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 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.
Is it worth going to 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
.
How far is the Volcano from Kona?
The distance between Kailua-Kona and Volcano is
52 miles
. The road distance is 102.8 miles.
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.
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 long does it take to drive through Volcanoes National Park?
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!
How long is the Crater Rim Drive?
Crater Rim Drive is an
11-mile
road that skirts the edge of the Kilauea Caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and contains several scenic views and hiking opportunities.
How long does it take to drive around the Big Island in Hawaii?
To circle the entire Big Island takes
almost 6 hours
, if you include a loop through North Kohala. When driving between Hilo and Kailua-Kona, you might consider taking the north scenic coast route in one direction and the Saddle Road route between the mountains going back!
Do I need a reservation for Hawaii volcano 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.
How crowded is volcano National Park?
“Entrance is free,
Kahuku is never crowded
, and we are open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.” Kahuku is located on Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5 in Ka'ū. You can learn more about Kahuku here.
What is the best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
The best time of year to visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is
November through March
when most of the United States is cold for a warm, tropical getaway. Due to it's proximity to the equator, Hawai'i Volcanoes is relatively warm year-round.
What happens when lava tubes run out of space to flow?
The lava will continue to move and drain the tube downhill when the volcano spots erupting. This leaves a partially empty tube that is called a lava tube cave.
Lava that is not able to flow out of the tube will remain in the form of solidified pools, flows, or even congealed, waterfall-like features
.
Which airport is closest to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Island of Hawai'i, 96 miles from Kailua-Kona and 30 miles from Hilo. The nearest major airport is
Honolulu International Airport
and there are airports at Hilo and Kona on Hawai'i. Take Highway 11 Southwest 30 miles to the park.
Does Kona have an active volcano?
At present,
there are three active or recently active volcanoes across the island — Hualālai, Mauna Loa, and Kīlauea
. Located above the city of Kailua Kona, the slopes of Hualālai are famous for producing both Kona Coffee and the world's tastiest Macadamia Nuts.
Do you need four wheel drive for Volcano National Park?
The short answer is
no, you don't
. Well, I guess if you want to drive to the Mauna Kea summit, it is officially said that a “4-wheel drive vehicle is required” to drive past the Maunakea Visitor Information Station, although there are reports of tourists driving up in a normal car.
Can you drive all the way around Crater Rim Drive?
Tours that outline sights and stops along the way are available in the NPS smartphone app and also on the park website.
Crater Rim Drive from Uēkahuna to the Devastation Trailhead parking lot is about 5.6 miles (9.0 km) one-way, taking about 20 minutes to drive without any stops
.
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.
Is lava still flowing in Hawaii 2020?
Q: Can you see lava in Hawaii right now? Yes!
The currently ongoing eruption is contained within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater
.
What should I wear to volcano National Park?
Wear
sturdy close-toed shoes
. Hiking on lava rock can be hazardous due to uneven, unstable, and sharp hiking surfaces. Lava fields are shadeless and hot. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
How close can you get to lava?
How close can you get to flowing lava? You can get around
700 meters
close to flowing lava and it will still be quite hot. Though I hope you don't try this it would be a very quick death for you if you somehow managed to get much closer than that.
Can you walk on a Volcano in Hawaii?
Volcano, Hawaii
You are able to actually walk on the Kilauea Crater floor
. You will even feel the heat under your shoes. Wear good hiking shoes, and carry your own water, and be reasonably fit. It's exhilarating to be walking on Kilauea, and feeling the Pele Goddess energy.
