Hawai'I Volcanoes National Park, Drive, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718, US

More than a million people visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park every year, drawn to lava, barren landscape, and numerous hiking trails. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend a few hours of multiple days exploring all the park offers. Visitors should note that lava's not always flowing and when it is there are often park closures; visit Area Closures and Advisories for the most up-to-date information.Must see and do at Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkCatching a glimpse of lava is on the list of many who visit the park. The glow of the lava lake can often be seen at the Kīlauea Caldera even when lava's not flowing; the best views are found at the Jagger Museum Overlook. For a peek of how lava travels underground, visit the Thurston Lava Tube, which takes about 20 minutes to walk through. Both of these attractions can be seen by traveling Crater Rim Drive, which is 11 miles long and takes visitors through a tropical rain forest, a desert, and plenty of hardened lava.Best and worst time to go to Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkHawaii, and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, is least crowded April-June and September-mid-December. Holidays can get crowded, and visitors might find more people around during Hilo's annual Merrie Monarch Festival.Admission to Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkThe entrance fee at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is about $15-$20 per vehicle. Visitors on bicycles or motorcycles pay a slightly lower rate of about $8-$12. The fee is good for entry for seven days. National Park Service has several free days each year; though the days vary they often include Presidents Day and Veterans Day.Wildlife at Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkHawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a haven for many animals, including several endangered species. The nene goose, Hawaiian petrel bird and hawksbill turtle can all be found here.Insider tip for Hawai'i Volcanoes National ParkThis national park never closes, so beat the crowds and see the glowing lava Kīlauea Caldera when it really shines, before sunrise.Author's bio: Elizabeth Xu is a freelance travel writer who calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, though she likes to visit Hawaii as often as possible. Follow her travels @ElizabethMXu.