<p>It’s been over 20 years since I have visited the Big Island. Back then, we were able to hike up close to see lava flow, so close that the sulfur smell was overpowering and my H claimed that he felt the hair on his legs were singed by the heat! It was quite dangerous, now that I think about it, but very exhilarating. Kauai is our favorite island but we think it’s time to revisit Big Island. Does anyone know whether the NP allows up close viewing of lava flow? If not, is it still worth the hike?</p>
<p>Sometimes the lava flows are remote, I don’t think you necessarily can predict them.
<a href=“What's Going On With The Volcanoes? - Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (U.S. National Park Service)”>http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm</a></p>
<p>Sigh, we were there in December and there was NO lava to be seen. DH was determined, so we spent almost $1000 (4 of us) for a helicopter tour. It was the highlight of our vacation, but would have been nice to have seen it from land AND for free :-).</p>
<p>On TripAdvisor there’s a guy named ‘lavaguy’. He keeps a thread going with the current conditions and is VERY helpful. The forum is confusing to find since they refer to the Big Island as Hawaii (I realize that’s the name, but still…)…go to “Islands of Hawaii” forum and you’ll see it under there.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for both of your posts. Looks like the lava viewing is more elusive now than it was 20+ years ago. I remember we did not have to stray very far from the trail to see the flow of lava. Some people were even walking there in their flip flops! Crazy. Part of the appeal of going back to Big Island is the volcanoes. I don’t think their beaches are as nice as other islands so we may end up going back to Kauai.</p>
<p>I know my BIL and niece also did a helicopter ride to view lava a few years ago. If the sulphur fumes irritate you, be very cautious. My doc said I am NOT to go anywhere near the volcanoes without a full respirator, like those worn by fire fighters. 
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