Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the most famous destination on the whole of the Big Island. The national park boasts one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Kilauea Volcano, which has been continuously erupting since 1983!
The national park is vey large, and there are enough hikes, sights and roads to keep you busy for a couple of days. However, since there are rarely enough days in a vacation to "see it all", we will describe a one day road trip to Hawaii volcanoes national park from Aaah the views in Waimea.
1 day in the park
The first thing you want to do when planning your trip is check the weather forecast to check if the volcano is not covered in heavy fog or rain.
Leave Aaah the Views early, and have a breakfast on the go in Hilo or Volcano village. Your first stop in the park should be the visitor center, where you can see some videos, get up-to-date information about lava activity and road closures from the park rangers, and can find maps.
From the visitor center you can drive around the whole park. There are many parking lots on the way where you can stop to see craters, lava tubes, or go on one of the many hikes. Our park favorites are the Chain of Craters Road, the Thurston lava tube, Devastation Trail and the Kilauea'iki hike. This last hike is not easy, and will take you in and out the Kilauea'iki crater through lush rain forest, and over the 'fresh' crater floor that was formed only 50 years ago.
For more favorite park attractions, opening times, entrance fees and a park road map see the lovebigisland guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or the official hvnp website.
Seeing the glow at night
If you want to see the glow above the Halema'uam'u crater at night, you have to prepare yourself for a nighttime drive back home and pack some warm clothes. The wait is worth it though, because on a clear night the view of the glow against the milkyway is simply breathtaking!
The best pace to see the glow is from the Jaggar museum overlook. For more info about seeing the lava at the crater see the lovebigisland lava-viewing guide.
Directions to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The road to the national park is long (2.5 hours one way), so be prepared to leave early and arrive back late. The shortest road leads past Hilo and is 90 miles long. You can find directions from Aaah the view here.
This information has been provided by the lovebigisland travel guide to Hawaii. Please note that Aaah the views takes no responsibility for the content, nor endorses and of the outfitters or vendors mentioned.