It took a long time more than expected (about 3-4 hours) to drive from the Kohala coast to the National Park via Kona... since I stopped at Pu'uhonua o honaunau historical site (not for very long though) on the way. You can check out my trip there @ http://rblr.co/EtJd. The way back was faster via Hilo & the saddle road. Once in the park I accidentally drove to the volcano look out first rather than the chain of craters road (this is located RIGHT next to the park entrance). Also, once on the chain of craters road, I attempted a little of the Hilina Pali Road then turned around as it was getting dark and I wanted to make it to the sea arch before it was actually dark. Then I stopped to see the petrogylphs, but it was getting dark and the path is all lava (rocky) so I was worried to navigate that if it got too dark so I turned around before seeing all the petroglyphs. However, it was still a nice drive and scenery. The moonrise was fantastic over ocean and the lava. After seeing the sea arch (end of the road) I went back to see the volcano glow and the moon/stars. This time I skipped the lava tubs and stopping at other lookouts due to time, but you can see that on my last trip to the park @ http://rblr.co/BBHT. Btw, If you are on the Kohala coast and want to see petreogylphs you can check them out Puako. Check out my trip there @ http://rblr.co/BAlk for more info.

Sightseeing

If you get to the park before sundown, the petroglyphs and watching the sunset are a good thing to do before going back (at dark) to see the volcano's glow.

Hawaii, Volcanoes National Park, National Park, big island

Hawaii, United States

time : Oct 26, 2015

duration : 3h 8m 33s

distance : 59.5 mi

total_ascent : 4386 ft

highest_point : 4143 ft

avg_speed : 18.9 mi/h

user_id : SummerRamblr

user_firstname : Summer

user_lastname : Ramblr

It took a long time more than expected (about 3-4 hours) to drive from the Kohala coast to the National Park via Kona... since I stopped at Pu'uhonua o honaunau historical site (not for very long though) on the way. You can check out my trip there @ http://rblr.co/EtJd. The way back was faster via Hilo & the saddle road. Once in the park I accidentally drove to the volcano look out first rather than the chain of craters road (this is located RIGHT next to the park entrance). Also, once on the chain of craters road, I attempted a little of the Hilina Pali Road then turned around as it was getting dark and I wanted to make it to the sea arch before it was actually dark. Then I stopped to see the petrogylphs, but it was getting dark and the path is all lava (rocky) so I was worried to navigate that if it got too dark so I turned around before seeing all the petroglyphs. However, it was still a nice drive and scenery. The moonrise was fantastic over ocean and the lava. After seeing the sea arch (end of the road) I went back to see the volcano glow and the moon/stars. This time I skipped the lava tubs and stopping at other lookouts due to time, but you can see that on my last trip to the park @ http://rblr.co/BBHT. Btw, If you are on the Kohala coast and want to see petreogylphs you can check them out Puako. Check out my trip there @ http://rblr.co/BAlk for more info.