Attractions and Places To See in Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park - Top 20

The park is renowned for its volcanic landscapes. You can walk through the 500-year-old Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), an underground passage formed by ancient lava flows. Other features include the dramatic Kīlauea Crater and Caldera, areas of intense geothermal activity like the Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks, and the Hōlei Sea Arch, a rock formation carved by the ocean from a 550-year-old lava flow.

Yes, the park is rich in cultural heritage. A must-see is Puʻuloa Petroglyphs, a sacred archaeological site with over 23,000 ancient rock carvings, some dating back over 500 years. These petroglyphs depict humans, animals, canoes, and geometric designs. The park also contains various historic trails, fossilized footprints, shelter caves, heiau (Hawaiian temples), and stone walls.

Among the most popular is the Kīlauea Iki Crater Trail, which leads through a diverse landscape, starting in a rainforest and descending into a volcanic crater. The Devastation Trail offers an easy, paved walk across cinder from a 1959 eruption. For more options, you can explore various routes on the Hiking in Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park guide.

Absolutely. The Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) is a popular family-friendly attraction where visitors can easily walk through an ancient lava tube. The Kīlauea Visitor Center is also family-friendly, offering exhibits and information. The Devastation Trail is an easy, paved walk suitable for most ages.

The Kīlauea Visitor Center is wheelchair accessible, providing a good starting point for information and exhibits. The Devastation Trail is an easy, paved walk that is also wheelchair accessible, offering views of the volcanic landscape. Many overlooks along Crater Rim Drive also provide accessible viewpoints.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and offers a unique experience in any season. The weather can vary significantly with elevation, from warm coastal areas to cooler, sometimes rainy, summit regions. Generally, the park is less crowded during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall), but volcanic activity is unpredictable and can occur at any time, making any visit potentially spectacular.

Beyond hiking, the park offers opportunities for running and road cycling. You can find various running trails, including sections of the Crater Rim Trail, detailed in the Running Trails in Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park guide. For cyclists, scenic drives like Chain of Craters Road and Mauna Loa Road offer challenging routes, which you can explore further in the Road Cycling Routes in Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park guide.

Visitors are often impressed by the dramatic volcanic landscapes, describing the Kīlauea Iki Crater Trail as a 'lunar landscape' and 'too beautiful'. The unique experience of walking through the Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), knowing hot lava once flowed there, is also highly appreciated. The ancient Puʻuloa Petroglyphs are considered 'impressive' and 'definitely worth walking the kilometers' to see.

The Kīlauea Visitor Center is the essential first stop. It provides up-to-date information on park conditions, maps, exhibits, and the latest updates on volcanic activity and eruptions. Ranger activities are also available to help you understand the park's geology.

Yes, for an easy and accessible experience, the Devastation Trail is a paved walk that showcases the aftermath of a volcanic eruption and the recovery of nature. The Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) also offers an easy walk through an illuminated lava tube. The Kīpukapuaulu Trail is another easy loop through native forestland, known for birdwatching.

The park is home to two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Maunaloa. While active eruptions are not guaranteed, opportunities to witness volcanic activity, such as glowing lava at night from overlooks like Keanakākoʻi Overlook, or steam vents, are possible. The Kīlauea Visitor Center provides the most current information on volcanic activity.

Given the diverse environments, it's best to dress in layers. Temperatures can vary from warm coastal areas to cooler, often windy, and sometimes rainy conditions at higher elevations. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are recommended for hiking on uneven volcanic terrain. Bring rain gear, sun protection (hat, sunscreen), and plenty of water, especially for longer trails.

Yes, the park offers two main scenic drives. Crater Rim Drive encircles the Kīlauea caldera, providing access to numerous trails, overlooks, and geothermal features. Chain of Craters Road is an 18.8-mile drive that descends from the Kīlauea summit to the coast, passing through recent lava flows and offering views of brand-new land formed by volcanic activity, including the Hōlei Sea Arch.