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Nighttime volcanic glow beneath the stars at Kīlauea on Hawaiʻi Island

What to Bring on a Volcano Hike

You do not need expedition-level equipment for a guided volcano hike, but the right shoes, clothing and amount of water can make a noticeable difference once you are on the trail.

Conditions may shift between cool rain, wind and exposed sun during the same experience. Depending on the hike, you may also encounter rainforest, uneven volcanic ground, crater terrain or older lava flows and kīpuka.

Use this as your general packing list. Your booking confirmation will include the final instructions for the experience and conditions expected on your date.

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Start With These Essentials

Bring these items for every hike:
 

  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes with reliable grip

  • At least two quarts, approximately two liters, of water per person

  • Comfortable clothing suitable for walking

  • A light warm layer

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • Personal medication

  • Fully charged phone

  • Saved booking and meeting information

  • An eligible National Park pass if you plan to use one


For a longer experience, you may also want:
 

  • Quick-drying clothing

  • Extra socks

  • Familiar personal snacks

  • Portable phone battery

  • Small camera

  • Your own comfortable daypack
     

Bring only what you can comfortably carry over uneven ground.

Clouds and mist moving across Kīlauea’s volcanic landscape in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Wear Shoes That Can Handle Volcanic Ground

Footwear is one of the most important parts of preparing for a volcano hike.

Closed-toe hiking shoes, hiking boots, trail-running shoes and normal athletic or running shoes are acceptable when they fit securely and have reliable tread.
 

Volcanic terrain can be:
 

  • Uneven

  • Rocky

  • Wet

  • Sharp

  • Slippery in some conditions



Because volcanic trails can be rough and uneven, the National Park Service recommends wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Before packing, review its official hiking safety guidance for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 


Do not arrive in:
 

  • Flip-flops

  • Open-toe sandals

  • Loose-fitting shoes

  • Smooth-soled casual footwear

  • Shoes that do not provide reliable grip


If you arrive in unsuitable footwear but have a safe replacement in your vehicle, you may change before the hike begins. If the footwear problem cannot be corrected, the guide may adjust the route when a safe alternative is available. Otherwise, you may not be able to participate.

Wear shoes you have already walked in rather than testing a new pair on a longer hike.

Choose Clothes You Can Move In

Wear comfortable hiking or athletic clothing that allows you to move easily.

Shorts, leggings or hiking pants can all work. Long pants are not required for the current Volcanoes Hiking Guides experiences.

Quick-drying materials are useful when rain is possible. Heavy clothing can become uncomfortable when wet, so choose pieces that are easy to layer and remove.

Bring a Warm Layer

Pack a lightweight fleece, sweater or similar warm layer.

The Kīlauea summit area can feel much cooler, wetter and windier than the coast. Rain may also begin with little warning.

Volcanoes Hiking Guides has rain jackets available, but a rain shell does not provide much warmth on its own. Keep your warm layer somewhere you can reach easily.

Prepare for Exposed Sun

Some volcanic areas have very little shade, even when other parts of the route pass through forest.


Bring:
 

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Sunglasses

  • An optional lightweight long-sleeve layer


Cloud cover does not remove the possibility of sun exposure. Sunglasses are one of the small but important items Jennifer regularly reminds guests to bring.

Bring Enough Water for a Longer Hike

Every guest must bring at least two quarts, approximately two liters, of drinking water.
 

Volcanoes Hiking Guides does not provide the guest’s normal water supply. Jennifer may carry a limited amount of extra water as backup, but guests should not depend on it instead of bringing their own.
 

You may need more than two liters depending on:
 

  • The length of the hike

  • Current weather

  • Sun exposure

  • Terrain

  • Your personal hydration needs
     

The National Park Service recommends carrying at least two quarts of water per person, especially when hiking across hot, exposed lava fields.

Check its official Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park safety guidance before your visit.

Water is one of the items guests most commonly forget, so prepare it the night before.

Food and Personal Snacks

Food inclusions depend on the experience:
 

  • The public and private 6-hour hikes include light snacks and a gourmet trail lunch

  • The Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike includes light snacks

  • Keiki to Kūpuna does not include food or snacks

  • Other experiences may include light snacks as stated in the booking description

  • Breakfast is not included

Rice bowl with tofu, avocado, cucumber and seaweed before a volcano hike

You may bring a familiar personal snack if you prefer a particular food, need to eat regularly or have specific dietary needs.
 

Share vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or other dietary requirements before an experience that includes food.

Keep Personal Medication With You

Bring any medication you may need during the hike, including:
 

  • Inhaler

  • Epinephrine auto-injector

  • Prescription medication

  • Diabetes supplies

  • Allergy medication you normally use
     

Keep medication somewhere you can reach quickly rather than leaving it in your vehicle or at the bottom of your pack.
 

If a medical, respiratory or mobility concern could affect your ability to complete the hike, contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking.

Bring Your Phone and Meeting Information

Bring a fully charged phone and save the following information before leaving your accommodation:
 

  • Booking confirmation

  • Final meeting location

  • Map pin and written directions

  • Assigned guide’s contact information

  • Park-pass information when applicable
     

Save the meeting information so you are not completely dependent on mobile service while driving to the confirmed location. A small camera is also welcome.

According to Jennifer, camera is one of the items guests are usually happiest they brought.

What Volcanoes Hiking Guides Provides

Depending on the selected experience, Volcanoes Hiking Guides may provide:
 

  • Backpacks

  • Trekking poles

  • Rain jackets

  • Light snacks

  • Gourmet trail lunch on the public and private 6-hour experiences

  • First-aid equipment

  • Emergency communication equipment
     

Guests may use their own comfortable backpack and trekking poles if they prefer.
 

Jennifer has found that an uncomfortable backpack can become a problem during a longer hike. If you bring your own, make sure it fits properly and is comfortable when carrying water and clothing.

Additional Equipment Carried by the Guide

Guides carry first-aid equipment and communication equipment during the hikes.
 

An emergency gas mask is also carried in case a guest becomes sensitive to sulfur dioxide. Routes may be adjusted when volcanic gas or air quality creates a concern.
 

For the Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike, the guide brings one pair of binoculars. Guests do not need to bring insect repellent, and gloves will be provided if the guide determines they are needed for the conditions.
 

Personal medication and the guest’s required water must still be brought by each participant.

What Changes With the Hike You Book

Most of the packing list stays the same, but longer hikes require more attention to water, layers, pack comfort and footwear.

01

Experience

 ★ Keiki to Kūpuna

 ★ 3-Hour Nature & Steam Vent Hike

 ★ 4.5-Hour Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike

 ★ 6-Hour Public or Private Hike

 ★ Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike

Additional Preparation

Bring water, suitable shoes, sun protection and any personal medication. Food and snacks are not included.

Prepare for changing summit weather and uneven volcanic terrain.

Consider extra socks when wet conditions are expected and make sure your footwear is comfortable for extended walking.

Pay particular attention to water, footwear, layers and pack comfort. Light snacks and a gourmet trail lunch are included.

Prepare for a longer walk through volcanic and native-forest terrain. Light snacks are included, and the guide carries one pair of binoculars.

Your confirmation should always take priority because the final route and conditions can change.

What to Leave Behind

You will not need to carry much for your hike. A lighter pack makes it easier to move across uneven volcanic terrain, so leave unnecessary items behind and bring only what you can carry comfortably.

01

Open-Toe or Unsafe Footwear

Do not wear flip-flops, open sandals or shoes without dependable traction.

02

Uncomfortable or Unnecessary Bags

Leave behind:
 

  • Suitcases

  • Large travel bags

  • Heavy items you cannot comfortably carry

  • Loose equipment that may fall from your pack

  • Unnecessary items that add significant weight
     

If you plan to carry substantial photography or filming equipment, contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before booking.

Milky Way above the dark lava coastline of Hawaiʻi Island

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

03

Drones

Do not bring a drone with the expectation of flying it inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
 

Launching, landing or operating a drone within the park is prohibited unless the National Park Service has provided written approval. Read the park’s drone policy.

04

 Pets

Pets are not allowed on Volcanoes Hiking Guides tours.

Guests traveling with a trained service animal should contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides by phone or email before booking so the planned route and current park requirements can be reviewed.

Check Everything the Night Before

Before going to bed:
 

  • Read your final booking message

  • Confirm the date and starting time

  • Save the meeting location and map pin

  • Prepare at least two liters of water per person

  • Set out suitable closed-toe shoes

  • Pack a warm layer

  • Prepare sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses

  • Charge your phone

  • Pack personal medication

  • Confirm that dietary or mobility information has been shared

Before Leaving Your Accommodation

Make sure you have:
 

  • Your own water

  • Correct footwear

  • Warm layer

  • Sun protection

  • Sunglasses

  • Personal medication

  • Phone and saved meeting instructions

  • An eligible park pass if you plan to use one
     

Allow enough time for driving, park entry and parking.

At the Meeting Point

  • Arrive at the confirmed time

  • Check in with your guide

  • Collect or adjust any guide-provided equipment

  • Confirm that you have your water

  • Keep personal medication accessible

  • Ask any final preparation questions before starting

Palm trees reflected in calm water beneath a colorful Hawaiʻi Island sky

Photo by: Yvonne Baur

Jennifer’s Simple Packing Advice

After years of guiding, Jennifer sees the same three things repeatedly:
 

  • The item guests most often forget: Water

  • The item that most often becomes uncomfortable: A poorly fitting backpack

  • The item guests are usually glad they brought: A camera


Her advice is to prepare your water the night before, wear shoes you already trust and carry only what you can comfortably manage on uneven ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunset over the lava-rock coastline of Hawaiʻi Island

Ready for Your Next Adventure?

Prepare for the Hike You Choose

Your final packing needs depend on the experience, route, distance and current conditions.

Choose a hike that matches your group, read the booking instructions carefully and contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides if you are unsure about footwear, equipment or preparation.

Can’t find a date for your preferred hike? Call or email us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

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