Where to Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Volcano Inn Bed & Breakfast Review

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the entire United States (maybe the world). There are not many places where you can marvel at lava, walk into the crater of a solidified lava lake, and wander along black sand beaches. Although you could stay in the nearby towns of Hilo or Kona, it’s best to stay near the park. Volcano Inn was just minutes from the park’s entrance and nestled right in the middle of the rainforest. It was the perfect place to stay near Volcano National Park during our one weekend on the Big Island!

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Table of Contents

Where is the Volcano Inn Located?

This charming bed and breakfast is located just outside Hawaii Volcano National Park in the town of Volcano, HI. You can get here by either flying into the Hilo or Kona airport, renting a car, and driving 1 hour (from Hilo) or 2 hours (from Kona).

The location is perfect for adventurers as you are just a short 10-minute drive from the entrance of the national park and 10 minutes from the Kilauea Overlook. This means you can hang out at the park all day, drive back to the Inn for a quick nap, and return to the park after dark to check out the lava.

Volcano Inn Amenities

There are 12 different rooms on site with a variety of styles and amenities. All rooms have access to the main lobby area (where breakfast is served) with a microwave and fridge. Below are the amenities each room has:

Breakfast served each Morning (Papaya with yogurt, pineapple, bananas, and almonds + fresh banana bread)
Full private bathroom
Comfy beds (Queens, kings, or queen +twin to choose from)
Rainforest Views
Access to the community hot tub and breakfast room
Wifi
Starting Nightly Rate: $159

When is the best time to visit Volcano Inn?

Volcano National Park sees well over 200 days of rain each year. With this being said, no matter what time you choose to visit, you’ll likely be met with a bit of rain (it’s called a rainforest for a reason). Anywhoooo, the temperatures stay between the high 50’s and the low 70’s year-round. So although it’s not as warm as other spots in Hawaii, there’s never really a bad time to visit.

According to statistics, April is the rainiest month with and an average of 22 days and February sees the least rain (13 days). BUT, we did visit in February and it rained every day…soooo just expect rain.

It’s also important to note that you will not always see lava in the lava lake. 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!

Tip! Pack your WoolX layers to stay warm and dry! The Merino wool wicks moisture away from your body to keep you dry and feeling your best. Perfect for a rainy climate!

Side Note: Are you looking for the perfect Big Island itinerary?! Grab this complete 3-day guide for just $5. I promise it’s worth it 🙂

What do I need to Know BEFORE arriving at Volcano Inn?

You can not drink the water at Volcano Inn. They do provide you with a pitcher of filtered water that you can refill in the community space.
Not all the rooms have refrigerators
If arriving late, make sure to pick up food on the way as many of the surrounding restaurants and stores close early most days.
The hot tub does not use chemicals (they use rainwater), so it’s up to you if you feel comfortable going in.
Pack in layers and bring extra clothes while out adventuring. It’s likely you’ll get wet. This is the packable rain jacket I wore. the.entire.time 🙂
You will need a rental car to get here + get around nearby. Check out the DiscoverCars search engine for the best deals on the Big Island!

Personal Reaction of Staying at The Volcano Inn

What did I love? It was a great no-frills stay! The rooms are very basic but have beautiful rainforest views! The bed was comfy (enough), the room was clean, and it was awesome to have a fresh Hawaiian breakfast served each day. It’s also pretty affordable when comparing other stays on the islands. The best part about the stay was the proximity to the park.

What could have been better? It’s extremely humid (they have dehumidifiers in each room), so it did smell a bit musty (nothing terrible though, and NOT Volcano Inn’s fault). The shower was lukewarm (which is fine, but I’m a scorching hot shower type of girl). We also were not fans of no chemicals in the hot tub as it’s shared among many different people (maybe we are just germaphobes). We also would have loved having a refrigerator and microwave in the room in order to save a bit of money on going out for food and keeping the water cold.

Side Note: I am NOT complaining at all. I understand the following items sound extremely bougie and high maintenance… I just want to give the full and honest experience. 🙂 It truly was an amazing stay!

Would I return? YES! It was such a peaceful stay and would definitely consider returning!

Things to do near Volcano Inn

Volcano National Park

Volcano National Park is likely the reason you are considering a stay at Volcano Inn and let me tell you…the park is 100 percent worth it! Park highlights include the Thurston Lava Tube, Kilauea Iki Trail, the Steam Vents, Hōlei Sea Arch, Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs, and of course, the Kilauea Overlook at night.

Click here to read a guide to spending ONE DAY at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!

Black Sand Beach

Just 30 minutes away from Volcano Inn you’ll find a picturesque Black Sand Beach, Punalu’u Beach. It’s a great spot to watch the sunset and hang out with the resident sea turtles.

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.