Things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Backcountry Camp at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Looking for solitude or adventure? The vast backcountry on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa provides ample opportunities.

Reservation required Fee applies

Backcountry Camping

Become a Junior Ranger at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Earn your official Junior Ranger badge at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Pets allowed

Junior Ranger Program

Birdwatching at Kīpukapuaulu

Look for birds in a unique area of biological diversity with rare and endangered species.

Birdwatching

Crater Rim Trail

Catch views of Kīlauea caldera, feel the breath of the volcano at Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu), and walk through lush rainforest.

1-6 Hours

Hiking

Devastation Trail

Stroll on a paved path through a recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.

30-60 Minutes

Hiking

Footprints Area

Traverse the rugged Kaʻū Desert and see footprints left by Native Hawaiians long ago.

1-2 Hours

Hiking

Haʻakulamanu via Sulphur Banks Trail

See where volcanic gases have deposited colorful crystals.

30-45 Minutes

Hiking

Halemaʻumaʻu Trail

Hike down to the floor of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), with possible longer connections to Byron Ledge, Kīlauea Iki, and Nāhuku.

1-2 Hours

Hiking

Hōlei Sea Arch

Walk a short distance to a view of dramatic sea cliffs and a 90-foot high arch sculpted by the sea.

20-30 Minutes

Hiking

Keanakākoʻi

Walk along an old portion of Crater Rim Drive to Keanakāko'i Crater and views toward the massive Halemaʻumaʻu.

1-2 Hours

Hiking

Kīlauea Iki Trail

Descend 400 feet (122 m) through rainforest into a volcanic crater and hike across a hardened lava lake from the 1959 eruption.

2-4 Hours

Hiking

Kīpukapuaulu Trail

A loop hike through a unique area of biological diversity with rare plants, birds, and old-growth trees.

60-90 Minutes

Hiking

Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge)

Walk along an old road damaged by an earthquake in 1983 and get panoramic views of Kaluapele

45-60 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

Maunaulu via Nāpau Trail

Explore the 1969-1974 lava flows of Maunaulu and hike to the top of Puʻuhuluhulu cinder cone.

1-2 Hours

Hiking

Nāhuku Lava Tube Trail

Walk through lush rainforest and see a cave where a river of lava flowed 500 years ago.

30-90 Minutes

Hiking

Park Bookstore

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association operates the official park bookstores at the Welcome Center and the Kahuku Unit.

Bookstore and Park Store

Puʻuloa Petroglyphs Trail

Hike across a lava field to the largest group of petroglyphs in Hawaiʻi.

60-90 Minutes Year-round

Hiking

See Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road

Drive the two primary roads in the park for a scenic adventure through a dynamic geological and cultural landscape

2-6 Hours Pets allowed

Scenic Driving

Visit Kahuku: Forested Pit Crater

Take a strenuous hike to a pit crater filled with an array of native Hawaiian species.

3-6 Hours

Hiking

Visit Kahuku: Glover Trail

Take a strenuous hike to a pit crater filled with an array of native Hawaiian species.

3-5 Hours

Hiking

Visit Kahuku: Kamakapaʻa Trail

A walk up to a small cinder cone surrounded by rolling, grassy meadows

20-30 Minutes

Hiking

Visit Kahuku: Kona Trail

Hike through scenic pasturelands with native trees, and transverse the 1887 lava flow.

3-5 Hours

Hiking

Visit Kahuku: Palm Trail

Hike or bike to some of the best views of Kahuku and along the fissure of the 1868 Mauna Loa eruption

1-2 Hours

Hiking

Visit Kahuku: Puʻu o Lokuana

Hike to the top of Puʻu o Lokuana cinder cone, with choices for a shorter or longer loop.

30-120 Minutes

Hiking