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
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour from Kona
Customize a private island adventure with volcanic landscapes, coastal walks, and lunch
11-Hour Private Tour of the Big Island
Customize a private day of waterfalls, Hilo, and volcano landscapes
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Day Trip from Maui
Explore volcanic landscapes with an expert guide and included interisland flights
Full-Day Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Hilo Tour
Explore volcano landscapes and Hilo sights at your group’s own pace
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
Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour
Catch sunset from the Mauna Kea summit, then stargaze with a guided telescope
Kīlauea Sunrise Cultural Hike & Portraits
Go beyond the crater views with Hawaiian storytelling and personal portraits
Slingshot Rental to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Drive a navigation-equipped Slingshot through Big Island sights
Certified Night Shore Dive in Hilo
Experience Hawaii Island's vibrant marine life on a guided night dive for certified adventurers
Private Hilo Shore Excursion to Volcanoes National Park
Explore Hawaii’s volcanic landscapes and local culture with a private guide
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Rainbow Falls Day Tour
See the Big Island through a local lens
Big Island Volcanoes & Waterfalls Guided Tour
Pair rainforest waterfalls with a guided journey through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Hilo Highlights Tour
Explore lava landscapes and Hilo's coast with a certified local guide
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park After-Dark Tour
Explore waterfalls, black-sand shores, and volcanic landscapes after sunset
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Day Trip from Oahu
Discover the forces and legends behind Hawai‘i’s volcanic landscapes
4-Hour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Guided Tour
Explore Hawaiʻi Island’s volcanic landscapes with local cultural insight
Evening Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Explore Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with a certified guide from Hilo
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park 8-Mile Guided Hike
Explore volcanic landscapes with an expert guide, lunch, snacks and gear included
Guided Big Island Black Sand Beach & Volcanoes Tour
Black sand, volcanic landscapes and Hilo sights in one day
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park & Waterfalls Tour
Shape a private Big Island day around volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee, and black sand
Private Big Game Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Hilo
Fish offshore Hilo on a private charter with a local captain
Hilo Shore Excursion to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Explore volcanic landscapes with an experienced Hilo guide
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Cultural Tour from Hilo
See Hawaiʻi’s volcanic landscape through local stories and cultural insight
6-Hour Guided Tour of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Explore volcanic landscapes with a private naturalist guide and a route shaped around your interests