Located inside Volcano National Park. very busy place. Parking is somewhat difficult, but we got lucky someone pulling out as we were pulling in. It's worth seeing, but the lava tube isn't very long. Be careful of footing as it is uneven, wet, and on the darker side with only yellow lights. A handicapped person may have a hard time going down steps as it was slightly steep but okay if using the hand rails. Younger people would have no problem. There is no extra cost to go through the tube.

Surreal experience to walk in the lava tubes. Well maintained and was a bit scary but they had illuminated the entire way. We can hear water dripping from the stones. Don’t forget to feel the walls. Was an amazing experience. Had to walk a bit to reach this place.

Our visit to Nahuku - Thurston Lava Tube was a one-of-a-kind adventure! Walking through the dark, dimly lit tube felt like stepping into another world—the formations and natural beauty inside were incredible. While it was a bit chilly and wet inside, it only added to the unique atmosphere of the experience. It’s definitely something everyone should check out when visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Highly recommend for those looking for a fascinating, natural wonder to explore!

If you are going to the National Park, then this is a MUST as long as you're able to do stairs. (Not many, like a normal staircase to an upper level floor.) Bring a flashlight and enjoy your experience. Oh and park at the overflow parking lot to enjoy the 0.5 mile extra hike. The beauty of the rainforest is worth it!

Parking in the area is tough. There is another parking lot before you get to the lava tube. Turning back once you get to the tube isn't super easy. The alternate lot is a short hike that has beautiful views of the crater. It's probably a better choice for those that can hike the non paved trail.

Visited the Nakuru - Thurston Lava Tube on a tour while visiting the island during a cruise. It was a cool experience to walk through them. To get to the tube there was a short walk down hill and then a short walk back to the parking lot. Not difficult for the average person.

The Lava Tube is awesome. It’s a short walk from the parking lot and you have to hike down a path that switches back. It’s a beautiful walk to get to the tube with lots of pretty plants to look at. The lava tube itself is kind of a no-frills experience and to be honest a little underwhelming. At the entrance, you start walking into this neat looking cave and then into a dimly lit path - but lit nonetheless. Being in the tube was cool as the water drips from the ceiling. You walk pretty much straight through and then it ends. It just… ends. Then you take a small flight of stairs up and out to a path where you walk back and end up at the restrooms. I guess for how popular it is they want you to walk through it relatively quickly as the parking lot is pretty horrendous if it is busy. I would have liked to have had some information placards or something to stop and read or something a little more. It just feels like you strolled the a cave and carried on. I was left wanting more. It is a very nice walk and overall easy if you can do stairs and walk down a path. Would recommend to do it at least once.

Cool National Park. Too bad there was no lava flow during our visit. But you can still see the Cauldron area and you can explore around the grounds to see other sites. There are some hiking trails, but we did not have the time to explore them all. We did drive through and walk most of the sites, such as the Thurston lava tube, which is cool. I would recommend that you watch your head and feet inside, I brought a flashlight and it does help. The jungle contrast to the barren volcanic rock is cool to see and fascinating to learn about the history of the volcano and how its activity has shaped the area. Park rangers were kind and knowledgeable, and staff on the grounds were kind but overwhelmed with the volume of visitors. I heard that during a lava flow event, it’s borderline impossible to find parking or to enter the park and see it all; but experiences may vary. I gave this a 4 star, as we have been to many national parks, and the parking areas and stopping locations are always packed, and should be expanded. I understand that this is mostly protected areas, but I think extra parking would better accommodate visitors and such. Doing the app based tour guide experience is best. Good luck! And enjoy!

What an experience this was but left one hour prior to the volcano spewing lava 160ft into the air which would have been the coolest thing to see but even without it was such and amazing thing to be witnessing an active volcano. Trail is very easy to walk and parking is close.

Such an amazing place to visit - you can learn so much of the destruction that lava causes but also be delighted by the beauty of all the growth. Seeing different formations of the flowing lava is amazing to witness.

Excellent national park with fantastic views of the lava flow, especially at night. Must visit if you are in the Big Island. It does get crowded so plan your visit accordingly. Their visitor center is under renovation but they have a temporary welcome center with helpful rangers guiding us. Loved the steam vents and the wonderful drive to Holei Sea Arch.

If you are here and have an extra day in Hawaii then this is a must see place! I would highly recommend taking a sweater or sweatshirt and a rain jacket, as well as some good hiking boots or shoes. You can just about drive up to the overlook spots, but the arch down below requires about a 1/4 mile walk on flat paved ground. Also bring a picnic and have a wonderful time stop often, but be careful of distracted drivers!

So much to see and do here, make sure to spend a couple days if you can. The views are amazing, the lava fields and craters are expansive and awe inspiring. Never a dull view throughout the park.

Everyone seems to have a strategy to beat the crowds. What worked for us is heading up around 4 pm. That seemed to be the transition where families head out and the professional photographers set up for the night glow. We had no issues on parking or crowds. We got lucky and saw the beginnings of episode 15. We spent a couple of hours there hiking around. When we left, that’s when it got crazy busy. They had park rangers out directing traffic. On our way down, there was a steady stream of cars going up to see the night glow. I understand that day was unique because of the volcano activity but that transitional time seems to be the sweet spot. Also, if you plan to stay into the night, bring a blanket to sit on and your dinner. Hike down the trail and you will find plenty of areas to watch the show away from the crowds. Just look where the pro photographers set up.

An absolutely stunning crater. There were no activities when we were visiting. Can be perfectly seen from the Kilauea Overlook and the Uekahuna Lookout.

When we arrived there there was just a little bit of steam coming out of the vents, but when we were going out of the park it was billowing. I mentioned to Kim who lives there that it looked like it was going to erupt. She said no... It hasn't erupted since 2018. 10 days after we left it erupted!

Awesome experience to be on the outer rim when it was erupting lava. If it's erupting and you're close, I highly recommend going to the overlook!

Great spectacle to see! I was there at a time she was erupting! What a site to see!

The earth is amazing and deadly. The crater hike is a must and would rate a moderate hike in proper gear. If you've done your research, go counter COUNTER CLOCKWISE on the hike as to cross the lava tubes at the end and crossing the highest part of the volcano will be easier as well. So if you see the tube early on your trek, I highly recommend to go back the 15 minutes. Parking is very limited for the hike, so come early like before 9am and you'll have no problem if it. Bring lots of water as there are no shade when your are on the crater part of the hike. We took about 3 hours to complete as we stopped and double backed on some parts of the trail. Once on the crater, follow the rock piles that creates a path across. Do drive to the visitor center as there are toilet facilities, park rangers that does a great overview of the park, and gift shop to commemorate your visit. If you have the time, there is a drive all the way to the Crater Rim Road all the way to the most southern tip. Leave at least 2 hours to do this.

We were lucky and got to see an eruption. Very nice.

amazing views!!! definitely a must see! the best time to go is at night once it’s dark to see the glowing magma. also dress warmly because it’s colder than the rest of the island due to the elevation

The main caldera of Kilauea Volcano. Even when there is not an active eruption, there is plenty to see and learn about. There are plenty of representations of past eruptions as well as flora and fauna of the area, plus lava tubes, etc.

Kilauea wasn’t spewing lava today, but it was still an amazing place to be!

Cool crater. You can see the active volcano Kilauea in the crater. If it is erupting, you can see lava, otherwise you would see some smoke.

Stunning breathtaking experience!! This is a must stop when Kīlauea is actively erupting. The crater in the caldera is massive and mind blowing. Truly stunning!

Soooo breathtaking to look at! Coolest part of the park!

It was the most magically and stunning thing I've ever seen. Visited from Oahu 3 times in 2 months, and Im obsessed. It's definitely a must!

The caldera is technically closed right now, but highly recommend taking a guided tour with one of the Rangers, as they can escort you to the dried lava bed as well as teach you about the history of mauna loa + eruptions in halema'uma'u. Highly recommend you take the halema'uma'u trail with a guide, as it not only shows you the caldera, but they show you how to link up with other trails to get out, otherwise its not obvious and you may either get lost or end up having to hike the trail back up and eating the elevation gain over a smaller distance.

Nice drive, but on a cloudy day, you won't see much other than the inside of a cloud.

Drive to the end and back. Worth the scenic views and close to ocean. You get to see how the lava has engulfed the bay.

Wild sight