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The park is open 24 hours a day all year. Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily from 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Jaggar Museum, which offers earth science displays and features murals depicting Hawaiian culture, is open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Volcano Art Center Gallery, located adjacent to the Kilauea Visitor Center, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. These are all wheelchair assessable. Over 1 million people visit the park each year.

Start your visit at the Kilauea Visitor Center located just beyond the park’s entrance station. Here, you will receive the latest information on trails, ranger-led activities, road conditions, and safety precautions. Because of the dynamic nature of the two active volcanoes in the park, conditions can change rapidly. “Born of Fire, Born of the Sea” is the featured 25 minute film that is shown in the Kilauea Visitor Center on the hour throughout the day. Rangers working in the Kilauea Visitor Center assist Park visitors. The schedule of ranger presentations is posted on the Ranger Activities bulletin board in the Kilauea Visitor Center each morning at 9:00 a.m. Walks may be wheelchair accessible, beginning at the Visitor Center and ending with a spectacular view of Kilauea’s caldera, or may be longer hikes through a crater, lava tube, across fairly new lava to see lava trees, or to view Hawaiian petroglyphs. Ranger-led walks enrich your knowledge of park resources and Hawaiian culture.

The park encompasses 333,000 acres and ranges from sea level to the summit of the earth’s most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet. Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, offers scientists insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and visitors views of dramatic volcanic landscapes. The park is a fascinating world of active volcanism, biological diversity, and Hawaiian culture, past and present.

Well-known for its volcanic significance, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is also one of the most fascinating biologic landscapes in the world. Located over 2000 miles from the nearest continental land mass, the Hawaiian Archipelago is the most geographically isolated group of islands on Earth. The Park sits on the southeastern edge of the youngest and largest island at a latitude of 19°N. The Park protects a wide diversity of ecosystems and habitat for numerous native Hawaiian species such carnivorous caterpillars, happy face spiders, the largest dragonfly in the United States, crickets partial to new lava flows, a host of fascinating birds, endangered sea turtles, the native Hawaiian Bat, and colorful Hawaiian honeycreepers.

Hawaiian plants and animals began to evolve over 70 million years ago in nearly complete isolation and over 90% of the native terrestrial flora and fauna in Hawai’i are found only in the Hawaiian Islands. This level of endemism surpasses all other places on Earth— even the Galapagos Islands. Consequently, the Park is a fantastic laboratory for the study of biogeography and evolution within the Pacific Islands.

The Hawaiian Islands are known for evolving the most spectacular land bird assemblage on a remote oceanic archipelago. Of the 23 surviving endemic Hawaiian songbird species, those living within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park include six Hawaiian honeycreepers; ‘apapane, ‘amakihi, ‘i`iwi, and three federally listed as endangered; ‘akepa, ‘akiapola‘au, and the Hawai’i creeper. There are also a native thrush (‘oma`o) and a native monarch (‘elepaio). Another three species of endemic Hawaiian birds found within the Park are also endangered; the nene, or Hawaiian goose, Hawaiian petrel, and ‘io or Hawaiian hawk.

Despite their protected status, the Park’s treasure trove of species faces decimating threats. Declining habitat outside Park boundaries, invasive plants, bird malaria, wildfires, feral cats and pigs, and introduced goats, sheep, rats, mongoose, ants, and wasps are all taking a toll. The control of mouflon sheep, feral cattle, goats, and pigs is necessary to protect and restore native ecosystems. Hunting parties of volunteers often spend eight-hour long hikes looking for these creatures. They are encouraged to salvage the meat. The animals do much damage to the environment and prevent the park from maintaining native species.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park harbors a plant paradise. Along the wind-scoured coastal plain, lone tendrils of an a’e fern peer from cracks in endless flows of hardened lava. At the Park’s mid-elevation, blazing blooms of ‘ohi’a trees and towering fronds of giant hapu’u, a tree fern, rise amid a tangle of misty rain forest. Miles above, the distinctive rosette of the endangered Mauna Loa silversword clings to an alpine ledge. Evolving over 70 million years ago in nearly complete isolation, more than 90% of the State’s native flora is found only in the Hawaiian Islands. Today, the Park harbors the descendents of those first colonizers—numerous marvels such as mintless mints and nettleless nettles—plants adapted to life without plant-eating mammals. These are just a few of the amazing diversity of plants living within the Park.

The intriguing story of plants within the Park includes a host of chapters such as the extreme isolation of the Hawaiian Archipelago, the processes by which flora and fauna arrived and developed and the influences of lava flows of varying age, texture and chemical composition. Moisture brought by prevailing trade winds delivers extreme differences in annual rainfall— varying from 20 inches on the coast to more than 144 inches at mid-elevation windward areas. Acid rain from the eruptions of Kilauea Volcano paints chemical deserts across miles of lava flows within the Park as ongoing lava flows form new landscapes. Volcanic topography has created a striking elevational gradient within the Park sweeping from Mauna Loa’s vast alpine crater at 13,677 feet in elevation down to wind-swept coastal shores. Together, all these influences create a remarkable mix of habitats in seven ecological life zones: seacoast, lowland, mid-elevation woodland, rain forest, upland forest and woodland, sub-alpine and alpine/Aeolian.

Four endangered species, the nene, Hawaiian petrel, hawksbill turtle and Mauna Loa silversword are targeted for full recovery by the National Park Service staff and its partners, who are aggressively engaged in restoring habitat, guarding nest sites, monitoring threats and population impacts, and removing alien wildlife.
Accessibility to the ongoing eruptions of Kilauea Volcano and the periodic eruptions of Mauna Loa, offers opportunity for the scientist and casual observer alike, to witness the formation of an array of astounding geologic features including new cinder cones, glowing pit craters, rivers of lava and fountains of spatter. The island of Hawai’i actually consists of five volcanoes as part of a volcanic chain of islands created over a 70-million-year period by the northwestward movement of the ocean floor over a fixed hot spot in the Earth’s mantle. Molten rock rising from this hot spot, about 60 to 70 miles beneath the ocean floor, is currently fueling the continuous eruptions of Kilauea Volcano within the Park.

Lava enters the ocean at 2,100°F (1,140°C). Sea water explodes into steam and boiling water. Molten lava and rocks blast skyward. Blocks the size of microwave ovens are tossed hundreds of yards/meters inland. Ocean waves wash on hot lava and flash to steam. In June 1998, large violent steam explosions began without warning, throwing molten lava in all directions. Falling debris built a 30 foot (10 m) spatter cone at the lava entry within 15 minutes.

New land, called a bench, is formed where lava enters the ocean. The bench is unstable and can collapse into the sea without warning. Bench collapses are frequent and continuous. In April 1993, one person entered a closed bench area and died when the half-acre he was standing on collapsed. More than twelve others, who were standing nearby, required medical attention. In December 1996, a huge 27 acre bench collapsed into the sea without warning.

Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands migrated to Hawaii over 1,600 years ago. Navigating by the sun and stars, reading the winds, currents, and the flight of seabirds, Polynesians sailed across 2,400 miles of open ocean in great double-hulled canoes. They brought with them items essential to their survival: pua’a (pigs), `ilio (dogs), and moa (chickens); the roots of kalo (taro) and `uala (sweet potato); the seeds and saplings of niu (coconut), mai`a (banana), ko (sugar cane), and other edible and medicinal plants. Polynesians were well-established on the islands when about 800 years ago, Polynesians from the Society Islands arrived in Hawaii. Claiming descent from the greatest gods, they became the new rulers of Hawaii. After a time of voyaging back and forth between the Society Islands and the Hawaiian Archipelago, contact with southern Polynesia ceased. During the 400 years of isolation that followed, a unique Hawaiian culture developed.

Hawaii was a highly stratified society with strictly maintained castes. The ali`i (chiefs) headed the social pyramid and ruled over the land. Highly regarded and sometimes feared, the kahuna (professionals) were experts on religious ritual or specialists in canoe-building, herbal medicine, and healing. The maka`ainana (commoners) farmed and fished; built walls, houses, and fishponds; and paid taxes to the paramount chiefs and his chiefs. Kauwa, the lowest class, were outcasts or slaves.

Village life was rich and varied: Hawaiians fished in coastal waters and collected shellfish, seaweed, and salt along the shore. They raised pigs, dogs, and chickens and harvested sweet potatoes, taro, and other crops. Men pounded taro into poi (the staple food of Hawaiians), while women beat the inner bark of wauke (paper mulberry) into kapa (bark cloth). They worshipped akua (gods) and `aumakua (guardian spirits) and chronicled their history through oli (chant), mele (song) and hula (dance). Over several hundred years the people of Hawaii cultivated traditions that were passed on through generations. But the sounds of taro pounding and kapa beating, rhythmical signatures of Hawaiian village life, would fade away after Captain James Cook arrived in 1778 and introduced the rest of the world to Hawaii.

Unfortunately, plants that have survived for millennia now face tremendous threats from alien invasive plants and wildlife species, creating great challenges for resource managers. Within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park are 23 species of endangered vascular plants including 15 species of endangered trees. The race to recover the Park’s native landscapes and endangered plants is a major commitment of the Resources Management Division. Most visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park are enchanted by its active volcanic personality and its misty cloak of rainforest. Many never realize that its underlying treasure of native plants, animals and habitats faces an ecological crisis. Unfortunately, setting aside protected natural areas is not enough. The race to control invasives and restore native ecosystems, as well as to recover the Park’s endangered plants and animals, requires an aggressive commitment of time and funds. The strategy focuses first on removal of alien ungulates such as mouflon sheep, planting of common natives in Park landscapes that have been disturbed by ungulates or wildfire, control of invasive species and planting of endangered and rare plants.

Expect rain! Rain clouds can overcome sunny skies in minutes. Weather is extremely variable in the park. Along the coast it can be hot, dry, and sunny. At the volcano’s summit it can be cold, wet, and windy. Weather at Kilauea’s summit (4000′ elevation) fluctuates daily and can be rainy and chilly any time of the year. Temperature varies by elevation and it is generally about 14 degrees cooler at the summit than it is at sea level. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry, and windy with the chance of passing showers. Consult climate and weather information to prepare accordingly for your trip. For the island weather forecast, call (808) 961-5582. Bring rain gear, light sweaters or jackets, sturdy shoes, hats, water bottles, sun glasses and high UV factor sunscreen.

For camping, note that weather may be cool and damp year-round. Daytime temperature range: 60s to 70s F. Nighttime temperature range: high 30s to low 50s F for Namakanipaio campground. For Kulanaokuaiki campground, nighttime temperature range is high 40s to high 60s degrees F. Daytime temperature range: high 60s to 90s degrees F. It is suggested that you use a tent with a good rainfly and bring warm clothing for cool days and evenings for both campsites. Also bring rain gear, sleeping bag and mat, compass, topographical map, signal whistle, first aid kit, repair kit, food, camp stove, fuel, water filtering system or 3-4 quarts of water a day, collapsible water container, 2 quart water bottle, insect repellent, matches, candle or fire starter, and flashlights with extra batteries. Fires are only permitted in barbeque pits. They do not have streams in the park so backpackers may have to bring in all their own water. Some campgrounds have water collection systems. Updates on their current water levels are available at the Kilauea Visitor Center so check before you go while obtaining your permit!

Use the ‘Leave-No-Trace’ principles-pack out what you pack in and don’t remove, destroy, or in other ways tamper with the wilderness. Please respect all archaeological sites and artifacts left by ancient Hawaiians. Do not move any rocks, climb on or alter any rock structures, such as lava trees, walls, heiau (ancient temples), or petroglyphs (rock engravings). Entry into caves is prohibited. Dogs and firearms are prohibited in the wilderness.

Hiking over rocky terrain is strenuous. Allow 1/2 hour per mile when hiking on mid-elevation trails and more time as you gain elevation. Add additional time for scenic stops, and water breaks. Hikers must stay on established trails. The ahu (stone cairn) trail markers can be difficult on first sight to distinguish from the surrounding lava. However, the trails are well marked and hikers soon become accustomed to spotting the cairns in the black lava fields. Avoid cliffs, earthcracks and steam vents; the edges of these features are unstable and can be slippery. Hiking over cracks, loose rock and thin lava crusts increases your risk of injury. Rain causes the glassy lava surface to become especially slippery. Falling on lava can result in severe wounds. Be prepared with a first aid kit equipped to treat any wounds. Wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes (hiking boots are best) and long pants. Lava fields are shadeless and hot. Sunlight may be intense. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and drink plenty of fluids. Carry at least one quart/liter of water per person even on the shortest trails. Start your trek early to avoid being on park trails during the hottest times of the day. Avoid hiking after dark. All day hikers and overnight wilderness hikers must register and obtain a free permit at Kilauea Visitor Center. Permits are issued on a first-come basis no earlier than the day before your hike. Overnight stays at campgrounds are limited. Check with rangers at the Kilauea Visitor Center for specific campground locations and allowable numbers.

At the completion of your hike, report out by stopping at the Kilauea Visitor Center and informing the ranger that you have completed your hike. Permits are issued because of the dynamic nature of this volcano. In the event of an eruption, it is important for rangers to know who may be in danger. Before you go, leave a trip plan with another person. Make sure they understand that should you be lost or injured on the trail, they are your only link to help and should report you overdue if you fail to contact them by a predesignated time. If lost, stay where you are. Use bright colors and reflective materials to attract attention. Rangers will not start a wilderness search until 24 hours after they are notified that a hiker is missing. To report a lost or overdue hiker, call Hawaii County 911.

Bicyclists, protect the fragile lava features, rare plants, and archeological sites. Ride only on designated bike routes. Planning is important to ensure a safe bicycle trip. Stop at Kilauea Visitor Center for trip information, current road conditions and eruption updates. Also at the Visitor Center, pick up the “Bike the Volcanoes” leaflet, complete with trip suggestions. Most visitors travel in cars and buses so traffic is heaviest between 10am and 3pm, especially on Crater Rim Drive. Be alert! Narrow winding roads through the rain forest limit visibility and pose hazards to bicyclists. Always ride single file on the right side of the road. Do not weave in and out. Stop at stop signs and don’t exceed the speed limit. Watch for and yield to hikers, horses and nene (Hawaiian Geese). Control your downhill speed. Call out a warning before overtaking other trail users. Bike out what you bike in. Leave no Trace!

Know your mountain biking abilities before beginning a trip in the Park. In some sections, you will climb as much as 2,500 feet in 6 miles (600 m in 10 km). Take and drink plenty of water. Wear a bicycle helmet. State law requires that children under the age of 17 wear helmets. Wear bright reflective clothing to be easily seen by motorists. Avoid overexposure to the intense sun. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen. Stay on designated bike routes to avoid cracks and cliffs. A bicycle map and trip suggestions are available at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Carry spare equipment for minor repairs. Cell-phone service is not always available in many areas of the park.

Hydrochloric gas and steam plume is found at the lava ocean entry at the end of Chain of Craters Road. The plume can travel great distances, carried by both offshore and onshore winds. Sulfur dioxide gas and sulfuric acid mist can make breathing difficult especially near Halema’uma’u Crater and on the lower half of Chain of Craters Road. At times, the entire park can be affected. On those days vigorous physical activity should be avoided. Individuals with respiratory or heart conditions, infants and pregnant women should be especially careful to avoid prolonged exposure to volcanic air pollution.

While venturing out to see the volcanoes, remember these important tips. Don’t venture out onto the new land and black sand beaches created when lava enters the ocean. Stay away from the fume cloud/plume created when lava enters the ocean. Volcanic eruptions are possible at any time. In the unlikely event of a lava outbreak along the trail, move uphill and upwind of eruptive activity. Earth cracks, thin crusts, and lava tubes are numerous. If you have asthma or any other pre-existing breathing or heart problem, these fumes can be life-threatening. Sea cliffs in this area are 80 feet high, very unstable, crumbling, and prone to collapse. Stay well back from the cliff edge and at least 1/4 mile away from the steam/fume cloud produced when lava enters the ocean. During the day, temperatures soar into the high 90s. At times, the radiant heat off the active lava flow combines with high humidity to make it feel like a sauna. Carry and drink 3 to 4 quarts of water per person. The elderly, infants, and those taking antihistamines and certain types of medication for high blood pressure or depression are especially at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Bring a reliable flashlight and extra batteries. There are no lights to light your way back to your car after dark. Wear sensible shoes, long (lightweight) hiking pants, and lightweight garden gloves to give added protection from falls on lava (50% silica – it’s glass!). Bring binoculars to see lava from a safe distance. A first aid kit is useful. Check with Park Rangers for current conditions and location of active flows before embarking on this trek. Visitors should be physically fit and capable of hiking for miles on hummocky (lumpy/uneven) surfaces with cracks and shards of razor-sharp rock.

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Do not feed or harass the wildlife.

Entrance fees for the park are $10.00/ 7 Days for cars, $5.00/ 7days for individuals, and $25.00 for an annual tri-park pass.

Persons holding a valid Golden Age Passport (available to U.S. citizens or residents 62 years of age or older for a one-time fee of $10.00), Golden Eagle Passport, or National Park Pass ($50.00 pass is good for 1 full year from date of purchase and allows entrance to any national park that charges an entrance fee) are admitted free of charge.

Namakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki are two drive-in campgrounds located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. These campgrounds are free – the only fee that applies is your entrance fee to the park. Camping is available on a first-come basis. No reservations, no permits, and no check-in are necessary. Stays are limited to 7 days in a month and cannot exceed 30 days per year.

Namakanipaio campground is open year round and is located off Highway 11, 31 1/2 miles out of Hilo at 4,000′ elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and ohi’a trees. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. The large pavilion has picnic tables and a fire place (no firewood is available). The pavilion has not been rebuilt since it was destroyed in the February 28, 2004 wind storm.

Kulanaokuaiki campground is open year round and is located at 2,700′ elevation and about 5 miles down the Hilina Pali Road. Kulanaokuaiki is a new campground with only 3 sites available for camping. 2 of these sites are wheelchair accessible. There are barbecue grills, a vault toilet, and picnic tables. There is no water at this location. Located at a lower elevation than Namakanipaio, this campground may have drier and warmer weather.

Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Mauna Kea State Park, and Kekaha Kai State Park are all worth visiting.

Hilo and Kona airports are served by inter-island carriers. Some major airlines have direct flights to Kona from the continental U.S.

Located on Hawaii, often called the “Big Island”, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is 96 miles from Kailua-Kona driving southeast on HWY11 (2 to 2 1/2 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2 1/2 hour drive). The park is 30 miles from Hilo (45 minute drive). Vehicles may be rented at the Hilo and Kona airports. Most major car rental companies are represented at both airports.

At various locations the public bus, commercial tour buses, taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles are available. No rental vehicles or bicycles may be obtained in the park.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:

By Car:

Holualoa, HI – 91.26 miles

Hilo, HI – 30.10 miles

Captain Cook, HI – 81.97 miles

Kailua-Kona, HI – 96 miles

By Plane:

ATA is the only major airline that offers direct flights from the continental U.S. and Canada to Hilo – 30 miles

United Airlines offer direct flights to Kona – 100 miles

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052
Visitor Information (808) 985-6000

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