The Hawai’i Volcano National Park (HVNP) is a breathtaking display of the power a volcano holds within. If you are planning a trip to Big Island, a visit to HVNP is a must! You will be blown away by the diverse microbiomes waiting to be encountered. From lava craters, forests, to seemingly endless stretches of rocky terrain, to the picturesque coastline, everything in this park radiates the allure of nature.
The Hawai’i Volcano National Park is home to two unique volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano. Not only are these feats of nature impressive in size, they also represent a special part of Hawaiian culture. Kīlauea maintains a large crater at its summit named Halemaʻumaʻu, which is said to serve as the body and home of Pelehonuamea or Pele. Pele is regarded a Hawaiian volcano deity and respected as the creator of the volcanic landscapes that make up the Hawaiian archipelago.
Below we have detailed everything you need to know to make the most of your day in the park! From the best trails to the prettiest drives and all the tips and tricks in between to ensure you make the most of your very volcano day.
Scoot Your Boot This Way
When booking your rental vehicle for Big Island, some spots require four wheel drive, but you will not need it to visit the Hawai’i Volcano National Park! All roads in the park are two-wheel drive friendly, so you should be able to visit regardless your ride.
When you are planning your Big Island adventure, the two regions people tend to stay in are Hilo and Kailua-Kona. From Hilo, HVNP is about a 45 minute drive southwest via Highway 11. Departing from Kailua-Kona, the drive is a bit longer, clocking is at a little over 2 hours, taking Highway 11 southeast.
Visitor Center
When you arrive in the park, the visitor center should be your first stop. It functions as an excellent starting point to make a game plan, empty your bladder, and lather on the sunscreen. There are interactive maps and park rangers available to help direct you wherever you need to head.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
Next up? Continue along Crater Rim Drive and park near the Kīlauea Iki trail or the Thurston lava tube (Nāhuku). These areas are close to one another and easily walkable, so snag a parking spot wherever you can. The lava tube isn’t anything too crazy, but it’s worth checking out just to experience how dark it gets down there— plus it’s wild to think lava once rush through the underground tube you’re standing in.
Across the road from the lava tube is the beginning of the Kīlauea Iki trail, which will lead you down to the floor of the Kīlauea Iki Crater. As the name suggests, this trail takes you down into the Kīlauea Iki Crater, beware… if you make the 400 foot climb down into the crater, just remember you have to get back up! It doesn’t take long to wind your way down to the crater floor, and from there, the trail is marked with cairns, or small stone piles, to keep visitors on track.
Keanakākoʻi Overlook
Just putting your walking shoes to work, your next stop will be driving to the Crater Rim Drive trailhead and wandering out to the Keanakākoʻi Overlook. Not only does this perch provide a glimpse at the Keanakākoʻi Crater, but it affords a spectacular view of Kīlauea. Kīlauea is an active volcano that intermittently erupts, most recently from September 2021 to December 2022. While this view would be interesting any time, walking out to this viewpoint is a MUST when Kīlauea is erupting. How many erupting volcanoes are you going to see in one lifetime?!
Chain of Craters Road
In what seems like a world away, the 20 mile drive out to the southern sea cliffs is beyond scenic as the landscape changes drastically before your very eyes. From the jungle-esque tropics near the visitor’s center, to the endless span of volcanic rock, to the stunning blue of the ocean crashing into a wide swath southern coastline, the drive out to the Hōlei Sea Arch is its own delight.
Once you’re there, a short walk will take you to the Hōlei Sea Arch, serving as an example of both the ocean’s power and nature’s sculpting. The dynamic surf makes for a hypnotic view as the crashing waves slowly erode the southern coastline. Vastly differing from the desolate beauty of prolific lava-rock topography elsewhere in the park, the endlessness of the ocean offers a stark contrast to the seemingly ceaseless gray of the volcano. Being rather set apart from the more popular areas of the park, it’s easy to consider skipping a visit to the Hōlei Sea Arch, but you have to remember the drive itself is as amazing as the coastline views themselves.
Kīlauea Eruptions
Kīlauea is the youngest and most active volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi. This makes re-visiting the park from year to year a treat as the topography undergoes progressive changes due to the intermittent activity. Before you visit, it’s never a bad idea to check the eruption conditions… many visitors find themselves eager to see the etherial plumes of gas and steam by day and the eery lava glow after dark.
Man’s Best Friend
National parks are notoriously picky about dogs being allowed on the scene. Yes dogs are allowed in some areas throughout the park, as long as they are on a 6-foot leash. Pets are welcome…
- In all parking areas and surrounding curbs (excluding Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground)
- On Crater Rim Drive in areas open to vehicles
- On Chain of Craters Road down to Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs
- At the Nāmakanipaio Campground
- On Mauna Loa Road (ccasionally referred to as “The Strip Road”)
- On Highway 11
- At Kīlauea Military Camp (on paved roads, parking areas, and at the picnic area)
Pets are unfortunately prohibited in all of the undeveloped areas of the park, including all designated wilderness and all front-country/backcountry trails.
If you are planning on taking your doggo with you, they will have the highly coveted honor of becoming a bark ranger of the Hawai’i Volcano National Park if their two-legged human friend stops by the Kīlauea Visitor Center with them.
Before You Go, You Gotta Know
Hawai’i Volcano National Park is generally on the rainier side of Big Island, so come prepared for precipitation. Even if the weather looks nice, it won’t hurt to throw a light rain jacket in your pack.
The weather can change in the blink of an eye. Pouring one minute and scorching hot the next. Be sure to wear sunscreen! If your fair-skinned, sunnies and a hat will be your friend.
You don’t need hiking boots to wander around, but you will want sturdy shoes. Especially if you plan to go on any longer hikes!
Expect limited parking. Many parking lots are full after 10 a.m. If there are active eruptions going on, this will only make the park more popular.
Speaking of eruptions, if you opt for some late afternoon hiking, consider sticking around until after dark. The park is gorgeous during the day, but the volcano takes on a whole new dimension of beauty, watching it erupt at night.
Hawai’i Volcano National Park Entrance Fees & Passes
| Pass Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single Vehicle Fee (Grants unlimited entry for one vehicle for 7 consecutive days— aka keep your receipt if you plan to come back!) | $30 |
| Single Pedestrian or Bicycle (Grants unlimited entry for 7 consecutive days) | $15 |
| Single Motorcycle (Grants unlimited entry for 7 consecutive days) | $25 |
| Hawai’i Tri-Park Annual Pass Can also be used at Haleakalā National Park and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. (unlimited entry for one year to pass owner and passengers in the same car) | $55 |
| America The Beautiful Annual Pass (entry into all National Parks) | $80 |
| America The Beautiful Annual Military Pass (see if you qualify here) | $0 |
Onto Your Next Great Adventure
If you loved the volcanic landscape in the Hawai’i National Volcano Park, Mauna Kea is the next must visit stop on your Big Island road trip (our action-packed one week itinerary here). Big Island is comprised of six volcanoes, but Mauna Kea is both a volcano as well as the tallest mountain on Earth. Definitely worth checking out!
Note: To the best of our knowledge we tried to spell all Hawaiian names correctly, with their intended diacritics. We apologize for any slight inconsistencies or incorrect spellings.
written by McKenna
If you look up diva in the dictionary, you will find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FSU, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear and running her small group through church. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and tries to go surfing in every new beach town she visits.
3 replies on “A Full Day of Fun at the Hawai’i Volcano National Park”
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