Hawaii has two volcanoes you can visit, and one is still erupting

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits on the Big Island and protects Kīlauea and Mauna Ulu, two of the world's most active volcanoes. Kīlauea has erupted dozens of times in recorded history and last erupted in 2023. Mauna Ulu, inside the same park, erupted continuously from 1969 to 1974 and remains one of the longest eruptions ever recorded. Both volcanoes are accessible by car and foot, though access changes based on volcanic activity, air quality, and road conditions.

The park sits at 4,000 feet elevation on the Big Island's southeastern side, about 30 miles from Hilo. The drive from Kona takes roughly two hours. Most visitors spend a half day to a full day exploring the crater rim, walking through lava tubes, and viewing steam vents. The park charges an entrance fee and is open year-round, though specific trails and viewpoints close without notice when volcanic gases or unstable ground pose a risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is free to enter with a valid America the Beautiful Pass, or costs $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass.
  • Kīlauea crater is visible from the rim road even when the volcano is not actively erupting, and the crater floor itself has walked trails when conditions allow.
  • Volcanic gases, especially sulfur dioxide, can close trails or the entire park without warning, so check the National Park Service website before you drive.
  • Mauna Ulu's crater is a 2.2-mile round-trip hike that crosses recent lava fields and offers views into the crater where the 1969–1974 eruption occurred.
  • The park has no food, lodging, or fuel inside its boundaries, so bring water, snacks, and a full tank of gas from Volcano village or Hilo.

What you see at Kīlauea crater and the rim road

The Crater Rim Trail offers multiple pullouts and short walks that show the scale of Kīlauea's caldera—a sunken volcanic basin roughly 2 miles wide and 1,000 feet deep. From the visitor center, you can drive the Crater Rim Road, which loops around the crater and takes 45 minutes to an hour without stops. Most visitors stop at Kīlauea Overlook, Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), and Crater Rim Trail viewpoints.

Kīlauea Overlook is the closest view of the crater floor and the Halema'uma pit crater, where steam and volcanic gases often rise. Thurston Lava Tube is a 10-minute walk through a 500-year-old tunnel carved by flowing lava, surrounded by native fern forest. The crater floor itself is sometimes open to hikers on the Crater Rim Trail or the Kīlauea Iki Trail, a 4-mile round-trip that descends 400 feet into a crater that erupted in 1959. When the crater floor is open, you walk across the crater bottom and see steam vents and sulfur banks up close.

Mauna Ulu and the Thurston Lava Tube hike

Mauna Ulu sits inside the park, about 20 miles from the visitor center. The Mauna Ulu Trail is a 2.2-mile round-trip hike across black lava fields to the crater rim. The walk is exposed—no shade—and crosses rough 'a'ā lava (sharp, jagged rock), so wear sturdy hiking boots and bring at least two liters of water per person. The trail takes one to two hours depending on fitness and pace.

At the crater, you stand at the rim of the pit where lava erupted continuously for five years. The crater is roughly 400 feet deep and 3,000 feet across. On clear days, you can see the Kona coast from the rim. The hike is popular and often crowded in the morning, so start early or go in the late afternoon. The trail is open year-round unless volcanic gases or ground instability close it, which the park announces on its website and at the visitor center.

When volcanic gases close trails and how to check before you go

Kīlauea releases sulfur dioxide gas continuously, and the amount changes based on volcanic activity. High gas levels can close the visitor center, the Crater Rim Road, or specific trails for hours or days. The park also closes areas when earthquakes destabilize ground or when steam explosions become likely. These closures happen without advance notice.

Before you drive to the park, check the National Park Service website for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The site lists current road and trail closures, air quality alerts, and eruption status. You can also call the park's main line at 808-985-6000. If you arrive and find your planned hike closed, the visitor center staff can suggest open alternatives or explain when the area may reopen. Many visitors plan a backup activity—like visiting nearby Volcano village or the Kona coast—in case their first choice is closed.

Entrance fees, hours, and what to bring

The park charges $30 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per person on foot or bicycle. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers entry to all U.S. national parks for one year. The park is open 24 hours a day, but the visitor center operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Most trails are safest and most popular between sunrise and mid-afternoon.

Bring at least two liters of water per person, sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy hiking boots. The elevation is 4,000 feet, so it is cooler than sea level but still sunny. Wear layers because wind at the rim can be strong. The park has no food, water, or fuel inside its boundaries. The nearest gas station and restaurants are in Volcano village, about 2 miles from the park entrance, or in Hilo, 30 miles away. Pack snacks and fill your tank before entering.

How to get there and where to stay nearby

From Hilo, take Highway 11 south for about 30 miles to the park entrance. From Kona, take Highway 11 southeast for about 100 miles—roughly a two-hour drive. The park entrance is in Volcano village, a small community at the crater's edge. Volcano village has a few hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and vacation rentals, but no large resorts. Many visitors stay in Hilo or Kona and drive to the park for the day.

If you stay in Volcano village, you are minutes from the park entrance and can visit early in the morning or at sunset when light is best for photography. Hilo is 30 miles away and has more lodging and restaurant options. Kona is farther but offers beach access and more resort amenities. The drive from either town takes time, so plan to spend at least four hours at the park to make the drive worthwhile.

Safety tips for walking on lava and in volcanic areas

'A'ā lava is extremely sharp and can cut skin and tear clothing. Wear closed-toe hiking boots with ankle support and thick socks. Stay on marked trails—walking off-trail damages the fragile volcanic landscape and increases your risk of falls or getting lost. Bring a headlamp or flashlight if you plan to hike near sunset, because the black lava makes uneven ground hard to see.

Volcanic gases are invisible and odorless at low levels but can trigger asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems. If you have respiratory issues, check the park's air quality forecast before you go. Drink water constantly—the dry air and high elevation dehydrate you faster than you notice. If you feel dizzy, short of breath, or unwell, turn back and rest in a shaded area or your car. The park has no cell service in most areas, so tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you see lava flowing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

Not always. Kīlauea erupts periodically but not continuously. When it is erupting, lava may not be visible from the park—it may be underground or on the far side of the crater. Check the park website or call ahead to learn whether an eruption is active and whether viewing areas are open. Even when the volcano is not erupting, you can see the crater, steam vents, and the landscape shaped by past eruptions.

Is it safe to visit if the volcano is erupting?

Yes, if the park is open. The National Park Service closes areas when volcanic gases, earthquakes, or other hazards pose a real risk. If the park is open to visitors, the areas you can access have been assessed as safe. That said, conditions change, so follow all closure signs and heed warnings from park staff.

How long does it take to see the main sights?

A quick visit—stopping at two or three viewpoints and walking the Thurston Lava Tube—takes two to three hours. A full day allows time for the Crater Rim Trail, Mauna Ulu hike, and multiple viewpoints. If you hike Kīlauea Iki crater, add another two to three hours. Most first-time visitors spend four to six hours in the park.

What is the best time of year to visit?

The park is open year-round. Weather is driest from May to September, but mornings can be foggy. December to March is wetter but often has clearer afternoon views. Avoid midday heat by hiking early morning or late afternoon. Volcanic gas levels vary daily and are not tied to season, so check the park website regardless of when you plan to visit.

Do I need a guide to hike in the park?

No. All main trails are marked and safe to hike on your own. Guided tours are available through concessioners and offer historical and geological context, but they are not required. If you are unsure about trail conditions or closures, ask staff at the visitor center before you start.