There aren’t many places on Earth where you can see new land being born, but Hawaii is one of them! Born of fire. Born of the sea.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, shows the sheer power of volcanoes’ ability to shape and reshape our land.
This park preserves the natural setting of two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the most active in the world, and Mauna Loa, one of the largest in the world. Visitors can hike across the floor of a dormant crater, view ancient petroglyphs and steam vents, and stroll through a primeval rain forest to an ancient lava tube.
🚗Get to the park from Hilo: 30 miles southwest on Highway 11 (a 45-minute drive); from Kailua-Kona: 96 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2 1/2 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2 1/2 to 3 hours). There is no shuttle bus or public transportation within the park.