No trip to the Big Island of Hawaii is complete without spending one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This National Park contains two active volcanoes and stunning volcanic landscapes and should be part of any Hawaii itinerary. The park is constantly changing over time due to the eruption of volcanoes. Each visit will provide a different experience. I have now visited the park three times and have had visited different sites each time.
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History of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
This area was initially considered the home to the sacred volcano goddess Pele. Hawaiians would visit the area to leave gifts to the goddess. Throughout the years, the volcano has become a popular tourist attraction for visitors. In 1911, Congress proposed the area to become Kilauea National Park but ran into opposition. Finally, in 1916, Hawaii National Park became the eleventh National Park in the United States. In 1961, the park was officially renamed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Best Time to Spend One Day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a great park to visit any time of the year. However, be prepared for unpredictable weather and rain. There are often sudden rainstorms, so make sure to bring a rain jacket. Also, I recommend dressing in layers.
How to Get To Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
To get to and from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you will need a car.
From Hilo: Take Highway 11 southwest for 45 minutes to get to the park entrance.
From Kona: Take Highway 11 southeast for 96 miles or Highway 19 and 11 for 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo.
Transportation around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
There is no shuttle bus or public transportation within the park, so the only way to get around Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is by car.
Hours and Admission
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It costs $30 per car to get into the park and the pass is good for 7 days. If you are planning on visiting more than one National Park throughout the year, opt to get the America the Beautiful Pass for $80. This pass is good for admission to all of the National Parks for an entire year.
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best National Park hotels here!
Camping is available at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at two different campgrounds. You can also opt to stay at the Volcano House which contains 33 historic rooms and 10 camper cabins.
Outside of the park, opt to stay in Hilo or Kona. Hilo is only a 45-minute drive to the park whereas Kona is a 2 hours drive to the park. Hilton Waikaloa Village and the Holiday Inn Express Kailua-Kona are two good options.
Tips for Spending One Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is such a unique park due to its active volcanoes. Therefore, you need to be aware of the conditions and hazards in the park. Make sure to check the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website or check-in at the visitor’s center upon arrival to be up to date on current conditions. Volcanic eruptions can happen at any time and be hazardous. Also, for your safety make sure to stay on the marked trails.
What to See During One Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Day 1
Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
Distance: 1.5-mile round trip
Your first stop of one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park should be the Thurston Lava Tube. Try to visit before 9am to beat the crowds. This moderate hike takes you through a rainforest and then to a 500-year-old lava tube. The lava tube is lit from 8am to 8pm, so bring flashlights if visiting before or after that time. Note that parking at the lava tube is limited so you may need to park farther away.
Kilauea Iki Hike
Distance: 3.3 mile Loop
After the Thurston Lava Tube, head to the Kilauea Iki Hike. One of the most popular hikes to do during one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Kilauea Iki Hike. This is a moderate to strenuous hike that takes you 400 feet down into a crater of an inactive volcano. Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours completing this steep and rocky hike. To get to the trailhead, park at the Kilauea Iki overlook. The parking lot can get pretty full, so make sure to get there early to get a spot.
Although the brochure says to complete the hike counterclockwise, I preferred completing it in a clockwise direction. The first part of the trail is through a rainforest and is pretty flat. It offers small views of the crater. After passing the Thurston Lava Tube, the trail descends into a solidified lava lake that you will spend some time walking across. The trail is clearly marked by ahu (stacked rocks), so it is pretty easy to follow across the lava lake. Once crossing the lava lake, you will ascend back up the 400 feet through the rainforest to complete the loop.
Drive the Chain of Craters Road
Spend the afternoon driving the scenic Chain of Craters Road. This 18.8-mile road offers some picturesque stops and takes visitors to the coast at the end of the road. Lava once followed through this area creating a very distinct landscape. The first part of the drive takes you through the rift zone and rainforest area.
Puhimau Crater
There are many craters along the Chain of Craters road. The Puhimau Crater is 400 feet wide, 650 feet long, and 500 feet deep. Visitors can view this crater from a platform. Lava once erupted from this area.
Pauahi Crater
The Pauahi Crater is a bit smaller than the Puhimau Crater and has been the site of three eruptions. Visitors can also view this crater from a platform.
Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu Pull Out
The Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu pull-out gives you extensive views of previous lava slow that covered the road from 1969-1974. There are often hash winds in the area, thus making the area very sparse.
Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
This stop contains the largest collection of Petroglyphs in Hawaii. There are more than 23,000 images amongst the rocks. It is a 1.5-mile round trip hike out to the viewing point.
Holei Sea Arch
The Holei Sea Arch is an arch of lava rock that extends out into the Pacific Ocean. It is an easy and flat 0.2-mile trek from the parking lot. Look for a turn-off over some rocks that will then take you to the observation point to see the arch. This rock formation stands about 90 feet high.
Note that there are no gas stations along the Chain of Craters Road, so make sure to have enough fuel if you plan on traveling the road.
If you have the time, stay until it is dark so you can see the volcanic glow in the evening. The Volcano House is a great spot to see the glow and grab a bite to eat.
More Than One Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
If you have more than one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, there are plenty more things to keep you busy for a second day.
Day 2
Devastation Trail
Distance: 1-mile loop
Start your morning with the east one-mile devastation trail. This mostly paved trail should take you no more than an hour to complete. It goes past a recovering landscape that was filled with lava during the 1959 eruption. Make sure to stay on the paved trail for your safety.
Sulphur Banks
Next, stop at the sulfur banks. This short walk will take you to where volcanic gases seep from the group. The smell is quite pungent and you can see the steam seeping from the ground. Fun fact: When Mark Twain visited in 1866 he stated “The smell of sulfur is strong, but not unpleasant to a sinner.”
Steam Vents
After the Sulphur Banks, head to the Steam Vents. Here, you can see where the hot water vapor from the volcanoes comes from the ground. This sensation is created as water seeps into the ground and hits the magma. This heats up the rocks and causes steam. From this spot, you can also take a short walk to an overlook to a view of the Kilauea Caldera.
Kilauea Overlook
Finish driving along Crater Rim Drive to the Kilauea Overlook. This overlook provides some of the best views of the Kilauea Caldera as well as the Halema’uma’u Crater. In 2018, this area suffered a major collapse.
Mauna Loa Road
If up for it, take a drive along the Mauna Loa Road. This 11.5 mile road takes visitors to the Mauna Loa Lookout. The lookout sits at 6662 feet and offers gorgeous views of Kilauea and sometimes the ocean. Fun fact! The shelter at the lookout was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Teacher Tip: The general store at the Kilauea Military Camp sells snacks, food, and alcohol. The Volcano House also has a gift shop and the visitor’s center contains a bookstore.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for each of the Hawaiian islands. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them. Click below for the Shaka Guide for each island.
Final Tips for Spending One Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
There are so many things to do during one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park should be part of any Big Island vacation and is an affordable place to visit. If you have time, take the time to explore Hilo and eat at one of the many delicious restaurants there.
You could also hop over to Oahu and explore the many cheap things to do there as well. All of the islands have awesome road trips to take as well. Maui contains Haleakala National Park, which is just as cool as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Looking for other things to do in the area? Check out Volcano Winery, or head down to South Point, the southernmost part of the United States.
11 thoughts on “One Day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: A Unique and Fun Park”
I never heard of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! It looks so epic. I visited a volcano once in Sicily and it was a cool experience. Definitely keeping this NP on my radar for when I eventually get to the Big Island. 🙂
Can’t wait to visit Hawaii . This national park looks great . I never visited a volcano before and I would love to . I love that it is affordable as well. Are there any tours through the park ?
Adding this to our bucket list for sure. Would love to enjoy a camping experience in this national park and a drive along the Chain of Craters road sounds like a must. The view of the Holei Sea Arch is incredible and it’s good to know that it is just a short trek away from the parking. Thanks for the tip regarding fueling before heading out for this drive.
What a beautiful national park! It’s actually one of the US national parks I haven’t heard much about before and I’m surprised as it looks incredible! The Holei Sea Arch looks absolutely stunning! I’d love to see it in person one day! Thanks for the great guide!
This looks sooooo cool! I would love to visit Hawaii. I adore volcanic landscapes, and this park is something that goes on my bucket list for dure 🙂
As part of our, post Covid travel plan. we have been dying to get over to the Big Island and the Volcanoes play a huge part! It is reassuring to see that it is safe and there is soo much to see. Will be saving this post for our planning references 🙂
I never knew there was a national park dedicated to volcanoes in Hawaii – I sort of thought they were just everywhere! That overlook of the crater is gorgeous.
I really didn’t have enough time in the National Park when I visited, I definitely didn’t plan too well. It was such a great experience but I’d love to go back when I have more time and can make more than one visit or spend a good full day there. Great guide, I’m already excited to go again
This looks like such a fun day! We are dying to go to Hawaii with the kids, and would definitely hit up hiking spots like Hawaii Volcanoes NP!
What great timing! I’m on the Big Island right now and the lava is flowing. I’m going hiking there soon!
Omg… Hawaii has such stunning landscapes! I’m especially fascinated by volcanoes as we don’t have any in our country. I have never heard of this national park but am definitely putting it on my list for my future visit.