helicopter or hike?

I am coming to the BI to see VNP. I am trying to decide whether to do a night hike to see lava or see lava from air. If anyone has been to Kilauea flow lately, can you please tell me if there is a dramatic difference between the 2 options. My wife and I are in young and in great shape so the difficulty of the hike wont be an issue. Thanks for your help!!

helicopter or hike?

both...Both...BOTH!

Have been to VNP a number of times; most recently mid-February.

The Chopper flights only operate during the day and there is virtually no redundancy in also going to the end of Chain of Craters Road and hiking as close as is safely possible after sundown.

Suggest an AM Helicopter flight, followed by a tour of the park, an early dinner at the Volcano House Restaurant, then on to the nightly lava show.

nps.gov/havo/ will take you to the park website; click on current ';view lava flow safely'; information.

volcanohousehotel.com/Dining.htm will provide info on the Ka Ohelo Dining Room.

helicopter or hike?

the closest you will get by hiking is 1 mile away, with a Helicopter.. 600 to 800 feet

For sure on the one mile Dan; forgot to mention that this is among my top three locations for a zoom-lens camera. My fool-proof Panasonic Lumix ';point %26amp; shoot'; 36x really came in handy.