The Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a jewel of the Big Island. In 2009, the cost of admission to the park was $10 per carload but worth every penny. The Park is located 30 miles southeast of Hilo on Hawaii State Route 11. Once you enter the park, the first stop is the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains a bookstore, restrooms, and information about conditions inside the park including current lava flows. Park rangers are available to answer any questions you may have and to provide up to the minute information. You can view a short movie in the theater to get a quick overview of the park and its history. From here, take the walking path across the highway through about 100 feet of lush rain forest to the Volcano House Hotel. The Volcano House is the only hotel and restaurant facility in the park. At the Volcano House you can find not only accommodations if you want to spend the night in the park but also two restaurants. Inside Volcano House you will find a cafeteria for quick meals and a more elaborate fine-dining restaurant. The hotel is perched at a perfect view point near the edge of the Kilauea caldera where you can view the caldera with telescopes from the outside patio.

The final destination on this drive is the intersection of The Chain of Craters Road and Devastation Trail. The Pu'u Pua'l Overlook is next perched on the edge of the Kilauea lki Crater. The Chain of Craters Road when fully open takes about 1.5 hour to travel to the end from the Visitors Center. A very special “not-to-be-missed” sight in the park are the Thurston Lava Tubes (Nahuku) located in the midst of a very lush tropical rain forest. More information can be found on these geological formations at the link on the left. The park is a unique experience that you will remember for a lifetime so be sure to take the time to spend a day or two exploring this area.