Volcanoes National Park and Volcano Village
At 4000 ft elevation, it is COOL, so bring a jacket. The park visitor center has great exhibits, and if you happen to run into Ranger Jason, he will give you a short nature tour around the visitor center and hotel-chock full of local “flavor.”
Follow crater rim drive to the Kilauea Military Camp. At Christmas, the cottages are festively decorated. The KMC Theater is host to music and theater events year round.
Currently, you cannot drive the full circle around the caldera because it is….active. As of this writing, there is a full magma chamber visible from the Jagger Museum viewing area.
At the (literally) end of Chain of Craters road……the lava won. You can hike across the lava (about 2 miles currently) to see where the lava is sometimes flowing into the sea. It is best seen at night,
(this was taken 12/5/11 at end of Chain of Craters Road)-flow was to the east, approaching Kalapana)
….but that then entails walking back…..about 2 miles. In the pitch darkness. Across unlevel, treacherous lava fields. But hey….don’t let me discourage you!
Head back up toward the visitor center and stop at Thurston Lava Tube. A short paved walkway takes you through the fern forest, into a tunnel created when hot lava flowed, then receded and left a hard tube.
This is an incredibly lush jungle area, known as the fern forest. Because there are (lots) of ferns…..
Volcano village is very artsy: many galleries, bed and breakfasts. We like the Keawe Cafe: great pizza, though pricey. Take a side trip to Volcano Winery where you can sample the Macadamia, Mango and other tropical wine flavors.