10 Unmissable Things to Do in Volcano National Park with Just 24 Hours

Volcano National Park is where fiery molten lava meets tropical rainforests, all on top of one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.

As we were digital nomading in Hawaii for a month, we missed a big volcanic eruption by two days. I almost took a flight right back to be able to see the lava glowing and bubbling from Kilauea.

But even though we missed the eruption, there is still plenty to do and see when it’s not in its flow state. Here are the things to do in Volcano National Park you absolutely can’t miss.

1. Ride Crater Rim Drive to the Kilauea Caldera

Take a scenic drive around the Kilauea Caldera, a massive crater on one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Along the way, you’ll see steam vents, volcanic craters, and even a museum showcasing the volcano’s history. You’ll hit several lookout points where you can see the aftermath of past eruptions.

2. Kīlauea Iki Overlook And Trailhead

The Kīlauea Iki Trail leads you down into a crater that once erupted in 1959, spewing lava fountains over 1,900 feet high. At the overlook, see the small remnants of lava that solidified into this devastated landscape. As you hike the 4-mile loop, you’ll get to stroll across a hardened lava lake.

During the day, you can spot smoke rising from the crater, and if the volcano is erupting, come back to watch the lava glow at night.

3. Walk Around the Sulphur Banks and Steam Vents

The Sulphur Banks and Steam Vents are two major stops just across the street from one another. You’ll know you’re there when you see steam rising from the ground and get a whiff of that distinct sulfur odor. Bright yellow sulfur deposits give this area its name.

At the Sulphur Banks, you can see sections of the ancient lava flows that have been shaped and transformed over time.

4. Hike Through the Thurston Lava Tube

There aren’t many places where you can walk through a tunnel created by flowing lava, but the Thurston Lava Tube is one of the safest and easiest ones.

Lava tubes form when the outer layer of a lava flow cools and hardens while the inside keeps flowing. Once the lava drains out, it leaves behind a hollow tube—basically a cave!

When you step inside, you’re walking through a passage where molten rock used to flow. The tube is well-lit, and the path is smooth, so you’ll be blown away by the size of this underground cavern.

5. Drive the Chain of Craters Road

Cruising the Chain of Craters Road is where many of the most unique volcanic landscapes of Hawaii reside. Spanning about 18 miles, this scenic drive takes you right down to the ocean, following Kilauea’s lava flows that have paved the way.

Here are some stops that are mostly just a short walk away.

• Luamanu and the July 1974 Flow: Luamanu is a pit crater formed by an eruption in 1974, and now it’s a cool, solidified lava flow.  
• Puhimau Crater: This pit crater is a geothermal spot with warm ground temperatures.  
• Pauahi Crater: Another impressive pit crater in the park.
• Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu: A huge lava field created by the Mauna Ulu eruption in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  
• Muliwai a Pele: A spot where a lava channel turns into a lush, green area.  
• Kealakomo Overlook: A coastal view of where the bold black lava meets the deep blue ocean.

6. Detour to the Hilina Pali Overlook

If you have some extra time, take a little detour and check out Hilina Pali Road, which leads to the Hilina Pali Overlook. It’s a narrow, one-lane road about nine miles off Chain of Craters Road. Here, you’ll see the Pali (which means cliff in Hawaiian) drop a stunning 2,000 feet to the coast. The most recent volcanic eruption in this area was around 650 years ago!

7. Watch the Golden Sunset Behind the Holei Sea Arch

At the end of Chain of Craters Roa, the Holei Sea Arch was formed from years of relentless waves crashing against the cooled lava. Powerful waves consistently create a misty spray as they crash onto the cliff rocks.

Beautiful at all times of the day, at sunset, the golden hues overlay against the darker layered cliffs.

8. Check Out the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs

Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs is home to Hawaii’s biggest collection of petroglyphs, with over 23,000 rock carvings carved into hardened lava.  

The trail to Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs is a flat, easy stroll through an ancient lava field. At the end, a wooden boardwalk takes you around hundreds of carvings in the lava rock. The carvings include everything from circles and dots to human-like figures and canoes, which are believed to mark important events like births.

9. Night Glow From Halemaʻumaʻu Crater

Kilauea Volcano & Lava Viewing Update 2024! There aren’t any lava flows outside the crater or at the ocean entry, so there is no glow or lava to see. Check here for updates.

As it gets dark, you can catch the red glow from Kīlauea Volcano or see the molten lava bubbling away in Halema’uma’u Crater. This only happens when the volcano is actively erupting.

If nothing’s going on, it’s just a dark mountain. But when it does erupt, there are plenty of guided and boat tours that can get you up close to the flow for an even cooler view!

10. Stargaze at the Summit of Mauna Loa

The summit of Mauna Loa, at 13,678 feet, is an awesome place to stargaze due to its low light pollution and high altitude.

Start at the Mauna Loa Observatory Road, where you can drive part of the way before starting your hike. You won’t have to go far to find a great spot to sit and look up. Some decide to hike all the way, but the trek to the summit is pretty tough and is really only for experienced hikers.

Sample One Day in Volcano Itinerary

Morning: Crater Rim Drive

• Begin your day here at the Kīlauea Visitor Center. 
• Drive on Crater Rim Drive to the end at Uēkahuna for views of Kīlauea caldera and Halema’uma’u crater.
• Hike the geothermal Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks), and watch the Steam Vents

Midday: Chain of Craters Road

• Walk through the dark tunnel Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
• Drive past devasted areas, craters, and old flows on the Coast on Chain of Craters Road
• Optional: Detour to the Hilina Pali Overlook before Pauahi Crater
• Stop at Kealakomo Overlook for the coastline and lava fields

Afternoon & Evening

• Hike to Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs for ancient rock carvings.
• Watch the waves crashing on the Hōlei Sea Arch for sunset.
• Stay for the Night Glow from Kīlauea Volcano or stargazing at Mauna Loa.

Other Attractions Within Volcano

• Kīpukapuaulu: Dubbed “Bird Park,” it’s a perfect hike for bird watchers.
• Kīlauea Iki Trail: Trek across a solidified lava lake.
• Devastation Trail: See the volcanoes’ destructive power, passing through an area devastated by Kīlauea’s 1959 eruption.

Day Trips Near Volcano

You can totally drive around the entire Big Island in one super long day, but these cool spots are just a short drive from Volcano National Park:

• Rainbow Falls: A 80 foot waterfall flows in front of a lava cave just out of Hilo.
• Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: A beautiful black sand beach known for its resident sea turtles.
• Akaka Falls State Park: A beautiful state park with two stunning waterfalls.
• Mauna Kea Summit: Clear night skies to stargaze above the clouds.
• Waipio Valley: Often called the “Valley of the Kings,” these very steep cliffs may be a bit far.

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.