I was there a few weeks ago. The volcano at night is really amazing. We went a number of times. During the day, there is a drive with lots of pullouts. You can do as little or as much walking as you like. I'd also recommend the black sand beaches. There are ones a half hour away in each direction. We liked Roberts beach in Hilo the best. Enjoy!

We were there last summer. We used airbnb and had an adorable house for a little over $100 a night. There are plenty of flat hikes right around the visitors center. There are also places where you can drive at dusk/evening to see the volcano from afar. Even from the restaurant by the lodge you can see lava far away. Our kids also liked seeing the turtles and black sand - about 45 minutes from the park, and there is a "hike" not far from there that is paved and leads to waterfalls. Those two things filled a day.

Anonymous wrote:Op again. Thanks all!

Staying in the park means we could maybe see glow at night without going anywhere but it’s about $200 more, looks a bit dated, and vog seems to be more a thing. We could stay in Volcano or stay in Hilo. Rainforest attraction there looks cool for my 5 year old. I’d like to just have 1 day away from my extended family. Ideas on whether to go to Hilo, where to stay and itinerary are welcome!

I truly wouldn't worry about the vog. It is a day to day thing that you can't really plan around. It can move down to Kona even. Plus, it's not that bad for healthy people. It would only make me change my plans if someone had asthma. I would treat it like our air quality alert days here with ozone pollution. In the park there are some areas where you can smell sulfur and that can irritate lungs but they are well marked and again not a big deal. There are much more affordable options in Hilo and you will be able to see the glow at night and make it there at a decent time for bedtime. i would recommend getting the book Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed. It has great recommendations for places to stay all over the island and has great sights in and around Hilo and the volcano.

Op again. Thanks all!

Staying in the park means we could maybe see glow at night without going anywhere but it’s about $200 more, looks a bit dated, and vog seems to be more a thing. We could stay in Volcano or stay in Hilo. Rainforest attraction there looks cool for my 5 year old. I’d like to just have 1 day away from my extended family. Ideas on whether to go to Hilo, where to stay and itinerary are welcome!

I was your first response, sounds like your staying in Kailua-Kona still so goods there. As for Vog, it changes day to day and most areas of the island get it, not just the park. If for some reason the Vog gets real bad the Park Service posts a warning on its web site so don't overly worry. Our 3 kids have been into the park many times and have never had issues.

Op here. We could stay in the park - there’s vacancy. How worried should I be about “vog”? Is the extra money worth it to stay in the park?

We loved our night in Volcano, but this was in 2004. They had an awesome Thai restaurant, probably the best Thai I've ever had. But as far as lava: we did a night hike that the NPS had set up and saw the glowing lava in the distance. My kids were 8 and 10. Of course, lava will be someplace else now, but I would check recent posts on trip advisor. Also the lava tubes are okay, but really dark even with a flashlight. Kind of Meh. We also did a helicopter ride, but it was daytime, so what lava we saw was not that striking. The flight was great though, to get off the coast and look down and see humpback whales near the shore, and the amazing physical landscape of this magnificent place. I am jealous, OP! I so want to return!

Staying one night in volcano is the way to do it. It is just too far to do a day trip from the Kona area.

I love Hilo and the area around it, but I think that's going to be a very long drive for OP if she's coming from the Southwest part of the island.
We stayed in Volcano Village -- my memory is that it was literally the most humid place I've ever been. But that was summer -- maybe March won't be so bad? We stayed in these adorable wooden cabins, which were terrible with all the humidity as the walls and everything were just WET. I think an actual hotel would have been better.
Inside the park is actually much drier and higher altitude -- there is a NPS lodge there, but I can't remember the name. You might be able to get a spot if you check repeatedly around the time of the cancellation.

How far could your 5yo hike? There are a couple of shorter hikes that are worth the experience.

Thurston Lava Tubes are very cool and not a long walk:
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/craterrimtour_tube.htm

If you look at the day hikes page, there are quite a few which are under 2 miles -- could you do that with the 5yo and the baby in a backpack carrier?
https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hikes_day.htm

You can also drive out to the end of Chain of Craters Road and see where the lava has cut the road off (this is older lava, not an active flow).

If you don't stay in Volcanoes, Hilo is only a 40 minute drive (and a very pretty town).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your first problem is staying south of Kailua-Kona! Not the best area to stay and certainly not a typical tourist spot. Lots of local drug and crime problems, lots of people move there to get away from the cops and city life. Should be staying on the Kohala Coast near Wailoloa or Mauna Lani, Kailua-Kona as a second choice although they also have crime/homeless issues.

As for Volcano, I can see spending 1, maybe 2 nights there. As for "seeing" lava, you have to hike in so having a baby with you is out. Also because of the constant sulfuric fumes around the park it's not recommended for small children with developing lungs.

Sorry

Op here. We’ll be in Keauhou area (near the Sheraton). It’s a long story, but family friends had points to a large house that they’d already spent and then couldn’t use, so they gave it to us. It’s a free house with a pool and a chance to see my family so I’m sure the location will work but I didn’t pick it.

Anyway, is the volcano national park worth seeing with littles? I think it’s a lot of driving to go there and back in a day but we could.

You'll be fine in that area! Mostly rental houses and homes. Pray you Bay is a great place to Stand up paddle board or kayak.
For the volcano, definitely stay at least until after sunset. You can see the glow in the caldera from the visitor center if it's active. Very cool! It's a looking day with little ones but can be fine without spending the night. If you would like to stay, the Volcano House is your closest and best bet. There's not much up there. Be sure to visit the waterfalls on that side while you are there-Rainbow falls and Akaka falls are very easy, paved walks for kids. Also, there's a very pretty park in Hilo where the kids can run around.
I would suggest getting the book Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed. It's great for the BI.

Anonymous wrote:Your first problem is staying south of Kailua-Kona! Not the best area to stay and certainly not a typical tourist spot. Lots of local drug and crime problems, lots of people move there to get away from the cops and city life. Should be staying on the Kohala Coast near Wailoloa or Mauna Lani, Kailua-Kona as a second choice although they also have crime/homeless issues.

As for Volcano, I can see spending 1, maybe 2 nights there. As for "seeing" lava, you have to hike in so having a baby with you is out. Also because of the constant sulfuric fumes around the park it's not recommended for small children with developing lungs.

Sorry

Op here. We’ll be in Keauhou area (near the Sheraton). It’s a long story, but family friends had points to a large house that they’d already spent and then couldn’t use, so they gave it to us. It’s a free house with a pool and a chance to see my family so I’m sure the location will work but I didn’t pick it.

Anyway, is the volcano national park worth seeing with littles? I think it’s a lot of driving to go there and back in a day but we could.

You can always take a helicopter to see some lava, but it can be really day-by-day specific where the flow is active. We were there one day and flew home a week later, only to see the parking lot where we parked the car and started about a 200m hike was not completely covered in lava due to a breakout.

Your first problem is staying south of Kailua-Kona! Not the best area to stay and certainly not a typical tourist spot. Lots of local drug and crime problems, lots of people move there to get away from the cops and city life. Should be staying on the Kohala Coast near Wailoloa or Mauna Lani, Kailua-Kona as a second choice although they also have crime/homeless issues.

As for Volcano, I can see spending 1, maybe 2 nights there. As for "seeing" lava, you have to hike in so having a baby with you is out. Also because of the constant sulfuric fumes around the park it's not recommended for small children with developing lungs.

Sorry

I’m staying on the Big Island for a week in March. We live in CA now (having moved from DC) so the time change will be less than from the East coast. We will be in a house south of Kona on the West coast that we’re sharing with my sister, her family (husband and kids), and my parents.

I’m hoping to see the volcano and possibly have a night away where it’s just my family - me, DH, our 5 year old, and our baby who will be 13 months.

I know at those ages we can’t hike the volcano but maybe could see it glow at nighttime? For that reason, am considering booking one night somewhere close to the park - maybe town of Volcano?

Is air quality okay for young kids? Is there anything to do with young kids? Can you see the volcano at night? Should we go near beginning or end of the trip?

I’d welcome any thoughts, thanks! Also, my family isn’t the sort that would watch our kids and my 5 year old would like the experience so they’re coming with us if we do this.