22 Unforgettable Adventures in National Parks Across America

19. Climbing an Active Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Imagine standing at the edge of a crater still shaped by the Earth’s fiery forces, surrounded by steaming vents, hardened lava flows, and the lingering scent of sulfur. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and offers the rare opportunity to witness the power of Earth's raw energy up close. Unlike dormant volcanoes that are long past their eruptive days, Kīlauea is constantly changing the landscape, with lava flows reshaping the island in real time. One of the best ways to experience this otherworldly terrain is by hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail, which takes you across a once-molten lava lake that hardened after a dramatic 1959 eruption. The surreal black landscape is still marked by cracks venting steam and pockets of heat just below the surface. Walking here is like stepping onto another planet, where the solid ground beneath your feet was liquid fire not so long ago.