Look into the mouth of one of the world’s most active volcanoes at
the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Sitting on the slopes of Mount
Kilauea, the park offers a fascinating display of volcanic activity,
local wildlife, and centuries of evolving Hawaiian culture. The
330,000-acre preserve is one of the most visited spots on the Big
Island, welcoming close to 2 million visitors per year.
You can explore the park in a couple of hours or over several days,
depending on what you want to see. If you’re staying less than three
hours, don’t miss the Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile road that goes
around the volcano’s summit. Here you’ll pass through volcanic
desert, the caldera floor, and a tropical rainforest. The stretch
between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters is currently closed
because of an active crater, but the rest of the area is safe.
Those with more time to kill can visit the coastal areas and the
East Rift. This part is accessed through the Chain of Craters Road,
which takes you 3,700 feet underground. The route was cut at 20
miles in 2003 by a lava flow; today, you can still see some of the
hardened rock in mid-flow.
It’s also possible to explore the area on foot, but because of the
steep drops, this is best for experienced hikers. The trails pass
several lookout points where you can get great views of the crater.
There are day hikes and wilderness hikes throughout the year, but
the best time to go is late summer when the heat is less harsh.
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