By: Nicole Rosania, travel content creator and writer at The Abroad Blog

During your visit to Kona, Hawaii, you MUST visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park! As the name suggests, this is one of two national parks in Hawaii. The other is Haleakalā National Park  in Maui. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is about 2 hour drive from Kona, and can be reached via a few different driving routes. It’s totally doable to see the park in one day, so you can stay at the Mango Sunset BnB in Kona!

Background On Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, located on the southeastern edge of the Big Island, is a striking and constantly evolving landscape shaped by volcanic activity. Established in 1916 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park spans over 335,000 acres and is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. 

Visitors can explore a wide range of environments, from steaming craters and solidified lava flows to tropical rainforests and rugged coastal cliffs.

How To Get From Kona To Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Assuming you have a rental car (you’ll need one to explore the best activities in Kona!), you can drive to the national park from Kona. If you take Highway 11 southeast from Kailua-Kona, you can directly access the park in about 2-2.5 hours. Along the way, you’ll pass Captain Cook, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and get scenic views of Mauna Loa.

Alternatively, you can travel north from Kona on Highways 19 & 11. This slightly longer route will bring you through Waimea, a beautifully lush and rural ranching area and Hilo. This route takes about 3 hours.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tours

There are many guided tours you can book to see the highlights of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, like this top-rated, full-day tour! Alternatively, here is a Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tour you can do self-guided:

Begin your visit at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, where you'll find current information about volcanic conditions, weather, trail access, and ranger-led programs. The center includes exhibits that provide an overview of the park’s geology and cultural significance, and rangers are available to answer questions and offer safety guidance.

One of the most accessible ways to explore the park is via Crater Rim Drive, a scenic route that circles the Kīlauea Caldera. Along the drive, visitors can stop at viewpoints and geological features such as steam vents, the Kīlauea Overlook, and the Devastation Trail, which winds through an area transformed by the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea Iki. These stops offer a glimpse into the volcanic processes that continue to shape the island.

A short distance from the main road lies Nāhuku, also known as the Thurston Lava Tube. This unique tunnel, formed by flowing lava centuries ago, allows visitors to walk through a subterranean space surrounded by dense forest. The contrast between the dark interior of the lava tube and the lush greenery outside makes it a memorable stop. 

This full walk just takes about 20 minutes to do and is less than one mile round trip, so definitely do it!

Chain Of Craters Road

Another highlight is the Chain of Craters Road, a 19-mile drive that descends from the crater rim to the ocean. Along the way, you will encounter lava fields, scenic overlooks, and archaeological sites such as the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs, where hundreds of ancient carvings can be seen etched into the rock. At the end of the road, the Hōlei Sea Arch stands as a testament to the park’s ongoing geological evolution.

This sea arch is quite far from the center of the park (probably about 45 minutes each way in the car), but the scenery here was SO beautiful! Plus, you can stop along the way at many overlooks, walk through hardened lava, and enjoy the drive. I think it was worth it!

Pro-tip: When visiting the cultural sites, remember to treat the landscape with respect and refrain from removing rocks or artifacts, which is both culturally insensitive and illegal.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hikes

For experienced hikers seeking a more strenuous challenge, Mauna Loa offers a demanding but rewarding route. As the world’s largest volcano by volume, its summit trail spans over 13 miles one way and requires a high level of preparation. 

The high elevation, changing weather, and rugged terrain make it suitable only for those with significant backcountry experience.

There are also numerous shorter trails throughout the park that cater to a variety of fitness levels. The Kīlauea Iki Trail, a four-mile loop, descends into a crater and crosses a hardened lava lake with visible steam vents and cracks. 

Devastation Trail provides a short and easy walk through a landscape marked by past eruptions, while Pu‘u Huluhulu and Mauna Ulu trails offer opportunities to explore lava flows, forested cinder cones, and expansive views.

Best Time Of Year To Travel From Kona To Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 

The park is open year-round, but the drier months between April and October typically offer better weather and visibility. Volcanic activity can occur at any time, and witnessing an eruption (from a far!) is an unforgettable experience. 

Visitors should check the latest updates from the National Park Service before arrival, as conditions can change quickly. To plan your visit, consult the National Park Service website and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for real-time volcanic updates. When available, ranger-led programs provide valuable insight into the park’s ecology, geology, and cultural heritage.

Whether you're hiking across a cooled lava field, walking through a lava tube, or gazing into a steaming crater, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers something for everyone and is the perfect day trip from Kona!