Est. 1916 | Hawai’i | 344,812 acres

Home to Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active volcanoes on earth, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a testament to raw geothermal power. The park is constantly shifting and changing geography as new eruptions and lava flows find their way to the ocean. Walk among steam vents, crawl through a dormant lava tube, and stroll across hardened lava fields as you spot indigenous wildlife only found in this ever-changing landscape.

In 2018, the Kilauea Summit Caldera collapsed under its own weight as magma filtered out through vents miles away in the east rift zone. This major upheaval destroyed the Crater Rim Drive loop making it impassable beyond Chain of Craters Road. Ever since then, the summit has erupted off and on. Because volcanic eruptions are sporadic and unpredictable, visitors can never be assured of lava flow. But anyone could be lucky enough to catch a lava fountain or lingering night glow if conditions are right.

Beyond the main attractions of Kilauea, visitors can also venture up Mauna Loa, the tallest volcano in the world, or down to the park’s Kahuku Unit for unparalleled views and a slice of Hawai’ian countryside once occupied by one of the largest cattle ranches in Hawai’i.

Park Highlights

1. Devastation Overlook—While view points along Crater Rim Drive offer different angles of the Kilauea caldera, a short 2-mile roundtrip walk from the Devastation trailhead along Old Crater Rim Drive rewards hikers with one of the best unobstructed views of the active caldera. Consider visiting this overlook at sunrise for gorgeous alpenglow on Mauna Loa.
2. Kilauea Iki Trail—Descend into the Kilauea Iki Crater for a chance to walk on hardened lava fields from a massive 1959 eruption. This is one of the most popular hikes as it takes visitors into a moon-like landscape of bizarre, rippled lava rock formations. Combine this trail with the Crater Rim Trail for a 4-mile loop back to your car through tropical forests of ‘ohi’a lehua trees and giant ferns.
3. Thurston Lava Tube—About 3 miles east on Crater Rim Drive pull off for a chance to walk through a dormant lava tube, a tunnel once carved and drained by flowing lava. The 1.5-mile roundtrip loop takes visitors through lush rainforest before plunging underground through the quarter-mile tube. The passage is lit 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Flashlights are recommended outside this timeframe. As one of the more popular attractions, visit this trail before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to secure a parking spot at the small trailhead. Rangers will ticket any illegally parked cars.
4. Pu’uloa Petroglyphs—Near the end of the Chain of Craters Road, a 1.5-mile roundtrip out-and-back path leads to ancient petroglyphs carved into lava rocks. These symbols are thought to depict the growth of families and the record of generations from early south-pacific settlers.
5. Holei Sea Arch—Chain of Craters Road ends at the coast offering views of lava rock protruding into the ocean. One rock formation has eroded in such a way to form a 90-foot tall arch. Due to the unstable nature of the coastline, a short walk along the coast is required to view the arch from a safe vantage point.

Best time to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes

The best time to visit the park is during an eruption.* The raw power of molten lava fountaining from the earth is staggering and the volcanic night glow is an incredible sight. However, because eruptions are unpredictable, you must either choose a time window for your trip and hope for the best, or keep an eye on the park’s webcams and book a trip immediately (ideally the next day) as eruptions occur. While volcanic activity can cease at any moment, night glow can linger for 24 hours. Check out our trip report in January 2025 to see how we scheduled a trip around an eruption.

However, even if lava is not flowing, Hawai’i Volcanoes is still worth the visit. Hawai’i receives most of its rainfall in the winter months (November–March) and will tend to be drier in the summer months (April–October). But it all still depends on the current weather patterns. We’ve visited the park in April when it was rainy as well as January when it was sunny so there is no guarantee for certain weather. Keep in mind, while rain can dampen a trip, it also makes the foliage lush and green. Grass and trees tend to be brown in the summer months and green in the winter.

*The park remains open 24/7, even during eruptions, as long as conditions are safe. Check the official park website for updates and closures.

How long should I visit Hawai’i Volcanoes?

The best of Hawai’i Volcanoes can be toured in 2 full days. Plan one full day to explore the trails around Kilauea’s summit caldera, and another full day to drive Chain of Craters Road to the coast. If you have extra time, tag on a trip to the Kahuku Unit. Be sure to check with park staff if you plan to visit Kahuku. This particular unit is only open certain days of the week.

For the adventurous hiker, stretch your stay to 4 days and schedule a multi-day backcountry trek up Mauna Loa via the Mauna Loa Trail or the Ainapo Trail. Check trail conditions with the park service before your trip as various eruptions can temporarily close certain trails.

Getting to Hawai’i Volcanoes

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located on the big island of Hawai’i. Two airports service the big island: one in Kona, the other in Hilo. While Hilo is closer to the park, it is often more expensive and does not offer many direct flights. The majority of travelers choose to arrive in Kona, rent a car at the airport and drive 2–3 hours around the island to the park.

Where to stay in Hawai’i Volcanoes

The town of Volcano, Hawai’i, is located just a few miles from the park entrance. This small town does have some lodging, but the best choices for hotels and rental homes are located in Hilo, 30 miles (40 minutes) away.

For those looking to stay in the park, Hawai’i Volcano House provides both a lodge (located right on the caldera rim) and a campground (a short drive from the rim). With the exception of a backcountry camping permit, these are the only options for staying within the park boundaries. The Volcano House lodge is a well-staffed, furnished hotel with a restaurant, while the cheaper Namakanipaio Campground is a simpler experience with rustic cabins and bare campsites. Namakanipaio has rough amenities including electric outlets, coin-operated showers and flushing toilets.

When should I book?

If you choose to stay in the park, you must book your room or campsite at least 2 months in advance. These accommodations are always in high demand and sell out quickly, especially when lava is flowing. Beyond these constraints, as long as hotels in Hilo or Kona have capacity, you can book a trip last minute if necessary. Just plan extra driving time accordingly.

How much should I budget?

A 2–3 day trip can easily exceed $750 or more when factoring in required costs. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:

Roundtrip Airfare to Kona	$200–$600
Roundtrip Airfare to Hilo	$400–$700
Car Rental	$50–$120/day (not including taxes/fees)
Namakanipaio Campsite/Cabin	$50–$95/night (not including taxes/fees)
Hotel Lodging	$150–$400/night
Restaurant Meals	$20–$40/meal

Packing list for Hawai’i Volcanoes

Each park requires different gear for its unique characteristics. For Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, we wouldn’t want to be caught without hiking shoes, sunscreen, raincoat, sack lunches (to save money) and sunglasses.

Want to learn more? Check out our detailed trip report for a peek into visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes.

For more detailed information on Hawai’i Voclanoes National Park, visit the official park website.