driving around Highway 11 until you reach the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

In total, the drive from Kona to Volcano National Park is about 2 and a half hours and is 96 miles if you are going to the park from the Kona side of the island. This is of course taking the shortest route.

Starting in Kona — Alternative Route

Another option is to start from Kona and go through to Waikoloa. From Waikoloa, you’ll head up to Waimea. You can take the ‘shortcut’ through the dormant volcanoes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on “Saddle Road.”

Saddle Road isn’t as bad as it once was. It used to have blind turns and very windy roads with limited visibility.

But over the years, the state has made improvements to the road, and it’s an easy smooth drive to get to the Hilo side of the island.

If you take this route, you’ll be amazed by old Lehua forests and see just how massive Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are.

This route will take about 2 and a half hours to get to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It doesn’t have a view of the coast, but the view is still pretty awesome cutting through the sleeping volcanoes.

Starting in Kona — Alternative Route 2

Or, you can go from Waikoloa to Waimea and continue around through Laupāhoehoe, and see the stunning coastline with this route.

If you take this route, don’t forget to take a detour to Waipio Valley lookout in Honoka’a. There you will see an amazing view of a black sand beach and glorious valleys.

It was here that Water World was filmed for the land scenes.

Word of caution though, don’t try to go down to the beach. Just enjoy the lookout.

The hike down is easy and you may think you have the time to go down and back up. But the climb back up is what will take the most time.

The road is super steep and it switches back again and again. It takes ten minutes to climb down, but at least 35 to get back up. It is not an easy climb to the top. However, you can do the Waipio Valley Shuttle tour , which is awesome!

But, if you want to hike, then jump back in your car and cruise to Laupāhoehoe where you’ll find the Akaka Falls .

Here you’ll hike through the rainforest and find a spectacular waterfall. The path to the waterfall is easy and maintained. It takes about 20 minutes for a round-trip hike to see the falls.

Cutting through Hilo or Starting in Hilo

Once your legs are stretched, continue on Highway 19 and connect with Highway 11. You’ll be cutting through Hilo on this route and get to see the Banyan trees on the main strip, and also Hilo bay.

This route will take you around 2.5 to 4 hours depending on if you stop to hike, or if you stop at each point before getting to the Volcano National Park.

However, if you are staying in Hilo , you’ll find the park is a mere 30 miles southwest. Simply drive for 45 minutes through Hilo and you’ll come across the park.

Cost of Admission to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Unfortunately, there is a cost to get into the park, but at least it isn’t too bad. Since 1987, the park has charged per vehicle. For cars, there is a $30 entrance fee. For motorcycles, it is $25.

But, there are so many things to see and do here with the Hawaiian volcanoes, that the price is well worth it.

Best Things to Do at Big Island Volcano National Park

When you first drive through the entrance of the Hawaii Volcano National Park, you may find yourself on a foreign planet. At least, that will be what it seems like.

The vast dark ragged and rugged landscape makes it look like you are someplace other than Earth. And you may wonder what all you can do here at the park.

Well, there are tons of things for you to see and do at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You’ll first want to get an idea of what is around you. Stopping at the kīlauea visitor center should be your first priority.

It is here that you’ll learn about the different types of lava flows. You will also get to see the different advancements scientists are making to explore and better understand lava and the earth’s core. They have all the Hawaii Volcano National Park facts.

Once you roam around the museum and snag a map of the park, you might want to jump right into actually seeing lava flow out into the ocean. The thing is though you are still a ways away from the shore.

In fact, it will take about 45 minutes to travel down the road to get to the place where you can park and then another 30-minute hike to the coastline over frozen lava fields.

So, you might want to wait and do this last for 2 reasons.

First, there is a lot to see and do between the visitor center and the shoreline. Just making a beeline to the flowing lava will have you missing out on some amazing sites.

Second, viewing the lava lake at dusk is far more stunning than watching it during daylight hours. Normally the glowing light is visible during the day. To get that remarkable and unforgettable view, wait till dusk.

Thurston Lava Tube

The Thurston Lava Tube is one of the more popular sights to see at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

It is a spot where lava passed through clean leaving an open area for you to walk through. It’s basically a cave that anyone can walk through. The ground is flat, and it goes on a short distance and is a must-see.

Crater Rim Road

The Crater Rim is the fastest and easiest way to see a lot in a short amount of time. Of course, short is relative seeing as there are so many spots to stop and take in the view, have a picnic, or just relax and enjoy nature.

But if you are on a time limit, then doing the Crater Rim Drive or the Crater Rim Trail will give you the most photo opportunities for your time.

First, you’ll start out at the visitor’s center and drive around to the Steam vents. There you will also be able to take in the Steaming Bluff and Ha’akulamanu.

Just be wary of the stench around the Ha’akulamanu sulphur banks trail.

The steam vents and bluff are around the Sulphur Banks area which means that the air quality will be poor and will stink of rotten eggs because that is what sulfur smells like.

Once you get your pictures, continue on the drive and stop off at the Kilauea Iki Overlook. The view here is fantastic and wonderful. There are plenty of places on the side of the road to stop for a picnic or enjoy the scenery.

Then it’s off to the Pu’u Pua’i Overlook where you can see even more awesomeness of how lava can transform and create new land.

Once you have seen the valley area, you can head towards the “Devastation Trail” and stretch your legs on a small hike.

The Devastation Trail makes it seem like you are on the moon or even Mars. There are no trees or anything around and looks just as it sounds. Barren and devoid of life.

Finally, the Crater Rim Drive will take you to Keanakako’i Crater. Once you have got your fill of the Crater Rim, you can start the long drive down the Chain of Craters Road.

Here you will find lots to see, from old lava rivers that are dated along the road to views of the Pacific Ocean.

The Chain of Craters Road will bring you down the slopes of Kilauea towards the ocean. Here you can check out the Holei Sea Arch at the end of the road. It is here that you really understand and see that the Big Island is a new island and growing.

Hiking Trails in National Volcano Park

There are tons of hikes to enjoy while visiting Kilauea volcano. Some are short and others take longer.

The Kilauea Iki Crater hike is about 2 to 3 hours and is quite popular. The Kilauea Iki Crater trail can be challenging, so it’s probably not the one you want to do with kids.

The Crater Rim Trail, sulphur banks, the Kilauea Caldera hike, and Kīpukapuaulu are other fun hikes to see more parts of this large park.

Volcano Art Center Gallery

If you want to explore some of the most gorgeous art of the hot lava and volcanoes, check out the Volcano Art Center gallery while you are at the park.

You can also explore more at Volcano Village as well.

Special Ranger Programs at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

There are some really cool programs at this Hawaii National Park that are offered throughout the year.

On select Tuesdays, head to the Kilauea Visitor Center for After Dark In The Park for special presentations by leading scientists, artists, and cultural experts on park-related topics.

Join Hawaiian practitioners as they share the arts and culture of Hawaiʻi with demonstrations and hands-on activities during ʻIke Hana Noʻeau (which translates to “Experience the skillful work”.)

Grab tickets for a small, underground laboratory where you’ll experience A Walk Into The Past – A Living History.

This is where a living history presenter dressed in period costume brings back to life Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Find out which programs are happening during your trip

Camping at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a lot bigger than what people think. You can spend days here and still not see everything. That is why the park offers people the ability to camp in the park.

Granted, you’ll have to get a pass and talk to the rangers at the visitor center to know what part of the park is closed off to campers and hikers.

But if you have time to kill, camping at Volcano National Park and exploring the park as the Hawaiians once did make it a memorable experience for sure. It is the best way to see Volcano National Park.

As for hiking, there are tons of trails you can go on. Each trail is different and some are harder than others.

There is one trail that takes you over the crater and takes several hours to complete or one that brings you through a rain forest where you can search for the Hawaii State bird, the Nene Goose. It all depends on your level of exercise.

Just be sure to bring plenty of food and water while experiencing the park.

Find out more about Camping in Hawaii

What to Bring to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

When viewing the lava at Halema’uma’u Crater on the slopes of Kilauea, there are a few things you need to do it safely. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes . Lava is unforgiving and one slip or stumble and the lava rocks will cut into you very easily.

You should also have with you plenty of water . There are so many people who get lost on the trail coming back to their car and are without water that it is scary. So just make sure you have water with you at all times.

A flashlight is a must if you are going to see the lava at dusk. You’ll lose track of time down there watching the lava spewing into the ocean and you’ll need a light to find the trail to get back to the car. Find the best prices here.

Flashlights are inexpensive and can save your life out there.

Far too many people get turned around in the open lava field and lose track of where they are going without a light.

Many wonder what to wear to Hawaii Volcano National Park and I always say you’ll need a good jacket or wind breaker . The temperature drops at night in the park. It also has a tendency to rain in the evening in Hilo. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Granted, Hawaii temperature doesn’t drop like you would see in the deserts of say Arizona, but it does get chilly. It can even drop down to the high 40s or low 50s. In this case, it can be quite cold and damp. So bring a jacket while visiting the park.

Where to Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

If you think you’ll want to spend more than one day exploring this Hawaii National Park, you might consider staying nearby. There is one hotel, many vacation rental homes, and even cool Hawaii treehouses worth a stay.

Volcano House

If you want to stay in a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hotel, Volcano House is the only hotel located within the park. It first opened in 1846 and sits on the rim of Kilauea’s Halemaumau crater. Read my full review HERE .

People come from all over the world to experience its iconic location, rich cultural legacy, and warm Hawaiian hospitality. If you are planning a Volcanoes National Park vacation, you’ll definitely want to stay at the Volcano House Hotel. Check out the latest prices and more details .

Lava Lodge at Volcano Village

Just one mile from the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Volcano Village, in the old Ohi’a lush rainforest. You can easily walk to popular Volcano restaurants and shops. Check out the latest prices and more details .

Treehouse Cottage at Kilauea Volcano

For a really epic experience, stay at a real treehouse cottage near Kilauea. This VRBO is just a few minutes from the main gates to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Check out the latest prices and more details.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1987, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That’s because it’s home to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world’s most active volcanoes that are accessible.

It’s a great place to witness geological processes.

In fact, if you measure Mauna Loa from the ocean floor, it’s the greatest volcanic mass on Earth!

Best Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tours

For your Hawaii volcanoes trip, you might want a guide and go on a tour to see the active volcano and everything else in the park.

Here are some of the best Hawaii volcano tours to try:

Volcano Unveiled

One of the best volcano tours on the Big Island is run by Hawaii Forest & Trail, which is certified by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association.

Volcano Unveiled is a 12-hour tour that includes a 2-3 mile hike to see Kilauea volcano. You’ll also head to Kauhi Cave, a private lava tube and cavern that’s only available through this tour. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Along the way, your guide will explain more about Hawaii’s geology, culture, and history.

Get your Volcano Unveiled tour tickets

Hawaii Grand Circle Island Volcano Tour

Roberts Hawaii is one of the oldest tour companies in Hawaii and they have been running this Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour for years.

This 10-hour minibus tour covers approximately 250 miles on the Big Island. You’ll get to see the beautiful Hamakua Coast, Rainbow Falls State Park, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, and the Royal Kona Coffee Farm. Check out the latest prices and more details.

But, it also includes a comprehensive tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You’ll see the Volcano House, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, and Puhimau.

Get your Hawaii Grand Circle Island Tour tickets

Epic Island Journey

Hawaii Forest & Trail’s Epic Island Journey is an 11.5-hour tour where you’ll see some of the most popular Big Island attractions. Check out the latest prices and more details.

Check out Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles at Punalu’u Beach, see a beautiful flower farm, explore a private lava tube, tour Kona Joe’s coffee mill, and see Rainbow Falls from a private viewing deck.

One of the coolest parts of this tour is the guided exploration through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you’ll get amazing views and learn tons about Hawaii’s geology and culture.

Get your Epic Island Journey tour tickets

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour App

If you want your own DIY Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour, download this driving app .

You’ll get turn-by-turn navigation to must-see locations like Kilauea Iki Trail, Thurston Lava Tube, Devastation Trail, Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs, and Holei Sea Arch.

Get the driving app

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park FAQs

It’s one of the best places to see fresh lava in Hawaii. Plus, this Hawaii National Park has some of the rarest geological and biological landscapes in the world.

Spread across all 8 islands, there are around 15 different volcanoes, but not all are active volcanoes any more.

There are 2 active volcanoes: Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Kilauea is the most active volcano.

You bet! Although, use common sense about not hiking on the sharp lava rock in the dark to avoid injuring yourself. And don’t go anywhere that has a “keep out” sign.

Yes, as long as the volcano is actively erupting. You can always check before your trip if that’s the main reason you’d like to visit this Hawaii National Park. If it is actively erupting, you have a great chance of seeing the lava flow since the park is open 24 hours a day!

While you can visit Volcano National Park Hawaii for a few hours, spending at least a day or two would probably be best. That way you can see and explore all the Volcano National Park things to do.

You will need to pay an entrance fee. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee is $30 per vehicle.

There are tons of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park animals to see. You might spot some cool birds, insects, and marine life to enjoy during your volcano Hawaii vacation.

The Volcano Park Hawaii is open 24/7, even on holidays! So, no matter when you come to visit, you can always enjoy a nice Volcanoes National Park getaway.

Either early morning or after sunset is the best time to visit Volcano National Park to see the glow of the hot lava. However, it’s always best to check before you head out to see when the volcano will be most active for your Hawaii volcano trip!

Guide to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Wrap-Up

There are far too many things to see and do at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for one post. You can go simply to search for wildlife like boars, goats, donkeys, and all the native birds that live in the forest, including the Hawaiian goose.

Or you can go to bask in the hot springs near the Steam Vents and enjoy a natural sauna experience on this Hawaii island.

But no trip to the park would be complete without a stop at The Volcano House. Here you’ll find a 5-star restaurant that serves amazing food and is the perfect way to end your trip to the Hawaii Volcano National Park .

If you are heading to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with kids , you might want to run one of these volcano experiments at home . It’s a great way to learn about volcanoes!

Now that you know what to do at Volcano National Park, enjoy and have a blast with your Hawaii volcano vacation.

Looking for more things to do on the Big Island? Check out my Kona Travel Guide and my Hilo Travel Guide , Best Volcano Tours , Cheap Things to do on the Big Island , where to go skiing on the Big Island , and Best Places to Stay on the Big Island .

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Where to See Active Volcanoes in Hawaii

Volcano hunters descend upon Hawaii for its active lava flows. In fact, The Big Island’s most active volcano -- Kilauea -- flows with such power that it grows the island by 40 acres per year. And it’s an odd thing to watch the flow. It kills everything in its path before pouring into the ocean to give birth to more land.

It’s this beautiful ability to both create and destroy that entrances visitors. The destructive nature of lava can be felt yards away from the flow. The heat is simply too unbearable to get close to the molten rock, so don’t count on that lava selfie, but the unbelievable power of it all makes for an attraction not to be missed.

The easiest, most accessible and reliable volcano to visit is Kilauea inside Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island, but Hawaii has five other active volcanoes. So, you can choose to take the path less traveled to get your volcano fix during your Hawaiian vacation if the timing is right. But, no matter which volcano you choose to chase, it makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Kilauea -- Hawaii’s Youngest, Strongest and Most Active Volcano --Inside Volcanoes National Park

Halema’uma’u Crater, inside of Volcanoes National Park, was perceptually filled with a lake of lava. You were allowed to watch the bubbling molten rock from a safe distance at a viewing center, and the center even opened its doors after dark to give you a spectacular glowing show.

Flows of lava were commonly seen pouring out of Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater inside the park, as well. These two craters were the most reliable viewpoints for flowing lava in all of Hawaii. Unfortunately, in May of 2018, eruptions changed the landscape of the park and drained the craters. Currently, there is no more lava flowing in Volcanoes National Park. 

But Park Rangers and other officials remain optimistic because this isn’t the first time that the craters have drained. A similar eruption completely drained Halema’uma’u Crater back in 1929, and the lava returned a short period later.

Keep up to date with this website to get more information about the flows of lava inside Volcanoes National Park. But, even if there is no lava flowing inside the park, the Volcano is a great place to visit. It contains massive volcanic craters that are now stable, so you can hike down inside of them. Essentially, you’ll be walking around the very top of a long-dead volcano. And the trails all have interesting names, like “Devastation Trail.” It’s a great way to see the fresh earthen scars left by the power of mother nature.

The visitors center is also a great place to learn about volcanic activity on the islands. You’ll learn a lot, and you can always ask the Park Rangers inside about the flow of lava on the island. Kilauea has stopped its activity inside the park, but it hasn’t stopped activity altogether. That means lava is flowing somewhere on the island, and the Park Rangers will have all that information on hand. And if you’re lucky, you can hike up to the new lava flow.

Kilauea Lava Flow

You can see that lava flow in one of three ways. First, you can find the flow yourself and hike up to it. Secondly, you can hire a tour guide to be taken to the lava flow. Or, thirdly, you can jump on a boat that takes you up to the lava flow as it pours into the ocean somewhere on the southeast coast.

Seeing Kilauea’s Flows Yourself

The Lower East Rift Zone is a vast field of sharp volcanic rock. There’s a road carved into this volcanic rock that takes you past some houses built into the inhospitable area. Some of the houses have been destroyed, but the entirety of the road is not open to the public. You’ll have to park your car and continue on foot, but you can usually find a vendor renting off-road bikes.

From here, you’ll have to hump yourself down to the lava flow. It’s black as far as the eye can see, and the tropical sun reflects heavily off the glassy rock, so make sure to pack sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water. But, sooner or later, your hard work will pay off. You’ll run into the flow of lava as it makes its way down to the ocean.

If you’re lucky, the lava flow will be like a river on the surface, but most of the time the lava flows underneath the surface. You’ll only be able to see it through cracks in the surface rock. But don’t worry about walking over the lava flow. The volcanic rock field is cordoned off to keep visitors safe.

You’ll also have to be very careful near the ocean. The lava creates a hissing cloud of steam and glass that is toxic to inhale. Again, state officials are very good at regulating foot traffic around the lava, but you should still be careful to keep your distance from the plume. 

State officials are working hard to create a more permanent lava viewing platform after the most recent eruption changed the Big Island’s landscape. Stay tuned to this site for more information about Kilauea lava viewing as it becomes available.

Kilauea Tour Guide

After all, the flows are constantly changing. So, no matter how well you plan ahead of time, you’ll have to do research the day you want to go see the lava. Relying on an expert will save you that research time, and time is the most valuable resource you have on the Hawaiian islands.

An expert will also be able to take you right to the hot spot. Pun intended. You won’t have to go venturing off into a volcano field on foot to find it yourself. So, a guide can save you time and effort. And it’s really hot out there on the black rocks.

Kilauea By Boat

You don’t have to worry about getting too close or inhaling the toxic fumes because you are under the guidance of an experienced tour guide. That means you’ll get as close as humanly possible to the lava itself which makes for a stunning social media pic. A boat also takes all the guesswork and effort out of the equation. You just sit back and enjoy the destructive yet life-giving molten rock.

Hawaii’s Five Other Active Volcanoes

All of the Hawaiian islands have been formed by this activity, but most of the island’s volcanoes have become dormant. There is no volcanic activity on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai or Lanai. That means these islands, like many before them, are now eroding into the ocean. And, one day, they will perish altogether.

Hawaii’s four other active volcanoes are all on the Big Island. It’s fitting as the Big Island continues to grow by 40 acres per year, and a visit to Hawaii will illustrate the youth of the island. Nearly the entire western side of the island is a lava rock field where vegetation is yet to grow, and many of the island’s beaches are black sand. That means the lava rock has been pummeled by the ocean into sharp little pieces, but the beach has not yet had time to accumulate soft white sand.

The Big Island’s volcanoes include Mauna Kea , Mauna Loa, Hualalai, and Loihi. The massive mountains that mark the Big Island are still active volcanoes, though the activity is fairly rare. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, and the eruption lasted for 22 days. Mauna Kea has erupted about every six years and is the largest volcano on earth. Predicting lava flow from these 13,000-foot peaks is near impossible, so planning a visit around their eruptions would have to be last-minute.

Hualalai is to Mauna Loa’s northwest. It’s technically still active, but its slopes have been covered by Mauna Loa’s eruptions over the centuries, and it last erupted in 1801. And lonely Loihi can be found just south of Kilauea. Unfortunately, the volcano is completely underwater.

Haleakala National Park

The crater at the top of the mountain is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s still technically active as a volcano. But don’t worry about an eruption. The last one took place between 1480 and 1600.

Haleakala is not a reliable place to catch a glimpse of molten rock, but it is a stunningly beautiful place nonetheless. The sleepy crater is a moonscape of colorful volcanic rock where oranges, purples, and reds glow at sunset or sunrise. And, during your visit, you walk around inside what is still technically an active volcano which is quite a brag-worthy experience.

As an added bonus, you can join a tour up to the crater. After enjoying the otherworldly landscape, you’ll be put on a bike to cruise down the long, slow slopes of the mountain back to town. It’s a refreshing, beautiful and exhilarating experience.

Can You Visit During An Eruption?

The main hazards during an eruption are the newly formed lava flows, which can tear through small towns, and air pollution. The air pollution is called volcanic fog, or “vog.” This vog can significantly affect the air quality on all of the Hawaiian islands.

Vog has a very peculiar look. It appears to be smog, but it carries a distinctive red hue. This shade of red can make the sun appear to be red, as well. And, of course, it carries a burned smell on the humid air.

Vog will carry downwind from the eruption, and the Big Island has distinctive east to northeast wind patterns. So the foggiest areas on the island will be to the south or southwest of the eruption site.

This air pollution can make it difficult or impossible for planes to land or take off from The Big Island if the eruption is large enough. Although, these vog groundings are rare. Kilauea’s last eruption, in May of 2018, put airlines on “red alert” but did not disrupt air traffic. You have to look all the way back to 2010 when a volcano erupted in Iceland which grounded planes throughout Europe for two weeks to see the last time vog affected air traffic.

However, the air pollution caused by volcanic eruption can cause some health problems. Older adults, young children, expectant mothers, people with asthma and cardiovascular disease are cautioned to stay away from voggy areas. The vog can increase your chances of respiratory ailments while causing a scratchy throat, eye, nose and skin irritation, coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness. 

But the Big Island is big. You’ll be able to avoid the affected areas quite easily while enjoying some clean air. The eruption will just make some of the island off-limits during your stay.

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The Ultimate Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Adventure Guide

Plan an incredible adventure in Hawaii’s Volcano National Park. Discover the best trails, where to see the lava up close & tips for camping near the park.

When most people think of Hawai’i, they think of paradise. With its lush green islands, dramatic waterfalls, and gorgeous beaches, it’s easy to see why. But what many people don’t know is that Hawai’i is also home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world! So if you’re looking for an adventure, then a trip to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a must.

This incredible park is full of opportunities for exploration and excitement, and in this post, we’ll tell you how to make the most of it. So pack your bags and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!

Start planning your Hawai’i adventure with this detailed guide to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Where is Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park?

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the southeast side of the Island of Hawai’i, which is commonly known as the Big Island. The Park is spread out over 323,000 acres with almost half the park designated as Wilderness Area.

There is one Visitor’s Center at the entrance of the park in the town of Volcano .

Getting to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

The island of Hawai’i has two airports located in Kona and Hilo . The Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park summit area, which is the most widely visited section of the park, is a 45-minute drive from Hilo and 2-2.5 hour drive from Kona. 

Most visitors fly into the Kona airport , which means it can be a little busier than Hilo. If you can get reasonable flights, I encourage you to fly into one airport and fly out of the other so that you can experience as much of the island as possible. Be sure to check on one-way rental car prices first. If you’re looking for things to do in Kona during your trip, check out this guide .

Either way, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is accessible from either side of the island so don’t fret too much about which airport to fly into. You’ll need a rental car to explore the park as there is no public transportation within the park and other attractions on the rest of the Big Island are pretty spread out. 

If you want to rent a campervan or car that you can sleep in, check out Outdoorsy .

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Makp

How Much Time To Spend At Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

If you want to visit lava up close and personal, then you should allow at least TWO full days for visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park . If you don’t plan to view lava up close, you can fit in the highlights of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in one day, but you could also easily spend 3+ days in the park. Let’s just say I wish we would have had more time to explore!

Here are a few tips to help you plan your visit to the park:

• It is $30 per private vehicle to enter the park. Get a National Park Pass before your trip if you plan to visit more than 3 parks in one year.
• The Kilauea Visitor’s Center is open from 9am-5pm daily and will be on your right shortly after entering the park. I strongly recommend you stop here on your way in. They have excellent informational boards that list attractions, ranger talks, current conditions, and suggested itineraries for spending an hour, a full day, or multiple days in the park. You can also talk to rangers regarding any last-minute questions you have.
• At most National Parks, guests work to beat the crowds by getting up early. This is true at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, but you also don’t want to miss evenings in the park. The lava viewing is best at night and stargazing can be spectacular in this area as well. Make sure you have plenty of food packed for a full day of adventuring in the park.
• There is a second area of the park, the Kahuku Unit, which is only open Thursday through Sunday from 8am-4pm. This Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park guide focuses on the central summit area of the park near the Kilauea Visitor’s Center, not the Kahuku Unit .

When to Visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

In Hawai’i, temperatures and conditions vary significantly by elevation & time of year. The weather at Kilauea’s summit (4000 feet in elevation) changes daily and can be rainy and chilly any time of the year.

The drier season in Hawai’i is from May-October, but that being said it can rain any time of the year. The coastal area of the park, at the end of Chain of Craters Road, is often hot, dry, and windy with the possibility of passing showers. If you want to avoid crowds, the spring & fall are the best times, in general, for visiting the Big Island.

7 Interesting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Facts

Every National Park has its own unique history and interesting facts, but because Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is so dynamic and its landscape changes every year, it’s even more fascinating.

Here are a few fun and interesting facts about Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:

• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park encompasses two active volcanoes : Kilauea and Mauna Loa. In 2018, a large eruption of the Kilauea volcano changed the landscape of the park forever and remains one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
• The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
• Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in the world . It stands at over 13,000 feet above sea level.
• Many Hawai’ians believe that Kilauea is inhabited by a family of fire gods, including Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands
• The park is home to seven different ecological zones including a tree fern forest, which receives nearly 100 inches of rainfall a year.
• Since Kilauea’s eruption that started in 1983, more than 500 acres of new land have been added to the island of Hawai’i.
• Backpackers can summit Mauna Loa. The trip takes about 4-5 days.
• If you’re lucky, some visitors can see molten lava flow into the ocean.

What To Do In Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

1. stop by the volcano art center.

Just to the left of the Visitor Center is the original Volcano House Lodge which serves now as the Volcano Art Center. The center is a great place to pick up unique, handmade Hawaiian gifts . The Art Center is open 9am-5pm daily.

They offer demonstrations, classes, and workshops, so I recommend checking their calendar before planning your itinerary for the day.

2. Hike the Kilauea Iki Crater Trail

The 4-mile Kilauea Iki Trail Loop will take you from the lookout on Crater Rim Drive down to the floor of Kilauea Iki crater. The Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center sells a great trail guide filled with lots of facts and interesting history, or you can  download the guide online .

The trail begins shaded by the surrounding rainforest, but soon enough you’ll be on the floor of what used to be a lava lake. It can be hot and exposed, so be sure to protect your skin from the sun .

This is a beautiful hike and a great intro to exploring the Park. Beat the sun (& the crowds) and start your 2-hour trek before 9 am.

Tip: Don’t miss the Kilauea Iki film in the Visitor’s Center beforehand. It will give a whole new meaning to your hike.

3. Walk through the Thurston Lava Tube

The 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube in Volcanoes National Park is definitely worth a quick stop, especially if you’ve never had the experience of being in a lava tube. It’s a strange feeling knowing that you’re standing where a stream of 2,000°F lava once flowed!

The Thurston Lava tube is located right across the road from the second Kilauea Iki parking area, so stop by after you’re finished with your Kilauea Iki crater hike.

Alternatively, the lava tube is great for those who can’t complete longer walks or for those traveling with little kids.

4. Drive Crater Rim Drive to the Holei Sea Arch

Crater Rim Drive is the main road through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and it ends at Holei Sea Arch on the Pacific Ocean. There are plenty of stops along the way, so take your time. The drive is almost 19 miles long with an elevation change of 3,700 feet. The reason why this drive is so impressive is you get to visualize how lava has flown across the park over time. Volcanoes National Park has a Crater Rim driving guide .

On the drive, you’ll see examples of both types of lava; a’ā and pāhoehoe. There are areas you can stop and see evidence of former park roads that don’t operate anymore due to lava flowing over the road. There used to be a Visitor Center, a heiau (ancient Hawaiian temple), a campground, and a black sand beach along the road but they have all been covered/destroyed by lava. This was one of my favorite things to do in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park!

It’s worth taking the road all the way to the sea arch just to see the expansiveness of the lava flow.

History and culture buffs who are looking for a short walk might enjoy the Puu Loa Petroglyphs Trail , but I didn’t think it was as exciting as some of the other sites in the Park.

5. See Lava Flow Up Close

If you’ve seen any photos of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, you’ve probably seen images of hot lava up close at night. Unfortunately not everyone is lucky enough to visit when there is active lava flow, but if the lava is flowing, this is a must-do activity.

When I visited in 2018, the best viewing place was an hour north of the Park near the town of Kalapana . Here you could see the lava flowing right into the ocean!

However, in 2024, there is no lava flowing there. The good news is the more recent lava flows have been located right in the heart of Volcanoes National Park, making it much more convenient.

The Volcanoes National Park NPS website has extensive additional information and daily updates on the lava flow . Check this out before your visit so you know what to expect.

Tips for seeing the lava at night

• Bring plenty of water – ideally in a hydration bladder for hands free drinking. The lava puts off a lot of heat, and the air is very dry.
• You should have strong, sturdy hiking boots or tennis shoes. I would not recommend wearing flip-flops, Tevas, or thin-soled tennis shoes, as the lava is sharp.
• If you plan to visit the lava for sunset, make sure you have a flashlight (not your cell phone camera’s light) and extra batteries. We recommend a headlamp .

Where to Eat Near Volcanoes National Park

Just a word of note, there aren’t a ton of dining options in the local area and there are a lot of tourists. I highly recommend making food reservations once you have your trip planning completed. There isn’t a main “downtown” area in Volcano, Hawai’i, and the surrounding community is similar to a rural area on the mainland.

The Kilauea Lodge , in Volcano, Hawai’i, did not disappoint for breakfast. They have a unique menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that is slightly European, yet has local Hawaiian favorites.

Both Tuk Tuk Thai Food Wagon & Cafe Ono came highly recommended to us by both locals and tourists, but since we had a substantial breakfast, we munched on snacks in our car until dinner.

If you only have a day in the park, I recommend packing enough food so that you don’t have to leave just to get lunch. Cafe Ono closes after lunch and Tuk Tuk Thai closes at 6pm.

Ohelo Cafe offered an excellent dinner for a reasonable price, especially considering there are few other options in the town of Volcano open past 6pm. They have wood-fired pizzas as well as other options and specialize in serving fresh food with a Hawaiian flair. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays and reservations are strongly recommended.

Packing Food from Hilo

There are great grocery stores in Hilo. I recommend stocking up on snacks before heading to Volcano. Island Naturals has tons of options if you are vegan/gluten-free. The Hilo Farmers Market , open 7 days a week, is also an excellent choice for picking up local fresh fruit/vegetables.

After visiting the National Park, I recommend a stop at Volcano Winery, which offers tours and tastings by reservation only. They carry a traditional Pinot Noir and also offer unique creations like Mele, Mac Nut Honey Wine, and Guava Wine.

Where to Stay Near Volcanoes National Park

There are two drive-in campgrounds in the park:

Namakanipalo Reservable Campground

• The campground is run by the Volcanoes Lodging Company, which also operates the only hotel in the National Park, the Volcano House Hotel
• 16 Tents sites are available as well as 10 one-room rustic cabins
• The campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbeque pits
• The campground is at 4,000 feet so it is cool & damp year-round. You’ll want to make sure you have a tent that is waterproof with a quality rain fly. You can rent a tent from the Volcanoes Lodging Company for an additional $40 if you aren’t traveling with camping equipment.
• Campground reservations can be made online or by calling the Volcano House.

Kulanaokualki First-Come, First-Serve Campground

• Located 5 miles down Hillina Pali Road at 2,700 feet elevation
• Nine campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis
• The campground has picnic tables and pit toilets, but NO WATER
• Sites are $10 per night
• No pets allowed

Additional Lodging Options

Volcano house lodge.

The Volcano House Lodge is the only hotel in the National Park. It has 33 guest rooms as well as a dining room & lounge. If you’ve stayed at other National Parks hotels, it has a similar slightly rustic vibe. It is a short walk from the Kilauea Visitor Center.

Hotels near the Park

• Volcano Village Lodge
• Lotus Garden Cottages
• Volcano Rainforest Retreat

Recommended Gear to Pack

For a complete packing list, head over to our Hawai’i Packing List For Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts . Below are a few items we recommend packing that are especially helpful when visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park National Geographic Map – this is a great map that shows hiking trails, points of interest, and other helpful information to make the most of your visit.
• Hawai’i The Big Island Revealed – if you plan on exploring the Big Island outside of the National Park, be sure the pick up this book. It’s filled with great tips on things to do and see.
• Close-toed shoes – sturdy sandals will work, but close-toed shoes are a better choice. Lava rock is incredibly sharp and if you stub your toe, it’ll hurt!
• A Daypack – there aren’t many amenities to be found inside the park boundaries, so be sure to bring a pack big enough to fit everything you’ll need for the day including water, snacks, and your hiking essentials .

Have you visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park? What were your favorite things to do? Do you have any helpful tips? Leave us a comment below!

Kim is a former principal who quit her job to solo hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. In other words…she’s a badass. She currently lives in Santa Barbara where she practices yoga, whips up tasty vegetarian food, and works as a guide leading kayaking, hiking, and biking tours.

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Amazing pictures. Thank you!

How long does the hike up see the lava take? You recommend two days in the park if you want to see the lava but then don’t say how long the hike is mike-wise or time-wise. Thanks

The lava flow in Kalapana changes daily, so mileage can differ depending on what the lava flow is doing. But expect to hike about 4 miles one-way to see the lava.

Thanks for all of the information! Do you have a tour guide/company you would recommend?

Hi Sara, unfortunately this was written by someone who doesn’t write for us anymore so I’m not sure what tour guide/co they went through. Best of luck!

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Top 5 Things to Do in Volcano

Volcano town things to do on hawaii's big island.

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Volcano Things To Do

Things to do near volcano town on big island.

Volcano is a small village in the southeast region of the Big Island , located in the heart of lush and exciting landscapes blanketed in flowers, ferns, and trees. The tropical location is home to many networks of walking trails. It’s the perfect paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts who want to explore the landscape of Hawaii. In stark contrast to the lush green environment are the lava fields and rocks that are a result of the famous active volcanoes in the area.

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Volcano itself is also dotted with charm, thanks to the picturesque cottages throughout the cozy village. You’ll find bed and breakfasts, restaurants, art centers, and, of course, the spirit of aloha throughout the charming lush area of Kilauea where the village of Volcano exists!

Volcano is aptly named for the village’s proximity to the two largest volcanoes in Hawaii. Volcano is right next to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , drawing many international visitors to the stunning sights of the active volcanoes. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which was officially designated in 1987. The area is also home to an International Biosphere Reserve and was established as such in 1980.

Directions to Volcano

Most visitors who begin their trip in Volcano and surrounding areas arrive at the Hilo International Airport and drive approximately 40 minutes south on the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11). The village is also located 2.5 hours from Kailua-Kona if you’re driving along the Hawaii Belt Road. Since the village is located conveniently along the Hawaii Belt Road, many visitors to the Big Island can add the destination to their adventure itinerary. You can stop at a variety of attractions and explore the vast National Park over a few days to truly experience the area.

The village of Volcano is often referred to as an artist community. It is a popular and beautiful place for artists to create locally inspired pieces of art, including glass, paintings, and ceramics. The relaxed atmosphere of Volcano is the perfect environment for artists who are looking to work on their craft. But it is also a great way to unwind and escape the noise, crowds, and traffic for a truly relaxing leg of your trip.

While visiting Volcano, keep an eye out for purple flowers that are beginning to cover the green landscapes in the area. This purple flower is called Glory Bush, which, despite being a beautiful, vibrant color, is actually a weed that is beginning to overtake many of the natural vegetation in the area.

Volcano experiences a large amount of rain throughout the year and doesn’t experience the extreme heat that many visitors may expect from Hawaii. The village receives over 150 inches of rain per year, but luckily, the destination also experiences a large amount of sunshine, even when it is raining. The moderate temperature in the area ranges from an average of 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens

The warm, humid climate throughout the Big Island has allowed the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens to blossom into a stunning center for orchids. You can purchase flowers or experience the farm through a tour and tasting. Take a guided tour through the Orchid Maze and greenhouse growing facility, and sample the garden’s signature Poha berry ice cream.

Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is located just before the meeting of the Hawaii Belt Road and Kahaualea Road. From the center of Volcano, head southwest on Laukapu Avenue toward Kekoa Nui Boulevard, then turn right onto Wright Road and left into Hawaii Belt Road.

Volcano Winery's grapevines. Photo provided from Volcano Winery.

Volcano Winery

Experience local wine that is inspired by the lush and volcanic landscape of the Big Island. Taste a wide selection of wines from Symphony Dry Wine to Volcano Blush, which are made uniquely by blending traditional wine grapes with tropical, locally grown fruits like yellow guava and jaboticaba berry. Sip on playful flavors in the laid-back atmosphere of Volcano Winery!

To visit Volcano Winery, head southwest on the Hawaii Belt Road from the center of Volcano for 3.7 miles, turning right onto Piimauna Drive. After a left turn, you will be at your destination and ready to sip on Hawaiian wine.

Nahuku Thurston Lava Tubes

Hundreds of years old, the Nahuku Thurston Lava Tubes are an extraordinary way to discover the magnificent force of lava! Learn how the tubes were naturally created by lava flowing from the heart of the volcano to the ocean.

Experience the site through carefully lit caves during the day or natural darkness at night. If you’re heading to the caves from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., bring headlamps for a true exploration!

To visit, head southwest on Hawaii Belt Road, turn left onto Crater Rim Drive, and then left twice to stay on Crater Rim Drive. The destination will be on the left. 

Volcano National Park

Volcano National Park is a must-see on the Big Island, where you can be reminded of the jaw-dropping force of volcanic activity. Kilauea and Mauna Loa, both in the park, are two of the world’s most active volcanoes and continue to add to the Big Island. Over 70 million years of volcanism is shown throughout the park. It’s all there for you to discover through tour guides, special presentations, and hikes!

To visit Volcano National Park, head southwest on Hawaii Belt Road and turn left onto Crater Rim Drive, where you will be greeted at the Entrance Station. Arrive by 10:00 a.m. to grab a parking spot!

Cooper Center

The Cooper Center is the community center for the village of Volcano, which offers bountiful displays of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market every Sunday. After grabbing some fresh papaya, browse the market’s many Volcano artists who make everything from jewelry to clothing to locally inspired art.

The Farmer’s Market is also a great spot for a casual and local breakfast or lunch. Various vendors at the market offer sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee beverages, so you can start your day off right!

Cooper Center is found just southeast of the intersection of Wright Road and Kilauea Road, right in the heart of Volcano.

Visit Volcano for a truly unique vacation!

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Tips for visiting Volcanoes National Park

My wife and I are old enough to easily remember the 1959 release of the movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Based on a Jules Verne novel, it was the fictional tale of four adventurers who went into the bowels of the earth to find its center. While such a fantasy belongs solely in the realm of our imagination, the idea of seeing and experiencing some of this volatile subterranean furnace is intriguing, to say the least.

That's why Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was on our must-see list as we navigated through the Hawaiian Islands on our first visit to the Rainbow State . We considered this national park to be like an interactive peek to another world below: our own journey to see what flows from the center of the earth.

Volcanoes National Park basics

While the National Park Service is technically in charge of Volcanoes National Park, Pele, the legendary Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, has the first and last word on all activities there. If the old Yankee Stadium was "the house that Ruth built," then Volcanoes National Park -- and, in fact, the entire island of the Big Island of Hawaii -- is surely the land that Pele built. Pele, "she who shapes the sacred land," supposedly lives in the Halema'uma'u Crater within the park.

Related: Points and miles guide to visiting Hawaii

How to get there

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in the southeast corner of the Big Island of Hawaii and occupies about 12% of the island's land mass. Highways circle the perimeter of the island, so there is easy access to the park from the major airports at Kona and Hilo. Many tourists drive a rental car to the park, but you can also go as part of a group tour. Look for tour operators at Viator.com , or search Google for "Hilo" and "Volcanoes National Park" and you'll find options from companies like Roberts Hawaii and others.

When is the park open?

The park is open 24 hours a day, with its busiest time being between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Despite the 500 square miles of park space, our observation is that most visitors stay within a few miles of the park entrance.

How much does it cost?

Entrance to the park costs $25 per noncommercial vehicle. This fee is good for seven days and covers all the occupants in the vehicle. Individuals that come by bus, bike, motorcycle or on foot will pay fee of $12, which also covers seven days. Of course, national park passes are valid and welcome. Our lifetime senior citizen national parks pass worked perfectly for our group of five.

What's the park like?

Since the Big Island first poked its head above the blue Pacific waters some 500,000 years ago, volcanoes have shaped and molded the diverse topographical and environmental landscape of the island on an almost continual basis. Elevation changes from sea level to 13,500 feet have transformed the island into a climatic and vegetative cornucopia, with landscapes ranging from almost desert dry to rainforest to arctic in a span of less than 50 miles.

Upon arriving, your first stop will undoubtedly be the visitor center where, depending on your time and level of interest and curiosity, you can get either Volcanoes National Park 101 or glean enough information for a thesis toward a master's degree in volcanology. The center is well staffed with park rangers and well supplied with park souvenirs and basic provisions for your visit. You can also learn about the ranger-led walks and talks that happen several times a day and that go to multiple destinations.

The Volcano House awaits you about 100 yards from the visitor center. Virtually the entire south side of the building is glass to allow your first view of the Kilauea Caldera and the Halema'uma'u Crater. Head through the door to the viewing platform to get an even better look at one of the main reasons you came to the park.

Impact of the 2018 Kilauea eruption

Kilauea, the most active volcano on the planet, had been alive and erupting almost nonstop since 1983. But in May of 2018, a series of earthquakes preceded a new and more vigorous lava flow that created fissures through which gushed rivers of 2,000-degree lava, which made its way relentlessly down the shield volcano and toward the sea. More than 700 houses were lost in neighborhoods that were in its path and Volcanoes National Park was closed for months due to the dangers and damage.

The consistent volume of lava flowing would have filled 40,000 dump trucks per hour. The total amount of lava released would fill about 300,000 Olympic swimming pools and cover the entire island of Manhattan with 27 feet of lava. An additional 875 acres of new land was created by the lava as it interacted with the ocean waters. The Halema'uma'u Crater has almost doubled its size since May of 2018, and has gotten about 1,500 feet deeper.

Damage to the infrastructure of the park has resulted in both short term and long-term closures. The Jaggar Museum and crater lookout was the most popular attraction in VNP, and it was damaged significantly by last year's activity. The ledge that it sits on has now been declared unsteady and it is highly likely the site will never reopen. The Thurston Lava Tube has been closed to the public for the past 16 months, but progress is being made toward its reopening later this year. (A lava tube is like a self-created subway tunnel for lava.) The highly traveled Crater Rim Trail and Crater Rim Drive are both only partially available to the public at this time.

Another significant post-2018 eruption development is that Kilauea is now sleeping. After 38 straight years of lava flowing and lava glowing, right now there is nada lava. No flow, no glow.

The lava lake in the Halema'uma'u Crater has been replaced for the first time in known history with water. Experts are a little wary of this new situation, as they are concerned that when Pele turns the hot lava faucet back on, that mixture of lava and water could lend itself to a more explosive reaction.

Things to do at Volcanoes National Park

To appreciate and experience the offerings of the park, we visited the steam vents, drove the Chain of Craters Road and hiked the Devastation and Halema'uma'u Crater trails.

The 38-mile round-trip Chain of Craters Road is like a geological history map of recent and long-ago volcanic activity. The road follows and bisects several massive lava flow fields that stretch for miles until they disappear into the ocean's edge.

The road has a significant elevation drop of 3,700 feet, and it is therefore easy to figure out which way the lava is wont to go. We found unexpected beauty on our excursions onto the lava beds in the color variance of the lava itself, the artistic qualities of the random flow patterns and in the vegetation now calling the lava home.

Following the road to its conclusion will lead you past the petroglyph fields to the Holei Sea Arch.

Just a short drive from the Visitor Center on the part of the Crater Rim Drive that is open, you will find Devastation Trail. This short hike gives you a graphic illustration of the dramatic environmental changes associated with this volatile area. A dense rainforest occupied this landscape prior to a 1959 eruption that left the area burned, barren and covered in a lava/cinder mix. As time has passed, nature has started its never-ending cycle to reclaim what was lost. Life is returning and, given enough time, will surely recreate its former self until ... it starts all over again.

The Halema'uma'u Trail is another interesting, moderate hike that quickly takes you through some of the extremely diverse vegetative zones seen in this national park. The walk starts near the Volcano House and descends through an almost jungle environment that is wet, warm and very conducive to prolific plant growth. The forest trail is closely lined and canopied by huge healthy ferns and native trees and plants.

The hike takes you down about 500 feet in less than a mile as you essentially go down the sidewalls of the Kilauea Crater until you reach its caldera. Goodbye greenhouse, hello Mars.

The hike used to continue to near the edge of the Halema'uma'u Crater, but the recent volcanic activity has restricted this access.

After the immersion in the contrasting temperature, exposure and landscape at the crater, you return up the tropical hillside. Our party of four ranged from a 4-year-old to a 70-year-old and all made the trek OK. A few strategic resting stops await those wishing for a quick break to either catch a breath or to linger a moment longer to absorb the surroundings.

Where to stay at Volcanoes National Park

Lodging in the park is limited. The historic Volcano House has 33 guest rooms and sits adjacent to Halema'uma'u Crater on the Kilauea Caldera. Rates vary depending on date and type of accommodation, but average in the $250 to $350 per night range.

Ten rustic (read: basic) camper cabins are located nearby in the Namakanipaio Campground for $80 a night. Our one overnight stay was in one of these cabins. It proved to be quite adequate and a nice balance to the nicer resorts and hotels we experienced on the rest of our trip.

A limited number of campsites are also available in the park for $15 each. Additional lodging can be found 10 minutes away by car in Volcano Village, or 30 miles away in Hilo, where a wide array of options are located, such as the Hilton Naniloa in Hilo where we stayed using Hilton points the night after we finished exploring Volcanos National Park.

Where to eat

Pick up some fresh pastries at Punalu'u Bake Shop on your way into the park (if coming from the Kona side) and save those for snacks as there aren't a ton of dining options within the park. Volcano House does serve sit-down meals, but it can take a while and the cost of sit-down meals adds up.

There are a few other restaurants in the immediate vicinity, such as the Lava Rock Cafe, where we enjoyed chili and stir-fry one night, as well as a well-reviewed Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck we missed on this trip.

Surprises within the park

One of the bigger surprises that we learned was that the park is the 15th most-visited national park, with about 2.5 million annual visitors. We were amazed at this statistic because you do not just casually drop by the park to check out the lava. It is not like being at the Grand Canyon in Arizona when, on a spontaneous whim, you decide to head north to Utah to scout out the hoodoos in Bryce or The Narrows in Zion -- this one is over 2,300 miles of ocean away.

One jaw-dropping and smile-inducing experience we shared in the park was the perceived closeness and intensity of the stars. The Big Dipper was directly overhead, but its name truly did not do it justice. Maybe the Extra Large, Bigger, Badder, Bolder, Brighter Dipper would have been more appropriate. Each of the seven stars shined so brightly and so clearly that the stellar array seemed to be sitting just above the treetops. It was as if 5 watt bulbs had been replaced by 100 watters. We wished the opportunity to view the stars atop the nearby 13,500 foot Mauna Kea had presented itself on this trip. Mauna Kea is recognized as the top astronomical observation area in the Northern Hemisphere due to its elevation, clean air, cloud-free skies and dark nights. Next time, for sure.

Bottom line

We hope to return to Volcanoes National Park someday. We really want to see those stars again and hope to see the lava lake in the Halema'uma'u Crater glowing like a cauldron with orangish-red lava streams flowing gently (and safely) to the sea. Pele, are you listening?

Watch CBS News

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano "paused" after erupting in remote part of national park

By Alex Sundby

Updated on: June 4, 2024 / 5:14 AM EDT / CBS News

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted early Monday morning, but officials said the eruption on the state's Big Island didn't pose an immediate threat to human life or critical infrastructure.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory warned after 2 a.m. HST of the potential for volcanic ash to shoot into the atmosphere, which can damage planes . About six hours later, just before 8:30 a.m., the observatory said the eruption posed less of a threat, with minor or no ash emissions expected.

The eruption was happening in a remote location of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and was "low in eruptive volume," the observatory said. Gas emissions and rock fragments ejected from the volcano into the air, known as tephra, were the primary hazards from the eruption, the observatory said.

A few hours later, another observatory said the eruption had "paused":

Kīlauea’s eruption has paused as of ~12:30 p.m. today, but we are still enjoying the beautiful imagery folks have been sharing all day of Madame Pele - including these time-lapse videos that Keckies Tony Connors and Matthew Wahl captured overnight from Maunakea. USGS Hawaiian… pic.twitter.com/q2eG4nffAk — W. M. Keck Observatory (@keckobservatory) June 4, 2024

The USGS observatory said Monday's activity was limited to the area around Kilauea's summit and the southern part of its caldera, the term for the large bowl-shaped depressions that form on volcanoes. According to the agency, the eruption started around 12:30 a.m. about 2.5 miles southwest of the caldera.

A glow seen in webcam images indicated lava was erupting from fissures in the area, the observatory said. Later, in the early morning light, the U.S. Geological Survey captured an aerial image of lava shooting up from the fissures. 

Eruptions release high amounts of volcanic gas, which includes sulfur dioxide. The gas reacts with the atmosphere to create volcanic smog, known as vog , which can cause airborne health hazards for people and damage plants, according to the observatory.

The last eruption on Kilauea was in September 2023 and lasted for a week, according to the U.S. Geological Survey . There hasn't been an eruption in the area of Monday's activity in nearly 50 years. The December 1974 eruption lasted about six hours, the observatory said. It wasn't immediately possible for the agency to say how long Monday's eruption would last.

The eruption was preceded by an increase in seismic activity at Kilauea's summit Sunday, an indication that magma was moving below the surface, according to the observatory.

In one eight-hour period, there were approximately 250 earthquakes beneath Kilauea's summit region, according to the observatory. The most powerful quake was magnitude 4.1 on Sunday night.

Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.

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Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts in remote summit region

A geologist with the u.s. geological survey said the eruption did not pose an immediate threat to residents..

The Kilauea volcano on Hawaii's Big Island erupted on Monday following hours of seismic activity below the volcano's summit, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Kilauea , one of the world's most active volcanoes, began erupting at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time, about a mile south of Kilauea caldera within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a popular tourist destination that draws more than 1 million visitors per year. Webcam footage showed lava spewing from fissures in the summit, the USGS said .

Katie Mulliken, a geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, told USA TODAY the eruption poses no immediate danger to residents as it, so far, has been contained to a remote part of the summit, which is inaccessible by car or trails.

"There are really no threats to any communities," Mulliken said, adding that the USGS will continue to closely monitor the volcanic activity.

It was the first eruption in this region of the volcano in almost 50 years. The last one, in December 1974, lasted about six hours.

The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Monday raised the volcano alert level for ground-based hazards to a warning, meaning a hazardous eruption "is imminent, underway, or suspected." Further, the USGS issued a red aviation color code, which indicates a "significant emission of volcanic ash" is likely, suspected or imminent, according to the U.S. Geological Survey .

The alerts came after hours of escalating activity beneath the surface of Kilauea. On Sunday, around 400 earthquakes were recorded below Kilauea's summit, with the largest temblor reaching a 4.1 magnitude, Mulliken said. Seismic activity is common before eruptions and is an indicator of lava movement inside the volcano, she added.

The primary hazard of Kilauea eruptions is a high level of volcanic gas because of its potential effects downwind, the USGS said. Other significant hazards includes instability, ground cracking and rockfalls that can be made worse by earthquakes near the summit.

More: After the Hawaii volcano eruption, Hawaii residents struggle to recover

Authorities with the National Forest Service closed an area surrounding the volcano, citing "seismic unrest." Officials also closed the parking lot for the Devastation Trail, which takes hikers through a winding path that offers vistas of land still recovering from the volcanoes 36-day eruption in 1959.

Kilauea erupted three times last year, bringing more than 10,000  tourists to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see the fountains of lava. In 2018, the volcano erupted for three months straight, destroying more than 700 structures, including 200 homes on Big Island, and displacing some 3,000 people – many of whom were unable to return home over a year after the eruption.

Hawaii’s Kilauea, One of the World’s Most Active Volcanoes, Erupts Again

The short-lived eruption occurred in an area of the volcano that had not erupted since December 1974

Christian Thorsberg

Daily Correspondent

Kilauea, a shield volcano located on Hawaii’s Big Island and one of Earth’s most active, erupted again early on Monday morning, albeit timidly.

Beginning just after midnight and ending some 12 hours later, the eruption occurred inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, about 2.5 miles southwest of the Kilauea caldera. While Kilauea has recently erupted—three times last year alone—this particular area had been quiet for nearly five decades, since it last spewed lava for six hours in December 1974.

Because of the region’s potential for rockfalls and other hazards, public access near the caldera has been limited since 2008. As for Monday’s eruption, “there are really no threats to any communities,” Katie Mulliken , a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, tells USA Today ’s Christopher Cann.

On webcam footage , the observatory first noted glowing lava erupting from fissures , spewing tens of feet into the air. Lava flows had become “ sluggish ” around 11:00 a.m. local time, and by just after noon, they had stopped altogether.

“People just need to realize this is in one of the safest places it could have happened,” Mitch Roth , the Big Island mayor, tells the Associated Press . “Absolutely no property in danger.”

Monday’s eruption has proven to be significantly less destructive and violent in comparison to some of Kilauea’s recent activity. In 2018 , months of ongoing earthquakes and lava flows destroyed more than 700 homes over several months, a period of activity that may have been triggered by heavy rainfall and groundwater pressure .

“Rainfall-induced pressure changes like this could be a trigger, especially in cases where the system is already critically stressed or primed,” volcanologist  Jamie Farquharson  told Smithsonian magazine ’s Brian Handwerk in 2020. “Then, even a very small stress change could be enough to initiate new fracturing, creating a new pathway for magma to get to the surface.”

Kīlauea’s eruption has paused as of ~12:30 p.m. today, but we are still enjoying the beautiful imagery folks have been sharing all day of Madame Pele - including these time-lapse videos that Keckies Tony Connors and Matthew Wahl captured overnight from Maunakea. USGS Hawaiian… pic.twitter.com/q2eG4nffAk — W. M. Keck Observatory (@keckobservatory) June 4, 2024

Kilauea began erupting about 12:30 AM HST south of the caldera and north of the Koa'e fault system and Hilina Pali Road, within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. View from Keck Observatories on Mauna Kea. More info: https://t.co/N6WsRzPFij pic.twitter.com/VYg4ulABaX — USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) June 3, 2024

But in the years since 2018’s eruption, Kilauea’s behavior has changed.

“From 1983 to 2018, all of the activity came from two vents,” Michael Poland , a geophysicist with USGS, tells the New York Times ’ Victor Mather. “Since 2018, it has gone away from a period of steady eruptions. Now it has discrete, usually shortish eruptions happening in several different places. Now we’re getting eruptions happening in places we haven’t seen in 50 years.”

During the eight hours leading up to Monday’s eruption, USGS recorded about 250 earthquakes beneath Kilauea’s summit, the largest of which was a magnitude-4.1 quake. While it continues to be monitored, seismic activity has significantly decreased since the first fissures opened.

For local communities, air quality may be the most pressing concern. At the height of Monday’s eruption, sulfur dioxide was emitted at a rate of 15,000 metric tons per day, though that slowed to 12,000 metric tons per day and “likely decreased further” in the afternoon, according to the USGS .

During eruptions, volcanic gas—which includes sulfur dioxide—is released and reacts with Earth’s atmosphere to create volcanic smog, or “vog.”

“Vog creates the potential for airborne health hazards to residents and visitors, damages agricultural crops and other plants and affects livestock,” per the USGS .

“It’s more of an irritant,” Poland tells the New York Times . “If people have sensitive breathing or respiratory issues, they may find it more difficult to breathe.”

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Christian Thorsberg | READ MORE

Christian Thorsberg is an environmental writer and photographer from Chicago. His work, which often centers on freshwater issues, climate change and subsistence, has appeared in Circle of Blue , Sierra  magazine, Discover  magazine and Alaska Sporting Journal .

Hawaii's Kilauea Erupts Again in a Remote Area. It's One of the Most Active Volcanoes in the World

One of the most active volcanoes in the world has erupted again in a remote area that last erupted a half-century ago

Hawaii's Kilauea Erupts Again in a Remote Area. It's One of the Most Active Volcanoes in the World

D.A. Phillips

This image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, seen from the Volcano Golf Course, shows a plume from the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii in the early morning hours on Monday, June 3, 2024. Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting early Monday in an area that last erupted a half-century ago, the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said. (D.A. Phillips/U.S. Geological Survey via AP)

HONOLULU (AP) — Kilauea , one of the most active volcanoes in the world, began erupting early Monday in a remote area and then paused about 12 hours later, the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaii an Volcano Observatory said.

The eruption was about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) south of the Kilauea caldera, in an area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that last erupted in December 1974. The area surrounding the caldera has been closed to the public since 2008 because of other hazards, including ground cracking, instability in the crater wall and rockfalls.

“Glow is visible in webcam imagery, indicating that lava is currently erupting from fissures,” the USGS observatory said. The eruption in 1974 only lasted about six hours.

Later Monday, the observatory said lava flows were sluggish between 11 a.m. and noon and had ceased moving by about 12:30 p.m.

"However, activity in this region remains dynamic and could change quickly," the observatory said in an update. Partly because of elevated volcanic gas emissions continuing, it’s possible the eruption could resume. Scientists will continue to monitor the volcano.

The eruption took place in a remote location within the national park and didn't pose an immediate threat to people or critical infrastructure, the observatory said.

Big Island Mayor Mitch Roth said residents are accustomed to eruptions happening within the park.

“People just need to realize this is in one of the safest places it could have happened,” he said. “Absolutely no property in danger.”

Typically the primary hazard during Kilauea eruptions is volcanic gas, which reacts with the atmosphere to create volcanic smog, or “vog.” The vog can present health hazards for residents and visitors, damage plants and affect livestock, the observatory said.

Roth said the communities of Oceanview and Naalehu may experience some air quality issues.

The observatory logged roughly 250 earthquakes beneath the Kilauea summit in the hours before the eruption began. The observatory said it would issue updates on the eruption daily, as well as whenever there are significant changes in volcanic activity.

Earthquake activity decreased greatly in the summit region with the onset of the eruption, the observatory said.

This version of the story deletes reference to Kilauea’s size. Kilauea is not Hawaii’s second-largest volcano.

Copyright 2024 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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In Hawaii, Maui council opposes U.S. Space Force plan to build new telescopes on Haleakala volcano

HONOLULU — Local officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui on Wednesday voted to oppose a U.S. military proposal to build new telescopes on the summit of Haleakala volcano, the latest observatory project to meet objection in the islands.

The U.S. Space Force and Air Force want to build a new facility on the top of Haleakala, Maui’s highest peak, to track objects in space.

The Maui County Council voted 9-0 to pass a resolution opposing the project. The measure said Haleakala’s summit was a sacred place used for religious ceremony, prayer and connecting to ancestors.

“Haleakala is more than just a mountain; the summit is considered wao akua, or ‘realm of the gods,’ and continues to be a place of deep spirituality for Native Hawaiians to engage in some of these traditional practices,” the resolution said.

It said that the Space Force hasn’t finished  cleaning up  a 700-gallon diesel fuel spill  at the site of one its existing Haleakala telescopes. The spill occurred last year when a pump that supplies fuel to a backup generator failed to shut off during a lightning storm.

The proposed new facility is called  AMOS STAR , which is an acronym for Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research. It would feature six telescopes enclosed in ground-mounted domes and one rooftop-mounted domed telescope.

The county’s resolution urged the military to heed community calls to cease their development efforts. It urged the National Park Service, Federal Aviation Administration and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to deny the project permits.

The clear skies and dry air at Haleakala’s peak make for some of the world’s best conditions for viewing space, similar to the summit of  Mauna Kea  on the Big Island which hosts about a dozen telescopes.

Haleakala rises to 10,023 feet (3,055 meters) It already hosts multiple University of Hawaii observatories and an existing collection of Space Force telescopes called the Maui Space Surveillance Complex. Protesters tried to block the construction of a new observatory on Haleakala in 2017 but building went ahead and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope released its first images in 2020.

A proposal by a consortium of universities to build a new observatory on  Mauna Kea  called the  Thirty Meter Telescope  triggered  massive protests in 2019.  The TMT project is currently paused while planners seek National Science Foundation  funding .

The Associated Press

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News Release

New kīlauea eruption is in closed area of hawaiʻi volcanoes national park.

Photo credit Yvonne Baur/Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association

Contact: Jessica Ferracane , 808-985-6018

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – A new eruption of Kīlauea volcano that began around 12:30 a.m. on Monday June 3, 2024 is in a closed area of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Due to the remote and unpredictable nature of the fissure eruption, the following temporary closures are in place for everyone’s safety:

• Hilina Pali Road from Chain of Craters Road intersection
• Kulanaokuaiki Campground
• Pepeiao Cabin
• Kaʻaha Trail and campground
• Kaʻū Desert Trail and pullout on Highway 11
• Maunaiki Trail

The fissure eruption is in a remote area about 2.5 miles (4 km) southwest of Kīlauea caldera and is not accessible. Park rangers and scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continue to assess eruption conditions. No safe lava-viewing locations have been established at this time.

However, a beautiful red-orange lava glow was visible in the sky before dawn from overlooks along Crater Rim Trail including Uēkahuna and Volcano House. Early risers witnessed the glowing evidence of Pele, the elemental force of Hawaiian volcanoes, return for the first time since September 2023. After daybreak, a wispy distant gas plume became visible from Uēkahuna and other summit overlooks.

The park expects an influx of visitors hoping to see the latest volcanic activity, which can change at anytime. Everyone is urged to stay safe and be respectful of the sacredness of Kīlauea by doing the following:

• Volcanic eruptions are hazardous. Stay on marked trails and overlooks, and do not enter closed areas. Avoid cliff edges and earth cracks which are unstable.
• Respect Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners who honor the sacred legacy of this land and give them space to practice their customs.
• Slow down and drive safely. Expect long waits for parking spaces at popular vantage points.

Most popular areas in the park remain open, including Kīlauea Visitor Center, overlooks along Crater Rim Trail, Volcano House, Nāhuku lava tube, and Chain of Craters Road, but no lava is visible to the public. Coastal backcountry sites from Halapē to the east remain open. Park visitors are urged to plan ahead and check the park website for closure and hazard alerts at www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes . Live webcam images, Kīlauea updates and more are available on the USGS HVO website .  The eruption is entirely within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and poses no threat to the community at this time.

-NPS-   About the National Park Service.  More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's   429  national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at  www.nps.gov   and on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  Twitter , and  YouTube .  

Last updated: June 4, 2024

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