VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Just a short drive from the lodge. Witness flowing lava and see the path of old lava flows.
A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE
The island of Hawaii was formed more than 400,000 years ago by five individual volcanoes. Mauna Kea is considered a dormant, non-active volcano; Kohala is extinct; and Mauna Loa, Kilauea, and Hualalai are all active volcanoes that are still making an impact on the island.
Kilauea is currently the most active of the bunch, as it’s been continuously erupting since 1983. The summit caldera of Kilauea is also significant because it is believed to be the home of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire and volcanoes. In the current eruption cycle, more than 60 lava flows have occurred, and in the process, has destroyed homes, businesses, and lands. However, the destruction is not viewed by most locals as a ‘bad’ thing, since it is the nature of Hawaii and part of the beauty of the island’s ever-changing landscape.
Visitors to the Big Island are drawn to the power of the volcanoes, and often wish to witness flowing lava and see the path of old lava flows. Luckily, that’s all possible within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. With the entrance to the park just a few miles from Emma Spencer Living’s Volcano Village Lodge and 5th Street Ohana properties, we’re ideally situated for guests who want the “volcano experience.”
Visiting HVNP
Hawaii’s volcanoes are more than a novelty; they are literally what makes the island possible!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was created in 1916 and encompasses both Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes. Within the park are miles and miles of hiking trails and car-accessible roads, the most famous and scenic being Crater Rim Drive, an 11-mile loop. Chain of Craters Road is another popular drive, descending into the East Rift and the coastal region of the park and ending where a lava flow crossed the road in 2003.
While a few hours in HVNP might be enough for some, others can spend days exploring all the park has to offer, including historic, sacred places and ancient Hawaiian artifacts and architecture. Stop at the Kīlauea Visitor Center and learn about daily events and lava updates within the park.
Other points of interest include the Volcano Arts Center. View the park website to learn about what is open and has been rebuilt since the closures of 2018.
The best time to view active lava is at night, when the ‘glow’ is simply stunning against the dark, sunless backdrop. Thankfully, the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with numerous activities and nighttime events, like glow hikes and stargazing, available at various times of the year.
Check the park’s website for a calendar of events, what is going on with the volcano and to plan your visit.