Things to do nearMauna Loa
Mauna Loa, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the world's largest active volcano, drawing visitors with its raw volcanic landscapes, dramatic lava fields, and profound geological history.
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth by volume and covers more than half of the Big Island of Hawaii. It has been erupting for hundreds of thousands of years, and its most recent significant eruption occurred in 2022, adding new layers of lava to a landscape already shaped by countless flows. The volcano sits within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its geological story is inseparable from the formation of the Hawaiian Islands themselves.
Visitors exploring Mauna Loa encounter a terrain unlike almost anywhere else in the United States. The Mauna Loa Road leads through progressively older lava fields and native vegetation zones, offering a visible record of successive eruptions. At higher elevations, the landscape becomes spare and otherworldly, with ropy pahoehoe and jagged aa lava textures side by side. The summit caldera, Mokuaweoweo, is one of the largest in the world and rewards the multi-day hike required to reach it.
The trails on Mauna Loa are strenuous and high-altitude, making physical preparation important. The Observatory Trail and the summit route attract experienced hikers who come specifically for the challenge and the extraordinary views across the Pacific. Backcountry cabins along the summit trail are available by permit, allowing overnight stays in one of the most remote and elemental settings in Hawaii.
Mauna Loa represents a rare opportunity to stand on living geology and understand, in a direct and sensory way, how volcanic islands are born and grow. It is a place that rewards patience, preparation, and genuine curiosity about the natural world.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Mauna Loa
Visit during the dry season, roughly April through September, when summit trails are more accessible and skies are clearer for viewing the volcanic landscape.
Bring warm, layered clothing even if temperatures at sea level are hot, as conditions near the summit can drop sharply and winds are often strong.
Start any hike early in the morning to avoid afternoon cloud cover that frequently rolls in and obscures views across the caldera and surrounding lava fields.
Stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before heading toward Mauna Loa, as rangers can provide current trail conditions and safety information.
Carry more water than you think you need, as the high-altitude terrain is dry and exposed, and there are no reliable water sources along most of the upper trails.
Top tours & experiences near Mauna Loa
Big Island Private Waterfall Swim Tour
A guided day of rainforest trails, island legends, and a private waterfall swim
3-Hour Snorkel Cruise in Waikoloa
Sail, snorkel and enjoy lunch aboard a spacious catamaran
Big Island Volcanoes & Waterfalls Guided Tour
Pair rainforest waterfalls with a guided journey through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park After-Dark Tour
Explore waterfalls, black-sand shores, and volcanic landscapes after sunset
Kona Big 5 Marine Life Snorkeling Cruise
Search offshore waters and snorkel Kona's reef habitats
2-Hour Mauna Kea Guided Stargazing Tour
Deep-space views and included night-sky portraits with expert guides
Mauna Kea Solar Viewing & Stargazing Tour From Hilo
Solar viewing by day, stargazing by night on Maunakea from Hilo
Guided Hilo Bay Kayak Tour to Coconut Island
Paddle Hilo Bay with a local guide and visit Coconut Island
Guided Big Island Black Sand Beach & Volcanoes Tour
Black sand, volcanic landscapes and Hilo sights in one day
Mauna Kea UFO Night Sky Tour
Explore Hawaii’s night sky with night vision and satellite tracking
Kohala Coast Sunset Cruise
A relaxed luxury powerboat evening with refreshments, comfort, and small-group service
Private Big Island Endemic Birdwatching Tour
Discover Hawaii's native birdlife with an expert naturalist
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Evening Tour from Kona
Tour Kona coffee country, Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Cruise Hilo Coast Waterfalls & Sea Cliffs
Sightseeing cruise with waterfalls, sea cliffs, and Hilo history
Private Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Naturalist Tour
Explore volcanic landscapes with a naturalist guide and stops tailored to your interests
ʻAkaka Falls & Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Explore ʻAkaka Falls, volcano landscapes, and historic Hilo in one day
Explore Kilauea Summit-to-Shore Guided Tour From Kona
See Kilauea from summit to shore on an 8-hour shared day tour
Private Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour From Waikoloa
Explore volcanic landscapes at your family's pace
Mauna Kea Solar Viewing & Stargazing Tour From Kona
See the sun by solar telescope, then stargaze on Mauna Kea in 6 hours
Sunset Cruise in Hilo Bay
Cruise Hilo Bay at sunset with time to swim and bring your own drinks
Fissure 8 & Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Tour from Hilo
Walk the 2018 lava landscape and explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
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
Hamakua Coast Waterfall & History Cruise from Hilo
Explore a remote shoreline where waterfalls drop straight into the sea
Big Island Circle Tour to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Circle the Big Island in a day, with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and coffee country