Kalapana Lava Flow

Most of the active lava flows are around this area. We did not see any active lava during our visit, but there has been a lot of low since then. CAUTION: make sure you are aware of what is happening as lava flows could close routes to some portions of the island. Do not attempt to get close to the flow unless you are with an experienced guide.
DIRECTIONS: the location marker in Unilocal is way off. So here is how you get to the viewing area:
— From Keaau, take 130 south, southeast, staying to the right as you pass the town of Pahoa. Stay on 130 until you have reached the end of the road. There is a small parking area and usually a guard shack. You will have to go on foot past the shack since only residents are allowed in vehicles beyond that point. The guards also can offer advice on what to see and where to look.
Bottom Line: If you want to see recent lava flows, this is the place. You can see all the differences in color and all the variations in the structure of the flows over time. However, I wouldn’t plan on spending more than 30 minutes here. You can only look at lava rocks for so long before the kids want to leave.
************
UPDATE: the viewing area is «permanently closed» due to recent activity. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a guide to take you there, but you might not be able to go there on your own. Please do some research before you go. The town of Pahoa recently got hit by the flow, so the roads may be impassable.

A long shady path (0.7 mi) in the Lava Flow Park leads you to several lava trees — where lava enveloped living trees and left a hard column of lava. Unique and fascinating park!

We stopped by on ⁴⁄₁₇ after our quick trip through Volcano National Park. We saw some steam in the distance but not much else. There are guards at the front parking area, and another at the end of the street that you hike down to after you park your car. The 2^nd guard station is the furthest you’re allowed to go.
Two people decided their freedoms were greater than everyone else’s, and decided to walk past the 2^nd guard and ignore the warnings. The guard told them that their car would be towed, but the two kept saying that they were Hawaiians and they were free to hike on public land as they wished. Kind of funny hearing that come out of caucasians who really aren’t Hawaiian, and aren’t even on public land.
Anyway, we missed out on the black sand beach that’s near here. We’ll have to come again to check that out, but probably wouldn’t come here just for the «lava flow» since you’re too far away to see anything but steam in the distance.

It’s pretty amazing and awe inspiring. There you are, standing on a field of black lava stretching as far as the eye can see. Everything that once stood here, erased, yet the forest and beaches on either side were spared. Far off in the distance we could see the plume of white steam rising from the sea as fresh lava joined with it.
This spot, also known as the end of the old road, is open from 3−10pm with the last cars admitted at 8pm. It’s a self guided hike, about a half mile round trip and a clear path to follow. Closed toe shoes, sunblock, hats, and water are recommended. There are park guides at both the entrance and at the end of the hike. Conditions change from day to day so it is recommended that you check the website for updates:
We had started out our day at the Volcanoes National Park and opted to drive out to this spot instead of the long hike at the park. Grandma was grateful for the decision. ;) Sadly, the sulfur alert that day was high and when we arrived at the entrance, the guides turned us away, that they were closed for the day. Luckily we were staying in Pahoa and is was an easy drive back the next day when conditions were much clearer. We didn’t get to see any actual lava, though the guide we talked story with at the end of the hike was very nice and informative. He did say that there are many local guides and tours that will take you across the rest of the way for a fee of course. I’m okay not walking right up to the fresh lava if you kwim. It is incredible to see people rebuilding their homes on top of this lava plain.
we finished our day with a drive through Kapoho which was beautiful with lush tropical vegetation and scenic coastline, out to the Waiopae tide pools to watch the sunset.

The best way to see the lava up close and personal is to see it at night. After consulting some maps and some friends, we determined it was going to be about an hour and a half hike to the lava. You can call the hotline (808−961−8093) and they’ll tell you if lava is viewable or not before you head out there. Also, check this page, which gives you the most up to date information on where the lava is/​what is going on:
If you go, a couple of things to keep in mind:
1.) The signs (including the one spray painted on the ground that suggests you’ll get towed) are there for a reason: You’re not technically supposed to go out there after the lava viewing area is closed. (Open from 2:00 to 10:00 officially). It’s dangerous or something. At the end of Chain of Craters road, you’ll see a metal gate and a crappy paved road that continues on. Keep going to the end of that road, past all the foreboding signs. Park and. .. .start hiking.
2.) Bring a ridiculous amount of water. Bring some snacks.
3.) Bring extra batteries for your flashlight and your cell phone. Unless you have an excellent internal sense of direction or you’re on a tour, you’ll probably get lost. It’s loads of fun when your flashlight dies.
4.) Gloves. Yeah, seems like overkill, right? I thought so too. I was wrong though! Those pretty black lava rocks are basically like razors and picking them up, let alone grabbing them to keep your balance, will leave your hands pretty cut up.
As long as the lava isn’t hitting the ocean, it’s pretty safe to get close (it releases sulfuric acid into the air).
Viewing the lava up close was one of the coolest things I’ve done in Hawaii (or anywhere, honestly) and it was completely free. If you’re a tourist, you can do it without a guide, but you should get one if you’re on a schedule and you don’t want to risk getting lost. If you’ve lived in Hawaii but never made it out there, you should. Grab your friends, some flashlights, and preemptively call out of work. It’s something you can’t see anywhere else in the world and it’s right in your backyard!

This place is super exciting! The downfall is that it’s far from Kona, so my family and I were really tired when we got back to our hotel room.
It’s best to come here at night to really see the lava flow, but be up for the long drive back to Kona if that’s where you’re staying.

This was awesome! Watching lava flow into the pacific and all of the steam as it hits the water??? SUPER COOL. AND, it’s free!!! We heard about this site from a tourist information center near our hotel in Waikoloa. We drove over and were amazed. There are a bunch of warning signs saying enter at your own risk… I can see why. You definitely need a flashlight, mosquito spray (more on that), good shoes and water.
It is about