Things to Do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Volcano
Walk the rim of an active volcano, then warm up in a misty village in the rain forest.
See top-rated activities »About the volcano area
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects the summits of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active volcanoes on Earth, and the coastline their lava has built. The park is open 24 hours a day, every day, and charges an entrance fee per vehicle or person; passes are sold at the entrance station or online through Recreation.gov, and the station does not take cash. A Tri-Park annual pass also covers Haleakala on Maui and Puuhonua o Honaunau in Kona.
Kilauea has been erupting in episodes since December 2024, with lava fountains inside Halemaumau, the crater within the summit caldera, separated by quiet pauses that can last days. On active days the glow is visible after dark from overlooks along the open western section of Crater Rim Drive, including Kilauea Overlook and Uekahuna; the Steam Vents are a short walk from the road. Conditions change quickly. In October 2026 the park closed Halemaumau Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail because of ground movement at the summit, storms closed sections of the park in August and September, and the Holei Sea Arch at the end of Chain of Craters Road collapsed into the ocean in late September. Volcanic gas can affect people with heart or breathing problems, and parking lots often fill by mid-morning.
The main Kilauea Visitor Center has been closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in late 2026; until then a temporary welcome center operates at Kilauea Military Camp. The old Jaggar Museum, damaged in 2018, is being removed. Other favorite stops include Nahuku, the Thurston lava tube, and the Kilauea Iki trail across a crater floor that was a lake of lava in 1959; check the park's conditions page for their current status before you go. Chain of Craters Road descends about 3,700 feet to the coast past lava flows and pit craters.
Just outside the park entrance, Volcano Village is a quiet, misty community of cottages and inns in fern forest at about 3,700 feet, where evenings are cool enough for a fire. The Volcano Art Center has a gallery inside the park and a campus in the village, and Volcano Winery pours tastings nearby. Staying overnight lets you see the summit after dark, when any glow is easiest to see.
Don’t Miss
Open 24 hours with an entrance fee (no cash at the gate). Check the current conditions page the day you visit; closures change often.
Viewpoints over Kilauea caldera and Halemaumau on the open western section of Crater Rim Drive. Large vehicles have restrictions at Uekahuna during construction.
Daily updates on Kilauea's eruption episodes and Mauna Loa, the best way to judge whether there is lava to see.
A gallery of island artists inside the park, open daily, plus a campus with classes in Volcano Village.
The historic lodge on the caldera rim, with a dining room and bar looking toward Halemaumau.
A small winery near the park with a walk-in tasting room open in the afternoons.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the volcano area
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best of Hawaii Island may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Can I see lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Sometimes. Since December 2024, Kilauea has erupted in episodes of lava fountaining inside Halemaumau crater, with pauses between them. During an episode the fountains and glow can be seen from overlooks on Crater Rim Drive; between episodes there may be only steam. Check the USGS and park updates before you go.
How long should I spend at the park?
A full day covers the summit overlooks, a lava tube or the Kilauea Iki trail and a drive down Chain of Craters Road. Staying a night in Volcano Village lets you return to the overlooks after dark.
Is the Kilauea Visitor Center open?
It has been closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in late 2026. Until it does, a temporary welcome center operates at Kilauea Military Camp, inside the park.
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