Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

This unique national park protects the area around Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the most active volcanoes in the world, and extends from sea level to 13,681 feet of elevation. What you want to see will depend on the eruption activity; if there’s an active eruption and it’s safe to visit, that should be your first stop. Regardless, a great option is to drive Chain of Craters Road, a scenic drive that passes numerous volcanic craters and descend the slopes of Kīlauea to the sea. For a shorter drive, consider the Crater Rim Drive.

The glow of an eruption on Kīlauea

If you like hiking, there are plenty of options in the park, but the best hike is Kīlauea Iki Crater, about a 3.3-mile hike through a lush rainforest and the solidified lava lake that now forms the bottom of the crater. For a shorter and easier hike that’s more off the beaten path, consider the trail to Pu’u Huluhulu Cinder Cone, about 2 miles round trip and mostly easy walking (though the ascent to the summit at the end is a little steep).

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