How long is the Thurston Lava Tube hike?
0.4 mile
Thurston Lava Tube Trail is a 0.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Pahala, Hawaii, Hawaii that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is accessible year-round.
Why is Thurston Lava Tube closed?
The park closed the lava tube following the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea, reopened it in February 2020, then the pandemic struck and it closed again. During the eruption, large rocks were dislodged in the ceiling and new cracks appeared.
How do you get to Thurston Lava Tube?
The lava tube can be accessed by a short day hike. Alternate parking for Nāhuku is at Kīlauea Iki Overlook, a half-mile distance. Please park in designated spaces only, do not walk on or along the road, and plan to come back later if the parking spaces near the lava tube are full.
Are the lava tubes open at Volcano National Park?
The lava tube is lit 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Flashlights are recommended outside of those hours.
Is it safe to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
Yes, it is safe to visit Hawaii even with all of the recent Volcanic Activity. Kilauea, one of the world’s most active and largest shield volcanoes, is an ever-present reminder of the incredible forces of nature that are constantly at work on the Big Island of Hawaii.
What are lava tubes caused by?
Lava tubes are by-products of volcanic processes themselves. They form either as the result of surface cooling of lava flows or the result of sequential lava flows, with later flows going underneath the older ones and cavities by a process called inflation.
Can you visit Volcano National Park right now?
See Current Conditions for up-to-date information. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as all holidays. The Kīlauea Visitor Center is located on Crater Rim Drive a short distance from the entrance station on the right.
How much does it cost to get into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?
| Per Vehicle | Per Person (pedestrians & bicycles) | |
|---|---|---|
| Current | $25 | $12 |
| June 1, 2018 | $25 | $12 |
| Jan. 1, 2020 | $30 | $15 |
Can you swim at volcanoes National Park?
Lifeguards are present at the beach every day of the week between between 08:30 am and 5:00 pm. You can find space for parking, a picnic area and restroom facilities at the beach, as well as an outdoor shower in the beach area. Punaluʻu is a good place for swimming, taking in the sun and snorkeling (turtles!)
Is it worth going to Hawaii volcano National Park?
After Kilauea erupted in 2018 and effectively drained the park of its ‘biggest’ attraction, many were left wondering if it was still worth a visit. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park remains an incredible place to explore the history and geology of the most active volcanoes on the planet.
Is the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii a walk?
The Thurston Lava Tube is a fun, short hike (really a walk) which should not be missed if you are in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Our teens loved it and its entrance is a superb photo op. Overall, it’s a cool experience that is an easy add on to a day in the park.
Where are the lava tubes located in Hawaii?
Located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube is one of the main attractions for visitors as they explore the park. Like veins leading from the central ‘heart’ of the volcano, lava tubes direct molten earth toward the ocean.
How did the Thurston Lava Tube get its name?
Once the flow stops, the tunnel formation remains. Thurston Lava Tube could date back some 350-500 years. The tube is named for Lorrin Thurston, a newspaper publisher that played an instrumental role in creating the park. You will take a short trail through lush vegetation replete with tropical ferns and singing honeycreeper birds called Apapane.
Where are the restrooms at the nahuku lava tube?
Restrooms are available near the entrance to the trail. 1 1/2 miles east of the junction of Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you want to experience a lava tube that is even more spectacular and much less visited than Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube), sign up for a Volcano Tour offered by the Volcano Van.