Mauna Loa Volcano Viewing

It's wonderful to see the plume in daytime, or line of glowing lava at night, from the Mauna Loa eruption! The place to see it is Mauna Kea Access Road, which branches off from Saddle Rd, the main road that crosses the island. There is some traffic, since many people want to see! Be careful since Saddle Road can be foggy with minimum visibility. Plan your timing for clear skies.

Come at night and see the mystical glowing lava! It is worth the traffic lines and wait!
Another place for viewing the lava is the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area, a rest stop to the west on Saddle Road. Or you can park at Puu Huluhulu Cinder Cone parking lot, across from Mauna Kea Access Rd.
Below, see the photo we took of the glowing line of lava, from our night flight out of Kona Airport on our last day of vacation!

Directions

Mauna Kea Access Road is located off Saddle Road, 28 miles west of Hilo.

Click on map for interactive view