Hawaii Volcanoes National Park had been on my bucket list for years. And, even though we were met with pouring rain during our visit, it still turned out to be one of my very favorite places. The Big Island is such a unique destination with adventures at every turn. This guide will show you how to spend ONE DAY in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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How do you get to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the southeastern coast of the Big Island (sometimes referred to as the Island of Hawaii). You can fly into either Kona (2 hours 23 min away) or Hilo airport (47 min away). You will need a rental car in order to fully explore the park!
Insider tip: During our trip to the Big Island, we choose to fly into Hilo and out of Kona in order to spend time in each region. It also happened to be much cheaper for car rentals this way.
One more tip: You can get SUCH CHEAP FLIGHTS between the islands (as low as $30!!!). Take advantage of this by exploring multiple islands during your trip. We chose to spend 3 days on Oahu and 3 days on the Big Island (but, you can’t go wrong with Maui either!). This way you can make the most out of your long (and usually quite spendy) flight from the mainland.
The park itself covers over 320,000 acres with one visitor’s center in the town of Volcano.
When is the best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes?
It’s important to note that the weather in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is typically much chillier than the rest of the island. Due to its higher elevation, you can expect temperatures to be anywhere from 10-20 degrees cooler. Temperatures year-round hover between 50-70 degrees F.
Also, be prepared for a.lot.of.rain. There are an average of 255 days per year that see some sort of precipitation which typically adds up to over 100 inches each year. Even if you aren’t a fan of the rain, you’ll appreciate the lush green rainforest it creates!
January and February are usually the “drier” months (with an average of 13.5 days of rain each month), with April and May being the wettest with over 21 days of precipitation per month.
Before planning a trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it’s also important to check for updates as sometimes parts of the park close due to volcanic activity.
Hawaii Volcanoes Quick Facts
- Hawaii Volcanoes Hours: The park is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week (365 days a year). The visitor center is open daily from 9am-7pm
- Visitor Center Address: 1 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785
- Fee: $30 per vehicle or free with an America the Beautiful Pass
- Which Active volcanoes are in the park? Kīlauea and Mauna Loa make up Volcano National Park, but there are 3 other volcanoes on the big island.
- Can you always see Lava at the park? Unfortunately, you can not. The most recent eruption of Kilauea stopped on March 7th, 2023. You can check for volcano updates here!
Where to Stay near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Booking.comThere are many cute bed and breakfasts located in the town of Volcano. I do recommend staying close to the park because then you can stop back at the hotel to change out of your wet clothes (with the expected rain), and you can eat dinner before going back to check out the lava lake at night!
We stayed in the cutest bed and breakfast, Volcano Inn (what a clever name). It’s right in the rainforest with corner windows and all the lush green rainforest views. They served delicious papaya boats and fresh banana bread for breakfast and there’s an outdoor hot tub for all guests to enjoy.
I of course wrote a detailed blog post all about our stay at this B&B near the national park to help you make your decision 🙂
You may also like: The BEST hotels on the Big Island of Hawaii
One Day Itinerary for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
***Make sure to pack a lunch, a lot of water, and snacks as you will be busy ALL DAY. If you are staying closeby, you could always return to the B&B for a quick lunch after Stop 3.
(9:00-9:45) Stop 1: Kīlauea Visitor Center
Start your adventure with a stop at the Kilauea Visitors Center where you can learn about the history of the unique land you will soon be exploring. There’s a short video you can watch every half hour as well that is a great introduction to your day. Normally I do skip the visitor’s center at parks, but this is a good one jam-packed with information!
(10:00-10:45) Stop 2: Thurston Lava Tube
Next, head to Thurston Lava Tube for a short hike into a 500-year-old lava tube. It’s an easy .4-mile loop from the parking lot, BUT parking is extremely limited at the trailhead. If you cannot find parking, you can park at the Kilauea Iki Trailhead which would make it into a 1.5-mile trek.
The trail itself is well-marked and maintained and the lava tube is lit with a boardwalk throughout.
(10:45-1:45) Stop 3: Kilauea Iki Overlook Loop
After exploring the Lava Tube, you can hop on the trailhead (near the cars–on the opposite side of the Thurston Lava Tube trailhead) to the Kilauea Iki Overlook Loop. This is a longer trail (about 5 miles from the Thurston Lave Tube trailhead), but 100 percent worth it. You get to trek through the rainforest and descend to the floor of a solidified lava lake!
(1:45-3:00) Stop 4: Crater of Chains Road & Holei Sea Arch
After your long hike, give your legs a bit of a break and drive the Crater of Chains Road. It’s a scenic 18.8-mile road that takes you to the coast where you can sometimes see active lava flows (if lava is flowing here, I suggest you drive this road at night to get the best views).
Even without active lava flowing here, you’ll pass by large lava fields from previous eruptions with many opportunities to get out. Once you reach the end of the road, you’ll find a short paved trail leading to the Holei Sea Arch. There are also bathrooms available at this trailhead/parking lot. It would be a great place for a picnic if you didn’t already eat during your last hike.
(3:00-3:30) Stop 5: Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Field
On your way back, be sure to stop at the Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Field (at mile marker 15.9). Here, you’ll find a short .7-mile trail that is home to between 15,000 and 20,000 historic petroglyphs.
(3:45-4:15) Stop 6: Steam Vents
Then make a quick (but unique) stop at the steam vents. You’ll be able to feel (and smell) the hot water vapor rising from the cracks of the Earth! You can walk across the street from the main steam vents parking lot for more!
(4:45-6:45) Stop 7: Punalu’u Beach
Head out of the park and to the picturesque Black Sand Beach, Punalu’u Beach. It’s about 30 minutes away, but worth a stop. You can watch the sunset from here and hang out with the resident sea turtles.
(7:15-8:30) Stop 8: Dinner
There aren’t a whole lot of dining options near the park (let alone open), but when we were visiting we ate at Thai Thai Bistro and Bar as no reservations were needed (when we were visiting-always good to call and check).
See the list below for more options!!
(9:00-10:00) Kilauea Overlook
I know you’ll likely be exhausted after this busy day, BUT the show truly starts after dark. Head back to the Kilauea Overlook to check out the lava lake. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It’s a short paved walk from the parking lot to several different overlooks.
Note: There is not always lava here. Conditions can change at any time. On Average, the Kilauea volcano erupts once every two or three years. You can check out the live webcam here!
Restaurants near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- The Rim at Volcano House: This restaurant overlooking the Halema’uma’u of Kilauea offers stunning views with a selection of Hawaiian and Pacific-inspired dishes. Open daily from 7am-10:30 (breakfast buffet), 11am-2:30pm (lunch), and 5pm-8:30pm (dinner). Reservations are highly recommended.
- Kilauea Lodge & Restaurant: This rustic eatery located near the entrance of the park offers Hawaiian and continental fare, as well as an incredible selection of fine wines. Open daily from 8 am to 8:30 pm and reservations are recommended.
- Ohelo Café: Located near the entrance of the park, this café offers a range of sandwiches, pizza, and salads. Open Thursday through Monday from 11am-4pm (lunch) and 5pm-9m (dinner). Reservations are not required, but helpful.
Tips to Know BEFORE visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
- Be prepared for rain and pack your rain jacket!! I have this packable one from Amazon!
- Pack in layers as the weather changes A LOT from place to place. I like to travel with my WoolX base layers as the wool wicks moisture away from your body to keep you dry and feeling your best in rainy climates.
- You NEED a rental car. Check out DiscoverCars for the best deals on the Big Island!
- Combine this weekend trip with a trip to one of the other islands in order to take advantage of the cheap island flights!
- If you have your heart set on seeing live lava, be sure to check the National Park website for updates.
Is one day enough time at Hawaii Volcanoes?
Is one day ever enough?! BUT, I do feel as though you are able to see the main highlights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with this one-day itinerary! If you are staying on Big Island for a few nights, it’s worth it to still stay near the park as you are in the middle of Hilo and Kona (and you can make quick trips each night to the overlook to see the lava!)
Things to do near Volcanoes National Park
Ready to explore the rest of the Big Island?! Here’s a starting point. If you want more details, here’s the full post!
Kauanama Caves
The Kaumama Caves were formed in 1881 flow from the Mauna Loa eruption. There is a small parking lot available and then metal stairs leading down to the caves. There are two entrances to explore. If hoping to adventure into the tubes make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and a flashlight as it is PITCH BLACK (and spooky) inside. At some point, the tubes go into private property, but it’s unclear as to when.
Rainbow and Pee Pee Falls
After exploring the lava tubes head to Rainbow Falls for a quick walk to the overlook. Be sure to take the stairs to get a view from the top and then head down the hill to look at the massive tree! Then, head to the nearby PeePee Falls for another overlook (no hike needed).
Akaka Falls State Park
Akaka State Park is just over one hour from Volcano Inn and home to the massive 442-foot waterfall. You’ll find this beauty along an easy .4-mile trail. It does cost 5 dollars per person and 10 dollars to park at the state park.
Kona Beaches
If hoping to chase some sun and have a beach day, head 2 hours northwest to Kona. Once in Kona, you have several choices to choose from for the ultimate Kona beach day. Some of the best beaches are Maniniowalu Beach at Kua Bay, Makalawena Beach, Alula Beach, and Mahai’ula Beach.
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