Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Exploring the Land of Fire and Steam with Kids
Updated: Sep 5
The Hawaiian Islands are sort of like your children: It’s impossible to pick a favorite, and while they share the same family DNA, each is uniquely its own.
The Big Island (Hawaiʻi), where we’ll focus our energy today, immediately stands out for its scale and raw energy. At more than 4,000 square miles, it is larger than all the other Hawaiian islands in the archipelago combined, and it is still actively growing. (Just think about THAT!)
This is hot (lava) real estate. The Big Island is home to Kīlauea—one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and Mauna Loa, the world's largest active shield volcano.
Both are protected within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and International Biosphere Reserve that stretches from sea level all the way to 13,680 feet. That dramatic rise in elevation means you and your family have the opportunity to watch the scenery shift right outside the car window: from coastal lava plains to lush, misty rainforests, and eventually slopes.
If you’re planning a family trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—an experience that feels like walking among science experiences in real time—here is how to navigate the park with kids of all ages.
Kid-Friendly Stops + Hikes
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube): Nothing sounds cooler than a lava tube … and maybe nothing is cooler. Here you and your family can make the short trek along a paved 0.4-mile loop that works its way through a fairy-tale-like rainforest of giant tree ferns that lead straight to a 500-year-old subterranean tunnel carved by a river of molten lava. It’s lit, easy to walk, and feels like a real-life adventure movie. Just prepare yourself for many DIY games of The Floor Is Lava.
The Steam Vents are conveniently located right on Crater Rim Drive. Wahinekapu (Steam Vents): The photogenic steam vents are conveniently located right along Crater Rim Drive, making them a quick roadside stop. Unlike some of the more immersive Yellowstone excursions, a stop at the steam vents lets kids easily (and safely) experience the warmth of natural underground steam rising through cracks in the earth as groundwater hits hot volcanic rock.
Kīlauea Iki Trail (for the older kids): For families who are ready to take a real hike, we recommend the Kīlauea Iki Trail. The 3.3-mile hike descends 400 feet through a rainforest canopy onto the floor of a hardened 1959 lava lake. As you walk across the vast, cracked basalt with steam curling from the fissures, you’ll feel like you’re in an episode of Star Trek.
Essential Tips for Visiting Volcanoes with Kids
Stop at Kīlauea Visitor Center first: When we’re at a national park, we want the full park experience, complete with a Junior Ranger booklet. It gives kids activities and facts to focus on and a way to earn a special badge.
Bring extra layers: The temperatures vary by elevation, and you may feel a chill the higher up you go.
No flipflops: The laidback Hawaiian dress you love at the beach doesn’t fly here. It’s easy to hurt yourself on the rocks and trailways so wear close-toed shoes.
Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park isn’t a tour or lesson in history; it’s a rare opportunity to give kids a front-row seat to the Earth actively building itself.
