Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Discover Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island, the only place where you can experience 11 of the 13 world climate zones in just a few hours.
Minutes from At the Crater’s Edge is Kīlauea, the world’s most active volcano, and Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano on Earth. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park features unique hiking trails and a first-hand look at the Earth’s most beautiful creative and destructive forces, volcanoes.
From snow capped volcanic peaks to the Pacific Ocean, explore a wilderness of twisted lava deserts, active steam vents, lava caves, serene forest trails with giant tree ferns, and the birth of new land from red hot lava.
Designated a World Biosphere Preserve and home of the legendary Hawaiian goddess, Pele, we invite you to discover where we live and play… in a magical rainforest on the crater’s edge of a live volcano.
Kilauea Eruption
Kilauea Volcano has been intermittently erupting since December 23, 2024, producing stunning lava fountains and new lava flows over the crater. Seeing an eruption like this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We hope you will be lucky enough to see this spectacular site, and our proximity to the park means you can get there quickly if one starts suddenly during your visit! The activity is monitored by the US Geological Survey. Below are webcam links to Kilauea as well as current eruption information. Halema'uma'u webcam - See the latest volcanic eruption live Eruption update page at the USGS site.
Our Favorite Hikes
Pu’u HuluHulu
Kīlauea Iki Trail
This is an easy, spectacular trail that begins at the Mauna Ulu parking lot a short way down the Chain of Craters road. The trail winds its way through a pretty pahoehoe lava area studded with Ohelo berry bushes. Ohelo berries are a favorite of Nene geese, Hawaii’s endangered state bird, so lucky hikers and birdwatchers may find this an ideal spot to watch for this elusive species. The trail continues slightly uphill, then climbs a larger hill. This area is a kipuka – a mass of land that the lava went around and left the forest intact. From the top of the hill there are great views to the Puʻu Ōō vent, and closer views of the steaming Napau Crater.
Total distance: about two miles round trip.
For the more adventurous hiker, Kīlauea Iki Trail provides a fascinating look at the Kīlauea Iki crater lava lake, which, despite being solidified, still emits steam. You’ll navigate a beautiful rainforest before descending into the crater, spotting stacked ahu along the way to mark the trail. This hike features some of the volcano’s most interesting features, including steam vents and cinder and spatter cones. Because the hike includes a steep and rocky path, hikers will want to be prepared for a challenging walk and come prepared with proper gear and clothing for multiple weather conditions.
Total distance: about 3.3 miles
