Last Day of July Lava Update

Well, after the short-lived surface breakouts of a couple of weeks ago, there is not much to see again at the end of chain of craters road. You can walk a half mile on pavement and 200 yards on old lava to gaze at orange glow and steam plumes two miles away ... and that's about it. The more adventurous can always ask the rangers about hard-core hiking options that will get you closer, but you better be in shape and prepared to get cut up if you do this.

Remember you can always take a helicopter or small plane trip over the area too. Is it worth it right now? mmm probably - you aren't going to see anything like huge rivers of lava flowing above-ground, but you'll see a crater, a lot of steam, old lava, and maybe some red glowing lava here and there.