Where is Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park),Big Island, Hawaii?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: December 04, 2025, 14:08 ET

Kīlauea Volcano is located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA. It lies between Mauna Loa and the southeastern coast of the Big Island, situated in the southeastern part of Hawai‘i Island, and is famous for being one of the world’s most active volcanoes and its lava flows.

Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park) Location Map,Big Island, Hawaii

Top Attractions Inside Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park)

  • Crater Rim Drive – Scenic drive offering multiple viewpoints of Kīlauea Caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
  • Halemaʻumaʻu Crater – Active crater with dramatic volcanic features and occasional lava activity.
  • Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku) – Walk through a massive, ancient lava tube surrounded by rainforest.
  • Kīlauea Iki Trail – Hiking trail across a cooled lava lake with steam vents and volcanic formations.
  • Jaggar Museum & Overlook – Exhibits on volcanology and observation point overlooking the crater.
  • Devastation Trail – Short trail through a forest devastated by a past eruption, illustrating volcanic impact.
  • Chain of Craters Road – Scenic drive descending to the coast, passing craters, lava flows, and ocean vistas.

Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park) Facts

Official NameKīlauea Volcano – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
LocationBig Island, Hawaii County, Hawaii, USA
Latitude & Longitude19.4069° N, 155.2834° W (approx.)
Total AreaKīlauea Volcano part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: ~323,431 acres (1,309 km²)
EstablishedAugust 1, 1916 (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park)
FounderPresident Woodrow Wilson (as National Park)
Managed ByU.S. National Park Service (NPS)
RegionBig Island / Hawaii Volcanoes National Park / Southeastern Hawaii
AddressHawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, USA
Zip Code96718
Area Code808
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD, $)
Time ZoneHawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST) – UTC−10 (no Daylight Saving)
Theme / ConceptActive Volcano, Lava Flows, Crater Observation, Geology, Ecosystems, Hawaiian Culture
Sections (Areas)Summit Area - Halemaʻumaʻu Crater - Kīlauea Iki Trail - Chain of Craters Road - Lava Tubes & Flows
Famous AttractionsHalemaʻumaʻu Crater - Kīlauea Iki Crater - Thurston Lava Tube - Chain of Craters Road Scenic Drive - Volcanoes Observatory
Annual VisitorsApprox. 1.5–2 million
Entry Fee TypePaid Park Entry
Ticket Price RangeVehicle Pass: ~$30 per vehicle for 7 days; Individual: ~$15 per person
Ticket OptionsPark Pass - Guided Tours - Ranger Programs - Lava Viewing Excursions
Best Time to VisitMarch–October (milder weather; check for volcanic activity closures)
Nearby AirportHilo International Airport (ITO) – ~30 miles (48 km); Kona International Airport (KOA) – ~90 miles (145 km)
TransportationCar access via Hawaii Belt Road / Crater Rim Drive - Park Shuttle (limited) - Hiking Trails
Official Websitehttps://www.nps.gov/havo

Distances from Kīlauea Volcano (Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park) to Nearby Landmarks

  • Jaggar Museum – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Thurston Lava Tube – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Crater Rim Drive – 2 km (1.2 mi)
  • Halemaʻumaʻu Crater – 1.5 km (0.9 mi)
  • Devastation Trail – 2.5 km (1.6 mi)
  • Steam Vents – 1 km (0.6 mi)
  • Chain of Craters Road – 5 km (3.1 mi)
  • Mauna Loa Observatory – 12 km (7.5 mi)
  • Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center – 0.5 km (0.3 mi)
  • Puʻu ʻŌʻō Crater – 18 km (11.2 mi)
  • Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) – 3 km (1.9 mi)
  • Kīpukapuaulu – 7 km (4.3 mi)
  • Hilina Pali Road – 10 km (6.2 mi)
  • Mauna Loa – 15 km (9.3 mi)
  • Keanakākoʻi Crater – 6 km (3.7 mi)
  • Hilo, HI – 45 km (28 mi)
  • Volcano Golf & Country Club – 4 km (2.5 mi)
  • Rainbow Falls – 48 km (29.8 mi)
  • Akaka Falls State Park – 50 km (31 mi)
  • Chain of Craters Overlook – 6 km (3.7 mi)