Kona to Valcano Nat'l Park

We are staying in Kona and want to make a trip to Valcano Nat%26#39;l Park. If we leave early,is it possible to see the park and go to the location where the lava flows on the way back. I understand the time to see this is at night.

Kona to Valcano Nat'l Park

That location would not be on your ';way back'; at all. Actually, it%26#39;s kind of off the way from any location, almost like driving 30 miles to the end of the cul-de-sac.

Kona to Valcano Nat'l Park

Thanks for the info. would you suggest taking hwy 11 back and stopping at the black sand beach? or can you reccomend some large water falls that may not be to far out of the way?

No... I would highly reccommend that you not drive past Volcano village....if the park is open.

The reason is you will be traveling directly in and under the news vents Vog cloud....I would highly suggest not visiting anything south of Place Of Refuge to Volcano....on Hiway 11. Its a day to day thing... but for the past week that area has been in Red to Orange ( see NPS web site for Volcanoes Natl Park)

Lava viewing is on the Hilo side open from 2 to 8

Sunsets at 630....Dark is around 7;15 Considering the hike and the conditions if you left at 8pm you would get to Hilo by 10 pm...and driving on 19 will take till around 1 am in kona with no stops...There will be no services open along the route...and it is un lit... expect rain along the route.. heavy at times

I would stay in Hilo...( I cant beleive I said that) at this time because of the conditions closer to the park....

I wouldn%26#39;t recommend that you drive back at night unless you%26#39;re familiar with this dark two lane highway --either route. Staying a night in Hilo can be pretty cheap and you could see waterfalls the next morning.

Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are both easy to see, the first on Hwy 19 in Honomu and the second is actually in Hilo. No waterfalls on Hwy 11; that is desert around the south coast. The southeast to northeast/north portions of the island have the lush jungle and the waterfalls.

You might consider spending a night or two in Hilo so you can explore some of the area, vs driving the 2 to 3 hrs each way from Kona. There is a good Kona Hilo mileage chart online at www.hiloagent.com/mileage.htm