Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at a Glance
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.Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park in Bullet Points
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Location
Address: Volcano Hwy, Volcano, HI 96785
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Map
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Weather
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Now 82°F Windchill: 82°F
Partly Cloudy
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Location: Volcano, HI, US
Wind: 10 mph E
Humidity: 62%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 29.98 in falling
Sunrise: 6:24 am
Sunset: 5:43 pm
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Sat
Hi: 71°F Low: 60°F
Partly Cloudy
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Sun
Hi: 72°F Low: 60°F
Scattered Showers
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Photos (click to enlarge)
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Reviews and Comments
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