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Explore the geological and cultural history of the landscape at your own pace with a self-guided audio app. Choose between exploring in your own car or renting an electric hybrid bicycle for an independent adventure.
Free Cancellation Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at your own pace with a self-guided GPS audio e-bike tour along the crater rim.
Free Cancellation Explore Kilauea, ancient petroglyphs, and the Hōlei Sea Arch on this self-guided driving tour of the national park.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at your own pace with a self-guided driving or e-bike audio tour. These GPS-triggered tours act as a personal guide in your vehicle or on your handlebars, sharing the geological and cultural history of the landscape as you navigate the park's dramatic volcanic sights.
Gaze down into the massive four-square-mile active crater from various viewpoints along the rim. If you visit after dark during an eruption phase, you might catch the mesmerizing volcanic glow reflecting off the steam.
Drive this spectacular 18.8-mile scenic route that descends 3,700 feet from the summit down to the rugged Pacific coastline. You'll pass historic lava flows, deep craters, and ancient petroglyphs along the way.
Walk through a massive, 500-year-old underground cave formed by a channel of flowing lava. The entrance is surrounded by a dense tropical rainforest filled with giant tree ferns.
Experience the sensory side of the volcano by witnessing steam and volcanic gases seeping out of the earth. The area is known for its distinct smell and colorful yellow sulphur crystals.
Reach the very end of the driving route to witness this striking 90-foot-tall natural basalt arch. It was carved out of the sea cliffs by the pounding Pacific surf colliding with ancient lava flows.
Before you download your audio guide or book your e-bike rental, here are a few essential details to help plan your independent volcanic adventure.
You can choose between a self-guided driving tour app for your personal vehicle or a GPS audio e-bike tour. Both utilize your smartphone to automatically trigger stories and directions based on your exact location in the park.
Audio tour purchases do not include the national park entrance fee. You will need to pay the $30 per private vehicle fee at the gate, which is completely cashless and valid for seven consecutive days.
Cell service inside the park is notoriously spotty. You must download the tour app and its contents while connected to Wi-Fi or strong cellular data before you arrive; the GPS will then work entirely offline during your visit.
A fully functioning smartphone is required to use these tours. For driving tours, connecting to your car's stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or an aux cable provides the best listening experience, though CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported.
If you opt for the e-bike tour, riders must be at least 15 years old, weigh under 270 lbs, and possess a moderate level of physical fitness. Be prepared for a $1,500 pre-authorized equipment deposit per party.
The summit of Kīlauea sits at 4,000 feet, making it 12 to 15 degrees cooler than sea level. Weather changes rapidly, so bring layered clothing, a rain jacket, and closed-toe shoes to stay comfortable in misty or chilly conditions.
Both the driving audio app and the e-bike rentals offer flexibility for travelers. You can receive a full refund if you cancel your booking at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time.
| Driving Audio Tour App | GPS Audio E-Bike Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Tour Format | Self-guided smartphone app | E-bike rental + audio app |
| Duration | Flexible (At your own pace) | 4.5 hours |
| Price from | $16.99 per vehicle | $159.00 per person |
| Best for | Families, budget travelers, and those wanting climate control | Active travelers wanting fresh air and an immersive outdoor experience |
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including all holidays. This makes it incredibly easy to start your self-guided audio tour at any time, though arriving early or staying late helps avoid peak crowds.
If you need to speak with park rangers, the temporary Welcome Center (located at the Kilauea Military Camp while the main center undergoes renovations until 2026) is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The separate Kahuku Unit is open Thursday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed Monday through Wednesday.
The park's main entrance is located about 30 miles southwest of Hilo. Most visitors arrive by rental car, driving straight down Highway 11, which takes about 45 minutes.
The best time to visit is during an active eruption phase, as you can witness spectacular lava flows and crater glows. Nighttime viewing is particularly popular for seeing the glow over Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
To avoid the heaviest crowds at popular stops like the Thurston Lava Tube, plan to start your driving tour before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. September is a great month to visit due to events like National Public Lands Day, which offers free entry.
Winter months can bring unpredictable tropical weather, heavy rain, and dense fog that might obscure caldera views, so always check the weather and USGS alerts before heading out.
The park offers several accessible options for visitors. The Welcome Center, Volcano House, and Volcano Art Center are fully wheelchair accessible. Wheelchairs are also available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Welcome Center.
For those taking the driving tour, many overlooks along Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road are drive-up or feature short asphalt paths, like the Kīlauea Overlook. Most of the Sulphur Banks Trail is also accessible starting from the Steam Vents parking lot.
Important Warning: Seniors, infants, pregnant women, and anyone with respiratory or heart conditions must exercise extreme caution. Toxic volcanic gases (vog) can cause severe irritation, so always monitor local air quality alerts.
While exploring on your self-guided tour, you'll find accessible vault toilets located at several key overlooks and trailheads throughout the park.
To protect the delicate volcanic environment and ensure visitor safety, the park enforces several strict rules:
No, you do not need cell service while in the park. However, you must download the tour app and all its audio content over Wi-Fi or a strong cellular connection before you arrive. Once downloaded, the app uses your phone's internal GPS to trigger stories automatically.
No, the audio tour only covers the cost of the app or e-bike rental. You are still required to pay the $30 per private vehicle entrance fee at the park gate, which is cashless and valid for seven days.
Yes, the driving audio tour is priced per vehicle, not per person. One purchase covers everyone in your car, making it a highly budget-friendly option for families and groups.
No, e-bikes are restricted to paved roads and designated bike paths. Guided tours are prohibited on the park’s bike trails, which is why the e-bike tour is completely self-guided via the GPS audio app.
The summit of Kīlauea sits at 4,000 feet and can be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than sea level. You should wear layered clothing, closed-toe shoes (required), and bring a rain jacket, as weather can quickly shift to cold mist and rain.
Lava visibility is never guaranteed because Kīlauea's volcanic activity changes rapidly. You should check the live USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates and NPS alerts on the day of your visit to see if there is an active eruption and where the best viewing areas are.
The tour is completely flexible. You can do a quick half-day trip focusing on the summit overlooks, or spend a full day driving the 18.8-mile Chain of Craters Road and stopping for short hikes along the way.
Currently, the audio tour apps do not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. For the best audio experience in a vehicle, you should connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or an auxiliary cable.
If you book the driving app or e-bike tour through a platform like Viator, you can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. If you purchase the app directly, the tour is usually valid forever with lifetime access.
Yes, toxic volcanic gases (vog) and sulfur dioxide can build up in certain areas and pose severe risks to infants, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory conditions. Always check air quality alerts, and if driving through heavy vog, roll up your windows and set the AC to recirculate.
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Because guided tours are prohibited on the park’s bike trails, this self-guided e-bike excursion allows you to explore the landscape independently. Start with secure parking at our Volcano Shop, located less than a mile from the trailhead. From there, you can ride along the crater rim to various viewpoints overlooking the Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, where you may see active lava fountains and volcanic activity. The route winds through native fern forests and past steam vents, with stops at the Thurston Lava Tube and the best available lava viewing areas. You can pause for lunch at the Volcano House or spend more time at specific sites without following a group schedule. Throughout the ride, a GPS-synced audio guide provides information on the park's geology, Hawaiian history, and local plant life.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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This self-guided driving tour takes you through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, focusing on the geological and cultural history of the landscape. You will visit the rim of Kilauea Crater, the ancient Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs, and the Hōlei Sea Arch. The audio narration explains how these volcanoes formed and their role in Hawaiian history, providing context for the unique terrain you see along the route. After booking, you will receive a link to download the Action Audio Tour Guide app. It is recommended to download the tour while connected to WiFi or stable mobile data before your visit; once downloaded, the guide works offline using your phone's GPS. You can start the tour at the designated point and follow the audio instructions at your own pace. Access to the tour never expires, so you can use it on future trips. This purchase is for the audio guide only and does not include the park entrance fee. Please check the park’s official hours and current volcanic conditions before heading out.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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