A trip to Volcanoes National Park allows you to see the product of Mother Nature’s handiwork work in real life. Home to the most active volcano in the world, you’ll walk across barren lava fields, see where wildlife is beginning to regrow following massive eruptions, and hike some of the world’s most unique terrain. This park is also home to a bounty of Hawaiian myths and legends and we’ll share these with you along the way.
This tour begins at the entrance of the park and is a one-way out and back drive. The trip has over 40 audio points and takes about 4-6 hours to complete. You’ll drive from the Visitor’s Center down Chain of Craters Road all the way to the ocean.
Please keep in mind that the 2018 Kilauea eruption resulted in closures and changes in parts of the park. Also, there are not many food or drink options in Volcanoes National Park aside from a water fountain and some snacks at the visitor’s center (peanuts) or a sit-down meal at The Rim, a restaurant located in Volcano House. Be sure to pack snacks and water for your visit. Also, the park has a $30 entrance fee per vehicle.
MORNING
This tour takes between 4-6 hours to complete, depending on how much hiking you’re looking to do. We recommend starting around 9:00 a.m. *See notes below about combining this tour with our South Island Epic Coastal Adventure.*
Visitor’s Center
Approximate time: 10-20 minutes
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority(HTA) / Tor Johnson
Stop here to ask a park ranger some questions, fill up your water bottle or use the restroom. If you didn’t bring a jacket, the gift shop at the Visitor’s Center usually has sweatshirts for sale. You might want to pick one up here as temperatures vary drastically across the park. Once you’re done, turn around and drive back the same way you came. The road to start the tour is just past the front entrance.
Note: The Visitor’s Center closes at 5:00 p.m.
Please note: The visitor’s center is currently closed due to Covid 19. There is a park ranger available to answer questions you may have.
Steam Vents
Approximate time: 5 minutes
Stop and stare at a cloud of steam formed from underground water meeting hot volcanic rock.
Kilauea Military Camp
Approximate time: 10 minutes
The Kilauea Military Camp dates back almost 100 years and offers accommodations near the park for military families. Although civilians can’t stay at the camp, the game room and cafe are open to the public if you need to make a pit stop.
Kilauea Lookout
Approximate time: 15 minutes
Perhaps you heard about the 2018 Kilauea eruption that destroyed homes and roads and closed down parts of the park? Well, prior to the eruption, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater (which is part of Kilauea) was filled with lava. At night, you could see an orange glow emanating from the crater below. Now, there’s a small lava lake at the bottom of the crater.
Sulphur Banks Hike
Approximate time: 30 minutes
This 1.2-mile hike (roundtrip) is actually a leisurely walk along a paved path where you’ll see more steam rising from the ground.
Kilauea Iki Overlook
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Here you can get a wonderful aerial view of the Kilauea Iki Crater. Continue down the road to see Thurston Lava Tube and to get to the shorter hike to Kilauea Iki Crater.
Thurston Lava Tube
Approximate time: 20 minutes
This magnificent natural landmark is one of the most popular spots at the national park. There is a well-maintained trail that takes you inside a 600-foot lava tube and through a lush rainforest.
Pro tip! You also can park at Kilauea Iki Overlook and walk over to the start of the hike if parking is full and you don’t mind a short walk.
Kilauea Iki Crater Trail
Approximate time: 1 hour
Kilauea Iki Overlook
The Kïlauea Iki Trail is technically a 4-mile hike that takes you along the rim of Kīlauea Iki and down to the crater floor. Because we know you’re pressed for time on your trip, we’ve got a great short cut for you! Just across the street from Thurston Lava Tube is a short trail to the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater -- feel the pulse of this magnificent volcano from the still-steaming crater floor. This shortcut takes about one hour to complete. Please know, there is a steep decline through the forest into the crater. Once you get to the crater floor, snap as many photos as you’d like, then work your way back up to the parking area the same way you came.
Pro tip! You also can park at Kilauea Iki Overlook and walk over to the start of the hike if parking is full and you don’t mind a short walk.
Devastation Trail
Approximate time: 30 minutes
You’ll feel like you’re on Mars as you take in the terrain on your walk along Devastation Trail. This one-mile trail takes you along the path of a destructive and explosive eruption dating back to 1959. Along the way you’ll see spots where life is beginning to regrow and find a large barren lava mound called the Pu’u Pu’ahi Cinder Cone -- a perfect example of how mother nature forms new mountains.
Puhimau Crater
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Does seeing the views of massive volcanic craters ever get old? We didn’t think so! Chain of Craters Road got its name from the handful of massive craters with viewpoints along the road. This crater was likely formed around 1500-1800 AD. It’s a gigantic pit crater and in our opinion, it’s one of the best views on the tour. What’s a pit crater you ask? It’s when … collapses and forms a giant hole.
Thermal Hot Spot
Approximate time: 2 minutes
In this area you will notice the vegetation suddenly looks dead. Pull over to the side of the road to learn a bit of geology about a thermal hotspot where magma is believed to be just 500 feet below the surface.
Devil’s Throat Crater
Approximate time: 20 minutes
Some people call this pit crater the best kept secret in the park. You won’t see signage, so be sure to listen closely to the tour. There’s a 5-minute walk to the crater’s edge but when you get there you’ll see a 165-feet deep and 150-feet wide crater. Be sure to keep your distance from the edge — there’s no railing.
Pauahi Crater
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Take a short walk to the boardwalk where you can take an epic photo in front of Pauahi Crater -- another huge pit crater that’s roughly 360 feet deep and 1,600 feet long.
AFTERNOON
Mauna Ulu Fissure Hike
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Ohia plant rising from lava field, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) & Kuni Nakai
More of a stroll than a hike, the Mauna Ulu Fissure Hike is at the site of a 1969 eruption that spewed lava up to 200 feet in the air, destroying a Ohia -- a native Hawaiian plant -- forest in the area. As you walk you’ll see lava trees and a variety of volcanic formations. The trail is marked with stacked rocks.
Muliwai A Pele
Approximate time: 10 minutes
Pull over and get out of your car for a quick stop at Muliwai A Pele. In Hawaiian, Muliwai means river of lava. This lookout might just appear to me more lava rock, but from a bird’s-eye view you can actually see how the Mauna Ulu eruption flowed from this volcanic cone about 5-miles down into the ocean... truly a river of lava.
Kealakomo Overlook
Approximate time: 10 minutes
The overlook is built on Holei pali, a steep cliff with a 2,000 foot drop. At the Kealakomo Lookout, in addition to the panoramic view of the pacific ocean, you will also have an expansive view of the vast lava flow in 1971 that completely buried the village of Kealakomo. Kealakomo was an ancient coastal community
Pro Tip! If you brought snacks or some lunch there are picnic tables near the lookout. This is a great place to stop, marvel at the terrain around you and enjoy a bite to eat. After this we descend quickly to the lower lava fields with less of a view.
Halona Kahakai
Pull over quickly and try to look for South Point in the distance. On clear days you might be able to catch a view.
Puuloa Petroglyphs Hike
Approximate time: 50 minutes
Petroglyph, Photo by Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) Tor Johnson
One of our favorite stops on the tour, the Puuloa Petroglyphs Hike tells the story of Hawaii’s past. As you walk along this trail you’ll see ancient petroglyphs, or inscribed images on stone. This hike takes about 20 minute each way and ends at a well maintained wooden boardwalk that circles many of the 23,000 petroglyphs in this area. In fact, this site is home to the largest grouping of petroglyphs in Hawaii! As you walk remember to respect the sacredness of this place.
Note: This hike can get hot and there's no shade. Remember to bring water.
Holei Sea Arch
Approximate time: 30 minutes
Holei Sea Arch, patchattack, CC BY SA 2.0, via Flickr
Located at the end of the Chain of Craters Road, this 90-foot sea arch was formed from an ancient lava tube, roughly 500 years ago, that hardened as it entered the ocean. And just within the last 100 years or so, the sea arch was created by ocean erosion. Here you will also find a small ranger shed that sells snacks and drinks, porta-potty restrooms and picnic tables at the end of the road. This is a good place for a break after all the fun you’ve had today.
Return towards the Visitor’s Center
After you check out the sea arch you’ll make your way back towards the visitor’s center to exit the park and continue your day. There are no stops on the return trips, but we’ll tell you loads of stories for the roughly 40-minute return drive.
*Pro Tip! You can pair this tour with our South Island Epic Coast Journey. If you do, you’ll have to buy the tours separately (or buy the tour bundle and save!). Once you’re in the park, turn off the South Island Epic Coastal Journey and turn on the Volcanoes National Park Tour. Then, once you’re done here in the park, you can rejoin and continue the South Island tour.*
When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully towards the locals, land and wildlife. Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid spots that are unsafe. Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.
Ready to take the South Island Epic Coastal Journey? Here's everything you need to know before you go!
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