Can you see lava in Hawaii Volcano National Park?

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. Just look for the red glow.



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Current Lava Flows (Updated 2022) In 2023 there are no active surface flows outside of the crater to be seen. However, there have been eruptions that have stayed entirely contained within Halema'uma'u crater, that allow you to see an evening glow and molten lava within the crater.

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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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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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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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At night, the glow of the lava can be seen from Jaggar Museum as well as various other lookouts near the caldera. You won't have to do dangerous hikes, risk death, or even walk that far; Halemaumau is visible from the parking lot and can be accessed by anyone day or night.

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The eroded West Maui volcano, known as Mauna Kahawai or West Maui Mountains, last erupted 320,000 years ago. Haleakala is in a non-eruptive stage. You won't find lava erupting out of Maui's volcanos on your visit to the Valley Isle. You won't be able to miss seeing them though.

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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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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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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 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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But because only the flames are blue, rather than the lava itself, the effect is only visible at night—during daytime, the volcano looks like roughly any other.

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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. It is a self regulating….

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There are currently no lava flows outside the crater or ocean entry of lava, therefore Lava boat tours and many lava related tours are not currently running due to the lack of molten lava flowing outside of the crater. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open and has plenty of volcano related things to do and see.

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You can walk in to see lava going into the ocean from either the east (Kalapana) or west (inside the park).

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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 tube is open 24 hours a day, and it's recommended visitors go before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. to avoid crowds. The tube is lit starting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. After that, you will need a flashlight or headlight. Molten lava flow carved the tube into the mountain nearly five centuries ago, and was discovered in 1913.

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