Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Chain of Craters Road
The area
Reach out directly
See what travelers are saying
- smhrPickering, Canada298 contributionsUnique experience. Only in Hawaii (probably). Definitely a must do for Hawaii's Big IslandThis is located inside the Volcano National Park and is the same place that was reviewed there. The entrance fee to the Volcano National Park park is $30 . This gives you access to the park for 7 days. Once inside the park, you dont need to pay additional parking or entrance fees The road takes about 30 mins to drive on but includes 5 main attractions. IT will take about 30-60 mins to explore each attraction A unique experience and a definite must do for HawaiiVisited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 15, 2023
- chickabeegrrlElk Grove, California2,232 contributionsGreat driveChain of craters is pretty awesome, especially if you have a tour guide app or do some research on the history as you drive down this road. Some of the craters are huge and there are some great lookouts, especially on a clear day. This road also leads you to a short hike to some petroglyphs. The end of the road takes you to the sea arch.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 5, 2023
- Monty D66 contributionsnature road tripThe Chain of Craters Road is a fascinating journey of a changing topography. See my pics of the various craters and lava flows that we stopped at along the way. What the pics don’t show is how vast the lava fields and craters are. Each crater and lava flow has a story and these are posted at the road side pull outs. Even though it doesn’t look like it due to repairs, some of the lava flows have destroyed the Road in recent years. This is a reminder that this area is still active! It’s so hard to imagine that you are standing on what was molten rock. The craters are also as impressive for their depth and breadth. At the end of the Road, you’ll turn around and head back. But you’ll be treated to a natural sea arch, see pic. It’s a short walk to the vista point, and a small scamper to the good lookout point. We caught this view with the afternoon sun and the shimmering waters.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 10, 2023
- GoVols79Chattanooga, Tennessee3,904 contributionsChain of Craters RoadOur family drove the Chain of Craters Road scenic drive one afternoon while visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It is a fantastic drive that gives a great overview of the park and seeing the vistas with the lava rock contrasting with the ocean is really great. We really only stopped at the petroglyph trail and at the end to walk out to the sea arch. The petroglyph trail isn’t very long so you would think it’s a quick stop but hiking over the lava rock takes much longer than a normal trail. We spent more time here than planned so if I had to do it again I would drive to the end first to ensure plenty of time viewing the sea arch and then determine any other stops along the way.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 17, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
369 reviews
Excellent
267
Very good
86
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Elizahen
6 contributions
Feb 2020
We did this drive first thing in the morning and beat the tour buses and most other tourists. Just seeing the progression of different ecosystems and terrains was fascinating and the hikes from the road were generally easy and accessible. We did the drive after learning about the volcanoes and area from a local guide and that was helpful too.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RealityEngaged
Kailua-Kona, HI44 contributions
Feb 2022
The round trip takes about 2 hours depending on how fast you drive or the other cars drive. There is no food, water, car gas or anything so plan ahead!! The trip is under 40 miles but depending on how often you stop to hike or take pictures, will determine just how long of a trip that you have. If you have not been here before then it is an awesome trip to take!
Written March 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smhr
Pickering, Canada298 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This is located inside the Volcano National Park and is the same place that was reviewed there.
The entrance fee to the Volcano National Park park is $30 . This gives you access to the park for 7 days. Once inside the park, you dont need to pay additional parking or entrance fees
The road takes about 30 mins to drive on but includes 5 main attractions. IT will take about 30-60 mins to explore each attraction
A unique experience and a definite must do for Hawaii
The entrance fee to the Volcano National Park park is $30 . This gives you access to the park for 7 days. Once inside the park, you dont need to pay additional parking or entrance fees
The road takes about 30 mins to drive on but includes 5 main attractions. IT will take about 30-60 mins to explore each attraction
A unique experience and a definite must do for Hawaii
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StigJim
Alliance, OH703 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
Although the road’s name suggests that you’re going to see something that resembles a moonscape, many of the volcanic craters are so ancient that plentiful vegetation now grows. The wooden observation deck that’s roughly half-way along the road is worth a stop. One of the other interesting features are the signs that point out where lava flows from the various Kilauea eruptions can be seen, especially those from the 1960s-1980s.
Written November 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chickabeegrrl
Elk Grove, CA2,232 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Chain of craters is pretty awesome, especially if you have a tour guide app or do some research on the history as you drive down this road. Some of the craters are huge and there are some great lookouts, especially on a clear day. This road also leads you to a short hike to some petroglyphs. The end of the road takes you to the sea arch.
Written December 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kay
Denver, CO9 contributions
Jan 2020
lots of cool things to see, but not a ton of signs - plan for at least 2.5 hours, just to drive down and back up is 45 min each way (so 1.5 hrs of driving), and if you want to stop and walk around and see things you need more time. there is only a small snack booth at the bottom, no gas, and no real food. Bring stuff with you. There are some interesting hikes down this road. We got a useful geology guide with lots of nice pictures and maps at the visitor center before heading down (not the roadside geology, another book, sorry I don't have it in front of me :).
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
County-Hunter
Tacoma, WA3,741 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
America's National Parks are filled with great drives from the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. Chain of Craters Road is just as good (imo) as those drives. There are numerous turnouts with signs telling what you are viewing and so you can make the drive out in back in two hours or all day depending on how many stops and/or hikes you make. I would definitely stop at the lava tubes and the Hohei Arch at the end along with the petroglyphs. We had a great sunshiny day which made the drive even better!
Written September 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt A
Hermosa Beach, CA585 contributions
Apr 2021
This is about a 20-mile drive from the VNP entrance down to the sea. “Otherworldly” is definitely the best word I can think of to describe this, and it’s a must-do while in Hawaii.
First you’ll pass the Thurston Lava Tube, then a number of old volcanic craters. Then you’ll drive through massive lava fields. Eventually the road winds all the way down to the ocean, descending 4,000 ft, where you can see the Holeil Sea Arch. No lava in 2021 though. Also, it’s pretty cold and windy down there.
I can’t imagine there are many other places on Earth that look like this.
Bonus tip: in the afternoon it usually gets cold and rainy up at the top of the park where the visitor center and the Kilauea Overlook are. Since this is lower elevation, it will probably still be sunny down towards the ocean, so you can plan activities in this area as an afternoon escape.
First you’ll pass the Thurston Lava Tube, then a number of old volcanic craters. Then you’ll drive through massive lava fields. Eventually the road winds all the way down to the ocean, descending 4,000 ft, where you can see the Holeil Sea Arch. No lava in 2021 though. Also, it’s pretty cold and windy down there.
I can’t imagine there are many other places on Earth that look like this.
Bonus tip: in the afternoon it usually gets cold and rainy up at the top of the park where the visitor center and the Kilauea Overlook are. Since this is lower elevation, it will probably still be sunny down towards the ocean, so you can plan activities in this area as an afternoon escape.
Written April 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sitarakirana
Havre, MT30 contributions
May 2021
The drive takes you through the lava fields of different eruption and volcanoes and it was fascinating to see the differences. You also have shorter and longer hikes along the way.
I did this drive early in the morning, which turned out great as it was still a bit rainy up on the mountain but then cleared up further down. Also it was pretty empty at that time of day.
I did this drive early in the morning, which turned out great as it was still a bit rainy up on the mountain but then cleared up further down. Also it was pretty empty at that time of day.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ady392
Los Angeles, CA261 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
You really DO NOT want to drive one hour and then walk 2 miles under the scorching sun to realize that the attraction you came for does not exist anymore. That’s right, the lava interrupting the road has been excavated, and no one had bothered to notify tourists, so when you get to the parking lot after driving south one hour to see just this you will walk on a concrete road for a good 25 minutes and then find a pebble road and keep walking for another 15 minutes before realizing that this road is endless because it’s the highway being rebuilt, and the government torn down the tourist attraction you have been seeking. I think it’s outrageous how little respect the government of Hawaii shows tourists given its their major form of income, considering there is no signage alerting people of closures and length of trails, no signal so it’s impossible to call anybody in case of an emergency and it’s incredibly hard to find the points of interests. My husband and I have visited most national parks in the US and the volcano park in big island is by far the most disappointing and less worth it if national parks. The Holei sea arch is laughable. The “scenic drive” looks exactly like all the rest of the island. The services offered are terrible. It’s hard even to find gas so make sure you don’t find yourself stranded mid-park. Horrible. I will never ever be coming back.
Written August 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to drive the Chain of Craters Road, there and back to the Visitors Center? Thanks much
Written July 8, 2019
Well, it depends how often you stop, as there is lots to see - craters, lava fields, etc. It’s about 15 miles each way. I would say: no sightseeing - 1hr, some sightseeing - 2hr, lots of sightseeing/hiking - 4 hrs
Written April 15, 2021
Is the Chain of Craters road still open? The access road from near the national park visitor center has been blocked off as of December 25th. Is there another way to reach the sea arch and other scenic spots? Thanks!
Written December 29, 2018
Is it possible to see surface lava flow inside the park? How far of a hike from Chain of Craters? Thank you!
Written June 14, 2017
Yes you can but my understanding is that it's. it a god view and a few kilometer walk from the end of the road
Written June 14, 2017
Can you drive the chain of craters road in the dark?
Written February 6, 2017
You definitely can. We drove down it in the early morning at dark
Written March 1, 2017
how long does it take to drive the complete route allowing plenty of time to stop at lookouts for photo ops?
Written January 3, 2017
I would say 3 to 4 hours of you don't want to feel rushed.
My recommendation is to book a night at the National Park Lodge (crater view so you can see the lava glow in the dark) and then spend the followon morning on chain of craters.
if you are up for a 12 mile hike, the lava flow was awesome at dusk. just remember, you can't see lava glowing in the day light.
Written January 3, 2017
Could someone please give me an estimate of how long it would take to drive down and back stopping for a few photos on the way and at the bottom. No hiking though. Also is the beginning of the drive far from the entrance to the park?
Written October 2, 2015
Serena C
California
It will take you about about 45 to 60 minutes beginning from the start of the road to the ocean, depending on weather and traffic. The road is about another 15 minutes from the park entrance.
Written November 25, 2015
Showing results 1-6 of 6
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing