Top Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii
Hawaii's premier natural attraction offers a wealth of live volcano activity, rainforest, hiking trails and spectacular scenery. See the park's wonders from fifty miles of usually navigable roads - lava flows sometimes necessitate a detour - or take a few days to explore its marvels. Don't miss Kilauea's four-kilometer-wide Halemaumau caldera, Kilauea Iki crater trail, the easy Kipuka Puaula Trail or the chance to pick up a souvenir of the red hot action at Volcano Art Center & Gallery.
1. Big Island VIP
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
We are a family owned husband and wife team that focus on Private Small Group Tours. We have 2 Mercedes 11 Passenger vans, all tours are private so you all have 11 seats to yourself. The prices are for the whole van. All tours are fully Narrated and Include Photography, water, snacks and more. When you book with us you book all 11 Seats on our Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van, with an extensive collection of Hawaiian DVD Media. We Specialize in Back-roads Tours, Volcano Tours from Kona/Kohala Coast, Circle Island Tours, Cruise Excursions, and our Exclusive South Point Green Sands Beach Adventure, that Includes Fish BBQ and Hawaiian Boil Hosted by the South Point Wildman. We customized every tour for each group and offer suggestions for your other stops.
2. Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,593 reviews
Reviewed By psudino - Weehawken, United States
We saw lava tubes on both Maui and the Big Island and these are hands down the biggest lava tubes. If you didn't know better it looks like a tunneling truck for a mining company created these. Also, the path to and from the lava tubes has some beautiful and lush plant life. It is amazing how the landscape on this island can be so varied!
3. Kipuka Puaulu (Bird Park) Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 70 reviews
An easy one-hour hike through meadowlands and old growth forest.
Reviewed By Steve82WCHS - Nappanee, United States
Easy trail with minimal elevation gain through a cool tropical forest. Opportunities to see many birds, including honeycreepers, but go early or late as they are not very active mid-day. Trail has lots of interesting signage concerning the trees and other plants found in the forest. Highly recommended as part of your Volcano NP visit
4. Kilauea
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 865 reviews
Active volcano built on the southeastern slope of Mauna Loa features a caldera approximately 4 by 3.2 kilometers wide and walls from zero to 120 meters high.
Reviewed By psudino - Weehawken, United States
This is one of the highlights of the Big Island tour because there are very few places on Earth where one can see an active volcano like this. There hasn't been an active lava flow for a few years since the last major eruption, which is unfortunately, but it is still an active Caldera. An amazing sight for sure!
5. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,241 reviews
Reviewed By Mikemhs
Beautiful park, great views, great hiking, this is a must on any trip to the big island, allow one full day here & maybe two we were there in mid September lava flows receded & some portions of the park was still closed & several of the hiking trails
6. Holei Sea Arch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 597 reviews
Reviewed By Escape-overseas - Stevenage, United Kingdom
Located a short walk from the restricted parking area at the foot of the Chain of the Craters Road, across the lava field to the viewing area, where the power of nature is again in full view. The erosion of the lava by the power of wave action crashing onto the shoreline has created a sea arch in the lava outcrop. A definite photo opportunity.
7. Sulphur Banks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 211 reviews
Reviewed By kalamakid - Kailua, United States
Now with Jagger Museum closed, this is as close to Halemaumau as you can get from the Volcano House side. Sulphur banks still profuse, and a nice parking area and short walk to the crater rim. Volcano House on your left, Jagger on your right and the crater in front of you. Good view of the area that has fallen in, which you can get closer to parking at Devastation Trail and walking down the road, but it's good to get views from both places. Also a nice view of Mauna Loa on a clear day. There is an open crater rim trail between this area and Volcano House if you chose to park here or at the Visitor Center and walk back and forth. Nice walk in the trees.
8. Mauna Loa Scenic Drive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By oldirish33 - Cottage Grove, United States
Every year on our visit to the Big Island we take the trip up Mauna Loa Road to the lookout. We were amazed this year at the recovery in the Ohea forest after the fire in 2018. We went through last year just after the road reopened and there is much new growth, especially young Koa, among the blackened trees. The view up top is always well worth the drive up. Single lane and rough the last couple of miles, drive slow and with Aloha. You never know when the vehicle you meet going up or down is me!
9. Devastation Trail
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 243 reviews
Once a forest, this area is has been completely devastated by the volcanic eruption of 1959.
Reviewed By kpammy
The Devastation Trail walk is only 0.5 miles long. It has been cut short and roped off so hikers are not able to actually walk on the actual terrain. The landscape here is pretty much completely barren with an occasional tree limb or two. It is nice to walk though this trail to get a sense of how volcanic eruptions can leave the terrain. It is somewhat like walking through space with nothing alive in sight. A somewhat eerie feeling but definitely an experience in itself. To our amazement, we were able to spot several nene goose at the end of the trail, which was a nice surprise! Allow 45 min. to an hour for this walk. The trail is on a boardwalk plank. You must stay on the trail.
10. Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 296 reviews
Reviewed By wohdonkey - Newark, United States
We stopped here while driving through Volcano National Park. We were glad we stopped because we really enjoyed it! It was a 1.4 mile round trip hike. We started out walking thru a field of lava rocks which brings you to a boardwalk to walk around and see the petroglyphs. It was a fun experience. Take water and sunscreen as there is no shade on this hike. It is an easy short hike tho.
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