Pacific · Volcanoes to Reefs · Statehood 1959
Hawaii
State
Field Guide
Volcanoes that are still building the islands, a 10,000-foot summit above the clouds, and sea cliffs on Kauaʻi reached only on foot or by boat. Hawaii is made of islands, and each one has its own landscape. These are three classics and one canyon in the Pacific.
Updated October 2026 · Written by artist Nick Scacco
Classic Experiences
01.
Island of Hawaiʻi · Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Walk theKīlauea CalderaRim
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park protects two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, on the Island of Hawaiʻi. The Kīlauea summit area has steaming vents, a lava tube at Nāhuku and a rim road with caldera overlooks, and the Chain of Craters Road drops to the coast past old lava flows. Eruptions and closures change often, so check the National Park Service for current conditions before you go. Bring layers, since the summit is cool and often rainy.
02.
Maui · Haleakalā National Park
Watch Sunrise fromHaleakalā Summit
Haleakalā rises 10,023 feet above sea level on Maui, and its summit crater is one of the best places in Hawaii to watch the sunrise. The National Park Service has required advance reservations for sunrise entry in recent years, so book ahead and check current rules. Dress warmly, because it can be near freezing at the summit before dawn. In the daytime, the Sliding Sands Trail drops into the crater's cinder landscape, and the park's Kīpahulu area on the coast has pools and waterfalls.
03.
Kauaʻi · Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
See theNā Pali Coastfrom Sea or Trail
The Nā Pali Coast runs about 17 miles along the northwest shore of Kauaʻi, where green fluted cliffs rise straight from the Pacific. There are no roads, so visitors see it by boat, by air, or on the Kalalau Trail, which is 11 miles one way to Kalalau Beach. The first two miles to Hanakāpīʻai are open with a state park entry reservation, and camping or hiking beyond requires a permit. Summer seas are calmest for boat tours, and winter surf can close the coast.
Little-Known Gem
Waimea Canyon: theGrand Canyon of the Pacific
Waimea Canyon State Park · Kauaʻi · Waimea
Most visitors to Kauaʻi head for the beaches and the Nā Pali Coast and miss the canyon above Waimea town. Waimea Canyon is about 10 miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep, with red and orange cliffs and green ridges cut by the Waimea River. Scenic lookouts along Waimea Canyon Drive and Kokeʻe State Park give wide views, and trails lead to waterfalls such as Waipoʻo Falls. Mornings are often clearest before clouds fill the canyon.
Hawaii Travel Questions
What are the best places to visit in Hawaii besides the beaches?
Three classics are Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Island of Hawaiʻi, Haleakalā National Park on Maui, and the Nā Pali Coast on Kauaʻi. A lesser-known stop is Waimea Canyon, also on Kauaʻi. Each island needs its own trip, so pick one or two islands for a first visit.
When is the best time to visit Hawaii?
April through October is generally drier and calmer on south and west shores, while winter brings bigger surf on north shores and more rain. Hawaii is busy in summer and around the holidays, so book early.
Do I need a reservation for the Haleakalā sunrise?
Yes. The National Park Service has required advance reservations for sunrise entry. Check the National Park Service website for the current system and book as soon as dates open.