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Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkLava flows on the road burning the asphalt.
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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Crater Rim Drive Tour
 
Scenic view looking into Kilauea Iki crater, framed by hapu`u ferns.

NPS/Katja Chudoba

Hapu`u (native tree fern) fronds beautifully frame a view of the Kilauea Iki trail crossing the crater.

Visiting the park by car is easy to do. The two main roads visitors will travel (Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road) are paved, two-wheel drive roadways. Crater Rim Drive takes you along a portion of the summit caldera (large pit crater) of Kilauea.

Weather may be cool, windy, and rainy. Bring shoes, raingear/jackets, hats, bottled water, and snacks if you plan to venture out of your car at these view points.

Use the links below to familiarize yourself with scenic stops along Crater Rim Drive.

 
Stop #1 Start Your Tour at Kilauea Visitor Center                                      
Stop #2 Steam Vents, Steaming Bluff, and Sulphur Banks
Stop #3 Kilauea Overlook
Stop #4 Jaggar Museum
Stop #5 Devastation Trail
Stop #6 Pu`u Pua`i Overlook
Stop #7 Thurston Lava Tube
Stop #8 Kilauea Iki Overlook


 
`Ohi`a tree with lehua blossoms.  

Did You Know?
The `ohi`a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) is a pioneer plant on new lava and a dominant tree in most mature Hawaiian forests. Honeycreepers, like the `apapane and `amakihi, are often seen sipping sweet nectar from its flowers.
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Last Updated: October 28, 2008 at 16:58 EST