Without a doubt, Hawai’i is a dream destination for most Americans. Even native Hawaiians love island hopping and exploring the breathtaking treasures that lie in their own backyards. If you’re visiting the Big Island, exploring Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a must. This unique park offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, pockets of rare flora and fauna, and a glimpse of traditional Hawaiian culture.
This 523-square-mile park contains some of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders, not to mention the two active volcanoes. This place is downright otherworldly.
You’ll find Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, about 30 miles southwest of Hilo International Airport on the island’s southeastern shore.
Matt Anderson Photography via Getty Images
The park encompasses two active volcanoes, which means you’ll see some seriously dramatic landscapes.
Art Wolfe via Getty Images There’s Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest shield volcano.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was known as Hawai’i National Park when it was founded in 1916. In 1961, it was established under its current name.
Rebecca L. Latson via Getty Images It is now one of Hawaii’s top destinations, often welcoming between one and two million visitors each year.
To see some of the best scenery by car, you’ll have the choice of two roads.
Westend61 via Getty Images
Chain of Craters Road is an 18-mile stretch of winding road that is known for being especially scenic.
CampPhoto/iStock via Getty Images You’ll go from 4,000 feet elevation to sea level, see hardened lava flows, petroglyphs, craters, and possibly even flowing lava.
At the end of Chain of Craters Road, you’ll reach the scenic Hōlei Sea Arch.
ferrantraite/E+ via Getty Images Please note that this road is occasionally obstructed and closed during active lava flows.
Of course, you can also explore on foot - this park has plenty of inviting hiking trails to choose from.
MNStudio/iStock via Getty Images The Halema’uma’u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks Trail is a popular pick, a 1.5-mile, family-friendly trail where steam can often be seen rising from cracks in the ground.
The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a popular option, as it descends to the surface of a solidified lava lake in the Kīlauea Iki crater.
Peter Unger via Getty Images The transition from lush, tropical rainforest into the rocky, barren landscape is stark and feels almost otherworldly.
Though it occasionally closes due to current conditions, the Thurston Lava Tube is an enchanting wonder.
Robert Holmes/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images Also known as Nāhuku, this 500-year-old lava cave sits at the end of a short, easy day hike.
Once upon a time, a river of 2,000-degree lava flowed right through this area.
Susanne Michaela Huss/iStock via Getty Images When the lava tube is open, it is lit from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and available to explore at your own risk.
Another point of interest, especially for history buffs, is the Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs Trail.
Manuel ROMARIS via Getty Images Pu’u Loa, which means “long hill” or “hill of long life,” is a sacred place to the Hawaiian people. The largest group of Hawaiian petroglyphs can be found here, dated to 1200-1450 A.D. There are an estimated 23,000 petroglyphs at this site.
If you plan to visit Halemaʻumaʻu Crater - and you absolutely should - go at dusk or at night.
ferrantraite/E+ via Getty Images This pit crater sits within the much larger Kīlauea Caldera and is one dazzling highlight.
The nighttime glow of the lava is captivating - and this is also the ultimate spot for stargazing.
Howard Ignatius / Flickr
Spending the night? Book a stay at the Volcano House.
Volcano House / Facebook Perched on the edge of Kīlauea caldera with breathtaking views of the park, this property - which dates back to 1846 - has 33 historic guest rooms.
There are also two main campsites in the park: Nāmakanipaio Campground and Kulanaokuaiki Campground. As you can imagine, you’ll want to book your spot at either campsite (or the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio) well in advance.
It isn’t every day that you can watch lava flow right into the ocean…
35007/E+ via Getty Images
…and new land being created right before your eyes.
Cameron Crisafio/iStock via Getty Images Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is truly a remarkable place.
Ready to visit? The extraordinary natural diversity of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will win you over in no time.
Matt Anderson Photography via Getty Images
Art Wolfe via Getty Images
There’s Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest shield volcano.
Rebecca L. Latson via Getty Images
It is now one of Hawaii’s top destinations, often welcoming between one and two million visitors each year.
Westend61 via Getty Images
CampPhoto/iStock via Getty Images
You’ll go from 4,000 feet elevation to sea level, see hardened lava flows, petroglyphs, craters, and possibly even flowing lava.
ferrantraite/E+ via Getty Images
Please note that this road is occasionally obstructed and closed during active lava flows.
MNStudio/iStock via Getty Images
The Halema’uma’u Steam Bluff and Sulfur Banks Trail is a popular pick, a 1.5-mile, family-friendly trail where steam can often be seen rising from cracks in the ground.
Peter Unger via Getty Images
The transition from lush, tropical rainforest into the rocky, barren landscape is stark and feels almost otherworldly.
Robert Holmes/Corbis Documentary via Getty Images
Also known as Nāhuku, this 500-year-old lava cave sits at the end of a short, easy day hike.
Susanne Michaela Huss/iStock via Getty Images
When the lava tube is open, it is lit from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and available to explore at your own risk.
Manuel ROMARIS via Getty Images
Pu’u Loa, which means “long hill” or “hill of long life,” is a sacred place to the Hawaiian people. The largest group of Hawaiian petroglyphs can be found here, dated to 1200-1450 A.D. There are an estimated 23,000 petroglyphs at this site.
This pit crater sits within the much larger Kīlauea Caldera and is one dazzling highlight.
Howard Ignatius / Flickr
Volcano House / Facebook
Perched on the edge of Kīlauea caldera with breathtaking views of the park, this property - which dates back to 1846 - has 33 historic guest rooms.
There are also two main campsites in the park: Nāmakanipaio Campground and Kulanaokuaiki Campground. As you can imagine, you’ll want to book your spot at either campsite (or the A-frame cabins at Nāmakanipaio) well in advance.
35007/E+ via Getty Images
Cameron Crisafio/iStock via Getty Images
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is truly a remarkable place.
General Information:
Accessibility: Park staff and partners are working hard to correct and resolve accessibility deficiencies throughout the park. From designing and building new facilities to the rehabilitation of older structures, improving accessibility is a top priority. The Kīlauea Visitor Center, Volcano House, and Volcano Art Center are wheelchair accessible, as is most of the Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) Trail. The short gravel trail from the Steam Vents parking lot to the Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu) also has access for wheelchairs, which may be available for use at the Kīlauea Visitor Center.
Pet-Friendly: Dogs are allowed in some parts of the park. For a list of pet-friendly spots and rules, check this page.
Parking: Kīlauea Visitor Center Parking is used to access the visitor center, Volcano House Hotel, Volcano Art Center Gallery, and various trails. There are numerous other parking lots throughout the park, but during peak visiting season, they fill up very quickly. You can plan in advance by checking each lot’s busy times here.
Seasonal Access: The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as all holidays. The Kīlauea Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. but may be closed on some major holidays.
Cost: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park charges $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, and $15 per pedestrian or bicycle. Each entrance fee is good for 7 days.
Feeling inspired to fill your Bucket List? Check out our previous features of Hoh Rain Forest in Washington, Maroon Bells in Colorado, and Letchworth State Park in New York, then subscribe to our weekly Bucket List newsletter to discover new destinations across the country that definitely deserve a visit.
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Address: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA
