The Sulphur Banks Trailhead is located near the visitor center.
The walk through the Sulphur Banks area is either on a boardwalk or an asphalt path. It is ADA accessible and great for kids and strollers.
Sulphur Banks, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
A road ran through this area until 2005, when it was removed so the area could recover.
The walk through the Sulphur Banks area is either on a boardwalk or an asphalt path. It is ADA accessible and great for kids and strollers.
Sulphur Banks, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
A steam vent fuming in the Sulphur Banks, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
The walk through the Sulphur Banks area is either on a boardwalk or an asphalt path. It is ADA accessible and great for kids and strollers.
Sulphur dioxide escapes in concentrations high enough to leave crystals behind on the rocks.
Sulphur dioxide escapes in concentrations high enough to leave crystals behind on the rocks.
Sulphur dioxide escapes in concentrations high enough to leave crystals behind on the rocks.
Ferns take on artful forms along the trail.
The 'ōhi'a lehua bush is uniquely adapted to tolerate the sulphur dioxide in the area.
The Sulphur Banks, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
While most of the venting here is simply surface water that has been vaporized by the superheated rock beneath, sulfur dioxide is also released and can be dangerous in high concentrations.
Returning to the visitor center along the Crater Rim Trail allows for a loop. This section is a narrow trail that is not ADA-accessible.
Steam vents along the Crater Rim Trail. When surface water drains down to the superheated rock below, it vaporizes and rises as steam.
Steam vents along the Crater Rim Trail. When surface water drains down to the superheated rock below, it vaporizes and rises as steam.
The Crater Rim Trail features incredibly dense vegetation on either side of the trail.
The fuming Halema'uma'u Crater in the Kīlauea Caldera, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
Returning on the Crater Rim Trail.
Bamboo orchid along the Crater Rim Trail.
Unidentified species (help us identify it by providing feedback).
Trail junctions are well signed; you'll want to stay left here to return to the visitor center.
The loop returns to the visitor center.