Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii is a One of a Kind Experience

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No visit to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to one of the most popular destinations on the island: Volcanoes National Park. It is in the south central part of the Big Island of Hawaii and draws more than 2.5 million people per year. In 1980, the park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Run by the National Park Service, the park was established in 1916. Visitors can witness active volcanoes for themselves, and see how the islands of Hawaii were born from volcanic activity. It is truly amazing to realize that such a destructive force as a fiery volcano could create a vast and diverse ecosystem like the one found on the islands of Hawaii. All of the volcanic activity on the island is responsible for the creation of the beautiful black sand beaches that so many tourists enjoy.

The park extends from sea level to the peak of Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive volcano. While many people come to the park to see the impressive Mauna Loa, the largest draw to the park has to be Kilauea, which is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Another draw is the Thurston Lava Tube.

A large portion of the park is a designated wilderness area. There are many hiking trails throughout the park, and this is a rare opportunity for people to even camp almost in the shadows of the volcanoes. Of course, this is all dependent on just how active the volcanoes are!

Also located on the park grounds are the Volcano House Hotel, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, and the Jaggar Museum. The museum is dedicated to volcanism and shows the different types of equipment used by scientists to study volcanoes, as well as working seismographs, and other displays. There is also a gift shop so you can pick up a few souvenirs for those back home who weren’t lucky enough to make the trip. If you are going to visit the park, make sure you make a stop at this one of a kind museum.

Admission to the park, which is good for seven days, is $10 per vehicle. It is open 365 days per year. You can either drive around the park, taking Crater Rim Drive that circles Kilauea’s caldera, or you can do some exploration on foot. Either way, it is going to be an unforgettable experience.

Find out more by visiting www.nps.gov/havo/.