Can you always see lava at volcano National Park?

The Kilauea is a dynamic volcano, and lava viewing conditions change daily. Even if a viewing area is organized by the National Park, this does not guarantee close access of the lava.



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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, so your chance to see glowing lava (from near or far) is pretty good when the volcano is actively erupting (it's periodically erupting only at the summit in Halemaumau currently), especially when it's dark.

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“It's very easy to observe the glowing summit lava lake, which sometimes rises high enough for lava to be seen,” says Ferracane. Look for vantage points along Kilauea caldera rim, including scenic overlooks near Volcano House and off Crater Rim Trail.

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The best time to observe the glow from Halema'uma'u is before sunrise, or after 9 p.m., when most visitors have left. The park is open 24 hours a day.

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Yes, you can still see the glow from the lava lake inside Halema'uma'u, after dark, weather permitting. The best spot for viewing is inside the Park at the Jaggar Museum overlook.

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Lava is best seen at night along the south rim. There are three main viewing locations: Kupina?i Pali (Waldron Ledge) from Crater Rim Trail, Kilauea Overlook, and Keanakako?i Crater. Keanakako?i Crater is the closest eruption viewpoint - here you'll see a lava lake that emits a reddish-orange glow at night!

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If the park determines that access to the flow is safe you can go on a hike to see the lava. Because viewing conditions change on a daily basis you should look up the most recent information about the active surface flows shortly before you plan to see the lava yourself.

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If you want to visit lava up close and personal, then you should allow at least TWO full days for visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

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It is illegal to take lava rocks from Volcano National Park. Not only that it can bring very bad luck as its an insult to Pele. Hundreds of lava rocks get sent back to Hawaii because of this well known kapu(taboo) on snatching parts of Pele the Goddess of the Volcanos!

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You can pack a lot of the Big Island in a short time, and don't need to spend an entire day in the park to enjoy the main sights. If you're trying to decide the when to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park instead of spending a full day, the best time of day to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is in the morning.

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Even though you might not see lava flowing out – as is the case now with Fagradalsfjall – you'll often see steam or gases rising from the crater, secondary cones or even from fissures within the lava flows. The surface of the lava looks a blackish-grey colour once it has cooled down, but appearances can be deceptive.

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The Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The Kilauea Visitor Center is located on Crater Rim Drive off of Highway 11 between the 28 and 29 mile marker south of Hilo. The visitor center is opened daily between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm.

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The answer… really really close. If the lava is pooling or advancing slowly, you can stand right next to it to get a shot. You can not stand there long…you may have to get your shot and quickly retreat…but you can get very close.

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You can see it from Kau. In order to see both the Kilauea and Mauna Loa eruptions at the same time, you'll have to go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP), atop Kilauea. The park is closest to Hilo, and it would be recommended to arrive at that airport if the park is part of the agenda.

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Private Vehicle Pass ($30, valid for seven days) Motorcycle Pass ($25, valid for seven days) Pedestrian/Cyclist Pass ($15, valid for seven days)

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Common Items from Hawaii NOT ALLOWED into the U.S. Mainland or Alaska
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables, some exceptions are those listed below as permitted.
  • Berries of any kind, including fresh coffee berries and sea grapes.
  • Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.
  • Cotton and cotton bolls.
  • Fresh flowers of jade vine, and Mauna Loa.


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It is highly unlikely that you can walk across the surface of an active volcano without getting burned by lava or magma. Lava is molten rock that can reach temperatures of around 1,200°C (2,200°F) or higher, and it can cause severe burns or even death upon contact.

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But even without an active volcanic eruption, this is still a great park to visit. If you are planning to visit Hawaii, it's still worth visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, even without an active lava flow.

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Absolutely, visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is worth it, especially if you're interested in geology, natural landscapes, and the unique opportunity to witness volcanic activity.

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Most of the hike is on a steep incline which becomes tougher the higher you hike. Total elevation gain is 5150 ft./ 1500 m. The final hour of the hike is the toughest because by that point, you are so high up that you're climbing through volcanic sand instead of solid ground. Combined with the altitude, it's strenuous.

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Nui Pohaku offers the shortest hike to the lookout where you can see the lava flowing into the ocean. The hike itself is an easy 30- to 40-minute walk (we were told it was around 1.5 miles) until the end of the trail.

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The world's most active volcano never fails to put on a show, and if you're looking to learn more about volcanoes and what causes them, Kilauea is the best place to go. In general, there are two ways to see Kilauea when you're in Hawaii. You can book a tour or you can go on your own and see it for yourself.

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