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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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Overview

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located on Hawaii's Big Island, is a testament to the island's violent and dynamic geologic nature. The constantly changing environments and landscapes within the park serve as a reminder that the park is situated in an active volcanic zone. Visitors to the park can expect to experience everything from lush, tropical rainforests to vast, barren moonscapes. The park features many trails, some of which are easily accessible while others travel into far-fetched, remote areas of the park, giving visitors a variety of options to explore the amazing volcanic landscape.

To learn more about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, visit www.nps.gov.

Local Info

Visitor Centers:
The Kilauea Visitor Center is located on Crater Rim Drive a short distance from the entrance station. Note that hours are subject to change due to volcanic activity and visitation. Visit the park's website for current operating hours.

  • Kilauea Visitor Center: Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm
  • Jaggar Museum: Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm
  • Kahuku Unit: Open on weekends from 9 am to 3 pm/closed on weekdays and federal holidays

Visiting Tips

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Due to volcanic activity in the area, the facilities, trails, and roads within the park are often subject to closures. To see a current list of closures and advisories, visit the park's website.

Additionally, the weather in the park can be unpredictable so come prepared for rain, heat, and wind. For updates on current conditions as well as current volcanic activity in the park, click here.

Fees & Passes:
To learn more about park fees, click here.

Camping & Lodging

Camping:
There are two drive-up campgrounds located within the park. For more information regarding camping in the park, click here.

  • Namakanipaio Campground: Available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Kulanaokuaiki Campground: Available on a first come, first served basis.

Overnight backpacking and camping is allowed with a permit. Permits are free and can be obtained from the Backcountry Office from 8 am to 4 pm daily. Reservations can not be made for permits. Visit the park's website for more information.

Lodging:
Visitors who are looking for more creature comforts can make reservations at the Volcano House lodge. The lodge offers 33 historic guest rooms, a dining room, snack bar, lounge, and gift shop. The Volcano House also manages ten camper cabins as well as the Namakanipaio Campground. More information can be found online at hawaiivolcanohouse.com. Reservations can be made online or by calling 1-866-536-7972.

Food & Drink

Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at The Rim, a restaurant at the Volcano House that overlooks the rim of Kilauea caldera or grab a quick bite at the Volcano House snack bar. Apart from this restaurant, there are no other dining options located within the park.

Outfitters, Tours, & Shuttles

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers a variety of ranger-led programs to enrich your knowledge of the park's culture, history, and geology. All programs, unless otherwise specified, are free and open to the public. To learn more about these ranger-led programs and to see the current events calendar, click here.

Other Activities

Whether you have a few hours or a couple days to explore the park, Hawaii Volcanoes offers a variety of activities to fill your visit ranging from easy day hikes, extensive backcountry treks, camping on the beach, road biking or driving to the many scenic viewpoints along the roads. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes' website for more information on the park's other activities. Additionally, if you are spending more time in the area, be sure to check out the great variety of rock climbing that the big island has to offer. Also, be sure to take advantage of the beautiful beaches and pristine waters of the island while swimming, snorkeling, and sailing. More information on planning your visit can be found here.

Maps & Guidebooks

To download a variety of free brochures to help plan your visit, click here.

Gems in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 2

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Gems

gem Favorite Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, United States

Thurston Lava Tube

(30) Volcano, HI
gem Favorite More petroglyphs etched into the lava.

Puu Loa Petroglyphs

(6) Volcano, HI

Recommended Routes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 5

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Recommended Routes

Favorite Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, United States
Intermediate Intermediate

Kilauea Iki Crater Loop

3.3 mi 5.3 km 472' Up 143.77 m Up 458' Down 139.51 m Down

Volcano, HI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Hilina Pali
Difficult Difficult

Hilina Pali Overlook Loop

8.1 mi 13.1 km 2,070' Up 631 m Up 2,074' Down 632.28 m Down

Volcano, HI
Explore in 3D
Favorite Kipukapuaulu Trail.
Easy Easy

Kīpukapuaulu Trail

1.1 mi 1.8 km 164' Up 50.11 m Up 164' Down 49.92 m Down

Volcano, HI
Explore in 3D
Favorite More petroglyphs etched into the lava.
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs

1.2 mi 2.0 km 17' Up 5.27 m Up 17' Down 5.19 m Down

Volcano, HI
Explore in 3D
Favorite This road didn't last long!
Intermediate Intermediate

Mauna Ulu Eruption

3.0 mi 4.8 km 214' Up 65.29 m Up 214' Down 65.13 m Down

Volcano, HI
Explore in 3D

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Hiking

  • 141 Miles 226 Kilometers of Trail
  • 5 Recommended Routes
  • 2 Gems Gems
  • 22 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 27 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 3 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Share what you know about this area!

Weather Averages


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J F M A M J J A S O N D

Trails in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 47

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Trails

2.1 mi 3.4 km #1Kileauea Iki Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
2.0 mi 3.2 km #2North Pit Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI
18.2 mi 29.3 km #3Ka'u Desert Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
2.9 mi 4.6 km #4Halema'uma'u Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
2.9 mi 4.7 km #5Crater Rim Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Volcano, HI
1.3 mi 2.0 km #6Halape Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
3.8 mi 6.2 km #7Observatory Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Kealakekua, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Kealakekua, HI
6.1 mi 9.9 km #8Napau Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
7.0 mi 11.2 km #9Keauhou Trail
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
Volcano, HI
2.7 mi 4.4 km #10Mauna Loa Summit Trail
Intermediate Intermediate
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI
Intermediate Intermediate
Honaunau-Napoopoo, HI

Photos of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - 102

Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Add Your Photos

Kilauea.
Sep 17, 2015 near Volcano, HI
Thurston lava tube, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Sep 25, 2016 near Volcano, HI
An epic sunset bolsters the view of lava flowing into the ocean from the edge of the flow in April 2017.
Apr 17, 2017 near Hawaiia…, HI
Steam billows from active lava flows plunging into the sea.
May 12, 2017 near Hawaiia…, HI
Lava flowing on the Big Island
Nov 26, 2017 near Volcano, HI
Lava
Nov 26, 2017 near Volcano, HI
Dark Morning Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Apr 1, 2020 near Fern Acres, HI
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, United States
Apr 1, 2020 near Volcano, HI

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