Stop here to ask a park ranger some questions, fill up your water bottle or use the restroom. If you didn’t bring a jacket, the gift shop at the Visitor’s Center usually has sweatshirts for sale. You might want to pick one up here as temperatures vary drastically across the park. Once you’re done, turn around and drive back the same way you came. The road to start the tour is just past the front entrance.

Note: The Visitor’s Center closes at 5:00 p.m.

Please note: The visitor’s center is currently closed due to Covid 19. There is a park ranger available to answer questions you may have.

“Showing in the Kilauea Visitor Center every hour on the hour, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., is our new park film, Born of Fire…Born of the Sea.

“The 20-minute movie is loaded with colorful footage, natural sounds, and boasts an original music score. It celebrates high lava fountains and fast-moving flows, the arrival of life by wing, wind, and wave, and Hawaiian chant and dance on Kilauea’s caldera rim.”

http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/featurefilm.htm

"How it all Started" geology talk

• presented daily at 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The Ranger led "Exploring the Summit" hike

• offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

The ranger programs for the day are posted in the Kilauea Visitor Center, Jaggar Museum and Volcano House each morning around 9:00 a.m. Make sure to check at the Visitor center what programs are being offered so you can plan to take the Driving Tour and be back in time to participate. Even though a GPS guided tour is great, it can’t beat a real live ranger tour guide!

There are various programs that are held at various days throughout the year that feature local scientist’s finding, cultural presentations, Art after Dark and even a living history presenter.

Check out this link to learn more about what programs are being held during your visit:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

This magnificent natural landmark is one of the most popular spots at the national park. There is a well-maintained trail that takes you inside a 600-foot lava tube and through a lush rainforest.

Please Note: Thurston Lava Tube is currently closed due to Covid-19.

Pro tip! You also can park at Kilauea Iki Overlook and walk over to the start of the hike if parking is full and you don’t mind a short walk.

The Kïlauea Iki Trail is technically a 4-mile hike that takes you along the rim of Kïlauea Iki and down to the crater floor. Because we know you’re pressed for time on your trip, we’ve got a great short cut for you! Just across the street from Thurston Lava Tube is a short trail to the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater -- feel the pulse of this magnificent volcano from the still-steaming crater floor. This shortcut takes about one hour to complete. Please know, there is a steep decline through the forest into the crater. Once you get to the crater floor, snap as many photos as you’d like, then work your way back up to the parking area the same way you came.

Pro tip! You also can park at Kilauea Iki Overlook and walk over to the start of the hike if parking is full and you don’t mind a short walk.

More of a stroll than a hike, the Mauna Ulu Fissure Hike is at the site of a 1969 eruption that spewed lava up to 200 feet in the air, destroying a Ohia -- a native Hawaiian plant -- forest in the area. As you walk you’ll see lava trees and a variety of volcanic formations. The trail is marked with stacked rocks.

One of our favorite stops on the tour, the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs Hike tells the story of Hawaii’s past. As you walk along this trail you’ll see ancient petroglyphs, or inscribed images on stone. This hike takes about 20 minute each way and ends at a well maintained wooden boardwalk that circles many of the 23,000 petroglyphs in this area. In fact, this site is home to the largest grouping of petroglyphs in Hawaii! As you walk remember to respect the sacredness of this place.

Note: This hike can get hot and there's no shade. Remember to bring water.

This 1.2-mile hike (round trip) is actually a leisurely walk along a paved path where you’ll see more steam rising from the ground.

You’ll feel like you’re on Mars as you take in the terrain on your walk along Devastation Trail. This one-mile trail takes you along the path of a destructive and explosive eruption dating back to 1959.

Along the way you’ll see spots where life is beginning to regrow and find a large barren lava mound called the Pu’u Pu’ahi Cinder Cone -- a perfect example of how mother nature forms new mountains.

This trail is more like a scenic stroll along an old road that was closed after the magnitude 6.7 Kilauea Iki earthquake. Along the trail (more like an old road), there are many native plants and trees of interest for you to enjoy. At the end you will come to Waldron Ledge overlook which gives you a great view of the Halema’uma’ crater from a completely different perspective. The hike (stroll) is 1 mile round trip, wheelchair accessible and fun for the whole family.

Note: This trail is often offered as a ranger-led guided tour at a couple times throughout the day. Check the billboard in front of the visitor’s center for times. Taking the hikes with rangers is a lot of fun.

Even though this trail has a name hard to pronounce and is a little ways down the road from the Visitor’s center, this hike is THE best nature walk in the park. The word Kipuka in Hawaiian means an older area of vegetation that is surrounded by a recent lava flow. So what you will find here are many beautiful old growth trees with lush tropical vegetation. You will see a huge diversity of rare plants, trees, and even animals such as peasants and a type of quail that forage the floors here.

The trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop trail that is located in a special area outside the National park. The hike should take about 1 to 1.5 hours to hike and has informative placards for various native plants and trees along the way.

The Iliahi or sandalwood trail is as an extension of the Sulphur banks trail. Just cross the road near the steam vents to find where this trail starts. There is another starting point for the sandalwood trail near the volcano house. It is a 1.5 Mile loop that winds around a beautiful sandalwood forest with steam vents throughout. The word “iliahi” in hawaiian means sandalwood tree and grow abundantly along this trail.

The Jaggar museum is named after thomas jaggar, a geologist specialized in volcanoes, who dedicated his life’s research in the study of hawaii’s volcanoes.

This road used to wrap around the entire Kilauea caldera until air conditions became so dangerous that the national park closed most of it. Today only 2 miles of this road is open so you will have to turn around after jaggar museum.

The view of the crater from Jaggar Museum is amazing. But even more awe-inspiring is staying in the park until after sunset to view the red lava glow of Hale’ma’u ma’u crater. If it gets crowded at the museum and is not rainy, there is also another view of the lava glow from Kilauea overlook just down the road.

The volcano at night is definitely something to behold!

Here you can get a wonderful aerial view of the Kilauea Iki Crater. Continue down the road to see Thurston Lava Tube and to get to the shorter hike to Kilauea Iki Crater.

Does seeing the views of massive volcanic craters ever get old? We didn’t think so! Chain of Craters Road got its name from the handful of massive craters with viewpoints along the road. This crater was likely formed around 1500-1800 AD. It’s a gigantic pit crater and in our opinion, it’s one of the best views on the tour. What’s a pit crater you ask? It’s when … collapses and forms a giant hole.

Take a short walk to the boardwalk where you can take an epic photo in front of Pauahi Crater -- another huge pit crater that’s roughly 360 feet deep and 1,600 feet long.

Off the side of the road here is another massive expanse of lava. This place is called Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu. In hawaiian, which means mauna ulu forever unceasing, referring to the mauna ulu eruption that lasted for more than 5 years. The shiny, smooth and ropey-looking lava is pahoehoe lava. Erupting at very high temperature, it flowed quickly through this area covering everything.

What do you think the field looks like? Kinda reminds me of a giant pan of brownies don’t you think? You may also notice some small ohia lehua trees already staking out their place on this lava rock only 40 years after its eruption. Nature has such an amazing resilience!

Pull over and get out of your car for a quick stop at Muliwai A Pele. In Hawaiian, Muliwai means river of lava. This lookout might just appear to me more lava rock, but from a bird’s-eye view you can actually see how the Mauna Ulu eruption flowed from this volcanic cone about 5-miles down into the ocean... truly a river of lava.



Kealakomo overlook is a platform built on top of holei pali, a steep cliff with a 2,000 foot (600 m) drop. If you brought a picnic, there are tables at the overlook that you can use. Otherwise, there is a snack shack and  a few picnic tables at the end of the road. Note it can sometimes get a little windy here at this overlook.

At the Kealakomo lookout, in addition to the panoramic view of the pacific ocean, you will also have an expansive view of the vast lava flow in 1971 that completely buried the village of kealakomo.

This overlook is the last view from this high up before you descend to the ocean level.

The turnout for Alanui Kahiko lookout is easy to miss. Look out for the sign and a large shoulder to pull over.  While at the lookout to your right, you will see an epic view of lava that once cascaded down this mountain during its march to the ocean.

To your left about 50 feet away from the lookout, you will see the old road covered by lava that I just mentioned. It was buried in the 1972 alae lava shield flow. This is one of the only places in the park now to take a picture with a lava covered road.

Located at the end of the Chain of Craters Road, this 90-foot sea arch was formed from an ancient lava tube, roughly 500 years ago, that hardened as it entered the ocean. And just within the last 100 years or so, the sea arch was created by ocean erosion. Here you will also find a small ranger shed that sells snacks and drinks, porta-potty restrooms and picnic tables at the end of the road. This is a good place for a break after all the fun you’ve had today.

Considering this is one of the few restaurants in town and way far away from town, the food it pretty good here. They have an assortment of curries to choose from seafood and noodles dishes. The portions are a little small but the dining ambience is well lit and nice. The price range is average - not too cheap but not too expensive either. This is the only non-american type of food in the area so if you are looking for burgers and fries, then check out the others.

Thai Thai

19-4084 Volcano Rd

Volcano, HI 96785

Phone number (808) 967-7969

This place serves up an assortment of burger, fries, salads as well as a few good seafood dishes. The prices are reasonable and the food decent. The Loco moco seems to be the favorite. The eating environment is okay. Be aware that the big tour buses unload here so it can get pretty crowded at times. There is Big O’s sandwich place is on the other side of the building if you just want to grab something to go (same owner). The reviews for this place is moderate, I guess it depends who they have working in the kitchen! But considering there are not a lot of choices in town, this place is not that bad and fills you up after spending all day hiking and driving.

Lava Rock Cafe

19-3972 Old Volcano Rd

Volcano, HI 96785

Phone number (808) 967-8526

This place is located just off the main road around the corner from Lava Rock Cafe in the convenience store. I like the sandwich options here. Not cheap but pretty tasty and convenient. They also have an assortment of other quick to-go food like hotdogs and soup. No seating area. The convenience store here is a good place to buy some snacks and drinks before the driving tour. Be aware that the big tour buses unload here so it can get pretty crowded around lunch time. This place is not open for dinner.

Big O's Sandwiches

19-3972 Old Volcano Rd

Volcano, HI 96785

Phone number (808) 967-8526

This little cafe is right next to the only gas station in town. They offer a nice selection of homemade sandwiches along with some nice warm soup and chili that really hits the spot. These sandwiches are pretty big so a half would probably be enough for most people. If you want to try something a little more local, go for their lau lau plate! There is only outdoor seating and might be a little wet if it rained recently. This is a solid sandwich option here in town with decent prices before or after your adventures in the park.

Cafe Ohia

19-4005 Haunani Rd

Volcano, HI 96785

Phone number (808) 985-8587

The Rim at the Volcano House

This place was recently renovated and reopened along with the Volcano House. The food was good using local farm ingredients that tasted fresh. Portions are a little small and a little pricey but a great way to end the day overlooking the Kilauea caldera. Service is good and eating ambience the best you will find in town. If you want to get a better, more up close view of the red glow, I recommend driving down the road to Jaggar Museum.

(808) 441-7750

Volcano House Dining Room

Right next to The Rim restaurant is a small bar and dining room with various options similar to what you will find at the other restaurant just not as fancy. This place is a little more informal compared to the other place but with just as good of a view. This is a great place to relax and grab a bite to eat while waiting for the sun to set.

(808) 756-9625

This place has it all if you are looking for a great lunch or dinner place: great food, ambience, and even history. The main lodge building is an old YMCA building back in the day. Make sure you check out the fireplace while there to get a feel of the history of the place. The food here is pricey but excellent with many locally farmed produce and entrees that you can taste the quality. If you don’t have reservations you may have to wait a little while for dinner. Despite not having a view, this is by far the best food in town with great service and ambience.

Kilauea Lodge

19-3948 Old Volcano Rd

Phone number (808) 967-7366

www.Kilauealodge.com

This place is located behind the Kilauea Military camp and only recently started to serve non-military visitors. The food is decent with a variety of American style options. This is a good place if you are on a budget but remember this is a military camp and ambience is more like a cafeteria. They have good portions but the food isn’t the best. One decent option is the all you can eat salad bar and baked potato. Yum! Anything tastes good after a long day hiking and driving!

This is a bar and lounge with TV screens playing the latest sport game. A nice place to relax before sunset enjoying your favorite beverage. Remember to not drink and drive!

After doing all the outdoors stuff for the day, a great place to unwind for the whole family is the Bowling Alley located on the Military camp. This has only recently been made available to the public but only when it is being underutilized by military guests. Every time I have gone there are open lanes so give it a try if you are looking for some fun!

This is a large game room with a wide selection of arcade games, pool, and ping pong. This a great place to take kids that want to relax a bit and have some fun before checking out the red lava glow at night. They also have some snacks for purchase. Speak to the attendant for help.

“Volcano Art Center Gallery is located in the 1877 Volcano House Hotel under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service. Centered at Kilauea, home to Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of the volcano, of creativity, of Fire, Volcano Art Center Gallery has been a mecca for visual artists since 1974. This dynamic and powerful environment has inspired the Hawaiian people and their crafts, songs, dances, and legends for centuries. Today, the Kilauea region continues to draw artists, performers, writers, scientists, and educators from around the world to create, reflect, learn and embrace the beauty and power of the natural world.” Ref: http://volcanoartcenter.org/

Volcano Art Center

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Bldg 42

Volcano, HI 96718

Phone Number (808) 967-8222

http://volcanoartcenter.org/

This general store is located right next to the Lava Rock Cafe. It has an assortment of snacks, drinks, as well as easy food that you can take with you on a picnic such as sandwiches from Big O Sandwiches housed in the same store and run by the same ownership.

This is the only gas station in town but also doubles as a convenience store with a nice variety of food items, snacks and drinks to take with you on your drive. They also rent out DVDs if you want to watch a movie back at your condo. Cafe Ohia is right around the corner here if you are hungry.

The Volcano Store

19-3972 Old Volcano Rd,

P_hoa, HI 96778

Phone Number (808) 967-7555

Open 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Located inside the Volcano house, this is much larger than the visitor’s center gift shop and offers more little trinkets and things that are nice to buy as a souvenir. Everything from keepsakes to park books and maps. They even sell pre-prepared sandwiches to-go and drinks that are a little pricey but convenient.

http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/retail/

This gift shop is run by a non-profit associated with the Park. A portion of the proceeds from your purchases goes to support the park. They have a wide range of books, CD’s, children’s books, stuffed animals and videos about the park. The gift shop is small but a much larger one is located at Jaggar Museum if you can’t seem to find what you are looking for at the Visitor Center.

http://www.hawaiipacificparks.org/store/

“In Our shop we sell Hawaiian quilts, fabric, quilt patterns, and notions, we also carry an array of Hawaiian local arts and crafts. It truly is a wonderful place to visit with wonderful people waiting to meet you! You can find us In Volcano Village, next to Kilauea General Store and Lava Rock Cafe.”

Ref: www.Kilaueakreations.com/index.htm

Kilauea Kreations

19-3972 Volcano Rd.

Volcano, HI 96785

Phone Number (808)-967-8090

This is the largest and cleanest bathrooms on your trip and one of only two that actually flush! There is a great faucet place where you can fill up your water bottles for the drive.

This it at the halfway mark of the tour and in a remote place of the park. So needless to say these toilets do not flush and are more like a hole in the ground covered by a building. But I guess when nature calls it doesn't really matter that much! There is one toilet for male and one toilet for female.

These restrooms are also glorified outhouses without flushing toilets. Being so far away from civilization that is the best you are going to get. But at least they were clean. There is a total of 4 restrooms - 2 male, 2 female.

Perhaps you heard about the 2018 Kilauea eruption that destroyed homes and roads and closed down parts of the park? Well, prior to the eruption, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater (which is part of Kilauea) was filled with lava. At night, you could see an orange glow emanating from the crater below. Now, there’s a small lava lake at the bottom of the crater.