Active volcanic landscape on the Big Island, home to Kīlauea, with steaming craters, lava fields, and native rainforest along the Crater Rim Drive.

Park Pass

Join the National Parks Club

A single day covers the Crater Rim Drive highlights, while 2 to 3 lets you add more hiking and lava-field exploration.

No special permit is required for general park entry.

The small town of Volcano sits right at the park entrance, with Hilo about 45 minutes away for more services.

The entrance fee is $30/vehicle (7-day), or purchase a National Parks Yearly Pass.

Why Visit?:

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes protects one of the most active volcanic landscapes on Earth, home to Kīlauea, with steaming craters, hardened lava fields, and native rainforest all along a single scenic drive. Depending on current volcanic activity, you may even see glowing lava at night — genuinely one of the most memorable sights in the entire national park system when conditions allow.

Because conditions here change with actual eruption activity, it's worth checking the park's current alerts before you go, since access to certain areas can shift with little notice.

Things to Do:

Driving Crater Rim Drive, with stops at the Kīlauea Overlook and Steam Vents, is the essential introduction to the park's volcanic terrain. The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a moderate hike that drops you right onto the floor of a former lava lake, genuinely surreal to walk across.

Check current conditions for after-dark glow viewing — when Kīlauea is active, ranger-recommended overlooks offer a genuinely rare chance to see molten lava glowing against the night sky.

Get the Full Itinerary

Closest airports: Hilo International Airport (ITO) is closest, about 45 minutes away; Kona International Airport (KOA), about 2 hours, offers more flight options if you're combining with other parts of the Big Island.

Nearby Attractions:

The town of Volcano offers cozy lodging right at the park entrance, and Hilo adds waterfalls, botanical gardens, and a fuller range of dining if you're spending extra time on the island.