A question about Volcano National Park and Hilo

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Luanne, so do you suggest that we stay in Hilo instead? Will I be disappointed if I were to think that we will see a lot more at night in the park. Am I correct in thinking that we will really need to hike if we want to see any activity at night? If that is the case, then maybe we should go to Hilo for the night.

Depending on what you want to see at the park, you will most definitely see more during the day, unless you want to hike out to the flow. But, depending on the flow activity, you might see something from the Chain of Craters road without having to drive out to the end. It won't be as impressive as if you hiked out all the way. But, you won't know what the flow activity is until you actually get there and can check at the visitor center. Since we like staying in Volcano Village, and don't plan on hiking out to the lava flow (wherever it might be), I have never really considered staying in Hilo. We talked about it for the last time we were on the Big Island, but dh wanted to stay in Volcano Village and didn't mind the 30 to 45 minute drive when we wanted to go to Hilo.