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.
7-day forecast
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
Snorkel Kealakekua & Honaunau Bays From Kona
Snorkel two Kona favorites in one 4-hour trip
Kona Morning Dive with Valet Service & 2 Tanks
Explore Kona’s vibrant reefs on a guided two-tank dive with valet service.
2-Tank Night Manta Ray Dive in Kailua-Kona
Experience Kona’s legendary manta rays on an exhilarating two-tank night dive.
Morning Kealakekua Bay Kayak & Snorkel Tour
Paddle calm Kealakekua Bay at dawn and snorkel pristine reefs with a certified local guide.
Guided Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Kealakekua Bay
Paddle and snorkel Kealakekua Bay with a certified guide—check in at 11:30am
Snorkel & Dolphin Watch Cruise in Kailua-Kona
Snorkel Kona reefs with a speedboat ride and BBQ lunch onboard
Guided Beach Night Dive for Certified Divers
Experience Hawaii Island's vibrant marine life on a guided night dive for certified adventurers
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Twilight Tour & Stargazing
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at twilight, then stargaze near Mauna Kea
Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kailua-Kona
Night snorkel with Kona manta rays in a small group
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Cruise From Kailua-Kona
Snorkel Kealakekua Bay with gear, snacks, and drinks included
Night Dive Over 4,000ft Depths in Kona
Witness rare pelagic creatures as you drift over 4,000-ft depths on this advanced night dive.
Deep Sea Big Game Fishing Charter in Hilo
Fish offshore Hilo on a private charter with a local captain
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Day Tour
See Big Island highlights, from black sand beaches to volcano park stops
Mauna Kea Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour From Hilo
Watch sunset from Mauna Kea Summit and stargaze with a professional telescope
Honomu Zipline: 7 Lines & Waterfall Views
Fly across seven thrilling lines, including a 450-foot ravine, while guides share Hawaii’s nature and culture.
Guided Kona Salt Farm Tour With Salt Tasting
See how Kona sea salt is made and sample pure, smoked, and flavored salts
Kona Cloud Forest Hike with Expert Guide
Explore Kona's unique cloud forest with an expert guide and immerse yourself in vibrant tropical flora and bird songs.
Sound Bath Meditation in Kona Cloud Forest
Immerse yourself in healing crystal bowl vibrations amid a serene cloud forest
Hilo Humpback Whale Watching Cruise
Cruise the Hilo coast in search of humpback whales (seasonal)
Deep Ocean Cold Water Mineral Foot Soak in Kona
Cool down with a 20-minute deep ocean water foot soak
Hawaii Island Waterfall Tour with Lunch & Guide
Explore lush waterfalls, gardens, and local flavors with included meals and expert guides.
Kona Ghost Walk with Real Paranormal Equipment
Uncover Kona's eerie legends and historical haunts on a guided nighttime walk with paranormal gear.
Kona Coast Helicopter Tour & Kona Joe Coffee Visit
Fly the Kona coast and land at Kona Joe’s Coffee for a roastery tour
Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Kona
Fish offshore on Sea Baby III with a 6-passenger private charter
Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour
Catch sunset from the Mauna Kea summit, then stargaze with a guided telescope
Hawaiian Cacao Farm Tour with 12-Course Tasting
Discover cacao from tree to bar and enjoy a 12-course estate chocolate tasting
Guided E-Bike Tour in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Ride an e-bike along Kīlauea’s crater rim in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Private Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Guided Tour
Explore Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with your own certified private guide
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Chocolate
Tour Kīlauea and taste local chocolate by a waterfall
Guided Big Island Grand Circle Tour
Circle the Big Island in a day with waterfalls, Waipio Valley, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
8-Hour Fat Tire E-Bike Tour of Kalapana & Volcanoes
Ride Kalapana lava landscapes and explore Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park by e-bike
Explore Kilauea Summit-to-Shore Guided Tour From Kona
See Kilauea from summit to shore on an 8-hour shared day tour
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Chocolate Tasting
Tour Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, then visit a cacao farm and waterfall tasting
Hike Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Volcano Trails
Hike Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide and explore a private lava tube
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Half-Day Tour
Ride in comfort from North Hawai‘i resorts to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Explore Big Island Waterfalls on a Private Guided Tour
Private Big Island day tour with waterfalls, gardens, and local food
Tour Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park With Dinner
Visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and end with a three-course dinner
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Private Tour
Private full-day Big Island tour with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and meals included
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour With Dinner
Explore Big Island volcano highlights with lunch, snacks, and a 3-course dinner
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Shuttle Tour
Ride in comfort from North Hawaiʻi to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in half a day
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on a 12-Hour Tour
Tour Kona coffee country, Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on a 12-Hour Tour
Spend 12 hours exploring Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park plus Kona coffee and a black sand beach
7-Hour Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour From Hilo
Explore Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide from Hilo
Explore Big Island on an 11-Hour Circle Island Tour
Circle the Big Island in a day with coffee, black sand beach, and Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on a 11-Hour Tour
Circle the Big Island in a day, with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and coffee country
Hike Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park From Hilo
Hike Kīlauea Caldera and lava tubes with lunch and dinner included
Guided Kilauea Hike In Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hike Kilauea lava flows and explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with lunch included
Full-Day Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Guided Hike
Hike Kīlauea’s 1881–2018 lava flows with lunch and dinner included
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Guided Tour From Kona
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with a geologist, plus Chain of Craters Road
Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Coffee Guided Tour on Big Island
See volcanoes, waterfalls, and coffee in a small group
Explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes & Waterfalls on a Private Tour
Tour Kīlauea, Akaka Falls, and Punaluʻu with a private guide