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Hawaii is vast. With six islands to explore and boundless activities, it’s impossible to see it all in one trip. For ambitious National Park stampers, getting a stamp at Hawaii’s Largest National Park is an important goal. But what do you do if you want to see the park but are short on time? Spend a half day at Volcanoes National Park.
Whether arriving by airplane or cruise ship, your visit to Hawaii’s Big Island will start in either Hilo or Kona. The drive to Volcanoes National Park from Kona is 2.5 hours. If visiting from Hilo, the drive is 45 minutes. We arrive from neither town. Our arrival is part of a week-long road trip around The Big Island. After two nights in Kona, we spent a night at Open Gate Hostel in Pahoa. Open Gate is known for its low light pollution, perfect for stargazing. After spending a morning at Kehena Black Sand Beach, we arrive at Volcanoes National Park mid-afternoon.
Kilauea Visitor Center
First things first, we visit the Kilauea Visitor Center to get our National Park Passport Stamp.
As we enter the building the popularity of this Hawaii National Park is obvious. It’s one of the most crowded National Park visitor centers we’ve encountered. We peruse the exhibits and watch the film.
The Visitor Center has a gift shop, but for a wider selection of t-shirts and souvenirs, be sure to check out the gift shop in the nearby Volcano House hotel.
Most National Park Sites have water bottle refill stations. Kilauea Visitor Center’s refill station goes one step further. The water in their refill station is recycled rainwater.
Sulphur Banks Trail
From the Kilauea Visitor Center, you can take a path to the Sulphur Banks Trail.
Sulphur Banks is an easy trail. The trail consists of boardwalk and dirt paths.
The Haʻakulamanu Sulphur Banks is a must-see in the park. It’s fascinating watching vapor billow up from the ground.
They do warn to explore this area at your own risk, as the vapor can agitate respiratory issues.
People often complain about the rotten egg smell the area produces. Though the air was unpleasant, it wasn’t unbearable.
The swirling vapor, performing its beautiful dance, begs to be seen. I especially enjoyed the plants and flowers that flourish despite the inhospitable environment.
The Crater Rim Trail
The Sulphur Banks Trail leads to a portion of the Crater Rim Trail. This is the most popular trail at Volcanoes National Park. If you dream of seeing an active volcano crater, the Crater Rim Trail is essential.
Based on the whims of nature, you may or may not see active lava. During our visit, Pele was quiet, so we only witnessed the volcano’s rising smoke . Lava or no lava, the landscape is stunning.
As you follow the Crater Rim Trail back to the Kilauea Visitor Center, be sure to get great pictures and take a few minutes to mindfully soak in the view.
If you are spending a half day at Volcanoes National Park, make Crater Rim Trail a priority.
The Volcano House
Located steps away from the Kilauea Visitor Center is Volcanoes National Park’s hotel, The Volcano House. All park visitors can wander the main level of the hotel. In the hotel, you can see the lava rock fireplace honoring the goddess Pele.
If you’ve finished walking the Sulphur Banks Trail and Crater Rim Trail, you can rest your feet in one of the sitting areas. Visit the gift shop for souvenirs, grab a cup of coffee at Coffee on The Rim, or a meal at Uncle George’s Lounge. Breakfast and lunch are available at The Rim restaurant at The Volcano House hotel.
If you want to end your half day at Volcanoes National Park with a dinner overlooking Kilauea Crater, you must make a reservation at The Rim restaurant months in advance.
Additional Activities
Nahuku Lava Tube
We were fortunate to spend one half day and one full day at Volcanoes National Park. We saved Nahuku Lava Tube for our full-day, but if you only have a half day to visit the park, you will want to visit this popular feature. The Lava Tube is a six-minute drive from the Kilauea Visitor Center. A sought-after location, the Nahuku Lava Tube teems with people. The parking lot fills up quickly. You can also park in the overflow parking lot at Kīlauea Iki Overlook. From the Kilauea Iki Overlook, you must walk a half-mile path to the lava tube. If you want to add Nahuku Lava Tube to your half-day itinerary, plan accordingly. It’s the most crowded mid-morning through the afternoon. Arriving in the early morning or at the end of the day before dark is a good idea.
Volcano Winery
After getting our park stamp and visiting the trails closest to the park entrance, we drove a few minutes outside of the park to the Volcano Winery. We are fans of visiting the best, the most, the biggest, the smallest…… We couldn’t pass up the chance to visit the Southernmost Winery in America.
The vineyard was scenic.
The staff were enthusiastic and friendly.
The wine was just okay. It may take a few more years for Hawaii to perfect its winemaking. If you have to drive back to Hilo, have hikes planned, or don’t partake in alcohol, they also offer a tea tasting. Though not a must-visit, if you’ve had your fill of Sulphur smells and would rather inhale some grapes, the Volcano Winery is an enjoyable park side quest.
Tuk Tuk Food Truck
When spending a half-day at Volcanoes National Park, you may not have time for a sit-down meal. Both Volcano House dining options require time. I suggest eating breakfast before you enter the park. For a quick lunch or dinner, just 5 minutes outside of the park, is the Tuk Tuk Food Truck (closed Monday and Tuesday).
There is no seating, so you will have to eat the delicious Thai food in your car or at one of the park’s picnic areas.
Conclusion
The highlight of Volcanoes National Park is the volcano. Kilauea Crater is close to the park entrance and Visitor Center, making it easy to view. Adding in the Sulphur Banks, The Volcano House, and a nearby additional activity is the perfect plan for spending a half-day at Volcanoes National Park.
Some people feel that if they can’t spend a full day or several days in a major National Park, it’s not worth exploring. Even if you only have a few hours, Volcanoes National Park is worth a visit.
*Volcanoes National Park has an entrance fee. Once you pay, your pass is good for seven days. Of course, if you plan to visit more than one park in a year, the America the Beautiful National Park Season Pass is a good investment.
*When Visiting Volcanoes National Park I highly recommend using the Shaka Guide Audio Tour. The tour recommends places to stop while driving in the park and provides detailed information about the history, geology, and nature you will see on the roads and trails.
https://www.shakaguide.com/?via=sarah
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