This place was so cool! It’s fascinating to imagine lava flowing through this tunnel. It’s a quick walk through the tunnel after visiting the volcano and well worth it. The walk down to the tunnel is a bit steep and there are quite a few puddles in the tunnel. I used the light on my phone as it’s a bit dark. Be careful!

Amazing views. We parked in the first lot and did the .5 mile hike which was very easy. You can drive further down to the lower parking garage lot which doesn’t require the hike. Fantastic views and the lava tube was amazing as well. Parking requires a fee, Wear sturdy shoes and a light rain jacket.

Even with it being wet from rain, the walk was not overly difficult if you're in reasonable health and have good shoes. It's a short walk down a grade, through the rain forest then into the lava tube (tunnel). The giant ferns on the way out are very cool too! Well worth the short visit.

One of the most popular site to see in Big Island Hawaii!! It is so amazing to know that this lava tube was once where the lava flowed into this mountain..🌋 The tunnel maybe about 3/4 of a mile.. there's light installed but it's not that bright. If you come to see it, bring a flashlight. There are few areas that have paddle of water or can be slippery. It's easy walking and kids friendly. Wheelchair may not be a good idea because of the uneven pavement and some stairs. At the end of the tunnel, you come out to this beautiful jungle. ♥️♥️♥️ A MUST SEE !! Come and have fun! 😊 🤙..

I've never been in a lava tube, so this was a fascinating experience. It does require going down an incline- which can be a little slick in wet weather. The lava tube takes about 10-15 minutes to walk through, and it's dimly lit in places, so be careful. There were also puddles in the tube. It's all part of the adventure, right!

It is an interesting experience to walk through a lava tunnel (basically, it's a cave with two openings), and it is not something most people will ever get to experience for themselves, so given the opportunity to do so, it should not be overlooked. It's full length is just short of a football field, but still fun to do, especially with kids. Parking can be a real issue, so as an option, park at the trailhead parking lot prior to reaching the lot directly in front of the tunnel itself. If you do so, it's a 10 minute hike on a fairly easy trail. Not a bad walk in its own right, and it saves you the added aggravation of dealing with the crazy parking situation.

Very cool, quick walk through a nice long lava tube. Plenty of interesting foliage. I'm not a connoisseur of lava tubes nor do I have access to them back home. As far as lava tubes go, I imagine this one is quite exceptional.

It's a TUBE CREATED BY LAVA! You can run through the entire trail in about 15 minutes. The trail loops and the lava tube is in the middle. The tube itself has dim lights close to the ground, creating a spooky lava type atmosphere. There may be puddles and the ground is not entirely even. Temperature was on the cool side. The restrooms are at the beginning of the trail, off to the left.

Must do at the park!! Huge, clear, lighted circular path through an old lava tube. The parking lot is extremely small, only about 20 cars, so recommend to get there before 10am otherwise you will have to wait until someone leaves. It's also the starting place for a lot of the hikes.

Wow. This is a don't miss in Volcano National park. They say this is one of the favorites of many that visit and I can see why. Short walk with some incline but most people can do it. In the walk you walk through a lot of nature. Very enjoyable. Don't miss this in the park.

I've been here three times over the past 35 years and I have enjoyed it every time. It is very similar to walking through a cave and it is a nice break from the heat. Go first thing in the morning or late in the day because the parking is so limited it can be hard to find. There are more remote parking options if you like walking and the scenery on the way is very pleasant.

A very quick in and out experience to see the lava tube! It is very dim inside and a quick walk through. All of my photos were taken on a night time mode setting to capture the beauty. No lines or a wait time. Parking is limited in the front of the trail entrance.

A ten minute walk down to the lava tube was easy and paved(there are some stairs). The cave is about 1/4 mile long before an even easier walk back to the parking lot. A quick and unforgettable stop. (Park pass required. Costs $30 per week for all Hawaii parks access).

This is a great short lava tube to explore. About 0.2 miles. Not so far from the main entrance. This attraction can be visite even if it is raining. The parking lot is very small. I will suggest going after 19;00 to avoid the crowd. Bathroom on site from the exit partway of the lava tube or take the left path from the entrance.

Highly suggest this stop while on Hawaii’s Volcanos National Park. The park does have an entry fee and they highly suggest you pre-pay online since cell coverage can be spotty depending on your service on the park. Parking by the lava tubes can fill up quickly but this is a must stop. It is a bit of a track downhill and with inclines . I do not suggest if you need assistance walking. It’s is in a slight rain forrest and can get wet and slippery. Bring a flash light, the light on your phone is NOT sufficient and in the tube it self there are many puddles. Beautiful scenery walking down to the tunnel. Then the tunnel itself (has some lighting) is an amazing sight of mother natures power! We did not have a flashlight, and may do but stepped in many puddles, and it made for a difficult walk to the end. There were stairs at the end, leading to a trail, but we decided to go back the way we came in case that drill was longer than we would want.

The lava tube is super cool to go walking through. It's lit up, but the visibility is decent to somewhat poor. Still very cool to see and the walk to it is absolutely beautiful. If it's busy, parking is a pain though.

Short paved walk through a lush forest to a natural lava tube. Other than the added lighting and stone safety markers, the tube is in really good shape and is something to see. The formation of the cave left it fairly smooth and straight-ish inside, it takes maybe a half hour tops to walk the whole trail and tube from start to finish, but can take much longer if you stop to enjoy all the sights. Amazing to think of how this was created, especially in context of the nearby active volcano. There are some uneven paved paths and stairs leading to the tube, so this isn't a quick walk if you're mobility is limited, but this isn't a difficult walk by any means. If you're not into nature or geology and bored by the rest of the park, this probably isn't going to save your day; it's less a cave and more a natural tunnel. Otherwise this is a highlight of the park and totally worth the short walk.

My boyfriend & I come here ALL the time to explore, get exercise, and get outta the house! Worth it to get the yearly pass if you're local. Don't know the prices for a one-time pass, but worth it IMO if you're spending the day there. Weather can shift suddenly, and even on warm days, it's good to bring a light jacket - just in case. The landscapes & plant life are not only diverse, but otherworldly. Fans of hiking will not be disappointed, as there are trails for all levels of experience here. Just so, so beautiful!

Volcanoes National Park is a breathtaking destination that captivates visitors with its awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes. The park, located in Hawaii, offers a unique opportunity to witness the raw power and beauty of volcanic activity up close. One of the main attractions of the park is Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. The sight of molten lava flowing from the volcano’s crater is truly mesmerizing and leaves a lasting impression. Hiking along the trails, you can explore the diverse terrain, from lush rainforests to barren lava fields, and even witness steam vents and sulfur banks. Beyond the volcanic wonders, Volcanoes National Park boasts a rich biodiversity. The park is home to unique plant and animal species that have adapted to the volcanic environment. Exploring the park’s lush rainforests, visitors can spot rare bird species and discover vibrant flora. For those seeking a deeper understanding of the park’s geological and cultural significance, the visitor center provides informative exhibits and ranger-led programs. You can learn about the park’s history, Hawaiian mythology surrounding volcanoes, and ongoing scientific research. It’s important to note that volcanic activity can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to heed safety guidelines and stay informed about any potential hazards. Nevertheless, the chance to witness the Earth’s forces in action and immerse oneself in the captivating landscapes of Volcanoes National Park is an experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Love this place. It's a little different every time we come here. You can see the biggest crater and lava tube relatively quickly, or you can spend hours driving/hiking through the park. A lot of trails go through lava flows and are unprotected from the sun and wind, so prepare accordingly. Parking at some of the main sites can be tough to find, and there aren't any sidewalks along the road if you park somewhere else and walk in. If you make it down to the sea arch, the coast line is an extreme drop-off and very windy. But there are bathrooms down there. It's such a cool way to see the Big Island. The visitor center near the crater has informative rangers and bathrooms, but it is STILL under construction. There's also a store for local artwork by the visitor 's center. The only downside is that they don't have a cafe or diner like some of the bigger national parks, and there aren't a ton of local eateries really close by, so packing plenty of food and water is a must. But - pack in, pack out!

Whenever someone tries to tell you the big island doesn’t have much to offer; show them this. So glad we stayed a few days in Ocean View and made the trek to the Volcano national park TWICE. Did 90% of trails and it was so worth it.

We stayed two nights at the historic "volcano house" in the national park. Nothing but praise for the accommodations, the staff, the dining. Last stayed here 15 years ago, and it shined through Covid 19. This is a special place on earth. Beauty in the rough. We were lucky to see active volcanic steam and even some red lava. A wonderful place on so many levels. If you have never been to an active volcano, please make this your first!

This is so worth it, even to drive through. My s.o. and I got a car pass for $30 just to drive through during our 1day trip, and it was so worth it. The views are incredible, and it is so hard to believe, even with visuals, what Mother Nature is capable of doing. There are so many hikes available and so many places to see. The 20-mile drive through the Chain of Craters was absolutely breathtaking. We are eager to return to do some of the hikes and really dive into the history of this beautiful part of the island. The drive throughout was worth the price, and with the receipt, you can enter the park for the next week - this shows the endless activities and sightseeing there is in the park.

Gorgeous! The crater rim trail offers spectacular views of Kilauea and you can even go down into the crater for part of it and walk on dried lava and see the ohia trees. The steam vents are fun to walk through and the ground there is flat. The sulphur banks likewise have a flat, wooden walkway. The ground can be uneven so not stroller-friendly. Due to the nature of this park, most of the trails are entirely exposed, no shade; plan to wear sun protection. The visitor center had lots of cool stickers and postcards! The parking lots get FULL during peak hours. We arrived at 8am and came back at 11am and cars were prowling for spots. . Recommend stopping off at some of the little stops along the road, we liked walking through the lava fields! The sea arch is terribly overrated… not worth the drive out… I see better arches at McDonald’s

It’s hard to imagine that you will be able to look into the mouth of a smoking volcano…but you can here. It’s awe-inspiring and we’ll worth the drive. Don’t forget that it’s at 4,000 feet elevation, so bring a light jacket if you don’t like temps in the 60s. If you park at the visitors center, you can take a nice 1.5 mile hike to the overlook. Or you can drive there. Make sure to stop at the steam vents. It’s kind of crazy to realize you are standing near a violently impressive force of nature. I also recommend adding a stop at Volcano House for lunch…overlooking a volcano.

Every time I visit the island I come and pay my respects to Pele. Love seeing and feeling the energy of Pele. The crater, steam vents and lava tubes were the center of my visit this time. So much to explore. Love this beautiful National Park. Entrance fee is $30 but I you plan to visit more than once the annual pass is a more economical option.

Definitely worth the visit! The volcano caldera is absolutely breathtaking. World’s LARGEST active volcano! It wasn’t active when we were there but it had been a couple weeks prior so there was still smoke and steam. Still worth seeing!

The park is really well-maintained and the staff/ rangers are very helpful. Entrance fees are outlined on their website, and your pass is valid for 7 days with a saved receipt. This is awesome, because there is little chance to see all the points of interest in just one day. The visitor center and the park map provide very helpful suggestions for your visit based on how much time and physical effort you can put in. We visited over two separate afternoons and opted to hike part of the crater rim trail, the steam vents and Sulphur vent trails, the lava tube, and taking a drive down towards the Petroglyphs trail. We got caught in some fog and rain as we drove towards the coast, so we ended up not hiking. Check the weather forecast throughout the day and heed the advice of the rangers to stay safe. Would definitely recommend and plan to return for more hiking and possibly camping next time I'm on the Big Island.

We took a drive through Hawaii Volcano National Park. What a fantastic afternoon. We drove to the bottom of the “Chain of Craters” road. It’s worth the 19 mile trek. It rained half way down and the sunny st the bottom. We then toured Thurston Lava Tube. My favorite!! Loved the walk down the tropical path through the lava tube and out the other end. Ya might need a flashlight. The phone flashlight works good too. The steam vents were great. I couldn’t believe how hot they were. Lastly we visited the crater and Volcano house…. Spectacular! What a sight to see. I thankfully can only imagine it erupting. Make sure you stop for a visit to the volcano national park

See the volcano crater was really cool. Steam vents were awesome. So fun to be so close to an active volcano. We only had a short time here, but you could really spend all day in the park if you’re into hiking. My group could do some, but not long trails. We saw the crater, steam vents and hiked to the lava tube which was underwhelming. We saw much larger caves near Hilo. Still a fun day and great for kids.

What a unique treat to see an active volcano up close! The trails were not difficult to walk and the parking was fine (we were there early in the AM). Multiple places to view the volcano and many places for good pictures. The summit was very open and as you progress downward it becomes like a tropical jungle. Then you can finally get down to the eruption area (1 mile walk each way on an abandoned roadway) or even hike the bottom of the crater. Definitely worth the price of admission. From the airport area by Kona it will take about two hours to get here … plan accordingly.

It is a great experience to see the power of nature. You get to realize the size of the volcano opening / crater when you are standing in front of it. Well worth it. Entrance to the park is $30.

An incredible place to visit. So much to see and hikes to do. We hiked through the steam vents and up to the crater. Reading and understating this land and it’s energy is just incredible. We ate lunch at the volcano house, it gets very busy so I’d recommend bringing a packed lunch if you are staying somewhere with facilities to do so. We hiked down to the crater of the Kīlauea Iki which was really fun but a medium/hard track back up. The lava tubes are well worth the visit, the cave is amazing. We then drive all the way to the ocean, the land scape here is just incredible - I think it’s worth the 30 minute drive. We spent around 6/7 hours there and had the best time. Sad not to see lava but just seeing and being on the active volcano was…wow.

What an amazing park! 100% worth the drive from Kailua-Kona. This park has lava tubes, lava lake, steam vents, and an incredible view of the volcano’s crater. The visitor’s center has LOADS of information. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We enjoyed lunch at Volcano House and ate amazing pizza with a great view. Most view points are wheelchair accessible, but there are some paths that are not. Our only regret is not seeing it at night. The tickets give you access to the park for 7 days, so plan on a couple of trips if you want to see it all. You could easily spend 10-12 hours taking everything in.

So many things to do and explore. I am so sad we didn’t have the time or the appropriate footwear to explore!! My husband has never seen lava before and our trip coincided with an active eruption. There were plenty of vantage points to view the eruption. Next time for sure, whether there is an active eruption or not, we are going hiking. I haven’t explored those cavers in decades and would love to experience it with my husband. They have multiple trails and maps available at the visitor’s center. You can opt for a long hike or a short(1-2 hour hike). There are also roads you can drive on to get to the sight seeing points. So if you don’t want to do excessive hiking but don’t want to miss out on the sights, you can drive to them. Parking lots are small but doable. It was $30 for a vehicle. The sign said up to 14 people in a personal/non-commercial vehicle which I thought was a terrific price. Maybe I’ll take my gaggle of nieces and nephews up one day! Beautiful sights. ❤️

We decided NOT to go on a tour and instead after doing a little research and downloading the National Park app, enjoyed touring parts of the park. When we arrived snd paid our $30 entry fee, we stopped by the Kiluaea Visitors Center. Inside a park ranger explained what we could accomplish in 1,2,3 or more hours. We took the 3 hour map plus we ate a great lunch at The Volcano House, which is conveniently located across the street from the visitor center! If you are planning to be on The Big Island for a few days, this is something you must experience!

Visited here in January. We only had one day here so we had to make the most of it. We did several short hikes. Visited the top of the volcano. And drove the road all the way down to the coast. The visitor center is a good starting point to gather your maps and plan your days visit. We also stop by the lodge to pick up some snacks for the long road down to the ocean.

Definitely an amazing park, absolutely incredible views of the volcano and some very well curated hikes. There is a lot to see here and almost none of it requires a strenuous hike. Head to the Volcano House first for the most amazing views of the crater. For the lava tubes and the hike down to the lava field, I highly recommend you get there early as that parking lot fills up incredibly quickly. The main negative of the park is there is just not enough parking anywhere. But you should absolutely come here if you’re on the Big island!

This experience was incredible for our family. We had the opportunity to hike the rim of the volcano, walk through a large lava tube, and drive to the end of the park. Prepare for a full day experience to get the most out of the park. If not, you may end up driving back in the dark. I highly recommend Shaka Guide App. This is available on the App Store and was featured on Trip Advisor. It is a fun and engaging app that highlights all the sections in the park, in real time, based on where you are at. This made the entire experience even better.

Beautiful park to visit. We started from the last point (ocean view ) and moved forward to the entrance and this was a good decision because each next stop was better than previous ones. Last points - lava tubes, hiking down to the crater and sleeping craters were top ones to see on the end.

Exploring the park, one cannot help but be awestruck by the dramatic volcanic landscapes that range from lush rainforests to barren lava fields. The stark contrast serves as a vivid reminder of the earth's ever-changing nature. Hiking trails, such as the Crater Rim Trail, provide panoramic views of the calderas and access to steam vents that hint at the molten activity simmering below the surface. For those interested in witnessing lava flow, certain areas of the park offer this once-in-a-lifetime experience, though it's subject to the whims of volcanic activity and safety considerations. Beyond its geological wonders, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is steeped in cultural significance. The park is home to ancient petroglyphs and the historic Volcano House, which offers a glimpse into the area's past. Efforts to preserve native ecosystems and respect the cultural traditions of the Native Hawaiian people are evident throughout the park. Education programs and guided tours provide insights into the ecological and cultural heritage of this unique landscape. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, an avid hiker, or simply someone who appreciates the profound beauty and power of the natural world, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers an experience that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. Easy to drive. Easy to park during weekdays.

Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an absolute must-do experience. The moment you step into the park, you're greeted with a landscape so unique and powerful, it's like nowhere else on Earth. Everywhere you look, there's a sense of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, weaving her magic through the land. The park offers an array of breathtaking sights, from the smoldering craters to the vast lava fields. It's a place where you can truly feel the raw power of nature at work. The park's trails lead you through diverse terrains, offering glimpses of rare flora and fauna, and the views are simply unmatched. What makes this park truly special is the feeling it leaves you with. You're not just observing; you're part of something ancient and awe-inspiring. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park isn't just a place to visit; it's an experience that stays with you long after you leave. A definite five-star experience for anyone wanting to witness the majestic power of nature and the spirit of Pele.

It is such a beautiful National park. I will definitely recommend this National park if you are visiting Hawaii. It is just not about national parks, to see the feeling of Valcanos that formed millions of years ago is such a blessing. The hot Smoke keep coming in lot of places. This is my first ever experience to see the hot springs. Don’t miss the thunder hole, I don’t know how it informed it is an amazing experience to walk thru it. You can drive to most of the spots and can cover in 3-4 hours max. A highly recommend going to this place. If you have a national park annual pass it is acceptable.

We rented a car at the Hilo Airport and drove here. No need for expensive cruise excursion tour. Lots of parking at multiple view sites. Not crowded, friendly fellow tourists took turns at railings and took pictures of us. Spectacular views. Lots of old lava flows and a huge crater you can park near and walk to. Easy walking. Crater edge is nearly level with parking. One note, wear a good mask around the steam vents. We both had sinus inflammation for 3 days after our visit.

Super easy trail about 1.5 miles RT. Good for families and kids. Zero shade so definitely bring water. Walking on the trail you see some really beautiful lava formations. There are approx 23,000 petroglyphs here. Some are super obvious but others it feels a bit like “where’s Waldo?” A lovely stop on the Chain of Craters road.

Wow! Bring some water, and some decent shoes. This is a very windy short hike, but worth every step to see the amazing petroglyphs ❤️

This was a quick and easy out-and-back, fairly free form trail inside the National Park. The hike is through a lava field with occasional cairn markings. On a clear sunny day, it’s hot and there is no shade, so plan accordingly. Folks with vision, balance, or joint issues should be careful and will take longer to hike this (and would likely consider it moderate/difficult instead of easy), because the walk is over an entirely ungroomed rock field. The main petroglyph area is surrounded by a boardwalk, but keep your eyes peeled for other markings outside of that confined area and be respectful. Parking spaces are available at the trailhead, near the end of the Chain of Craters road, so it’s a bit of a drive to get out here.

Pretty neat. Although since the volcanic rock had texture to begin with it was sort of hard to determine what was a drawing and what wasn’t. Also the hike to get there is across dark volcanic rock with no shade. Fortunately I brought an umbrella which came in handy to shield myself from the harsh sun.

Wow, so awesome to literally feel like you’re traveling back in time to view these petroglyphs. Pretty cool to see history written in the lava rocks. I wonder what stories are being told and what historical events were documented here. Be prepared for a bit of a hike. So bring appropriate shoes, sunscreen, water and maybe an umbrella for the sun. It gets really hot on these rocks.

Super cool to see how the petroglyph survived for so long, and we're found on the lava floor. Easy, level trail out there, but it's 1.4 miles round trip and 20 degrees hotter than up at the crater rom, so be prepared and bring plenty of water.

1.4 mile round trip hike that leads you to a deck leading you around carvings in the lava. Parking is on the side of the road as shown in the photo. It’s pretty neat to see the different patterns formed by the cooled lava.

Very interesting and a good little hike to them (0.7mi one way). Wear good shoes and sunscreen. You'll be able to see a nice area where there are loads of petroglyphs

The landscape was amazing and it is a short hike. Because it is short, you can do it in slippers or regular shoes. HOWEVER, you are better off with good shoes on. The sign says the hike is only 0.7 miles. I highly doubt that. Felt like it was more than a mile. This could be due to the fact that the trail is not very clear and we spent sometime looking for the markers. The terrain also slows you down. Follow the stacked stones until you get to the boardwalk and enjoy the hike!

A small but cool area to see the rock carvings of early Hawaiians. The walk there one way took us about 20 min and the trail is quite easy to follow. When it becomes a bit unclear you look up and will see the ahus (stacked rocks) which mark the path.

A short hike to a boardwalk with several informational signs. The petroglyphs are unique and worth checking out. Respect the area, it's sacred.

It’s a hike to get to the Petroglyphs but it was one of my favorites activities of our trip. My kids enjoyed the hike out and climbing the highest points they could but going around and learning about the petroglyphs and the meaning of certain things was so interesting and educational.

We visited the national park in May 2019 with our friends. The view of the crater of the volcano from a height is impressive: it is huge and spacious, desolate. There was steam around us, thick and humid in places. It came out through deep cracks. At one point, we felt an unusual energy through our body, as if our bodies were light, a very unusual place. Later we drove downhill on the Crater Rim Drive. It took a lot of time because we kept stopping and admiring all the colors and shapes that the eruption left behind: layers of different shapes, different shades. We are sorry that we arrived relatively late because it is really worth looking at everything in peace and enjoying the scenes that take your breath away. Unforgettable, I will be happy to share photos with you.

There’s parking on the right side of the road. Trail starts on the left. About 1.4-1.5 miles round trip. It’s over lava rocks. So not really a straight shot. But easily doable!! And totally worth it. It’s amazing to see history literally carved before your eyes. Also. What a scenic drive out here. Wow.

Great hike. Seems further than what it says. It’s uneven the whole way.

Wide variety of trail to hike on here. There's a cool rainforest hike down into the crater and a hike across the base of the crater to another rainforest section. It's a solid hike, but I didn't love it.

Gorgeous hike with views! It was around 2 hours or so, on the loop we started high and entered the crater, then climbed back up. The whole thing was lovely - the climb up was a bit hard on the lungs for the both of us, but well worth it.

Wow! Amazing hike one of the best you could ever do. Such an amazing landscape. The trail weaves thru tropical rainforest then thru a crater. The crater is otherworldly and massive in scale as you walk past the huge solidified flows. The incline on way out of crater is steep. The views on this trail are epic at one point you can see the eruption (if it’s going off, it was when I was there) at halemaumau crater from the trail the plume rising straight up. So epic.

Very cool hiking in the crater. It's around 4 miles round trip. We walked about 2/3 of the way and then back, since we had parked on one side of the entrance to the trail.

Really cool experience to be in the middle of the crater. You can see steam coming up at various points throughout.

Best trail you can hike while in the national park! Gorgeous hike that descends from the rainforest at the rim into the dry, desert-like crater, and back up into rainforest. Super cool to see how the plants change during this hike. It is an almost 4-mile trail with a steep ascent and descent, so be prepared for the steps. Definitely wear solid hiking shoes and bring lots of water because it can get hot when you hike down into the crater, because of the sun exposure (also bring sunscreen). If you are able (physically and have the time), don't miss this awesome hike!

Definitely recommend to go for this short and easy hike into a volcano crater.

The crater itself. Great for photo taking! Must visit.

Awesome hike that starts at the parking for Thurston Lava Tube. The hike descend switchbacks from street level down into the crater. the crater itself still has active vents so stay on the marked trail. It is a wonderfully surreal landscape as you travel from lush jungle to the barren landscape of the crater floor.

Keep an eye out for the unique green Olivine crystals in this crater’s otherworldly landscape. If you are a chronically distracted hiker, plan for at least 3.5 hour round trip from the rim.

Super awesome and cool to see this wonderful work of nature. The best part is you can walk/hike on it if you wish to. Unique experience!

Beautiful trail, beautiful view.. must must go! The crater comes after approx a mile of trail and it's makes everything worth it. Amazing view. Don't start after dark, it might get hard to climb back up.

The hike to get to and from the crater is ~4 miles total, and is definitely worth it. It feels like you're walking on a foreign planet when you're in the middle of the crater. Also, how many times are you going to have the chance to walk across the crater of a dormant volcano; absolutely worth checking out.

What a beauty! We hiked the road trail around 3am (parking was quite busy already so I’d recommend the same) and got to see it like this with no filter, just pure read. Such an incredible experience!

Still one of the few places where you can actually see lava. Unfortunately, when we were there in March, there was no activity and you could only see a few orange spots in the evening. The key thing is to visit during the day and see the dramatic landscape and then return after sunset to see the glow of the lava (and if you are luck, actual moving lava). Looks like its active again now but will be a few years before I return.

Amazing experience. Here you loose the notion of time and space. If you like hiking that’s probably one of the best places on the island - natural beauty is overwhelming

The earth is amazing and deadly. The crater hike is a must and would rate a moderate hike in proper gear. If you've done your research, go counter COUNTER CLOCKWISE on the hike as to cross the lava tubes at the end and crossing the highest part of the volcano will be easier as well. So if you see the tube early on your trek, I highly recommend to go back the 15 minutes. Parking is very limited for the hike, so come early like before 9am and you'll have no problem if it. Bring lots of water as there are no shade when your are on the crater part of the hike. We took about 3 hours to complete as we stopped and double backed on some parts of the trail. Once on the crater, follow the rock piles that creates a path across. Do drive to the visitor center as there are toilet facilities, park rangers that does a great overview of the park, and gift shop to commemorate your visit. If you have the time, there is a drive all the way to the Crater Rim Road all the way to the most southern tip. Leave at least 2 hours to do this.

Dress warm and bring a flashlight! It gets really chilly up here. We came in early April and it was about 12C. The eruption is about a 15 minute walk from the parking lot. If you’re coming with kids, you can probably bring a stroller up until 100meters or so where you’re in rock; an all terrain stroller could probably do it. The viewing area is boarded off and it gets quite busy. The eruption wasn’t very large when we went, but security stated that it was spewing the week before. The sky is lit up a beautifully rose after sunset

What an otherworldly experience! Seeing lava and eruptions in real life was like nothing we have ever seen before. We could see the glow as we approached on the road from far away, but when we actually saw it.... unreal.

Great ranger-led hike to the surface of the caldera. Down about 450 feet....then back up. Good trail with interesting walk through lush area before you get to the surface. John from Philadelphia was a GREAT guide. Added lots of insight to what we were seeing.

We were lucky enough to arrive in Hawai’i two days before Kilauea decided to erupt. I was worried there’d be no parking, but that was not the case. We were able to get great views of the volcano and see other parts of the park as well. It was amazing! There’s a main viewing area right by a large parking lot and also places to walk further for different views. You can also see the crater from the window of the nearby Volcano House restaurant. We were told to stay and see it in the dark too, but our rental car’s headlights were awful and we were afraid to drive back down the mountain in the dark, so we decided to opt for a daytime view. If you’ve got good headlights or are staying closer to the volcano than we were, I’m sure a nighttime view would be awesome. When we planned our trip, we were content to look at the volcano even if there was so lava - seeing the crater alone would have been cool - so I suggest going even if there’s not an active eruption, but definitely go if there is one. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience I’ll never forget!

The youngest land volcano in the Hawaiian islands. Even when it is not erupting, there is plenty to see with the craters/calderas and lava tubes and hikes and flows and petroglyphs.

This was so awesome !! Went there early in the morning before sunrise to watch red lava flow. Even though it was nippy outside, we could feel the heat and the sea water was boiling from the lava. A truly spectacular sight since there are very few places on earth where one can see an active volcano like this. Rangers are very friendly and full of information. Don’t miss the guided walks.

So interesting, unique plants that only grow there, trails are beautiful, so green and fresh. I recomend take the trail from the Kilauea Visitor Center, is around 45-60 minutes walking, the view is spectacular.

Kilauea 🌋 is an awe-inspiring natural wonder that left me speechless! As a professional cameraman i have to say that the raw power and beauty of this active volcano is something everyone should experience. The molten lava flows are a testament to the Earth's incredible forces. The surrounding landscape, with its lush rainforests and breathtaking views, adds to the overall mystique. The guided tours were informative and safe, providing a unique insight into the geological marvel. A visit to Kilauea is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that I highly recommend to any nature enthusiast or curious traveler.