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Chain of Craters Road

289 Reviews

#31 of 380 things to do in Island of Hawaii

Outdoor Activities, Sights & Landmarks, Scenic Drives

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, HI

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Certificate of Excellence

Traveler Overview

4.5 289 reviews

Excellent69%
Very good26%
Average4%
Poor1%
Terrible0%

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What travelers are saying

We made stops at the Pit Craters, Mauna Ulu platform, Kealakomo Overlook, Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs Trail, and the Holei Sea Arch.

The end of the drive has the sea arch and you get a great view of the lava fields; you can see the ages of the lava just by looking at them and it really makes you feel small being surrounded by all the dried lava.

... which, while interesting, is not worth the extra time and effort, Maybe if you can get a moped out there and get to the end it's worth it, but if you're looking for that infamous Road Closed sign, it's gone.

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, HI

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Ways to Experience Chain of Craters Road

Kilauea Volcano Bike Tour

84 Reviews

from $174.00

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Adventure Tour...

29 Reviews

from $99.00

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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and...

133 Reviews

from $204.00

More Info

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour...

from $4.99

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1 - 10 of 206 reviews

Lisa G

Mohrsville, Pennsylvania

483

Reviewed 5 days ago

View was breathtaking

We were unsure what to expect but were surprised by the views. We parked at the lot where you can no longer drive because of the damage done by the last eruption. The walk from there was worth it. We saw a family of Nene...More

Date of experience: March 2019

Thank Lisa G

Mel M

Minneapolis, Minnesota

13770

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Amazing views of lava formations/historic flows and the ocean

We did the Volcano's Nat'l Park tour with Shaka Guide Big Island (check app store) which took us on Chain of Craters Road, I reviewed the driving app on the google play store FYI. Looking at a previous review (a week ago) - the road...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank Mel M

travellover78704

Austin, Texas

Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Road closed

Yesterday (May 15th) we visited the park and wanted to drive out to see the arch. But the road is impassable by car about 1/3 the way out. See pics. We walked an hour further and the damage just got worse. Recent earthquakes in the...More

Date of experience: May 2019

Thank travellover78704

Mark C

Osseo, Wisconsin

231113

Reviewed May 13, 2019

Plan a day

There is so much to do and see along this road, plan a day to visit. I always feel bad for the people I see rushing around trying to do this in an hour. Except for the ones who are rude and impatient and trying...More

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank Mark C

Jeff S

Stayton, OR

3210

Reviewed April 17, 2019

We went partway...

The chain of craters road is not to be missed - it is as the name says, a road along the chain of craters formed by the Kilauea volcano over the years. Amazing views of an active geology.

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank Jeff S

LSUTraveller

Denham Springs, Louisiana

1284517

Reviewed April 5, 2019

Simply fantastic drive with hike and look-see options

Lots of options abound on this 38 mile road. You can take in the overlooks at Kilauea Iki or Mauna Ulu, the Pit Craters along the drive, a great hike at Mauna Ulu and/or the overlook of the lava delta after it enters the Pacific....More

Date of experience: April 2019

Thank LSUTraveller

World_Wide_Guide

Ortonville, Michigan

11124

Reviewed March 27, 2019

A Must do for all!

The road is an absolutely phenomenal drive down toward the ocean- where the volcano has erupted many times during history. You can pull off and see many areas marked as eruptions. The drive itself it worth it- twisting and turning with gorgeous scenery....once down- get...More

Date of experience: March 2019

1 Thank World_Wide_Guide

Michele J

Gillette, Wyoming

11428

Reviewed March 20, 2019

A Must See on "The Big Island"

March 13 we went on a circle island tour that encompassed the volcanoes and craters. THose sites are not only interesting, but a way of life for the natives and transplants. We learn how the island has grown after eruptions, and how philosophies differ from...More

Date of experience: March 2019

Thank Michele J

Robin_Knowles

Accrington, United Kingdom

722408

Reviewed March 11, 2019 via mobile

The Best Drive

The Chain Of Craters Road is by far my favourite drive in volcanoes National Park. It’s a 20 mile drive and the visual impressiveness picks up the closer you get to the ocean. The road twists and turns as you drop down. There are plenty...More

Date of experience: March 2019

Thank Robin_Knowles

JennaLThompson

Crosslake, Minnesota

1042

Reviewed February 20, 2019 via mobile

Current status

Many parts of the National Volcano Park have been closed due to Kīlauea activity this last year. The Visitor Center is open and so is the Chain of Craters road. However, the Jaeger Museum at the crater and the Thurston lava tube are both closed...More