Kilauea Volcano Live Webcam: USGS Summit + Eruption Cams
Watch Kīlauea volcano live via the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) webcam network. The active summit caldera (Kaluapele) features multiple HD + thermal webcams at various rim positions — plus the K2cam pan-tilt-zoom research camera overlooking Halemaʻumaʻu. A new camera was installed December 19, 2025 to replace the V3 cam buried under 32 feet of lava. TrafficVision aggregates Hawaiian HDOT road cameras for visitors driving to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
VIEW KILAUEA LIVE CAMS →Kīlauea — Hawaiian for "spewing" — is one of the world's most active volcanoes and the most-watched live volcano webcam on the internet. Located on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa on Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island), Kīlauea sits within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and is monitored continuously by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). Per the USGS Kīlauea webcams page, HVO operates a network of HD cameras, thermal cameras, and pan-tilt-zoom cameras at various rim positions around the active Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera). Key cameras include:
- K2cam — pan-tilt-zoom research camera overlooking the summit caldera from Uēkahuna bluff
- KWcam — live panorama of Halemaʻumaʻu from the west rim of Kīlauea summit caldera, looking southeast
- Thermal cams — record heat rather than light, often giving better views through volcanic gas
Per Spectrum Local News, a new pan-tilt-zoom camera was installed December 19, 2025 to replace the previous V3 webcam which was buried under 32 feet of lava in December 2025. Third-party streaming mirrors include HDOnTap and Skyline Webcams.
Kīlauea Live Camera Network
K2cam (Summit PTZ)
Pan-tilt-zoom research camera
Located at Uēkahuna bluff overlooking Kaluapele. The view changes depending on what USGS is monitoring.
KWcam (West Rim)
Halemaʻumaʻu panorama
Live panorama from the west rim of the Kīlauea summit caldera, looking southeast. Shows the active lava lake during eruptions.
Thermal Cameras
Heat-detecting infrared
Thermal cams pick up heat rather than light — often the clearest view during volcanic gas plumes.
KE1cam / KVE cams
East rim monitoring
Multiple cameras on the east rim monitor active flow zones.
V3 Replacement Camera (Dec 2025)
Newest installation
New PTZ camera installed December 19, 2025 east of former V3 site (buried under 32 ft of lava).
Night Views
Incandescent-only
Kīlauea cameras capture night eruption glow — often the most spectacular imagery.
Road Access (Hawaii Route 11)
HDOT camera feeds
Hawaii Route 11 is the main access road to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from Hilo and Kona.
When to Check Kilauea Live Cams
Kīlauea Viewing + Activity Windows
- Active eruption periods — Peak cam viewing interest — watch Halemaʻumaʻu activity
- Sunrise + sunset — Best lighting for visual cams
- Nighttime (after dark) — Incandescent lava glow visible — spectacular
- Major eruption events — Spike in global viewer interest — servers sometimes overloaded
- Tour season (year-round) — Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP open year-round, closest access via Hilo airport (ITO)
- Kona-to-Volcano drive — Approximately 2 hours via Hawaii Route 11
- Hilo-to-Volcano drive — Approximately 45 minutes via Hawaii Route 11
- Chain of Craters Road — Closes periodically when lava threatens or covers
- VOG alerts — Volcanic gas (VOG) can affect air quality on the leeward (Kona) side
View Live Kilauea Cameras
Watch USGS Kīlauea live plus HDOT Hawaii road cameras for island travel — free, 24/7, no sign-up.
VIEW KILAUEA LIVE CAMS →Pro Tip: Visiting Kilauea + Live Cam Strategy
For in-person visits to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park:
- Fly into Hilo (ITO) for closest access — 45 min to park via Hawaii Route 11
- Fly into Kona (KOA) — 2+ hours via Hawaii Route 11 (scenic drive past Mauna Loa south)
- Park entrance fee: standard NPS fee or America the Beautiful pass
- Chain of Craters Road — scenic drive to the coast, subject to lava flow closures
- Nighttime visit: nothing beats seeing Halemaʻumaʻu's glow in person after dark
- USGS Cam alternative: the live cams let you "visit" Kīlauea from anywhere in the world, anytime
Volcano safety: Kīlauea eruptions shift constantly. Always check NPS Hawaiʻi Volcanoes current conditions before visiting. Air quality (VOG) can affect sensitive individuals.
For other live natural phenomena cameras, see our Yellowstone Old Faithful guide, Niagara Falls live webcam, Kennedy Space Center launch cameras, and Katmai bear cam guide.
For Hawaii travelers, see our Hawaii traffic cameras guide, Hawaii beach cams guide, Honolulu traffic cameras guide, Pacific Coast Highway guide, Yellowstone National Park guide, Yosemite guide, Grand Canyon guide, and Zion National Park guide.
Track Kilauea Live
Browse USGS Kīlauea webcams + HDOT road cameras for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park access.
VIEW KILAUEA LIVE CAMS →Where can I watch Kīlauea live?
Official USGS Kīlauea webcams are at usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/webcams. Mirror streams available on HDOnTap and Skyline Webcams.
Is Kīlauea currently erupting?
Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes with recurring eruption cycles at Halemaʻumaʻu. Check NPS Hawaiʻi Volcanoes or USGS Kīlauea status for current activity.
What happened to the V3 camera?
Per Spectrum Local News, the V3 webcam was buried under 32 feet of lava in December 2025. A new pan-tilt-zoom camera was installed December 19, 2025 in a closed part of the park east of the V3 site.
What are thermal webcams?
Thermal cameras detect heat rather than light — often providing the best view during volcanic gas plumes that obscure normal cameras. Halemaʻumaʻu's thermal cam is particularly useful during active eruptions.
Are Kilauea cameras free to view?
Yes. All USGS Kīlauea webcams are publicly accessible free of charge, 24/7.
Ready to Watch Kilauea Live?
Stream Hawaii's active volcano 24/7 via official USGS webcams — free, no sign-up.
VIEW KILAUEA LIVE CAMS →