Do you seek the best volcanic scenery in America? Get ready for a volcano trip with your family and friends, and get some wonderful visuals of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Besides that, there are many volcanoes park which reflect the rich history of the place, including the Kilauea Iki Crater and the Puʻuloa Petroglyphs. People are excited to visit this park for its hiking trails and the deep craters and lava tubes that provide an otherworldly experience. Whether you have much time or not, don’t miss the top attraction spots near the volcanic park, such as Akaka Falls or the Volcano Village. Let’s plan your best trip to the Big Island’s world-famous Volcanoes National Park!
Origins Of Volcanoes National Park
This large volcano park was a result of the efforts of scientists to preserve the two volcanoes. In 1916, it was inaugurated by then-US President Woodrow Wilson. Back then, it was known as Hawai’i National Park before the separation of the Haleakalā section in 1961. Since then this park has welcomed millions of visitors throughout the years and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While preserving two of the most active volcanoes in the world remains the main aim, in many years, this park has developed a lot of exciting spots for you to have a perfect trip.
Travel Guide For Volcanoes National Park
You need to be well-guided before going to the park. Whether you are on your personal ride or taking the charter bus rental in Hawaii, knowing the best routes will help you navigate easily.
Three Routes To The Park
The Saddle Road is considered the fastest route to the national park. This road is going to be helpful when you move out of Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa. This 90-mile road runs straight through the island, which will take you to the park within 2.5 hours. Another route to the Volcanoes National Park is the Southern Belt or Highway 11. This is a scenic route is accessed mostly from Hilo. It will take you to the southernmost point of the country and the rural Kau in the 95-mile journey, taking the same amount of time. But if you want to take your time for a long drive, the Northern Loop is the answer. It has a lot of cliffs and valleys for your gaze as you drive through the Big Island.
Tip: For more important details on these routes, check the official website of the National Park Service.
Entering The Volcanoes National Park
The entrance of this park is on the 28 and 29 mile markers of Highway 11. Once you enter it the first place you pass through is the fee station. You have to pay around $15-$30 for 7-day access to the venue. After that, you will reach the Kilauea Visitor Centre, where you will find all the information for your travel. Volcanic eruption and weather updates will also be available. Then walk up to the Crater Rim Drive, where you will find numerous paths to the best spots of this park. You are now ready to begin your Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour.
Best Spots At Volcanoes National Park
Almost every place in this park offers a unique experience to the visitors. From the two age-old volcanoes to the lava beds all across the area, people should not miss any spots. Let’s take a look at these spots.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
Kilauea Iki Trail is a 3.3-mile loop around the Kilauea Iki Crater. The first thing you will see is the vast rainforest over the trail. Ohia trees are a unique variety of vegetation found in this rainforest. After walking through the forest, you will step into a hardened lava lake. You will find a lot of deep vents here with gases coming out of it. The crater is going to feel endless because of no scale and structures. That is a striking visual that tourists must experience on this iconic trail. This hike can take at least 2-3 hours to complete.
Nāhaku Lava Tube
Five hundred years ago, lava flowing out of Kilauea Volcano cooled to form the Nāhaku Lava Tube. It was known as Thurston Lava Tube before 2021. Well-paved, well-marked paths and excellent lighting give you wonderful views of this 600m lava tube. You cannot have access to the full trail to the lava tube due to a major bridge replacement project currently underway. But a modified one-way trail is still open to the public. Once you enter Nāhaku, you will feel temperatures dropping in the cave-like tunnel. Tourists do not forget to visit this spot in the national park.
Puʻuloa Petroglyphs
Native Hawaiians carved the Puʻuloa Petroglyphs centuries ago. It is the largest petroglyph field in Hawai’i, as there are many more all along the island. This 1.4-mile stroll on the path will take you to the boardwalk, where you can view numerous stone carvings. The Pu’uloa Petroglyphs field has around 23000 carvings that are spread across the open lava field. Visitors must stay on the boardwalk and remember that these petroglyphs still hold religious significance. Federal law treats any kind of damage as an offence.
Devastation Trail
The 1959 volcanic eruption formed Devastation Trail, earning the path its name. It used to be a rainforest, which was filled with lush greenery. In 1973, the National Park Service established this trail for visitors to get a first-hand experience of how powerful volcanic activities can be. Today, visitors love taking a hike on this trail and exploring this place. You can find a lot of cinder and ash cones all around the 1-mile trail. Researchers often visit this trail to study the nature of volcanoes here.
Hōlei Sea Arch
The Hōlei Sea Arch is one of the best spots to visit here. This 90-foot-tall structure came from a lava-formed cliff. The best point from which you can see this arch is from the Hōlei Sea Arch Overlook. This overlook is near the Chain of Craters Road. Walk up to the overlook because recent eruptions at the Kilauea Volcano blocked some of the roads. You should really try to see the Hōlei Sea Arch as it is going to fall into the ocean one day in the near future.
Haʻakulamanu (Sulphur Banks)
For many tourists, the Sulphur Banks Trail is the first choice of many visitors for hiking, as it is closest to the Kilauea Visitor Centre. It is one of the easiest trails in this park because it has a loop of 1.3 miles. As you hike on this trail, you will see a lot of volcanic vents releasing gases. The local name of the trail, “Haʻakulamanu”, means “gathering place for birds”. This name is perfect because a lot of birds gather around this trail for the ‘Ōhelo berries that are very popular here.
Kilauea Overlook
The Kilauea Overlook might be the best spot in this park. It has everything- the trails for hiking and the steam vents like Wahinekapu, giving a perfect Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park experience. If you reach the peak observation point of the crater overlook, you will get amazing views of the Kilauea crater. The crater will look even better at night as the glow becomes visible inside the Kilauea caldera. Travel in the marked areas because the terrain is unstable due to volcanic activities. Staying on these designated trails keeps us away from the cracks and fissures in this area.
Places Near Volcanoes National Park To Visit
The Big Island has much more to offer because places like the Volcano Village and the ʻAkaka Falls State Park should not be overlooked by visitors. Here is a list of the best Big Island attractions besides Volcanoes National Park.
Volcano Village
Volcano Village is a small settlement just 5 minutes away from the National Park. This village is a residential area that has all the basic amenities for living here in Hawai’i. From grocery stores to places where you can plan to stay, this village is perfect to stop at. The best thing that you can do in Volcano Village is to visit the wonderful art galleries here. You can get to see the beautiful Hawaiian crafts and native carvings. Volcano Art Centre is the best among all these art galleries. Another spot to visit in this village is the Farmer’s Market. It opens on Sundays and Thursdays at the Coopers Centre, where you will find authentic and fresh goods like fruits and bakery.
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
You have to visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach on the Big Island. The beach sand is black in colour because it is lava that cooled down when it came into contact with the ocean. If you are on the beach, then you must have your swimming and snorkelling gear ready. You will find a lot of sea turtles as you swim in the water. Stay away from these creatures and do not harm the marine life here. Swim with utmost care here because of the dangerous rip currents. You can also spend some time near a waterlily pond present on the beach.
Tip: To know about more beaches in Hawai’i, visit this blog.
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
‘Akaka Falls State Park is located in northern Hilo, just at the end of ‘Akaka Falls Road. The short 400m hiking trail makes the trip to this park even better. Once you reach the overlook, you will get the best view of the huge 440 ft ‘Akaka Falls. The complete hike will take around 20-30 minutes. But it will be worth it because of the lush rainforest that surrounds the whole park. To visit ‘Akaka Falls State Park, entry fees are mandatory, which are around $5 for one person and $10 for parking personal vehicles. Come to this state park with a group of 15-Passenger Rental Vans available here.
Kealakekua Bay
Kealakeku Bay is known for its world-class snorkelling facilities. If you snorkel here, do not leave the shoreline because of channel currents. Other popular outdoor activities here are kayaking and hiking. This bay is also famous for the vivid aquatic life found here, which consists of dolphins and sea turtles. Besides these, you should take a hike or kayak to the Captain Cook Monument. This obelisk was built in memory of British explorer James Cook, who was killed here in 1779 in a fight with the native people.
Tips For Travelling In Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park might be a fascinating place, but travelling here needs a lot of preparation. You need to know these tips before making your way to the volcanic park. Let’s start with the most important information.
Best Time To Visit Volcanoes National Park
The shoulder seasons like April-June or September-November, are considered the best time to plan a trip to Volcanoes National Park. These months come just before the holidays, which gives the travellers a good opportunity to avoid peak crowds on special occasions. This will ensure a better experience for travellers. If it comes to entering the park, early mornings or afternoons are best. This allows you to avoid peak hours with packed crowds. The best part about arriving at dawn is being able to witness the active lava at the right time. The park is open 24 hours a day, so make your plans comfortably.
Safety Checks
The first thing that we must make sure are the volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and trail conditions. It can change at any time in Hawai’i. In the park, you must stay on marked trails and behind barriers. This is because the unstable ground, with hidden cracks and a thin crust around the trails, can be dangerous. Some people in the park might feel a bit of irritation in their eyes and throats. In such cases, they must immediately walk to a place with cleaner air. If you are a heart patient or dealing with asthma, be more cautious.
Clothing And Essential Items
Wearing layered clothes and long pants in this volcano park is recommended. Now, at high altitudes, layered clothes will not be enough. Thick jackets will be very helpful in this case, as temperatures drop here a lot. Along with that, wear closed-toe, thick-soled and sturdy shoes for hiking on the delicate trails in this park. This is because of the unstable lava terrain that has cracks and debris. Besides these, clothing enhancements include carrying your hats in the day for sunlight and headlamps for the night. And with all these essentials, a small first aid kit and carrying enough water are a must.
Do’s And Don’ts Of The Park
There are some things you must do at the park, and some are things you are strictly not allowed to do. Let us understand them properly.
Do’s
- You are allowed to visit the Volcanoes National Park for seven consecutive days after paying the entry fees. No need to tire yourself by travelling the whole park in a single day. Choose 1-2 spots a day each.
- Stay on the designated trails and boardwalks at all times.
- Keep a distance from all the vegetation in the park.
Don’ts
- Do not touch any lava rocks or sand in this park.
- Taking any fragment of rocks from the petroglyph section is a punishable offence.
- Do not feed any animal here and keep a distance from them.
Conclusion
The most important thing about Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park is how relevant it is historically. This is the reason why the services and authorities are trying their best to reserve this park every day. If you are visiting the Big Island, do not forget to go to this park. Also, make sure you visit the unique places near the park, like the Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Kealakekua Bay. Do not waste any time and plan your perfect Hawai’i vacation now!