Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island

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 (top)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Weather (top)

Now
82°F
Windchill:
82°F
Partly Cloudy
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 Sat
Hi: 71°F
Low: 60°F
Partly Cloudy
Sun
Hi: 72°F
Low: 60°F
Scattered Showers