Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Want to explore Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park? One of the most unusual things to see and do while visiting the islands is to visit the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park while you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located at the southern part of the island about 96 miles southeast of Kailua-Kona and 30 miles southwest of Hilo on Highway 11. To get there, take Hwy 11 south around the end of the island. You will come to the park entrance near mile marker 25. The cost to visit the Park is currently $25.00 per carload but the fee will increase to $30 per vehicle on January 1, 2020.

The Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00AM to 5 PM and provides scale models, information on park activities and information on past lava flow, exhibits and movies on the history of the volcanoes located on the island. Unless you visit during the summer months, be sure to wear long pants and bring a jacket as the crater is located at 4,000 feet and can be brisk or even downright chilly during the winter months.

Park at the Visitor Center and after you have enjoyed the sights and information provided a the Visitor Center, walk across the path to Volcano House Hotel. Here you can find lodging as well as a restaurant and snack bar. From the outside patio at Volcano House, you can take a peak inside the Kilauea Caldera at the Halema’uma’u Crater where recent eruptions took place. Although the volcano has been .

At the Visitor Center you will get a map of the park that will show you the areas that are open for driving and viewing such as Chain of Craters Road, the Steam Vents and Devastation Trail to name just a few. Unfortunately, due to lava damage from the last eruption, the Jaggar Museum and the Thurston Lava Tube are currently closed indefinitely.

There are many day hikes that can also be taken in the park but again, be sure to check with the rangers at the Visitor Center for conditions and information before heading out on any park trails. The park sometimes has activities such as live concerts and choir presentations in the evening. Again, check with park rangers at the Kilauea Visitor Center for events taking place while you are there.