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Hilo
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Kaumana Caves Park
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Kaumana Caves Park

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See all things to do
Kaumana Caves Park
4.5
409
#5 of 80 things to do in Hilo
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4.5
409 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
130
Average
37
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Nancy C
Hilo, HI11 contributions
Enter another world!
Jan 2023
Long ago, these caves held molten lava rivers that made their way down the mauna. As the crust formed over top, a cave and tunnel system formed. The volcanic rocks, oxides, and plant life make you feel you're in a prehistoric jungle. So beautiful! Wear good shoes with traction for this is a wet place and the stairs leading down can be slippery. Take a flashlight and use your night function on your camera to get some great shots.
Written 19 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer R
South Jordan, UT65 contributions
Fun, free activity
Dec 2022
This is another fun, free activity to do with a family of teens. You park across the street from the entrance. To get into the lava tubes, you have to descend some stairs. Then the walk into the caves is a bit uneven. I would recommend bringing a flash light. The light on my cell phone was not enough. I am not in good shape, but I was able to get far enough in that I enjoyed it, but my older parents did not venture very far in.
Written 16 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Elizabeth D
Ottawa, Canada38 contributions
Very cool caves
Jan 2023
These lava tubes are amazing. Bring light, I needed two to safely navigate my way through. Very uneven terrain, some slick spots, wear good shoes.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Russell3939
Castle Rock, CO733 contributions
Really enjoyed it
Jan 2023 • Family
I really enjoyed this. I especially like the cave to the left when you come down the stairs. They say you can walk well over a mile in this cave. It is very dark and can be hard to walk in some areas. Bring good shoes and a cellphone with a light at the minimum. We saw some with a head lamp which was much brighter. Definitely worth a visit if in the area.
Written 2 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Duckster22
Gloucester, MA14 contributions
Thrilling
Oct 2022
We had been to Thurston Lava tube in the National Park before and then came here. OmG This is the real deal. When you go definitely bring a good flashlight, better a head light so you have your hands free. When you get there you will have the option of two different caves to venture in: the left one is a little difficult to get in (we almost missed it) but then easy walking through; the right one is moderately difficult getting in and walking through. But it is a great experience. Not for claustrophobic people. Wear at least sneakers, it is slippery.
Written 31 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marc_Majka
San Carlos, CA251 contributions
Authentic lava tube, right in Hilo!
Sep 2022 • Couples
This is not your National Park lava tube. If you have only ever visited Nāhuku / Thurston lava tube in Volcano National Park, then you owe yourself a visit to Kaumana. Be prepared for lots of jumbled rock, and walk very carefully, because falling in here would be very painful. On the other hand, you’ll be seeing a much more authentic lava tube, that hasn’t been cleaned up for thousands of tourists to wander through. Steep stairs descend to the collapsed center of two short tube segments. Both are reasonably easy to navigate (carefully). Good shoes are a very good idea. Bring a decent flashlight - your phone’s flashlight really won’t cut it.
Written 12 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Richard K
Memphis, TN982 contributions
Interesting Caves
Sep 2022 • Couples
You need a flashlight and good shoes, not flip flops. There’s a steep set of stairs and then there are two caves. Your cellphone flashlight isn’t strong enough to go too far into the cave. Enter at your own risk. Park across the street. They have a small restroom available too. Free admission.
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PvcM
Alexandria, VA134 contributions
Interesting, not most accessible.
Aug 2022 • Couples
Interesting lava tube. Not for the mobility impaired, you have to be comfortable climbing over rocks. Make sure you have good footwear and a strong flashlight.
Written 25 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,820 contributions
Exploring the Lava Tubes
Jul 2022
Another great free attraction in Hilo is Kaumana Caves Park. There is plenty of parking across the street, then you can at your own risk walk to and within the tubes. I highly recommend a flashlight and hiking gear. These caves are not lit or anything. They can be slippery, so like always, use common sense and you'll be fine. I'm not sure how far back the lava tubes go, we walked quite a ways before I got tired of crawling and getting dirty, but very impressive.
Written 19 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EnjoyerOfTravels
California24 contributions
Fun experience for the family
Aug 2022
Drove in from Kona to Kaumana Caves and it was very easy to find. Parking is on the opposite side of the street from the caves. The amount of parking is limited (probably around 12-15 cars).

We visited the caves with kids ranging from 7-14 and they all had a blast. There were a few areas as you travel deeper into the cave where smaller kids will need help up ledges, but in general, the cave was very traversable. The floor was wet though so you will want to trek carefully. I used hiking shoes, but some members of our party had normal running shoes. The one thing that is a must though is to make sure you have a good flashlight or headlamp. The cave was very dark once you travel a bit beyond the mouth of the cave.

Note though that there is a point where you will need to squat down to crawl through an opening to continue traveling into the cave.

Lastly, there are restrooms onsite and were very clean.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Kaumana Caves Park | Hilo | UPDATED January 2023 Top Tips Before You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Kaumana Caves Park
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