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Filled with one-of-a-kind geothermal attractions exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in one day is easy from nearby Hilo or Kona.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park One Day Itinerary: (Jump To)

If images of bubbling volcanos, lava bursting into the air, and bright orange lava flowing into the ocean pop into your brain at the mention of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, you’re not alone. That was my first thought when beginning to plan our visit.

After an amazing first day exploring the northern part of the Big Island including a stunning hike in the Waipio Valley, we set aside day two for exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park is filled with active seismic and volcanic activity, so it’s always best to visit the official park site for the latest updates.

Driving from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We drove our rental car about two hours from Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay to the park entrance near Volcano Village. If you plan to visit the park on multiple days, or if the park is your main destination consider staying on the Hilo side of the island. Park admission costs $30 for the entire car, valid for up to seven consecutive days.

Kīlauea Iki Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

Hiking Kīlauea Iki Crater

We decided to start our day with a long hike. We parked at the edge of the Kīlauea Iki Crater planning to hike down into the crater, across the barren crater floor, then back up the steep crater wall. The loop trail is about 4 miles and took us about 3 hours.

The hike starts at the Kīlauea Iki parking area. Follow the Crater Rim Trail along the crater rim, then down to the crater floor. You’ll walk through thick vegetation before a few switchbacks bring you to the expansive crater floor.

Kīlauea Iki Trail Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

Here you’ll merge with the Kīlauea Iki Trail. This trail allows you to walk across the cooled lava lake created by an eruption in 1959. This is a shadeless walk across black colored rock that radiates the heat from the sun. The trail can be confusing at times, but as long as you keep walking forward you’ll be able to find the trail back up the hill. People have made piles of lava rocks to help keep you on track. The crater is about a mile across.

Continue to follow the trail back up the crater wall. Luckily the lush rainforest shade is back, unfortunately, the level ground is behind you. Pretty quickly you’ll be back at the top. The trail ends at the parking area for the Thurston Lava Tube.

The Thurston Lava Tube is an underground cave-like tunnel that was created by a massive lava flow. It’s well worth checking out. After you check out the tube take the forest trail back to the parking area where we started.

Thurston Lava Tube Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

Hōlei Sea Arch Location

Our next stop was Hōlei Sea Arch located at the end of Chain of Craters Road. The Arch is a natural arch cascading into the ocean from the shore. Created by the erosion of surrounding hardened lava of differential hardness. Some day it will drop into the ocean, but for now, it is here to enjoy.

Holei sea arch Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

We also took a long walk down Chain of Craters Road to view the lava flow that closed the road to traffic. It was a reminder of the power that the lava has over our man-made structures.

Lava fields Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

See Kīlauea Volcano

Our last part of the day took us as close as possible to the active volcano Kīlauea. It is the most active volcano in Hawaii and had its last major eruption in 2018. Back on Crater Rim Drive, you’ll find a pullout for the Steam Vents. A short walk will get you close to visible steam vents. Standing there you can feel the water vapor on your face from the steam vents. The rotten egg smell of sulfur is also in the air.

Steam Vent Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park The Big Island Hawaii

We continued further along Crater Rim Drive to the Jaggar Museum. From here we were able to see our only glimpse of glowing orange lava bursting into the air. It was very far away, but I was excited to see it happen. Please note: Since our visit, the Jaggar Museum has been closed indefinitely for repairs.