Megan McDonald for Only In Your State on Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park. Join us on one of our volcano tours to visit this stunning park.
The Hawaiʻian Islands are filled with jaw-dropping vistas left and right. But the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Hawaiʻi is guaranteed to take your breath away! Powerful, colorful, and filled with unique and fun information and exploration, this national park was recently ranked as one of the world’s most stunning national parks — and we know exactly why. Read on to find out why you need to visit this park as soon as possible!
There are few places in the world more spectacular than the Hawaiʻian Islands.
With stunning beauty that spans from mountain tops to ocean floors, Hawaiʻi is unlike anywhere else. And some of that beauty is the powerful, arresting sights you’ll see at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Located on the Big Island, the national park is comprised of 335,259 acres from the summit of Maunaloa to the ocean.
The size of the entire national park, 523 square miles, is almost the entire size of Oahu, which is 597 square miles. There are also 150 miles of hiking trails throughout this impressive park!
The park is home to two active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.
These volcanoes are constantly erupting, with Kīlauea’s lava continuously flowing across the land and into the sea. The volcanoes are actually two of the most active volcanoes on the planet.
The park has so many natural features that are a blast to explore.
The Thurston Lava Tube is a huge favorite to visit, and it’s an easy 1.5-mile hike through the rainforest. The 500-year-old lava tube was carved out by lava exceeding temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are so many great places to visit within the park, including the Halemaumau Crater, the Crater Rim Drive, and the Kilauea Visitor Center.
Plan your stay accordingly and bring good footwear, water, and sun protection. Follow the signs, stay away from cracks, and be aware of sudden rockfalls. The active volcanoes make for an ever-changing landscape, so be aware of your surroundings as you enjoy your day.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is so impressive, and so important, that it’s also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It’s also a designated International Biosphere Reserve. The park stretches from sea level all the way to 13,681 feet and encompasses both summits of the active volcanoes.
This exciting national park should be a must-see if you’re on the Big Island.
You can do a short tour, but it’s much better to block off a whole day if you can. And if you can devote a couple of days? You’ll have a chance to do a deep dive exploration into the park and really see its magic up close and personal!
