Rangers are on duty at the end of Chain of Craters Road from late morning until evening. Sometimes, lava may be seen in the distance flowing down the mountainside. Often, a red glow may be visible on the slopes after dark. A steam plume is visible when lava enters the ocean; it glows orange and red after sunset.

Kilauea is a dynamic volcano. Lava viewing conditions change daily. Talk to the ranger in the Kilauea Visitor Center when you arrive for current information.

Volcano Tours on the island of Hawai'i - CLICK HERE!

Thanks to Ron Tencati for his spectacular photo contributions.

We can't overemphasize being prepared for the hike - too many times we see tourists with sandals and flip flops - not appropriate or safe for the rough lava surfaces.  If you plan on staying past sunset (and we highly recommend this), each person should carry their own flashlight for the walk back. 

March 2008 Lava Flow Update:
In June of 2007, the Kilauea lava flow changed its direction, flowing further east and through more remote areas of the Big Island.  This change unfortunately prevented the general public from viewing the geological phenomenon.  Prior to this date, the lava flow was consistently viewable after a short hike from the end of the Chain of Craters Road.  Since June 2007, the lava flow threatened to overrun the Royal Gardens housing subdivision, south of Pahoa, but for the most part the lava flow remained hidden from public view. But, as of March 9th, 2008, the dynamic conditions changed yet again as the lava flow made a turn and presented a wonderful opportunity for tourists and locals alike to view the active lava flow's ocean entry - where the rivers of lava flow into the ocean resulting in plumes of steam, hissing of super-hot lava mixing with the roaring ocean waves.  View a map of the lava flow as of March 6th, 2008.

You can view the lava flow by driving to the end of Highway 130 (south of Pahoa), then follow the newly installed dirt road to the end.  Daily viewing will be from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., with the last car allowed in at 8 p.m.  Sightseers can hike a half mile over rough ground with no shade from the road to the ocean.  There will be portable toilets and emergency water supplies.  See excerpt of article posted on our volcano blog.

Prior to June, 2007, lava entered the ocean at the end of Chain of Craters road in Volcano National Park.  We used to drive to the end of the road, park, then follow the long line of hikers walking across the dried lava beds to get a closer view point of the lava flow.

We normally would pack a dinner and arrive at the lava flow area prior to sunset.  Here we would picnic and get in position with our cameras prior to dusk.  We recommend you find out when official sunset is and add time backwards from that point to give you the time to hike.  It is an awe inspiring scene to see the transition to dusk and then night, as the red lava glows brighter in the dark.  Check out our latest Lava Hike Blog entry.

After a day of outdoor activities and hiking, spend the night at the historic Volcano House Hotel, or a variety of other hotels close by.  Being more than 90-miles away, it is often more convenient to spend the night at a hotel near the Volcano or in Hilo when visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. 

Visit our main Hawaii Volcano Park page for more details and photos of the rest of the national park attractions, sights, hiking, and camping.