Things to do nearKīlauea
Kīlauea, on Hawaiʻi Island, is one of the world's most active volcanoes, drawing visitors with its glowing lava flows, volcanic craters, and ancient Hawaiian cultural heritage.
Kīlauea has been erupting almost continuously for decades, making it one of the most studied and visited volcanoes in the world. Native Hawaiians regard it as the home of Pele, the goddess of fire, and the landscape carries deep spiritual meaning for the Hawaiian people.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park surrounds Kīlauea and offers more than 150 miles of hiking trails. The Kīlauea Iki Trail takes you across a cooled lava lake, while the Devastation Trail crosses a cinder field left by a 1959 eruption. The Thurston Lava Tube, a naturally formed tunnel of hardened lava, is a short walk through dense fern forest.
The park's Volcano Village nearby has small restaurants and lodges where visitors can rest between explorations. Rangers lead guided walks and evening programs that explain the geology and cultural history of the region in accessible terms.
Kīlauea rewards curiosity and patience. Its ever-changing surface, where new land is still being formed, makes it unlike any other destination in the United States and well worth the journey to the Big Island.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Kīlauea
Visit the Jaggar Museum overlook area at dusk for the best views of any glow rising from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater after dark.
Wear closed-toe shoes with sturdy soles, as lava rock surfaces are sharp and uneven on nearly every trail.
Check the National Park Service air quality advisories before your visit, since volcanic smog, called vog, can affect conditions on the ground.
Walk the Kīlauea Iki Trail to descend into a solidified lava lake and experience the crater floor up close.
Arrive early in the morning to beat tour groups and enjoy quieter moments along the Crater Rim Drive stops.
Top tours & experiences near Kīlauea
Kona Coast Helicopter Tour & Kona Joe Coffee Visit
Fly the Kona coast and land at Kona Joe’s Coffee for a roastery tour
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 on a 12-Hour Tour
Tour Kona coffee country, Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
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
Fly on a Private 2-Hour Big Island Helicopter Tour
Fly over Kilauea and Big Island waterfalls on a private 2-hour helicopter tour
Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Coffee Guided Tour on Big Island
See volcanoes, waterfalls, and coffee in a small group
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Kīlauea Guided Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes, local history, and island flavors on a guided Big Island day out
Guided Big Island Black Sand Beach & Volcanoes Tour
Black sand, volcanic landscapes and Hilo sights in one day
ʻAkaka Falls & Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Guided Tour
Explore ʻAkaka Falls, volcano landscapes, and historic Hilo in one day
4-Hour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Guided Tour
Explore Hawaiʻi Island’s volcanic landscapes with local cultural insight
Guided Multigenerational Volcano Walk in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Share Hawaiʻi's volcanic landscapes across generations
Guided 4-Mile Hike in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Steam vents, rainforest trails, and caldera views with a private guide
Big Island Full-Day Guided Circle Tour
Circle Hawaiʻi Island with a naturalist guide, from volcanoes and black sand to waterfalls and Waimea
Hilo Volcanoes & Waterfalls Guided Tour
Explore black sand shores, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes with a naturalist guide