Volcanos National Park

Volcanoes National Park is unarguably one of the top destinations for visitors to the Big Island. Even for tourists staying in Kona, the drive around the island is well worth it to visit the Park.

The location of current eruptions and visibility/accessibility of said eruptions varies day to day. Whether you are able to view an active eruption or not, the Park boasts sights of interest for volcano enthusiasts and curious tourists alike.

The Visitor Center is staffed by informed rangers who can answer most questions about park attractions. Please stop there for info.

My favourite stops at the park along Crater Rim Drive:
Visitor Center
Jagger Museum
Halemaumau Crater (currently inaccessible)
Kilauea Iki Crater (great day hike starts here)
Thurston Lava Tube
Volcano House (expensive bar w/ great view)


A pass to get into the park is $10 and lasts for a week. If you plan to come back again within the year, an annual pass is $25. These values are subject to change anytime.

We visited the Kilauea visitor center and Jagger Museum. The museum had some very informative displays. Lava that is tossed into the air and forms tears of black lava. It also had a display of lava that is like strings of glass. This lava is called Pele's hair. I loved the references to Pele, the deity of Hawaii's volcano's.... she is a god with a hot temper!

The Island of Hawaii is made up of five volcanoes: Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa, and Kilauea. We stood on the rim of the Kilauea crater and marveled at the size of it. There is a crater within a crater. We could see the bright yellow sulfur of the top of the cones .... It is amazing to think that the volcanos are active and are changing everyday. The scientists have meters to check the earth tremors. They are displayed in the visitors center.

We also went to the Thurston Lava Tube.. A lava tube is created when the hot lava flows and the outside cools slightly making a shell. The shell continues to cool and thicken and only the center is molten. The center, molten lava flows out and a large tube is left. We walked through the jungle path ... with dozens of other people ... and walked into the lava tube. It was about 12 feet high and wide. It really was amazing to see...