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
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Shore Excursion from Hilo
Focus on Kīlauea, not the logistics
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour
Customize a private East Hawaiʻi day of waterfalls, lava caves, and Hilo
Private Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour from Kona
A private Big Island journey shaped around your interests
Kona Ghost Walk with Real Paranormal Equipment
Uncover Kona's eerie legends and historical haunts on a guided nighttime walk with paranormal gear.
Big Island Circle Tour to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Circle the Big Island in a day with coffee, black sand beach, and Volcanoes National Park
Guided Steam Vent Hike in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Explore rainforest, steam vents, and Kīlauea caldera with an expert guide
Private Custom Big Island Tour from Hilo
Create a guided Big Island itinerary around the places that interest you most
2018 Eruption Fissure 8 Summit Hike in Pahoa
Discover the story of the 2018 eruption through an eyewitness perspective
Private Big Island Circle Tour with Japanese-Speaking Guide
Explore the Big Island with the comfort of a private driving tour
Private Hilo Shore Excursion to Volcanoes National Park
Take the scenic route to lava fields, waterfalls, and lush jungle
Private Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Day Tour from Kona
Discover Hawaii's volcanic landscape with your own private guide
Hilo Volcanoes & Waterfalls Guided Tour
Explore black sand shores, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes with a naturalist guide
Farm-to-Cup Coffee Tour Near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Get hands-on with Hawaiian coffee, right where it grows
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Private Tour
Shape a private Big Island day around volcanic landscapes, scenic stops, and local insight
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Stargazing Tour from Kona
Discover Hawai‘i Island from ocean views to stars, with all meals included
8-Hour Volcano Hike in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Follow Kīlauea trails from a lava tube to an evening overlook
Big Island Circle Tour to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Circle the Big Island in a day, with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and coffee country
Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Cross a 1959 lava lake and explore a lava tube with an expert guide
ʻAkaka Falls & Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Explore ʻAkaka Falls, volcano landscapes, and historic Hilo in one day
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Discover volcanic landscapes and Hilo’s coast with a guide just for your group
Private Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Naturalist Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes with a naturalist guide and stops tailored to your interests
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Hiking Tour
Hike volcanic landscapes, ancient footprints, and Big Island landmarks
Full-Day Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Discover Hilo’s lush landscapes and the volcanic terrain of Kīlauea
Hike Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park From Hilo
Hike Kīlauea Caldera and lava tubes with lunch and dinner included