Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour

Kīlauea Visitor Center - Begin your journey by visiting the Kīlauea Visitor Center. Here, you can ask park rangers any questions, refill your water bottle, or use the restroom facilities.

If you forgot to bring a jacket, the Visitor Center’s gift shop typically offers sweatshirts for purchase. It’s a good idea to get one, as temperatures can vary significantly throughout the park.

Steam Vents - Pause to admire the steam clouds created when underground water meets the hot volcanic rock.

Kilauea Military Camp - Discover the history of the Kilauea Military Camp, which has been around for nearly a century. It currently provides accommodations for military families near the park.

Kilauea Overlook - Make sure to stop at these overlooks for breathtaking views of Kilauea Caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater.

Uekahuna, the highest point on the rim, offers stunning views of Kilauea Caldera, Mauna Loa, and the surrounding area. It is also a significant cultural site for Native Hawaiians. Note: The Jagger Museum, previously located at Uekahuna, has been moved to the Kilauea Visitor Center after the 2018 eruptions caused damage to the original building.

Kilauea Overlook provides visitors with the most dramatic views of the caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater, which underwent a significant collapse during the 2018 eruptions.

The popular Crater Rim Trail can be accessed from either lookout, offering a closer view of the volcano as it circles the rim.

Sulphur Banks - This 1.2-mile roundtrip hike is a gentle walk along a paved path where you can observe more steam rising from the ground.

Feel free to embark on this hike now or after your journey down Chain of Craters Road.

Kīlauea Iki Overlook - In 1959, this mile-long crater was a boiling lava lake, with lava fountains reaching up to 1,900 feet in the air.

Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube - This remarkable natural feature is one of the most popular attractions in the national park.

A well-maintained trail leads you inside a 600-foot lava tube and through a lush rainforest.

Kilauea Iki Trail - The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a 4-mile hike that takes you along the rim of Kilauea Iki and down to the crater floor, where you can experience the power of this magnificent volcano from the still-steaming crater floor.

If time is limited, there’s a shortcut. Across the street from Nahuku Lava Tube is a short trail leading to the bottom of Kilauea Iki Crater.

This shortcut takes about an hour to complete. Be aware that there is a steep descent through the forest into the crater.

Once you reach the crater floor, take as many photos as you like, then return to the parking area the same way you came.

Devastation Trail - Experience the Martian-like landscape as you walk along Devastation Trail.

This one-mile trail follows the path of a destructive and explosive eruption from 1959.

Along the way, you’ll see areas where life is beginning to regrow and encounter a large barren lava mound called the Pu’u Pua’i Cinder Cone, a perfect example of how nature forms new mountains.

Puhimau Crater - Do the views of massive volcanic craters ever get old? Certainly not!

Chain of Craters Road is named for the series of massive craters with viewpoints along the road.

Puhimau Crater is one of many dramatic depressions likely formed between 1500-1800 AD. This gigantic pit crater offers one of the best views on the tour.

What is a pit crater, you ask? It’s a ground depression formed when a volcano shifts or expands, surprisingly not due to an explosion.

Mauna Ulu Lookout - More of a stroll than a hike, the Maunaulu Fissure Hike is located at the site of a 1969 eruption that sent lava up to 200 feet in the air, destroying a native ‘ohi’a forest in the area.

As you walk, you’ll see lava trees and various volcanic formations. The trail is marked with stacked rocks. Please do not disturb the rocks or create new stacks.

Kealakomo - The overlook is situated on Holei Pali, a steep cliff with a 2,000-foot drop.

At the Kealakomo Lookout, in addition to the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, you will also have a sweeping view of the vast lava flow from 1971 that buried parts of the ancient coastal village of Kealakomo.

Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs - One of the favorite stops on the tour, the Pu’uloa Petroglyphs hike narrates the story of Hawaii’s past.

As you walk along this trail, you’ll see ancient petroglyphs or inscribed images on stone.

This hike takes about 20 minutes each way and concludes at a well-maintained wooden boardwalk that encircles many of the 23,000 petroglyphs in this area.

In fact, this site is home to the largest collection of petroglyphs in Hawaii! As you walk, remember to respect the sacredness of this place.

Hōlei Sea Arch - The Holei Sea Arch can be viewed from the observation area just past the gate at the end of the Chain of Craters Road.

This 90-foot sea arch was formed approximately 500 years ago from an ancient lava tube that solidified as it entered the ocean.

In the last 100 years or so, the sea arch has been sculpted by ocean erosion.

Kipuka Puaulu Trail - If you have more time to explore, enjoy a delightful side trip across the highway, just down the road from the main entrance.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Experience the stunning landscapes and hikes in this crater while learning about Hawaiian myths and legends!

• Take the tour when you want
• Tours NEVER expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map of the island
• Tour Start is Customizable
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Tour highlights with activity and restaurant recommendations
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
• Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive
• 3-5 hours of audio content

• Meals & Refreshment
• Entrance Fees

Discover the volcanic wonders of Hawai‘i at your own pace with this self-guided driving audio tour. Journey along Crater Rim Drive and explore lava fields, steaming vents, and vast craters while listening to engaging tales of geology, culture, and island folklore.

Begin at the park entrance and decide your next destination—hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail, view ancient petroglyphs, visit the Jaggar Museum overlook, or enjoy a picnic at picturesque viewpoints. Utilize offline GPS navigation to locate each stop, follow expert tips, and enjoy lifetime access to the tour, allowing for future visits.

Explore essential sites such as Devastation Trail, Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks), Pu‘uloa Petroglyphs, Holei Sea Arch, and the verdant Kipukapuaulū forest.

Download the tour, jump in your car, and let the stories lead you through an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most remarkable national parks.

• Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
• Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
• Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
• Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
• Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
• The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
• What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.