One of the parking areas along Crater Rim Drive is signed for the Thurston Lava Tube. A 1/3 mile round trip on a paved trail with numerous ramps and stairs provides an opportunity to walk through the lava tube that was discovered by Lorrin Thurston in 1913. We made the short trek during our February 2014 visit to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
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| The trail is across the road from the parking area and turn off of the Crater Rim Trail |
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| The paved trail utilizes several ramps to descend to the lava tube |
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| The trail continues downhill through the rain forest |
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| The trail levels out before... |
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| ...crossing a bridge and entering the lava tube |
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| The tube is well lit with electric lights |
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| Just like the walls, the walking surface is solidified lava |
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| Stairs leading up from the exit of the tube reveal another section that is closed to the public |
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| The stairs continue as you climb back up to the road |
An entrance fee of $10 provides a seven-day pass to visit the park. Other entrance options include the Hawai`i Tri-park Annual Pass for $25 for twelve month access to three parks in Hawai'i, an America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80 for twelve months access to most national parks and forests or a Senior Pass for a one-time fee of $10 for those age 62 or over for access to most national parks and forests.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.
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