Witness two impressive volcanoes in one incredible national park. Stretching 335,259 acres from sea to summit, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains some of the world's most significant landscapes, earning it the designations of International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes on earth, changing the terrain as recent as 2018, while Maunaloa is the world's largest shield volcano. If you’re lucky, you might time your trip with an active lava flow.
The park is open 24 hours daily, year round. Visitor center hours vary. All park visitors are required to pay an entrance fee or present a valid park pass. Take in the scenery by car with the Crater Rim Drive or the Chain of Craters Road, or pack your hiking shoes to see it all up close.
Hiking: The park's 150 miles of hiking trails are as diverse as its ecosystems — hike across lava fields, to the top of a cider cone, through rugged desert or into a rainforest. Crater Rim Trail traverses Kilauea's summit caldera, while the path to Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) reveals a 500-year-old cave carved by a lava flow. Note that parking can be limited at the popular trails; come at off-peak times and with a back-up plan. Always bring water and appropriate footwear, and remember to leave no trace in these sensitive habitats.