Volcanoes National Park
An absolute must-see on the Big Island for those who don't just want to sunbathe on the beach is Volcanoes National Park. V
located about 47 miles south of Hilo, it is one of the most accessible volcanic national parks in the world. It's a comfortable drive to all the highlights, which include the active crater of Kilauea volcano, where you can observe the lava pool from about 500 metres away (ideally in the dark), or perhaps the sulphur benches, where you can fully smell the pungent smell of sulphur and see its yellow colour.
Due to very active volcanic activity, parts or even the whole national park may be closed to the public. Always check the official website www.nps.gov/havo for up-to-date information before visiting .
Cheapest accommodation on the Big Island
This national park is one of the few places in the world where you can get a really close look at volcanic activity. For example, it is the only place in the world where you can safely observe lava flows 365 days a year.
What to see in Volcanoes NP
Volcanoes National Park offers several places that you should definitely not miss, and if you want to visit at least the most famous ones, you should set aside a whole day for a visit. Always click on the name of the place for details:
- Kilauea - The world's most active volcano, whose crater with its constantly bubbling lava can be viewed from the observation deck.
- Thurston Lava Tube - the underground lava tunnel, which is now an illuminated hiking trail and part of which you can visit directly
- Chain of Craters Road - the main road winding through the national park past several active and inactive volcanic craters, taking you from the mountains to the wild ocean
- Kalapana - a village partly buried under lava flows, from which a path leads to a viewing platform to see the constant stream of lava flowing into the sea from Pu'U 'Ō'Ō crater
Hiking
The national park is crisscrossed with hundreds of kilometres of longer or shorter hiking trails that take you through a landscape like you won't see anywhere else in the world.
Green forests will alternate with dark grey fields with dried lava flows and black volcanic rocks.
All this is crowned with breathtaking views of the ocean from heights of over 1,000 metres above sea level. Walking through dozens and hundreds of varied lava fields, past dozens of craters, some still active, with the pungent smell of sulphur, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can choose from short and very easy routes that anyone can do, or long challenging treks of several days.
Short easier treks
Among the most popular treks is the Crater Rim Trail, an easy trail from the visitor center to Kilauea Crater that follows the Devastation Trail, which weaves between the living craters.
The trail directly along the floor of the inactive Kilauea Iki Crater is very popular and is rated as moderately difficult. It is around 3 km long, but you will be faced with more elevation changes.
Longer treks
Of the more challenging trails, the Napau trail is definitely the most popular, taking you as close to the active crater of Pu'U 'Ō'Ō volcano as you can get. The Napau Trail offers the best of exotic volcanic landscapes, but it's over 20km long in total, so only really trained hikers can complete it in a day.
You can choose from 8 other so-called Back Country Trails and enjoy the volcanic landscape to the fullest with an overnight stay in the countryside.
Hiking these 8 backcountry trails requires a permit in excess of the National Park entrance fee of 10 usd. This permit is valid for up to 10 people and a total of 7 nights. It must be reserved and paid for in advance on the nps.gov website. You can stay overnight anywhere within the marked trails.
Entrance fees and hours of operation
There is an entrance fee to enter the national park, the prices for which are listed below.
- 30 usd per car (regardless of number of passengers) for 7 days (any number of entries)
- 15 usd for pedestrians (without a car, however, visiting the park is practically worthless)
- 55 usd year-round admission for 3 national parks in Hawaii ( in addition to Volcanoes, Haleakala on Maui and Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the west coast of the Big Island)
- current fees on the official website
Entrance fees are paid at the toll gates at the entrance to the park, where you can pay with cash or debit or credit card. If you arrive at the park at night when the toll gates are not manned, the fee can be paid at the self-service machine at the main visitor center.
The national park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can stay as long as you like without any restrictions. Check the official website for current opening hours reflecting any necessary closures due to volcanic activity.
Accommodation in the surroundings
Directly opposite the Kilauea Visitor Center you can stay at the small 3* hotel Volcano House, room rates start at 280 usd per night for 2. Can only be booked through the hotel's website hawaiivolcanohouse.com.
Several private guesthouses and Bed and Breakfast houses are available in the adjacent village of Volcano. The lowest rates here are around 110 eur per night in a 2 bed room. We would recommend, for example, the superbly rated Country Goose Guest House or the fully equipped Forest Cottages Alii Kane Cottages with Loft.
There are two official campsites in the national park.
The first - Nāmakanipaio - is located off the main road number 11 and is equipped with full facilities, hot water showers, toilets and drinking water. You can pay 15 usd to rent a tent site and 40 usd to rent a tent. You can also book a cabin from 200 usd for the night through hawaiivolcanohouse.com.
The second campground, Kulanaokuaiki, is located off the road on the other side from the main part of Volcanoes National Park. There is no water and the toilet is only a toi-toi stall. You pay 10 usd for a tent site.
How to get there
The entrance to Volcanoes National Park is just off the main road, number 11, which goes all the way around the island. You'll find the Kilauea Visitor Center about 47 miles from Hilo. The national park is clearly marked at virtually all major intersections around the island.
The main parking lot can be found just outside the entrance gate at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Here you can get up-to-date information on currently accessible areas, get free maps, eat at the restaurant or shop for souvenirs or postcards at the local store.
The visitor centre is also served by bus 11, which leaves Hilo 5 times a day, and bus 10, which continues on to Ocean View, but only once a day. For timetables, visit heleonbus.org.
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