Volcanoes National Park Offers an Unforgettable Adventure
Peer into the depths of massive summit craters, walk through fields of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs carved into the rocks, and hike through a lush jungle of tropical growth – all in Volcanoes National Park!
Sights and Attractions in Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park
When visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park make sure and stop in at the Kilauea Visitor Center located on the summit of Kilauea volcano along Crater Rim Drive. You will see interesting educational exhibits and get tips on enjoying your park visit. Close by is the Jaggar Museum with more great volcano exhibits.
A great way to explore the summit area is to take a drive along the 11-mile Crater Rim Drive which includes numerous places to stop and hike and explore the many attractions. Along this route is the famed Thurston Lava Tube where you can walk underground where lava once flowed.
Arguably the most remarkable site atop the volcano is the 2.5-mile-wide Kilauea Caldera, and within it the sheer-walled Halemaumau Crater. A lookout at the Jaggar Museum provides great views into Halemaumau.
Day hikes in the summit area allow you to explore some unique aspects of the park including hikes down into dormant craters and through lush rain forests areas. For more adventure take the 20-mile drive down Chain of Craters Road and see the ancient Hawaiian petroglyph fields.
Kilauea Volcano is the Most Active Volcano on Earth
The centerpiece of the Volcanoes National Park is Kilauea volcano, just one of six volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii. Kilauea volcano holds the title of most continuously active volcano on Earth having erupted almost non-stop since 1983. Mauna Kea volcano is the Big Island’s tallest at 13,796 feet while Mauna Loa volcano is the largest in terms of sheer volume at 18,000 cubic miles (the largest on Earth). While those volcanoes are dormant, Kilauea continues to erupt.
During the last two decades Kilauea has poured countless tons of molten lava down the flank of the volcano and into the sea. As the lava enters the ocean it breaks apart into fine grains that wash up onto the nearby black sand beaches.
Vacation Accommodations on the Big Island
If you are planning on visiting the Big Island, Hawaiian Beach Rentals offers exceptional Big Island accommodations including many affordable and luxurious Volcano rentals. Browse our site or talk to a live, local agent at 800-853-0787.