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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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.
This 38-mile (61 km) round-trip drive descends 3,700 feet (1,128 m) to the coast and ends where lava has covered 10 miles of road since 1986. Allow 90 minutes to two hours round-trip, depending on how often you stop and how far you hike. Note: There are no services (water, gasoline, or food) on Chain of Craters road.
From Devastation Trailhead: 6.0 mi (9.7 km) round-trip. Plan for 4 to 5 hours. Parking at Devastation Trailhead allows for a more scenic experience, letting you explore Uealoha (Byron Ledge), the Kilauea Iki loop, and Nahuku Lava Tube all in one hike.
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.
The best time of year to visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is November through March when most of the United States is cold for a warm, tropical getaway. Due to it's proximity to the equator, Hawai'i Volcanoes is relatively warm year-round.
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.
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.
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.
Experience this 0.5-mile out-and-back trail near Baker, California. Generally considered an easy route. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
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.
The temperatures in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park only range about 10 degrees from summer to winter, but the winters are cooler and rainier than the summers at the park. On average, the warmest month of the year is August, and the coolest is February.
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.
There are two entrances to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. To get to the park from Hilo, follow Highway 11 all the way through the town of Volcano. You can also enter the park from the west by traveling southwest on Highway 11. The visitor center is located at 1 Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785.
Enjoy this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Grindavík, Southern Peninsula. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 39 min to complete.
It is interesting and unique to be able to descend into a extinct volcano. The tour, comprising a hike to the volcano, descent and about 30 minutes inside, is all as expected. If anything I was slightly underwhelmed, but perhaps I had read too much marketing material on the trip.
Weatherproof clothingSo, it's really important that you wear suitable clothing for your hike to the volcano. On top of those warm layers, don a weatherproof jacket and trousers to protect you from the wind as well as any rain. A hat, scarf and gloves are also recommended.
The weather in Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park fluctuates daily. It rains less on average here than in Hilo, but you should always be prepared for a chance of rain.
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!