Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park occupies volcanic terrain on the island of Hawaiʻi and was established in 1916 to protect the landscapes around Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park preserves active volcanic features and a wide range of native ecosystems.

Trails and drives take visitors through volcanic craters, lava fields, steam vents and native forests; notable stops include the summit areas of Mauna Loa and the vents and calderas of Kīlauea. Walkable features include lava tubes such as Nāhuku (Thurston) and coastal views where flows have reached the sea.

The park was created to conserve the island’s volcanic features and cultural sites; it has been the location of frequent volcanic activity throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, with eruptive events periodically reshaping access roads, trails and coastal shorelines. Management balances visitor access with public safety and the protection of native species.

Located on the island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island), the park covers volcanic terrain from near sea level to high-elevation summit areas; the nearest larger towns are Hilo to the east and Volcano Village on the park’s flank.

• Establishment and volcanoes: The park was designated in 1916 and protects volcanic landscapes on the island of Hawaiʻi including the active Kīlauea and the massive shield volcano Mauna Loa.
• Safety and access: Visitor access and viewpoints for lava or vent activity change with conditions; check the park website for current road and trail closures before visiting.

What to See#

• Chain of Craters Road: A largely paved visitor access route that descends from the summit area to the Pacific coast, providing views of volcanic landscapes and multiple lava flows along the way.
• Nāhuku (Thurston) Lava Tube: A walkable lava tube formed by past flows; visitors can enter a lit tunnel carved through solidified lava and follow a short, maintained trail.
• Kīlauea: A frequently active summit and rift zone volcano within the park; when eruptive activity occurs it can produce lava flows, ash plumes and visible vent activity from safe observation points.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is on the island of Hawaiʻi (the Big Island). From Hilo, drive southwest on Highway 11 (the Hawai’i Belt Road) to the park’s main entrance and Kīlauea Visitor Center - the route follows Highway 11 along the coast then inland toward the park. Park roads (including Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road) provide vehicle access to many viewpoints and trailheads with parking close to trailheads.

If approaching from the Kona side, the drive is significantly longer and also uses Highway 11; visitor-center parking puts you within short walking distance of main exhibits and many trailheads.

• Begin at the Kīlauea Visitor Center in Volcano Village for the latest park alerts, trail closures, and safe viewing recommendations before heading into the park.
• Drive Chain of Craters Road early in the day to access multiple coastal viewpoints and lava-overrun roads before mid‑day visitor traffic, and include a stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, which is one of the most visited features many first-time visitors miss.
• Because volcanic activity and air quality (vog) change frequently, check the National Park Service alerts and Hawaiʻi County updates the morning of your visit and adjust plans around posted closures and safety advisories.