If you want to see lava, you are going to need an airplane or helicopter to get the best views. Helicopter tours are better and you see more. You also get a video of the trip with you in it, if you want it.

Not only is it a long, unsafe and uneven walk. You will have to cross "Do not go beyond this point" ropes to get there by foot. Park service will frown on this to say the least. You can see it with a telescope from one point at the end of the road in the park. Better seen at night, bring telescope and/or camera with tripod and minimum 800 mm lens.

There are tours, but you will not get a much better view than from the twilight point or as seen from the air. It all depends on how close you want to get.

If you want to do that there are some non-chain type "MOTELS" not hotels in the area. But you can also get up at 6 or 7 in the morning and drive down to the VNP in a couple of hours. Spend all day and part of the night and drive back. There is more to see there than just the lava.

My preferred way is:

Stay at HWV.
One day, fly by helicopter tour and see lava and waterfalls along with tops of volcanoes.
Next or different day, drive down and spend time at museum, walking paths, lava tubes and drive down to road ends for sunset and walk to lava photo point.

YMMV


I agree with this completely. I am a regular TBI / Kauai visitor.

I land HNL then within an hour or so hop to KOA for a few days then hop to LIH to finish up. Then I hop back to HNL for an overnight to leave back to the mainland.

No island compares to Kauai. It is the relaxing, comfortable, beautiful, floral, natural, interesting, romantic.... (many more positive pronouns avialable) island.

Since we are posting recommended itins. Assuming you will someday go back before you die and you cannot afford more time on this trip. This is what I consider a perfect itin with romance and rest in mind:

Day 1 - Arrive HNL and transfer via Hawaiian or Mokulele to KOA. Check in to HWV. Get invited to timeshare for that evening or first thing next morning.
Day 2 - timeshare presentation then using 2 for 1 do helicopter trip after lunch. go down to Lihue for luau. Relax by lagoon.
Day 3 - Take a drive down to VNP and spend the day there.
Day 4 - Take a drive up to the north west point and hike down to secluded beach.
Day 5 - Hop to LIH, check in and drive up to north point.
Day 6 - Do a whale watch trip around the north point or catamaran diving trip. This will carry you buy the shopping market where they sell Puki Dogs. Near the Marriott timeshare.
Day 7 - Hike to some waterfalls or take a waterfall back country excursion. Eat a Bubba Burgers!!!
Day 8 - Relax on the beach and then hop to HNL as late as possible for an early morning flight back home.
Day 9 - Go home realizing that there is much much more that you could have done and are now hooked on going back. Maybe cry a little on the plane. Hawaiians are wonderful, friendly people and you will enjoy it.

I consider the above a rushed itinerary. NOW!
When I first went I considered the above too slow of an itinerary. I did four islands in 8 days the first time I went. It was a big mistake. I did not listen. I have done rushed tours all over the world and thought I knew what I was doing. I have since been back many times. Subsequently learned what I missed. Taking it slower is Hawaiian. Taking it fast takes all of the experience of Hawaii and only gives you a view of some islands. You really must EXPERIENCE Hawaii to understand what I am saying. Others might tell you that you can see more, I thought I could, but it did not mean much, until I went back and experienced it.

Hawaii is magical when done right.
Hawaii is a rock in the middle of the ocean, when done wrong.

That is just my honest and oh so humble opinion. I am not a Hawaiian, but I do appreciate them.