Did you know that the largest, most active volcano in the world is located here, on the Big Island of Hawaii? You may know that this volcano, named the Mauna Loa Volcano, recently erupted in December… and the eruption lasted about 12 days!
Volcanoes National Park expands over 500 square miles and climbs to over 13,000+ feet from sea level to the very top of the volcano. Looking to explore this legendary park? As you continue reading this blog, you will learn of some of the best hikes in the Volcanoes National Park and have your own customized Volcanoes National Park itinerary!
For starters, at Volcanoes National Park, there are more than 150+ miles of trails! This is perfect for families of all ages given that you can pick and choose which trail fits best for your family. One of the most popular miles is a four-mile hike named, Kilauea Iki Trail. If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, there are plenty of other options like biking. At Volcanoes National Park, you will have the experience of a lifetime by biking through iconic lava fields once you rent a bike or take a bike tour.
Another must-do activity is to participate and get your hands dirty in “Stewardship at the Summit”. This is a volunteer based project where you help give back to Mother Nature. On nps.gov, it explains, “Come help out the park and the ‘āina (land) by cutting invasive himalayan ginger (Heydechium gardnerianum) on park trails. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and closed toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honey creepers like ‘apapane, ‘amakihi and ‘ōma’o above to serenade as you work. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended. This project is open to the public and school groups. The hike is around a 1-mile, moderate round trip leaving from Kīlauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400′ elevation change.”
Things To Remember when visiting Volcanoes National Park
- Some things to note for your Volcanoes National Park itinerary is that the park is open 24/7 but the Kīlauea Visitor Center is open 9AM – 5PM. If you ever have any questions, this is the perfect place to get information and learn about park’s geological and cultural history.
- There are two airports on the Big Island of Hawaii (one in Kona and the other in Hilo). The closest airport to Volcanoes National Park would be the Hilo International Airport located 30 miles away (or approximately 41 minutes) from the park. Once arriving on the Big Island of Hawaii, there are many options to choose from in means of transportation. These include renting a car, taking the bus, taking Uber, Lyft, taxi services, etc. Be sure to research and see which option fits best for you and your family.
- After enjoying Volcanoes National Park for a day or two, be sure to check out Aloha Adventure Farms for a thrilling, exciting, and one of a kind experience at our farm. We offer Big Island ATV tours and Polynesian Carving Tour. Check out some more information below!
Looking for the perfect Big Island adventure after explore the park? Explore the rich heritage of Polynesia while driving your way through the Pacific Islands on your Big Island ATV Tour. Travel through time as you experience thousands of years worth of culture in an untouched Hawaiian jungle where ancient Hawaiians once lived, worked, and played.
On your adventure, you will drive through the villages of Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa where you will enjoy the adventure of traditional hands-on activities with your Polynesian guides. If you don’t want to drive your own ATV, you can choose to ride in a UTV and a guide will drive you.
Looking for a different type of Big Island adventure? Spend some time with a highly sought-after 4th generation Master Carver direct from Tonga on this Polynesian Carving Tour! Step back into time and experience the beauty and aloha of the islands by carving your own authentic, cultural wood carving in Hawaii. We use only top-quality wood grown locally on the Big Island.
Take a piece of Hawaii with you as you carve your own tiki taught by a master carver. This Polynesian cultural experience is a wonderful family memory! Leave the tour with a token of our Aloha that will live on for generations to come from our ‘ohana to yours.
Wishing you a year filled with safe travels and Aloha. We look forward to helping you and your family create lifelong memories on your Volcanoes National Park vacation. See you soon!