We started day 4 by checking out of Castle Hilo and making our way to Volcanoes National Park. It is approximately a 40 minute drive from Hilo. The entrance fee was $10/vehicle and was good for 7 days; the current price (9/2017) is $25/vehicle. We had no trouble finding parking, but some of the lots were small and I could see parking being an issue if you happen to be there during peak season. Our first stop was the Kilauea Visitor Center, which was open from 7:45am-5pm. Hours do vary according to time of year so it is best to check out their website before venturing to the park. The website will also give you current information about closures in the park. While we were there a section of Crater Rim Drive was closed due to high amounts of volcanic gas in the area. I recommend having more planned than you will have time to do in various areas of the park, so if part of the park is closed you will still have things to do and see. The park rangers are also helpful in offering alternatives if the areas you planned on viewing are closed. The visitor center is filled with exhibits about the volcano, has a short informational film shown every hour, park rangers, a store and bathrooms. Directly across the street from the center is Volcano House, if you walk through their lobby you will catch your first glimpse of Halemaumau Crater.
Halemaumau Crater
I recommend viewing Halemaumau Crater both during the day and at night. You will not feel as if you are looking at the same thing, the contrast is so striking. As you gaze at the crater it is an undeniable reminder that you are currently standing on a active volcano. The weather here is cooler than on the beaches because you are at a higher altitude. We were told it rains everyday at the park. It was overcast our entire first day, but it only rained when we were in our car.
The Path Leading to Thurston Lava Tube
We made the short drive to the parking lot near the Thurston Lava Tube. The walk is a short, easy 1/3 mile through an amazing tree fern forest. It is easy to forget that you are still standing on a volcano.
The entrance to the Thurston Lave Tube
The entrance to the tube is covered with ferns and moss. The wooden walkway is pretty short, ending on the actual floor of the lava tube.
Thurston Lava Tube
The lava tube is relatively short and is lit up the entire way, which was disappointing for me. I had read that at the very end of the tube there were no lights, so you could experience the total blackness of being in the tube. The guidebooks I read had said that you would get to a spot where the lights end and a sign would tell you to be careful if you go any further. At the end of the tube was supposed to be a log for visitors who ‘braved the darkness’ to get to the end of the tube. They recommended bringing a flashlight so you could find the log once you reached the end of the tunnel. We actually remembered to bring our flashlight, but the tunnel no longer had a dead end. It was lit the whole way and the back of the tunnel had been opened up. I’m not sure if this was due to people being injured, we never asked the rangers, but I was disappointed. I spent a few minute grumbling about careless people ruining my fun, then realized there was much more fun to be had than standing around in the dark. I enjoyed listening to my son say, “Hey Mom, it’s so dark in here I can’t even see my hand!” as he was standing directly in front of the light.
The only thing I would have done differently is not tell my kids it would be so dark that they wouldn’t be able to see their hands. I am glad we went to see it and walk through it. It was a new experience for all of us, but truth be told, kind of boring. I would recommend seeing and walking through one, but we won’t be walking through another one when we make our trip to Maui.
We headed back to the car for the short drive to the Kilauea Iki Overlook and our 4 mile hike across the Kilauea Crater. As always, wishing you happy travels and fantastic adventures in this thing called life.
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Looking for more posts about the Big Island? Check these out…
Flying High ~ An Aerial View of Kilauea
Pin for Later!
Walking Through the Thurston Lava Tube
You had me with cooler weather 😉 I love how pretty the entrance is, and I would have been a bit disappointed about the lack of total darkness as well. It would have been a neat sensory experience!
I probably would have lasted 2 1/2 seconds before I said, “Turn on the flashlight!” But, I still wanted to have that experience. Oh well, of all the things to miss out on, this one really wasn’t that big of a deal.