Parks / Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
National Park · HI
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.
Official NPS page →Current Alerts (5)
Kahuku Unit Will Partially Reopen Thurs., Sept. 3
The Visitor Contact Station and several trails in the Kahuku Unit will reopen on Thursday, September 3. Other areas in Kahuku will remain closed following Hurricane Lala which impacted the Kaʻū District the hardest. Staff are continuing to address damage to roads, trails and other infrastructure.
Most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Now Open
The remaining storm and safety closures that remain include Mauna Loa Road beyond the gate at Kīpukapuaulu, Kīpukapuaulu Trail, and Nāmakanipaio Campground and cabins. The Kahuku Unit will partially reopen 9/3/2026.
Sulphur Banks Bridge Closed; Boardwalk is Open
The Sulphur Banks Bridge is damaged and closed until further notice. The Haʻakulamanu area, boardwalk and Sulphur Banks Trail are open and accessible from the west side near Steam Vents.
Kīlauea eruption
Volcanic eruptions can be hazardous. Stay out of closed areas and monitor air quality. Eruptions can last a few hours and are often separated by pauses lasting several weeks.
Protect Yourself from Volcanic Tephra
Volcanic ash, rock and glassy strands (tephra) is present at Kīlauea summit and can irritate your skin, eyes and respiratory system. For your safety, do not handle it. Eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, a hat, closed-toe shoes and a dust mask are recommended.
Entrance Fees
All visitors at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park are required to pay an entrance fee. If you already have a valid, America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass or Hawaiʻi Annual Tri-Park Pass, you are not required to purchase a digital pass through Recreation.gov. If you arrive to the park entrance and it is not staffed, purchase an online pass or pay at the entrance at another time. Once purchased, passes must be printed or saved as a screenshot. Connectivity is limited, and the digital pass must be available to show at all times when visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. For purposes of upgrading to annual or lifetime passes: Digital passes may be accepted at parks other than Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, as credit towards an upgrade to annual or lifetime passes, within 7 days from the date of purchase. Passes are non-transferrable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.
The annual pass is valid for entrance fees for pass holder and occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Haleakalā National Park, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.
Campgrounds (2)
Kulanaokuaiki
Kulanaokuaiki is located off Hilina Pali Road at 3,200 feet (975 m), there are nine walk-in campsites with picnic tables. There is an accessible vault toilet; however, no water is available and campfires are not permitted. Use fueled camping stoves only. This campground is subject to closure when the area is dry and during times of high fire risk. No dogs or pets are allowed at this campground to protect endangered nene.
Details →Nāmakanipaio
Nāmakanipaio Campground is located 31.5 miles south of Hilo on Highway-11 at 4,000' elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and 'ōhi'a trees. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables and barbecue pits. Campfires are permitted in the barbeque pits only. If there are more than 2 people in your party, you can expand to 4 people per site with another tent. Maximum stay is 7 days.
Details →Upcoming Events
Explore the Summit
Aug 31, 2026
Life on the Edge
Aug 31, 2026 · Meet the ranger at Uēkahuna parking area. Programs may be canceled due to hazardous weather or volcanic conditions. Stop by the Welcome Center for the latest updates, locations, and details.
Things to Do
Backcountry Camp at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Looking for solitude or adventure? The vast backcountry on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa provides ample opportunities.
Become a Junior Ranger at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
Earn your official Junior Ranger badge at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Birdwatching at Kīpukapuaulu
Look for birds in a unique area of biological diversity with rare and endangered species.
Crater Rim Trail
Catch views of Kīlauea caldera, feel the breath of the volcano at Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu), and walk through lush rainforest.
Devastation Trail
Stroll on a paved path through a recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.
Footprints Area
Traverse the rugged Kaʻū Desert and see footprints left by Native Hawaiians long ago.
Haʻakulamanu via Sulphur Banks Trail
See where volcanic gases have deposited colorful crystals.
Halemaʻumaʻu Trail
Hike down to the floor of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), with possible longer connections to Byron Ledge, Kīlauea Iki, and Nāhuku.
Hōlei Sea Arch
Walk a short distance to a view of dramatic sea cliffs and a 90-foot high arch sculpted by the sea.
Keanakākoʻi
Walk along an old portion of Crater Rim Drive to Keanakāko'i Crater and views toward the massive Halemaʻumaʻu.
Kīlauea Iki Trail
Descend 400 feet (122 m) through rainforest into a volcanic crater and hike across a hardened lava lake from the 1959 eruption.
Kīpukapuaulu Trail
A loop hike through a unique area of biological diversity with rare plants, birds, and old-growth trees.
Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge)
Walk along an old road damaged by an earthquake in 1983 and get panoramic views of Kaluapele
Maunaulu via Nāpau Trail
Explore the 1969-1974 lava flows of Maunaulu and hike to the top of Puʻuhuluhulu cinder cone.
Nāhuku Lava Tube Trail
Walk through lush rainforest and see a cave where a river of lava flowed 500 years ago.
Park Bookstore
Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association operates the official park bookstores at the Welcome Center and the Kahuku Unit.
Puʻuloa Petroglyphs Trail
Hike across a lava field to the largest group of petroglyphs in Hawaiʻi.
See Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road
Drive the two primary roads in the park for a scenic adventure through a dynamic geological and cultural landscape
Visit Kahuku: Forested Pit Crater
Take a strenuous hike to a pit crater filled with an array of native Hawaiian species.
Visit Kahuku: Glover Trail
Take a strenuous hike to a pit crater filled with an array of native Hawaiian species.
Visit Kahuku: Kamakapaʻa Trail
A walk up to a small cinder cone surrounded by rolling, grassy meadows
Visit Kahuku: Kona Trail
Hike through scenic pasturelands with native trees, and transverse the 1887 lava flow.
Visit Kahuku: Palm Trail
Hike or bike to some of the best views of Kahuku and along the fissure of the 1868 Mauna Loa eruption
Visit Kahuku: Puʻu o Lokuana
Hike to the top of Puʻu o Lokuana cinder cone, with choices for a shorter or longer loop.
Visitor Centers
- Kahuku Visitor Contact Station
- Welcome Center
Webcams
- Current Conditions of Kīlauea Summit Eruption
- Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the east rim and down-dropped block [V2cam]
- Kīlauea Summit from Mauna Loa Strip Road- [KPcam]
- Kīlauea's upper Southwest Rift Zone, looking northwest [MITDcam]
- Live Image of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) from Uēkahuna bluff
- Live Image of Nāpau Crater from east side of crater [S2cam]
- Live view of the upper Southwest Rift Zone of Kīlauea
- Mauna Loa's Summit and Northeast Rift Zone from Mauna Kea [MKcam]
- Maunaulu Cam [MUcam]
- Middle Part of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone
- Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera from the Northwest Rim
- Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera Thermal [MTcam]
- Northwest flank from Hualālai volcano
- Puʻuʻōʻō East Flank from East of Puʻuʻōʻō
- Puʻuʻōʻō Southeast Coast
- Puʻuʻōʻō West Flank from Puʻuʻōʻō [PWcam]
- The Upper Part of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone [M3cam]
- Upper and Middle Parts of Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone
- View of Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea, view is to the west
- West vent in Halemaʻumaʻu and lava lake - [V1cam]
Source: National Park Service.