Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on the island of Hawai'i, the entrance to the Park is approximately 29 miles southwest of Hilo, off Highway 11. This is the only volcano in the United States where you can drive into the crater. Upon entering the Park, stop at the Visitor Center at Kilauea. There's a lot of cool information on volcanoes and they also show a movie on volcanoes in the theater.
I recommend turning right onto Crater Rim Drive. The first point of interest is on the right side. It's an area where hot gases, rich in sulfur, are discharged from the earth.
Continue right on Crater Rim Drive, you will be driving on an area known as Steaming Bluff. The next point of interest will be on your left side. This is were the earth is letting out some steam.
As you continue towards the Volcano Observatory and the Jagger Museum, be sure to stop at the overlooks to get a panoramic view of Kilauea Caldera.
Inside Kilauea, look to the right and you will see another crater in the crater, Halema'uma'u.
At the Volcano Observatory, you will find more detailed exhibits on volcanism. Once you leave the observatory, your next point of interest will be the South West Rift Zone. As you continue around Crater Rim Drive, the next stop will be the Halema'uma'u Crater. The area surrounding this crater warns you that the Kilauea is not dormant as evident by the toxic gas emissions.
At Halema'uma'u, you can take a short walk to get a better view. If you have a health condition where breathing toxic gases are unadvisable, stay in your car. Many local Hawaiians pray and offer gifts at this site. Don't be sacrilegious and mess up their shrines and offerings. For your own safety stay behind the guard rails.
Continuing on the Crater Rim Drive, you can go back toward the Visitor Center or turn right on the Chain of Craters Road. On the way back to the visitor center, stop and walk through the Thurston Lava Tube.
The Chain of Craters Road will take you to the active volcanic activity at Kilauea and Pu'u 'O'o. Check the current conditions of volcanic activity at the Visitor Center before proceeding. Take water, a flashlight and warm clothing.
These are photos from October 1994
Prior lava flows from Pu'u 'O'o have covered the road. The park rangers have posted signs prohibiting further passage. For you safety, it is important to obey all posted signs.
The deltas will collapse and this area of blacksand ceases to exist.
These are photos from October 1996. The red lava activity has diminished but lava from tubes entering the ocean have created acid clouds.
As a result of the volcanic activity, neighboring islands such as Maui have been experiencing problems with dirty hazy air (known as VOG).
These are photos from October 1998
For current conditions on volcanic activity, visit Volcano Watch presented by the US Geological Survey at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.