Visitors can hike around the park
and experience an incredible range of microclimates and sites, from rain forests to eerie lava tubes to spectacular views of the ocean.
Can you tour volcano National Park on your own?
You can take a tour through the park and have your own vehicle available for exploration if you use Shaka Guide's Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Audio Tour
! When is the Best Time to Visit? It's always a good time to visit HAVO. If you're only going to view lava, you can go right now!
Do you need hiking boots for volcano National Park?
If you decide to hike out to the coastal lava flows – or anywhere in the park –
be sure to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots
and of course bring plenty of water, and be prepared!
Can you see lava at volcano National Park?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, so
your chance to see glowing lava (from near or far) is pretty good when the volcano is actively erupting
(it's periodically erupting only at the summit in Halemaumau currently), especially when it's dark. Just look for the red glow.
How many days do you need at volcano National Park?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must on any Big Island itinerary. We recommend spending
at least one day
in the park. That is enough time to see the highlights, especially after the closures due to the recent volcanic activity in 2018.
Can you drive to Thurston Lava Tube?
Nāhuku is a great short diversion while driving along Crater Rim Drive
. This isn't much of a hike but more of a short stroll. The lave tube Nāhuku formed 500 years ago. This lava tube is paved and lighted providing a safe and easy way to visit.
Is it worth visiting volcano National Park?
Best Time to Visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
But even without an active volcanic eruption, this is still a great park to visit.
If you are planning to visit Hawaii, it's still worth visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, even without an active lava flow
.
Can you hike Hualalai volcano?
After a stop at the Duarte family cabin (est. 1950) at 6,000 ft., you'll continue upwards toward the summit.
The tour culminates with a breathtaking 2 mile hike around the summit craters at just under 8,000 ft
. See, feel, and listen to this otherworldly volcanic landscape as you walk to the crater's edge.
How cold does it get at Volcano National Park?
The climate in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is comfortable, windy, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 52°F to 77°F and is
rarely below 48°F
or above 79°F.
What should I pack for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
- 2 liters water minimum.
- rain jacket.
- gloves.
- long pants.
- long sleeve shirt.
- first aid kit.
- good shoes.
- one flashlight per person.
What should I bring to Volcano National Park?
- A Good Day Pack. …
- Conditions Appropriate Clothing and Footwear. …
- Food and Water. …
- A Trail Map and Compass. …
- Emergency and First Aid. …
- Universal Waterproof Phone Case. …
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (even if you won't be swimming)
Do you need reservations for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
You don't need to check in,
you don't need a reservation
so you DO need to get there early, you don't need a permit, you can stay for up to 7 days each month but not for more than 30 days per year.
Can you drive through volcano National Park?
Visiting the park by car is easy to do
. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.
Which island is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of
Hawai'i
. From Kailua-Kona: 95 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).
Is lava still flowing in Hawaii?
Q: Can you see lava in Hawaii right now? Yes!
The currently ongoing eruption is contained within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater
.
Is there a volcano erupting right now?
Kīlauea volcano began erupting on September 29, 2021, at approximately 3:21 p.m. HST in Halema'uma'u crater
. Lava continues to erupt from a single vent in the western wall of Halemaʻumaʻu crater. All lava activity is confined within Halemaʻumaʻu crater in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
How much does it cost to go to volcano National Park?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park normally charges
$30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per pedestrian or bicycle
, and the pass is good for seven days. The entrance fee waiver for the fee-free days does not cover camping or backcountry overnight permit fees.
Can you drive to volcano in Hawaii?
Depending on where along the Kona coast you're driving from, you can expect the drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to take around 2-2.5 hours
. From the Waikoloa area, going the southern route may take around 2.5-3 hours. But that's without any stops!
What is the best time of day to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
The best time to observe the glow from Halema'uma'u is
before sunrise, or after 9 p.m.
, when most visitors have left. The park is open 24 hours a day.
How do you spend a day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
- Kilauea Visitor Center (closes at 5pm so go on your way into the park)
- Steam Vents (these are worth a quick stop and if you want to see more, you can take the Sulphur Banks Trail which is mentioned in the second itinerary option)
Why is Thurston Lava Tube closed?
The park closed the lava tube
following the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea
, reopened it in February 2020, then the pandemic struck and it closed again. During the eruption, large rocks were dislodged in the ceiling and new cracks appeared.
How long does it take to walk through Thurston Lava Tube?
Discover this 0.40 mile, loop trail near Pahala, Hawaii. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of
10 min
to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
How hot is the Thurston Lava Tube?
Walk through a verdant rainforest and listen for the calls of native birds before entering a 500-year old lava tube where a river of
2000 degree fahrenheit (1093° celsius)
lava once flowed. Its Hawaiian name, Nāhuku, means “the protuberances,” which possibly refers to the lava drippings that once hung from the ceiling.
How crowded is Volcano National Park?
A Popular Place: Plan Around the Crowds
The visitation numbers were down in 2020 due to the pandemic, but for the last 50 years running, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has consistently drawn
1-2 million visitors a year
. So, do plan your visit, but plan it wisely, knowing that crowds are to be expected.
How long does it take to drive from Kona to Volcano?
The direct drive from Kailua-Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is 97.0 mi (156 km), and should have a drive time of
2 hrs 38 mins
in normal traffic.
How big is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park encompasses
335,259 acres
or about 523 square miles from the summit of Maunaloa to the sea (by comparison, the island of Oahu is 597 square miles).
