Crater Rim Drive

Crater Rim Drive is one of the road ways that will take visitors around Kilauea Caldera. The drive offers views of Mauna Loa on the Island of Hawaii. The drive can be followed around a section of the summit Caldera, through the rainforest, and desert. It is possible to watch the views or stop and hike up to the crater. The crater last erupted 50 years ago. There is an access point where the scenic drive stops with several short walks.

Crater Rim Drive will also take guests to the Kilauea Visitor Center. The center offers a short film about the park and volcanology. There are also guides on hand for those who want to learn about the hikes. There is a one mile hike on Earthquake Trail that will take you around the park. The trail is an important feature because it is meant to recognize the 6.6 earthquake that shook the region including Crater Rim Drive and the Caldera. The drive actually had to be rerouted, so the old portion is part of the trail. It is still there with its old cracked pavement for a quick hike before starting on the rest of the drive around Crater Rim.