Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Information

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Information

Situated on the Big Island of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located on the south-eastern shore and is only about 50km (30 miles) south of the Island's capital, Hilo. It might be just 50 km away but the landscape will make you think you are on another planet.

This park is the most visited destination on the Big Island and for good reason. Here you can see the primal forces of nature at work and actually see the Big Island getting bigger! The Kilauea Volcano is one of the Earth's liveliest volcanos and here you'll see rivers of red-hot molten lava flowing implacably into the sea creating billowing clouds of scorching steam. Depending on the day and the mood of Pele, the volcano goddess, you may witness spouts of molten lava spewing from the ground, or showers of sparks bursting from the volcano like primal fireworks.

The park has over 250 km (150 miles) of hiking trails of varying difficulty, where you can get the chance to see some of the destruction the lava has reaped on the surrounding countryside including half covered highways, street signs and even whole forests that have been obliterated. There is also an amazing (and huge) walk in lava tube to explore. Don't worry, it's been 500 years or so since it saw any molten lava.

For those who would prefer to view the park in a more leisurely manner you can drive the 17 km (11 mile) Crater Rim Drive that loops around most of the park's main attractions, or the Chain of Craters Road which ends where the road does - covered in a solid lava flow.

There are several accommodation options not too far from the park, but it's recomended to bring some snacks and plenty of water as there are no shops or amenities in the park.

Volcanoes National Park is a truly amazing scenic destination whose landscape will make you really appreciate the indomitable power of nature and the continuing forces at work on the planet that we so rarely get to see.