Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution -- processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with unique ecosystems, and a distinct human culture. The park highlights two of the world's most active volcanoes, and offers insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the traditional home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, who resides inside the heart of the volcano.  With over 333,000 acres, and still growing, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers endless opportunities for great adventures in the Park. Over half of the park is designated wilderness and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities.  The park has a wide variety of landscapes to explore, from lush rain forest trails to desolate lava plains.

There is a number of hotels and inns offering luxury to basic accommodation, and are a great place to be based for a few days to explore and experience creation as it happens!!

Kilauea Visitor Center should be your first stop when entering the park. Remodelled in 2005, the center features informative and interactive displays, movies highlighting the special aspects of the park, and a bookstore. Rangers are on duty in the visitor center from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and will provide visitors with the latest information on the current eruption status, best viewing locations, hiking information and permits, and the daily schedule of ranger-led activities.

The Thomas A. Jaggar Museum is a museum on volcanology with seismographs and other equipment used by scientists to monitor volcanoes. The Museum is located along Crater Rim Drive, 3 miles from the Kilauea Visitor Center. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily. Built on the edge of Kilauea Caldera, the overlook offers spectacular views into the summit caldera and the main crater Halema`uma`u from this view point.  Prior to its opening as a museum on Volcanology, the building housed offices for the US Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.  Working seismographs and displays on equipment used by the scientists are exhibits in the center.  Jaggar Museum's overlook is the best place to view the current eruption, that began March 11, 2008. An ash-laden fume cloud is issuing out of a new crater within Halema`uma`u crater.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is easily visited by car in just a few hours or may be explored in more depth over several days. Here are some recommendations when planning your visit to the Park:

One to 3 Hour Visit?

If you have only one to three hours, explore the summit of Kilauea volcano via Crater Rim Drive; an 11-mile road that encircles the summit caldera, passes through desert, lush tropical rain forest, traverses the caldera floor, and provides access to well-marked scenic stops and short walks.

Four to 5 Hour Visit?

If you have four to five hours, you may also explore the East Rift and coastal area of the Park via Chain of Craters Road. This road descends 3,700ft in 20 miles and ends where lava flows crossed the road in 2003.

Want to Get Out of the Car and Hike?

Hikers will find an abundance of trails to satisfy their curiosity. Day hikes and wilderness hikes offer great adventures for visitors who wish to explore beyond the roadways.

Opportunities for viewing lava is always changing. Check with rangers at the Kilauea Visitor Center for the most current information. No food, water, or fuel is available along the Chain of Craters Road, so plan well and make sure you have all you would need.

Island weather can be unpredictable and visitors should be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures, Temperature varies by elevation. Weather at Kilauea's summit (4000ft elevation) varies daily and may be rainy and chilly any time of the year. At the summit of the volcano, temperatures may be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than at sealevel. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road, where lava is entering the ocean, is often hot, dry, and windy with the possibility of passing showers.

You should be prepared for all weather conditions. Wear layers of clothing, bring raingear, and wear hiking boots or shoes if you plan to venture out on trails.
Kilauea Volcano has erupted lava almost continuously from its east rift zone since 1983. These lava flows have added over 568 acres (230 hectares) of new land to the southern shore of Kilauea and covered 8.7 miles (14 km) of highway with lava as deep as 115 feet (35 m).

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an amazing place to visit, and we would definitely recommend spending a few days exploring the area, but unless you are very keen hikers, 2-3 days would be an ideal tour time.  We would suggest combining a short stay at the park with another town and/or beach hotel to complete your vacation, and to give you the real Hawaiian experience.