Hike through a volcano crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hike through a volcano crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Part of the appeal of most of Hawaii as a travel destination is its consistency: the weather is always great, the drinks are always fruity and delicious and the attitude is always relaxing.

Not so with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; there you’re at the mercy of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of the volcano. If she cooperates, you’ll be able to see lava flows. If she’s in a bad mood though, the whole park can be closed because of noxious gases. So check the National Park Service’s website before heading to the park to see what you’ll be able to do once you’re there.

Famous for: Hot lava (sometimes)

Admission: $5 per individual for seven days, $10 per vehicle for seven days, $25 for an Hawaii Tri-Park annual pass, $80 for an annual pass to all National Parks

Families with young kids will like: Driving along Chain of Craters Road (assuming it’s open), stopping to take in views of craters, lava flows (maybe) and other geographic marvels created by the volcano

Families with teenagers will like: Hiking through a volcano (maybe)

Other travelers will like: The Thurston Lava Tube, which allows you to see the underground impact of flowing lava

Easy site seeing: Scenic overlooks of Kilauea Caldera from Crater Rim Drive

Best hotel in the park: The Volcano House hotel (it’s the only one, but keep reading…)

Best campground in the park: Namakanipaio

Worst lodging experience: The Volcano House hotel and Namakanipaio Cabins, because they’re “closed for seismic and fire safety improvements” until 2011

Best months to visit for weather: It’s Hawaii–the weather is always great (although it’s supposed to be better in April, May, September and October).

Best months to visit to avoid crowds: Summer

Best hotel: Colony One at Sea Mountain

Nearest major city: Glenwood

More info can be found at the always helpful NPS.gov site: http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

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Photo: Zach Everson