Capturing the Beauty of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Few places on Earth offer the dramatic landscapes and raw beauty of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. From smoldering craters and steaming vents to lush rainforests and ancient lava flows, every turn along Crater Rim Drive presents a new opportunity to capture the island’s breathtaking scenery. If you’re a photographer (or just want to snap some incredible vacation shots), this scenic route is a must.
Staying at our Big Island bed and breakfast gives you easy access to the park, so you can chase the perfect lighting at sunrise, sunset, and even under the stars. Whether you’re drawn to glowing lava views, misty rainforests, or rugged volcanic landscapes, here’s everything you need to know about the best photography spots along Crater Rim Drive and how to make the most of your time behind the lens.
Exploring Crater Rim Drive: A Photographer’s Dream
The Crater Rim Drive Tour loops around the summit of Kīlauea, offering multiple pull-offs and overlooks where you can capture some of the most scenic Hawaiian island views. It’s an easy-to-navigate route, perfect for those who want to hop out and take quick shots or linger for that golden-hour glow.
Your scenic journey begins just past the park entrance at the Sulphur Banks, one of the most unique landscapes in the park. A little farther along, stop at the Steam Vents before heading to the Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp to check for updated park information, trail conditions, and safety guidelines. Once you’re ready, follow Crater Rim Drive clockwise, stopping at each breathtaking viewpoint along the way to capture the island’s diverse landscapes through your lens.
To get the best photos, plan your route around the best lighting conditions. Mornings offer soft, misty light over the rainforest, while late afternoons cast long shadows and rich colors across the lava fields. If you’re after a more dramatic shot, sunset and nighttime provide opportunities for glowing crater photography and stargazing shots.
Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks): A Vibrant, Otherworldly Landscape
The Sulphur Banks are one of the most unique places to photograph in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The colorful deposits of minerals, combined with the constantly rising steam, give the landscape an eerie, otherworldly feel, and the contrast between the dry, cracked earth and the lush greenery of the surrounding rainforest adds another dynamic layer to your photos.
Photography Tip: The steam is more visible during cooler hours, so early morning or late afternoon is the best time to capture dramatic, mist-filled shots. Using a polarizing filter can help cut through the glare and enhance the vivid mineral colors. Since the sulfurous gases can be strong, take care not to linger too long in areas where steam is actively venting.
Steam Vents & Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff): A Mystical Scene
Located near the park entrance by the Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Steam Vents and Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) offer an ethereal, misty setting perfect for unique photography. The contrast between the cool rainforest and the billowing volcanic steam creates a surreal effect that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Photography Tip: Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare from the steam and enhance the rich greens of the surrounding foliage.
Uēkahuna: The Best Place for Panoramic Views
As one of the highest overlooks along Crater Rim Drive, Uēkahuna offers sweeping views of Kīlauea Caldera. This incredible vantage point offers a breathtaking perspective of the volcano’s vast summit, with a clear view of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and its ever-changing volcanic activity. On clear days, the panorama stretches far beyond the caldera, revealing the rolling terrain of the Kaʻū Desert and even glimpses of the Pacific Ocean in the distance.
Best Shot: A wide panoramic photo at sunrise or sunset when the lighting is most dramatic.
Photography Tip: If you’re shooting at night, use a slow shutter speed to bring out details in the landscape under the stars.
Kīlauea Caldera and Halemaʻumaʻu Crater: A Fiery Centerpiece
One of the most iconic photography spots on Crater Rim Drive is the Kīlauea Caldera at the volcano’s summit. Whether it’s billowing steam, a vibrant crater glow at night, or a perfectly framed wide-angle shot of the massive caldera, this is where the raw power of the island is on full display.
Best Shot: Capture the crater at sunset when the colors of the sky reflect off the volcanic landscape or return at night for a long-exposure shot of the glowing lava (if visible) under a sky full of stars.
Photography Tip: A sturdy tripod is essential for capturing the fiery glow of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater in low light. Play around with long-exposure settings to get an even more dramatic effect.
Keanakākoʻi Crater: A Lesser-Known Gem
If you’re looking for a quieter, lesser-visited photography spot, Keanakākoʻi Crater is well worth the short walk from the Devastation Trail parking area. This crater, whose name means “cave of the adze” in Hawaiian, was historically significant for early Hawaiians, who used the area’s fine basalt rock to craft stone tools. The overlook provides an incredible view of the crater, where fresh lava flows from recent eruptions have reshaped the landscape.
Best Shot: The sharp edges of the crater framed against a bright blue sky or a dramatic shot at golden hour when the low sun casts deep shadows across the landscape.
Puʻupuaʻi Overlook: Perfect for Sunset
If you’re looking for a great place to capture the changing colors of the sky, head to Puʻupuaʻi Overlook. This viewpoint offers stunning vistas of Pu‘u Pua‘i cinder cone and Kīlauea Iki, making it a fantastic sunset location.
Best Shot: A landscape shot of the rolling cinder cone against a sky bursting with sunset hues.
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube): A Hidden Rainforest Gem
For a completely different photography experience, step into the lush world of Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube). This naturally formed tunnel, created by flowing lava, is surrounded by towering tree ferns and dense vegetation.
Best Shot: The lava tube entrance framed by the vibrant green rainforest, or a long-exposure shot inside capturing the dimly lit tunnel.
Photography Tip: A flashlight or headlamp helps illuminate the details inside the lava tube, and a slow shutter speed will enhance the effect of the glowing light.
Kīlauea Iki Overlook: A View from Above
For a stunning panoramic shot, stop at the Kīlauea Iki Overlook. From here, you can photograph the vast crater below, which was once a bubbling lava lake during the 1959 eruption. The lava lake has since solidified, creating a vast, rippling landscape of hardened rock, with deep fissures and darkened textures stretching across the crater floor. If you’re up for a hike, the Kīlauea Iki Trail descends into the crater, allowing you to walk across this dramatic landscape and capture the immense scale of the lava flow from ground level.
Best Shot: Capture the sweeping view of the crater in the morning, when soft light highlights the dramatic textures of the hardened lava field.
Photography Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to encompass the entire crater, or zoom in on the trail below to capture hikers exploring the volcanic terrain.
Capture the Beauty, Stay for the Experience
There’s no doubt that Crater Rim Drive offers some of the most scenic photography spots in Hawai‘i. Whether you’re drawn to the fiery glow of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, the lush greenery of the lava tubes, or the breathtaking landscapes along the drive, you’ll leave with a camera full of unforgettable moments.
Staying at our Big Island bed and breakfast gives you the perfect opportunity to photograph the park at sunrise, sunset, and even under the stars. Book your stay today and wake up ready for your next photography adventure!