Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Kīlauea has been erupting almost continuously since 1983, with a major eruption in 2018 that profoundly reshaped the volcano. That eruption drained the Halema'uma'u Crater lava lake, caused the summit to collapse, and sent lava flows through the lower East Rift Zone that destroyed the communities of Leilani Estates, Kapoho, and Vacationland. Since December 2020, Kīlauea has been active again within the Halema'uma'u Crater, with lava lakes visible from Volcano House and the Kīlauea Overlook when the volcano is in an eruptive phase. However, volcanic activity is unpredictable, and visitors should check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website and the park's eruption page before visiting to see current conditions. Mauna Loa, which makes up over half of the Big Island by area, erupted in November 2022 for the first time since 1984, sending lava flows down the northeast rift zone for about two weeks; while the eruption did not threaten populated areas, it underscored the volcano's ongoing potential. Hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail (4-mile loop, 400 feet of elevation change) descends through rainforest to the floor of a crater that was filled by a 1959 lava fountain eruption, and it is one of the park's signature hikes.

The Chain of Craters Road descends 20 miles and 3,700 feet from the Kīlauea summit to the coast, passing several craters and lava flows from eruptions dating back to the 1960s. The road has been cut by lava flows multiple times, most recently in 1986 and 2018, and its current terminus depends on the most recent flow; visitors should check conditions before driving, as sections may be closed. The Hōlei Sea Arch, carved by ocean waves into a 90-foot lava cliff, is at the end of the road. Beyond the road, the Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs, reached by a 1.5-mile round trip across a pāhoehoe lava field, contain over 23,000 petroglyphs, the largest such site in the Pacific, reflecting over 500 years of Native Hawaiian cultural practice. The park's coastal section is also home to the Hōlei Pali, a dramatic fault scarp rising 1,000 feet from the sea, and to the 'Apua Point and Keauhou trails, which are coastal backcountry routes accessible by permit. The coastal area is hot and exposed, and hikers must carry all water; there is no potable water along the coast, and freshwater is essentially nonexistent except at a few remote springs.

Hawai'i Volcanoes is home to a remarkable number of endemic species — plants and animals found nowhere else — because of Hawai'i's extreme isolation and the range of habitats within the park. The park spans seven ecological zones, from coastal strand to alpine desert, and protects some of the last intact native Hawaiian rainforest. The Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), a 500-year-old lava cave surrounded by a lush fern forest, offers a short walk through a tube once used as a conduit for molten lava. Birdwatchers can find 'apapane, 'i'iwi, and 'amakihi — three of Hawai'i's endemic honeycreepers — in the native forest along the park's Bird Park Trail (1-mile loop). The park is also home to the endangered nēnē, or Hawaiian goose, the state bird, which was brought back from the brink of extinction through intensive conservation efforts and is now frequently seen in the park, particularly in the summit area and near the crater rim. Introduced invasive species, particularly feral pigs and non-native plants, threaten these ecosystems, and the park maintains an extensive fencing and removal program to protect native habitat. Visitors should not feed nēnē and should be cautious while driving, as the birds often gather along roads.

Hawai'i Volcanoes is located about 45 minutes south of Hilo on Highway 11 and about 2.5 hours from Kona, making Hilo the more convenient gateway. The Kīlauea Visitor Center is at 4,000 feet elevation, and temperatures there are cool, often in the 60s, while the coastal area can be in the 90s, so visitors should dress for multiple climates. The park has two campgrounds — Nāmakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki — and the Volcano House hotel on the crater rim, as well as a small number of backcountry cabins accessible by permit, including the Pepeiao Cabin. Admission is $30 per vehicle, valid for seven days, and the park is open 24 hours a day. Volcanic hazards are real: sulfur dioxide and other volcanic gases can be dangerous, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, and the park may close areas during high emissions or when lava is visible. Lava viewing requires caution — hiking over fresh lava flows is hazardous and prohibited, and the coastal cliffs can collapse without warning. The park's elevation range and active geology mean conditions can change rapidly, and visitors should check the park website and visitor center for current conditions and closures.