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Hawaii · Est. 1916

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Last verified $30 / vehicle

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park protects some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes - Kīlauea and Mauna Loa - and is a designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. — nps.gov

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOESHAWAII19.34°N · 155.47°W
Fountains of molten lava erupting from within a crater next to a whirlwind formed from the eruption.
Photo: NPS Photo

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park at a glance

State
Hawaii
Established
August 1, 1916
Size
344,812 acres
2025 visits
1,877,854
Busiest-park rank
#18 of 63
Entrance
$30 / vehicle

Best time to visit

When is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes quiet?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is busiest in December and quietest in April. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, May is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.

In 2025 the park logged 1,877,854 recreation visits, the #18 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.

Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes open right now? →

Average visits by month

2021–2025 · NPS IRMA
JFMAMJJASOND
Monthly recreation visits: Jan 142,358, Feb 123,884, Mar 119,145, Apr 109,889, May 112,776, Jun 145,127, Jul 146,134, Aug 139,355, Sep 116,627, Oct 117,453, Nov 131,594, Dec 150,746.

Quietest: AprilBusiest: December

Fees & passes

What it costs to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Private vehicle$30
Motorcycle$25
Per person (on foot / bike)$15

From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026.

Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.

Reservations · 2026

No park-wide reservation

The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.

Every park that needs a reservation in 2026 →

Things to do

Things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

The National Park Service lists 24 things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, from quick stops to full-day outings. The shortest come first.
All activities →
  • Hōlei Sea Arch20-30 Minutes

    Walk a short distance to a view of dramatic sea cliffs and a 90-foot high arch sculpted by the sea.

  • Visit Kahuku: Kamakapaʻa Trail20-30 Minutes

    A walk up to a small cinder cone surrounded by rolling, grassy meadows

  • Devastation Trail30-60 Minutes

    Stroll on a paved path through a recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.

  • Haʻakulamanu via Sulphur Banks Trail30-45 Minutes

    See where volcanic gases have deposited colorful crystals.

  • Nāhuku Lava Tube Trail30-90 Minutes

    Walk through lush rainforest and see a cave where a river of lava flowed 500 years ago.

  • Visit Kahuku: Puʻu o Lokuana30-120 Minutes

    Hike to the top of Puʻu o Lokuana cinder cone, with choices for a shorter or longer loop.

  • Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge)45-60 Minutes · All year

    Walk along an old road damaged by an earthquake in 1983 and get panoramic views of Kaluapele

  • Crater Rim Trail1-6 Hours

    Catch views of Kīlauea caldera, feel the breath of the volcano at Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu), and walk through lush rainforest.

Show all 24 things to do

From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.

By activity

The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.

Weather

Weather at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

The weather the summit of Kīlauea (~4000' elevation) varies daily and may be rainy and chilly any time of the year. Temperature varies by elevation. At the summit of the volcano, temperatures may be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than at sea level. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry, and windy with the possibility of passing showers.

From the National Park Service.

Getting there

Getting to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Island of Hawai‘i. From Hilo: 30 miles southwest on Highway 11 (45 minute drive); from Kailua-Kona: 96 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via Highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).

1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii National Park, HI, 96718 · Directions on nps.gov

Nearby

National parks near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

  1. Haleakalā National Park105 miNo road connection (separated by water)
  2. Pinnacles National Park2,387 miNo road connection (separated by water)
  3. Redwood National and State Parks2,392 miNo road connection (separated by water)
  4. Channel Islands National Park2,402 miNo road connection (separated by water)
  5. Lassen Volcanic National Park2,484 miNo road connection (separated by water)
  6. Yosemite National Park2,504 miNo road connection (separated by water)

Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.

Photos of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A cloud-filled volcanic crater at sunrise with a mountain rising behind
Photo: NPS Photo/J. Wei
Lava flows and ferns in front of a cliff at sunset
Photo: NPS Photo/A. LaValle

FAQ

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, quickly

When is the best time to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
If you want fewer people, go in May, the quietest shoulder-season month. December is the busiest month on average, and April the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
How much does it cost to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
$30 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
Do you need a reservation for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in 2026?
The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
What are some things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park?
The National Park Service lists 24 things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including Hōlei Sea Arch, Visit Kahuku: Kamakapaʻa Trail, Devastation Trail, Haʻakulamanu via Sulphur Banks Trail, Nāhuku Lava Tube Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
When did Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park become a national park?
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was established as a national park on August 1, 1916.
What is the closest national park to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?
Haleakalā National Park, about 105 miles away in a straight line.

Sources · 3

  1. 1.Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — official site · National Park Service
  2. 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
  3. 3.Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)

About this page

Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/havo.

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