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.
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.
Paddle calm Kealakekua Bay at dawn and snorkel pristine reefs with a certified local guide.
Paddle and snorkel Kealakekua Bay with a certified guide—check in at 11:30am
Experience Hawaii Island's vibrant marine life on a guided night dive for certified adventurers
Discover Big Island geology, local flavors, and night-sky views with a local guide
Fish offshore Hilo on a private charter with a local captain
See volcanoes, black-sand beaches and waterfalls with meals and park entry included
Cruise the Hilo coast in search of humpback whales (seasonal)
Cool down with a 20-minute deep ocean water foot soak
Explore lush waterfalls, gardens, and local flavors with included meals and expert guides.
Uncover Kona's eerie legends and historical haunts on a guided nighttime walk with paranormal gear.
Fly the Kona coast and land at Kona Joe’s Coffee for a roastery tour
Fish offshore on Sea Baby III with a 6-passenger private charter
Catch sunset from the Mauna Kea summit, then stargaze with a guided telescope
Discover cacao from tree to bar and enjoy a 12-course estate chocolate tasting
Explore Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with your own certified private guide
Explore volcanic landscapes, a cacao farm, and a waterfall-side chocolate tasting
See diverse island landscapes, waterfalls, volcanoes, and valleys in one guided day
See Kilauea from summit to shore on an 8-hour shared day tour
Explore Kīlauea, sample local chocolate, and visit a waterfall
Hike volcanic landscapes with a naturalist guide in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Luxury small-group volcano sightseeing with lunch from North Hawaiʻi resorts
Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and end with a three-course dinner
Private full-day Big Island tour with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and meals included
Explore Big Island volcano highlights with lunch, snacks, and a 3-course dinner
Ride in comfort from North Hawaiʻi to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in half a day
Tour Kona coffee country, Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Spend 12 hours exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park plus Kona coffee and a black sand beach
Explore Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide from Hilo
Circle the Big Island in a day with coffee, black sand beach, and Volcanoes National Park
Circle the Big Island in a day, with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and coffee country
Hike Kīlauea Caldera and lava tubes with lunch and dinner included
Hike Kilauea lava flows and explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with lunch included
Hike Kīlauea’s 1881–2018 lava flows with lunch and dinner included
Explore lava landscapes, crater roads, and a lava tube with a geologist guide
See volcanoes, waterfalls, and coffee in a small group
Shape a private Big Island day around volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee, and black sand
Trace lava landscapes, black-sand shores and caldera views on an island-wide guided outing
Ride farm trails, pick seasonal fruit, and learn from local guides
Trace Hawaiian coffee from the fields to the roastery
Explore volcanic landscapes, island history, and East Hawaiʻi scenery
Explore volcanic landscapes, local history, and island flavors on a guided Big Island day out
Drive a navigation-equipped Slingshot through Big Island sights
Explore volcanic landscapes with an expert guide, lunch, snacks and gear included
Explore rainforest, steam vents, and Kīlauea caldera with an expert guide
Black sand, volcanic landscapes and Hilo sights in one day
Create a guided Big Island itinerary around the places that interest you most
Explore ʻAkaka Falls, volcano landscapes, and historic Hilo in one day
Explore volcano landscapes and Hilo sights at your group’s own pace
Cross a 1959 lava lake and explore a lava tube with an expert guide
Explore Hawaiʻi Island’s volcanic landscapes with local cultural insight
Set your own pace on a private island tour of volcanoes, viewpoints, and local history
Walk the 2018 lava landscape and explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Follow Kīlauea trails from a lava tube to an evening overlook
Share Hawaiʻi's volcanic landscapes across generations
Cross a hardened lava lake and explore a lava tube with a private guide
Steam vents, rainforest trails, and caldera views with a private guide
Explore Kīlauea Iki Crater and Thurston Lava Tube with a private guide
Explore Hawaiʻi Island at your own pace with a narrated private tour
Customize a private day of waterfalls, Hilo, and volcano landscapes
Explore waterfalls, black-sand shores, and volcanic landscapes after sunset
Customize a private East Hawaiʻi day of waterfalls, lava caves, and Hilo
Shape a private Big Island day around volcanic landscapes, scenic stops, and local insight
Hike volcanic landscapes, ancient footprints, and Big Island landmarks
A private day of local flavors, island views, and flexible exploration
Customize a private island adventure with volcanic landscapes, coastal walks, and lunch