Half a mile past Thurston Lava Tube on the left on Crater Rim Drive in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the parking the lot for Kilauea Iki Crater which is home to one of the most amazing lava eruptions in the park's history.
In November 1959 Kilauea Iki began gushing streams of incandescent orange lava. The glowing fountains of molten earth reached heights of 1,900 feet. At one point Kilauea Iki was a 414 ft. deep lake of bubbling lava. Today you can see the popular Kilauea Iki Trail crossing the center of the crater. Via the trail you can hike around Kiluaea Iki's rim and across the crater on what is a very fascinating hike.
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Hawaii Guide's Recommended Kilauea Tours & Activities:
2023 Big Island Visitor Guides
If you're visiting the Big Island of Hawaii soon, be sure to download your copy of one of our updated 2023 Big Island Visitor Guides. We've updated both travel guides with a lot of new great information for potential visitors (and those who've been a time or two as well).
Select a 2023 Travel Guide
Highlights
Essential
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