Things to do nearHawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, on the Big Island of Hawaii, draws visitors with active lava flows, ancient craters, and otherworldly volcanic landscapes.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was established in 1916 and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, honoring its outstanding geological and biological significance. The park sits atop two of the world's most active shield volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, both of which have shaped the landscape of the Big Island for hundreds of thousands of years through continuous eruption cycles. Kīlauea has been erupting in various forms for decades, and the ever-shifting activity means no two visits are alike.
Crater Rim Drive loops around the summit caldera, passing steam vents, sulfur banks, and overlooks that frame the vast Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The Chain of Craters Road descends more than 3,700 feet from the summit to the coast, crossing miles of hardened lava flows and offering views of pit craters formed by ancient collapses. The Thurston Lava Tube, a naturally formed tunnel carved by flowing lava, lets visitors walk through the hollow interior of a volcanic system.
Beyond geology, the park shelters rare native Hawaiian ecosystems, including ʻōhiʻa lehua forests and habitat for endangered birds such as the nēnē, the Hawaiian state bird. The Kīlauea Visitor Center provides context through exhibits on Hawaiian geology and indigenous cultural connections to the land, including the significance of Pele, the volcano deity central to Native Hawaiian tradition. The surrounding community of Volcano Village offers small restaurants and lodges for those who want to linger.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a place that reminds visitors, quietly and unmistakably, that the islands beneath their feet are still being made.
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Chance of rainTips for visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Visit the Jaggar Museum overlook area at night to watch the glow of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater against the dark sky, a sight most striking on moonless evenings.
Bring a headlamp and sturdy closed-toe shoes if you plan to walk any lava tube trails, including the Thurston Lava Tube, where the path can be uneven and dimly lit.
Arrive at the park early in the morning to beat afternoon clouds that can obscure crater views along Crater Rim Drive.
Stop at the Kahuku Unit on the park's southern boundary for a quieter hiking experience through ranching history and native vegetation far from the main crowds.
Pick up a free paper map at the Kīlauea Visitor Center and check the daily ranger talk schedule, as conditions and accessible areas change frequently due to volcanic activity.
Top tours & experiences near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Geologist-Led Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour from Kona
Explore lava landscapes, crater roads, and a lava tube with a geologist guide
Deep Ocean Cold Water Mineral Foot Soak in Kona
Cool down with a 20-minute deep ocean water foot soak
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Hilo Waterfalls Day Tour
Explore the Big Island’s volcanic landscapes and coast with a local perspective
Hawaiian Cacao Farm Tour with 12-Course Tasting
Discover cacao from tree to bar and enjoy a 12-course estate chocolate tasting
Private Big Game Fishing Charter in Kailua-Kona
Fish offshore on Sea Baby III with a 6-passenger private charter
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Stargazing Tour from Kona
Discover Big Island geology, local flavors, and night-sky views with a local guide
Guided Full-Day Tour of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
See volcanoes, black-sand beaches and waterfalls with meals and park entry included
Working Farm ATV Tour near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Ride farm trails, pick seasonal fruit, and learn from local guides
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Chocolate Farm Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes, a cacao farm, and a waterfall-side chocolate tasting
Kealakekua Bay Kayak & Snorkel Tour to Captain Cook Monument
Paddle calm Kealakekua Bay at dawn and snorkel pristine reefs with a certified local guide.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Lava Tube Tour
Private naturalist-guided exploration with a personalized Big Island volcano route
Geologist-Led Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Day Tour
Trace lava landscapes, black-sand shores and caldera views on an island-wide guided outing
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour
Set your own pace on a private island tour of volcanoes, viewpoints, and local history
Big Island Volcano & Helicopter Day Trip from Oahu
Discover Hawai‘i’s volcanic landscapes from the ground and the air
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Hilo Day Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes, island history, and East Hawaiʻi scenery
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Evening Tour from Kona
Tour Kona coffee country, Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kīlauea Guided Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes, local history, and island flavors on a guided Big Island day out
Big Island Circle Tour to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
See diverse island landscapes, waterfalls, volcanoes, and valleys in one guided day
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour With Dinner
Explore Big Island volcano highlights with lunch, snacks, and a 3-course dinner
Big Island Coffee Farm Tour With Tree Planting
Trace Hawaiian coffee from the fields to the roastery
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Chocolate & Waterfalls Tour
Explore Kīlauea, sample local chocolate, and visit a waterfall
Kealakekua Bay Midday Kayak & Snorkel Tour, Big Island
Paddle and snorkel Kealakekua Bay with a certified guide—check in at 11:30am
Big Island Full-Day Guided Circle Tour
Circle Hawaiʻi Island with a naturalist guide, from volcanoes and black sand to waterfalls and Waimea