Thurston Lava Tube — Local services in Hawaii

The lava tube parking lot is a quick 5 minute drive from the main entrance of the park. The hike is fairly short, approximately 30 minute walk through the rain forest and lava tube that a range of ages can accomplish. Most of the main trail is paved with asphalt so strollers could be used, but to walk down and into the lava tube takes some dirt/gravel climbing down and steps to climb up. Covered shoes should be worn, especially in the lava tube as the area is very wet and there are numerous puddles. I didn't bring binoculars but wish i had, as there were a lot of birds in the area and it's so calming to hear them sing and would have loved to see if they were native birds or common ones.

There is ample free parking and restrooms available. Flashlights are helpful during the daytime but not necessary as there are lit areas throughout the tube, but the lighting runs from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The area is...

Limited parking is available, so you might have to wait for a spot. They mark the spots for 30 minutes and at a slow pace people should be able to make it through in that amount of time. There is a lot more to see here than the lava tube, and you'll likely be disappointed if that's all you are going to stop and look at. The tube itself is interesting in how it was formed but is otherwise like a short cave. What is interesting is the list vegetation around the entire walk, and the birds you'll only find in Hawaii. Make a point to stop, look, and listen to everything going...

Thurston Lava tube is one of the key attractions of the Volcano National park. Unlike the other lava tubes I have visited on the Big Island / Maui, this is well lighted and also well paved. So, excellent for children or people not comfortable walking over rocks / loose gravel. It’s slightly shorter compared to others (Kaumana Caves, or the Hana lava tube (in Maui)), but does help you understand the inner structure of tubes. There’s parking available close to the entrance and this can be combined with the...