Planning our visit to the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on The Big Island, we decided to take the short hike to the Kilauea’iki Crater, explore the lava tubes and hike over massive acres of black molten rock to watch the red hot lava dripping out into the sea.

We began our visit to the park with a stop at the Kilauea Visitor Center to check out the scheduled activities for the day and to pick up a map of the area.  The park offers guests the opportunity to explore several unique geological features and is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Millions of tourists visit the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park each year to explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes and rare vegetation that can only be found here.

Here is a photographic overview of my visit to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:

Steam Vents in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Volcanic Crater

Cracked Lava, Hawai’i

Inside a Lava Tube

Volcanic Crater

Warning:  Walking on Lava

Hiking on the Lava

Yards of Solidified Lava

Watching the Hot Lava Dripping into the Ocean

Seeing a Beautiful Rainbow during our Hike

It was amazing to see the hot volcanic lava dripping into the ocean.  Just the thought of standing on an active volcano was absolutely surreal.  So many thoughts ran through my mind as we walked out for the viewing and then on our way back to the car, only because there is no guarantee that the volcano would not erupt at any moment.  I can tell you, I certainly wasn’t too sad to leave in the event that it may actually happen.

Have you visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park?  What was your favorite experience?  I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reviewing my photos of my visit and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
1 Crater Rim Drive
Hawaii National Park, HI  96718
Telephone:  808 985 6101

• Admission Fee:  $25 per private vehicle (capacity of 15 persons or less); $20 per motorcycle (valid for 7 days); $12 per Bicycle (valid for 7 days); $12 per walk-in pedestrian (valid for 7 days);  $12 per person for groups of 16 persons and over
• Hours:  The park is open 24 hours daily, year round. K?lauea Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Amenities:  The Volcano House Hotel offers in-room WiFi and cellular reception throughout the park is good with the exception of the backcountry);  lost and found services; website for information about the current volcano conditions and area closures;
• Guided Tours and Conservatory Map:  Ranger Programs and Guided Tours are available for large groups.  Map available online or at the ranger stations
• Length of the Tour:  1 full day at minimum
• Tips for Your Visit:  Pets are permitted only in designated areas.  Drones are not permitted;  Wear layers when visiting the volcano summits as weather is 12 to 15 degrees cooler at the top.  Download a map of the park by visiting the national park’s website.

Where to Stay:

Volcano Rainforest Retreat
11-3832 Twelfth Street
Volcano, HI  96785
Telephone:  808 985 8696 or 800 550 8696

Where to Eat:

Café Ono
Big Island of Hawaii
19-3834 Old Volcano Road
Volcano Village, Hawaii  96785
Telephone:  808 985 8979

This restaurant came highly recommended so we were excited to visit this award-winning café.  I ordered the 4 cheese spinach crustless quiche combo which was served with soup, garden salad, garlic bread or brown rice.

What to Eat: 

• Kalua Pig:  Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
• Poi:  Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch.  This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
• Poke:  Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.

What to Read:

• Unfamiliar Fishes, by Sarah Vowell
• A Hawaiian Reader
• The Spell of Hawaii
• Unwritten Literature of Hawaii:  The Sacred Songs of the Hula, by Nathaniel B. Emerson
• The Light in the Crevice Never Seen, by Haunani-Kay Trask
• Waikiki: A History of Forgetting & Remembering, by Gaye Chan

Photo Guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

• Kilauea at night (go about 300 yards north of the museum along the crater rim trail to avoid the crowds)
• Kilauea Iki Trail
• The stars over Kilauea
• Lava
• Nene birds
• Steam vents on the drive in to Kilauea
• Sunset

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