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. If you don't plan to view lava up close, you can fit in the highlights of the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in one day, but you could also easily spend 3+ days in the park.
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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.
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.
Visiting the park by car is easy to do. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.
Entrance to Volcanoes National Park costs $30 per car. There are limited spots for food and drink in the park; be sure to pack water and snacks. Wear layers and bring a jacket, temperatures vary drastically in the park. The park is constantly changing.
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.
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.
Make sure you have enough protection from the sun and unexpected rain showers. For footwear, decide what to bring based on the terrain. Easy and smooth hikes require less support so trail runners may work great. For treks on rugged trails, boots will likely be a better option.
The 600-foot-long cave is a great introduction to lava tube geology. The solidified drips and waves of once-liquid lava rock clearly show the molten forces that created this cave. Your flashlight reveals beautiful shapes and colors of minerals leeching from the rock.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawai'i. From Kailua-Kona: 95 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).
The following Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park passes are available on Recreation.gov: Private Vehicle Pass ($30, valid for seven days)Motorcycle Pass ($25, valid for seven days)Pedestrian/Cyclist Pass ($15, valid for seven days)
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.