Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This is the closest you'll probably ever get to a live volcano.

About

Near Hilo, this park offers a rare close-up experience with Kilauea, a shield volcano that erupts mildly instead of explosively. You can drive through in a couple of hours or hike deeper. The park is open 24 hours, and the glow is best seen after sunset. Volcano House on site has a restaurant and lodging.

Features

Good for

✓Park

Practical

✓Historical Site

What people say

11 community ratings.

From the community

“vacationing at the volcano”

It's definitely worth going. The volcano house is there, and you can stay overnight to see the volcano glowing at night.

A visitor · Over a year ago

“Big Island of Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano”

Kilauea is often called a friendly volcano because its eruptions tend to be gentle rather than explosive. The main concern for visitors is likely air quality, which you can check on the park's website beforehand. As a shield volcano, Kilauea has gentle slopes and might not match the classic cone shape of volcanoes like Mount St. Helens. I suggest starting at the Kilauea Visitor Center to view informative exhibits and a film about volcanoes, then continue driving to see the caldera, which has a black asphalt appearance. You can do a quick drive through the park in a couple of hours, or explore hiking trails if time allows. The park is open 24 hours, and staying after sunset increases your chances of seeing glowing lava. There's a hotel on site with a restaurant that offers interesting views. The entrance fee is $10 per vehicle.

A guest · Over a year ago