Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Self-Guided Driving Tour

The stunning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers visitors a chance to enjoy the park’s volcanic landscapes through a self-guided driving tour. With the downloadable Action Tour Guide app, travelers can explore the park’s geological wonders at their own pace, discovering captivating audio narrations, detailed maps, and in-depth information about key attractions like the Kilauea Caldera and Thurston Lava Tube. Whether you’re marveling at the breathtaking Mauna Ulu Lookout or uncovering the stories behind the dynamic forces that have shaped the Hawaiian islands, this tour provides an engaging and informative way to uncover the park’s natural marvels.

Key Points

• The Action Tour Guide app provides an engaging audio narration, detailed maps, and additional information for a self-guided driving tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• The app’s offline capabilities and personalized password allow users to explore the park at their own pace and convenience.
• Key highlights of the driving tour include the Kilauea Caldera, Kilauea Iki Trail, Thurston Lava Tube, Mauna Ulu Lookout, and Pu’uloa Petroglyph.
• The tour offers panoramic views of Kilauea’s volcanic majesty, opportunities to explore crater floors and lava tube environments, and insights into the island’s geological and cultural heritage.
• The self-guided format enables visitors to tailor their experience, focusing on areas of personal interest and spending time to fully enjoy the park’s wonders.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Explore Volcanic Landscapes

As you explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll be treated to a captivating display of volcanic landscapes that showcase the dynamic forces that have shaped the Big Island over millennia.

From towering craters to sprawling lava flows, the park offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the raw power of Earth’s volcanic activity firsthand.

Explore the steaming Kilauea Caldera, a massive depression formed by the collapse of the volcano’s summit. Marvel at the Thurston Lava Tube, a mesmerizing underground cave carved by molten rock.

Hike along the Kilauea Iki Trail, which traverses a once-active lava lake, now solidified into a surreal, lunar-like terrain. These volcanic wonders provide an unforgettable glimpse into the geological forces that continue to shape the Hawaiian islands.

Discover Kilauea’s Crater Views

One of the park’s most captivating sights is the Kilauea Caldera, a vast and otherworldly depression that visitors can gaze upon from the Kilauea Overlook.

This cavernous crater, over 2 miles wide and 400 feet deep, offers a stunning panorama of Kilauea’s volcanic majesty. From this vantage point, you’ll witness plumes of steam and gas rising from the crater floor, a mesmerizing display of the volcano’s restless power.

The overlook also provides views of Halemaumau Crater, home to Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of fire. Spend time taking in this awe-inspiring landscape, contemplating the immense geological forces that have shaped the island over millennia.

Traverse Kilauea Iki Trail

Descending into the Kilauea Iki crater offers visitors an unparalleled perspective on the park’s volcanic landscape. This 4-mile loop trail plunges down 400 feet, immersing hikers in the remnants of a historic eruption that occurred in 1959. Along the way, visitors can witness the stark contrast between the lush, green crater rim and the desolate, black lava landscape below. The trail provides a unique opportunity to explore the crater’s floor, where hikers can observe the hardened lava flows and remnants of the 1959 eruption. The experience offers a deep appreciation for the power and dynamism of Hawaii’s volcanic forces.

Kilauea Iki Trail Details
Distance	4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss	400 feet
Difficulty	Moderate
Estimated Time	2-3 hours
Best Time to Hike	Morning

Venture Through Thurston Lava Tube

Visitors can explore the remarkable Thurston Lava Tube, a stunning subterranean passage carved by ancient volcanic activity.

This half-mile loop trail takes hikers through a dark, cavernous tunnel formed when a river of lava drained, leaving behind an impressive geological feature.

The tube’s walls are smooth and the ceiling arches overhead, creating a captivating underground environment.

Travelers can descend stairs into the lava tube and emerge into a lush, fern-covered area before returning to the surface.

Guided by the downloadable audio tour, visitors will learn about the tube’s formation and the unique ecosystems that have developed within this volcanic landscape.

This stop offers a memorable and educational exploration of Hawaii’s geological wonders.

More Great Tours Nearby

Gaze Upon Mauna Ulu Lookout

From the Mauna Ulu Lookout, travelers can gaze upon the remnants of a massive shield volcano that erupted almost continuously from 1969 to 1974.

This dramatic viewpoint provides a sweeping vista of the volcano’s expansive lava flows, which blanketed the surrounding landscape in a sea of black and reddish-orange hues.

The audio tour explains how Mauna Ulu’s eruptions reshaped the terrain, creating a new landscape that continues to evolve through ongoing volcanic activity.

As visitors take in the stunning scenery, they’ll learn about the powerful forces that have sculpted Hawaii’s Big Island over thousands of years.

This stop offers a unique perspective on the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the island’s volcanic landscape.

Admire Pu’uloa Petroglyph

The captivating Pu’uloa Petroglyph site beckons visitors to uncover the enigmatic stories etched into the volcanic rock, offering a glimpse into the island’s ancient cultural heritage. This unique archaeological treasure features thousands of petroglyphs – symbolic carvings – that depict human figures, animals, and geometric patterns. Wandering through the site, you’ll be amazed by the skill and artistry of the indigenous Hawaiians who created these petroglyphs centuries ago.

Petroglyph Features	Description
Human Figures	Depictions of ancestral people and cultural activities
Animal Symbols	Representations of native wildlife like turtles and birds
Geometric Shapes	Intricate patterns and designs with spiritual significance
Preserved History	A window into the island’s pre-contact Polynesian heritage
Cultural Significance	A sacred place honoring the traditions of native Hawaiians

Witness Hōlei Sea Arch

After exploring the captivating Pu’uloa Petroglyphs, the scenic Hōlei Sea Arch comes into view, a natural wonder carved by the relentless forces of the Pacific Ocean.

This striking geological formation features a towering arch carved into the volcanic rock, creating a breathtaking sight that draws visitors to marvel at nature’s extraordinary handiwork.

Visitors can take in the impressive arch from a nearby viewing platform, observing the crashing waves and the unique interplay of land and sea.

The Hōlei Sea Arch serves as a testament to the powerful shaping influence of Hawaii’s dynamic volcanic and coastal processes, offering a visually stunning and thought-provoking experience for all who witness it.

Utilizing the Tour Experience

Visitors can easily navigate the self-guided driving tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park using the downloadable Action Tour Guide app. The app provides an engaging audio narration, detailed maps, and additional information to enhance the tour experience. With a unique password, users can access the tour at their convenience, exploring the volcanic landscapes, craters, and lava flows at their own pace. The app’s offline capabilities and hands-free features ensure a seamless experience, allowing visitors to focus on the stunning scenery.

Feature	Benefit
Audio Narration	Engaging storytelling about the park’s history and geology
Offline Maps	Comprehensive route and stops to avoid missing key sites
Flexible Schedule	Pause, take breaks, and revisit stops as desired
Unique Password	Access the tour anytime, as many times as needed
Customer Support	Available via phone, chat, or email

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use the Tour on Multiple Devices?

The tour can be used on multiple devices. The unique password allows the user to access the tour through the app on different devices, enabling a flexible and convenient experience across smartphones, tablets, or other compatible devices.

Is the Tour Available in Different Languages?

The tour is currently available in English only. However, the developers may consider offering the tour in multiple languages in the future to accommodate a wider range of visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

What Happens if I Lose Cell Signal During the Tour?

If you lose cell signal during the tour, the app’s offline maps and audio narration will still work. The tour is designed to function without a continuous internet connection, ensuring a seamless experience even in areas with poor reception.

Can I Purchase the Tour After Arriving in Hawaii?

Yes, you can purchase the self-guided driving tour after arriving in Hawaii. The tour comes with offline maps and audio, so you don’t need cell service to enjoy the experience once you’ve downloaded it.

Is the Tour Suitable for Visitors With Mobility Issues?

The tour may not be fully accessible for visitors with mobility issues. While the driving route allows for views, some hiking trails and uneven terrain may pose challenges. Visitors should consider their abilities and alternatives like guided tours or partial participation.

Recap

The self-guided driving tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers an immersive and dynamic experience, allowing travelers to explore the park’s geological wonders at their own pace.

With the Action Tour Guide app, visitors can discover the stories behind the formation of the Hawaiian islands, from the Kilauea Caldera to the awe-inspiring Mauna Ulu Lookout, and uncover the park’s natural marvels through narrations, maps, and additional information.

You can check availability for your dates here: