Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

One of the world's most accessible active volcanic regions where you can see Kīlauea and explore crater landscapes. The park offers trails through native forests, steam vents, and ancient lava tubes.

Things to do

• Crater Rim Trail — Hike this scenic 11-mile loop around Kīlauea Caldera with stunning views of the volcanic crater and native ʻōhiʻa forest.
• Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku) — Walk through a 500-year-old tunnel carved by flowing lava, surrounded by lush native fern forest and native birds.
• Chain of Craters Road — Drive this dramatic 19-mile scenic descent past numerous volcanic craters, cinder cones, and coastal overlooks ending at the ocean.
• Kīlauea Iki Crater Trail — Descend 400 feet into this steaming crater and walk across the crater floor to steam vents on a 4-mile round-trip hike.
• Crater Rim Overlook — Stand at this accessible viewpoint for panoramic views of Kīlauea Caldera's massive volcanic landscape.
• Spatter Rampart Trail — Trek through native forest to explore volcanic formations and learn about the geology of Kīlauea's eruption history.
• Volcano House Historic Hotel — Visit this 150-year-old lodge overlooking the crater for dining, cultural exhibits, and a sense of early volcanic tourism history.

Food to try

• Plate lunch with kalua pork — A local Hawaiian staple featuring slow-roasted pork served with rice and macaroni salad, widely available in nearby Volcano village.
• Poke bowls — Fresh raw ahi tuna marinated in soy and sesame oil, typically served over rice at local restaurants near the park entrance.
• Spam musubi — A popular local snack combining fried Spam wrapped in rice and seaweed, reflecting Hawaii's unique food culture.
• Native Hawaiian fruits (guava, passion fruit) — Seasonal local fruits grown in the volcanic soil around the park, offering authentic tropical flavors when available at local stands.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Hawaiian sacred sites — The volcano is sacred to Native Hawaiians as the home of Pele, the volcano goddess; stay on marked trails and never remove rocks or lava.
• Learn Hawaiian pronunciation — Pronounce place names correctly (Kīlauea, Pele, ʻōhiʻa) to show respect for the culture and geography you are experiencing.
• High elevation weather changes — The park sits at 4,000 feet elevation with unpredictable fog and sudden weather shifts; bring layers and be prepared for rapid conditions.
• Volcanic air (vog) awareness — Sulfur dioxide emissions from Kīlauea can create hazy conditions that may affect those with respiratory sensitivity; check current conditions before visiting.

Nearby

• Big Island (Hawaiʻi) — 42 km
• Kailua-Kona — 78 km
• Haleakalā National Park — 179 km
• Maui — 189 km