Kilauea Iki
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Stay on the marked trail and away from steam vents and cracks in the crater floor. The crust can be thin in unmarked areas, and volcanic gases including sulfur dioxide concentrate near vents — dangerous for anyone with respiratory conditions.
Weather shifts fast at four thousand feet elevation. Rain can roll in within minutes, making the switchbacks slippery and dropping visibility on the crater floor. Bring a rain layer even if the parking lot is sunny.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the Kilauea Iki Overlook trailhead on Crater Rim Drive rather than the Thurston Lava Tube side — you get the dramatic descent into the crater first while your legs are fresh, and the forest climb back up feels easier than reversing the route.
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes with good grip, not sandals or running shoes. The lava lake surface is uneven and abrasive enough to shred soft soles, and the rainforest switchbacks get slick after rain, which is most days.
Pause at the crater floor and look for the vent areas where steam rises — on cool mornings the effect is dramatic and photographs beautifully. The light is best before 10 AM when the sun angles into the crater without harsh overhead shadows.
Photos
NPS
