Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, USA - map, photos and visitor information

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island combines volcanic craters, rainforest walks, and a road that descends toward the coast. Start by deciding whether to explore the Kīlauea summit area or the separate Kahuku Unit. A visit does not depend on seeing flowing lava: exposed lava surfaces, steam vents, and recovering forests tell different parts of the volcanic story. Eruption viewing depends on conditions and permitted access.

Highlights around Kīlauea and beyond

• Kīlauea Iki: A trail descends through forest to a hardened lava lake from the 1959 eruption.
• Devastation Trail: A paved walk shows vegetation returning to ground covered by volcanic cinders.
• Chain of Craters Road: A drive down the volcano's slopes reaches the coastal landscape.
• Kahuku: This separate unit combines volcanic terrain with Hawaiian cultural and ranching history.

Plan for changing volcanic conditions

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Check park alerts and conditions and ask staff about open routes when you arrive. Older hiking maps can include connections that are temporarily closed.

Stay within open trails and viewpoints

Volcanic gases can create hazardous air conditions, particularly for sensitive visitors. Check air-quality guidance before a visit. Stay away from cracks, steam vents, cliff edges, and closed areas. Lava rock can be sharp and unstable. Bring sturdy footwear, drinking water, rain protection, and a light for travel after dark.

Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed between September 23 and 27, 2026. It is no longer a standing coastal attraction. Nearby cliff edges remain unstable, so do not approach the former arch site through closed areas. Ocean surf adds another hazard at the base of the cliffs.

Protect cultural sites and native wildlife

Leave rocks in place and do not build new cairns. Existing trail markers help hikers follow routes across volcanic ground. Do not climb stone structures or walk on petroglyphs. Give cultural practices room and treat the landscape as a living Hawaiian place.

Pets must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet and cannot use park trails or wilderness areas. Selected roads and developed areas allow them, but Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground do not. Recreational drone operation is prohibited without the required written authorization.

Arrange camping and backcountry permits

For an overnight backcountry trip, reserve through Recreation.gov up to 90 days ahead. Then check in at the Backcountry Office to collect the permit and receive the safety briefing. The permit costs USD 10 per trip for up to 12 people and seven nights, separate from admission. Individual sites have shorter stay limits. Follow the backcountry booking instructions for your route.

Reserve Nāmakanipaio camper cabins through Volcano House. Confirm campsite arrangements with the operator before traveling. Road closures can affect campground access even when an older facility page still lists services.

Getting to the right part of the park

The main entrance is about 30 miles southwest of Hilo on Highway 11. Kahuku has its own entrance on Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71. Use the official park and Kahuku maps to plan these as separate destinations.

No public shuttle operates within the park. County buses serve the main park area, but schedules need checking and they do not replace transport between sights. Rideshare availability is very limited. Arrange the return journey before arriving without a car.

Nearby parks toward Hilo

• Wailuku River State Park: Reach its two sections from Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo, using Rainbow Drive or Peʻepeʻe Falls Drive.
• ʻAkaka Falls State Park: Continue toward Honomū and follow Highway 220 to the park. Part of its trail is closed after storm damage, so confirm the available walking route.

Choose a walk before committing to a longer route

Kīlauea Iki is a 3.3-mile loop from Kīlauea Iki Overlook, with a descent and return climb of about 400 feet. The ground is steep and rocky in places. Parking at the overlook is limited. Check the official route description and current closures before using a longer connecting route.

Devastation Trail is a 1-mile round trip on pavement. It provides a shorter outing, although some grades exceed 8 percent. A wheelchair user may need assistance. Stay on the paved route rather than climbing the adjacent cinder cone.

For a day with less walking, combine permitted summit overlooks with part of Chain of Craters Road. Build flexibility into the plan. A closed viewpoint, a full parking area, or poor air quality can change the useful stops.

Visitor information, water, and places to stay

The temporary Welcome Center replaces Kīlauea Visitor Center during renovation. It is about 1.25 miles beyond the entrance station at Kīlauea Military Camp. Park at the nearby ballfield. Staff provide route advice and ranger-program information. Portable toilets are behind the center and near the parking area.

Welcome Center and Volcano House have wheelchair access. Several trailhead parking areas have accessible restrooms or vault toilets. Confirm the approach as well as the restroom when planning around mobility needs. Water can be purchased at Volcano House; carry your supply before heading onto a trail.

Nāmakanipaio Campground has water, restrooms, tables, and barbecue pits. Kulanaokuaiki has a vault toilet but no water. Its access must be checked against Hilina Pali Road closures. Volcano House offers hotel rooms and dining and operates the Nāmakanipaio cabins. The official lodging page identifies the authorized operator.

About Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A landscape with continuing cultural meaning

The volcanoes have been places of worship, settlement, and study for centuries. NPS presents Pelehonuamea as the Hawaiian volcano deity associated with the creation of these landscapes. Cultural sites and stories are part of understanding the park, alongside its geology.

Life on volcanic ground

Native wildlife includes the Hawaiian hoary bat, forest birds, and insects adapted to island habitats. Nēnē can appear near roads and the Devastation Trail area. Do not feed them: birds that approach vehicles for food face a greater risk of being struck. Volcanic landscapes support living communities even where the ground first appears bare.

Contact Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

General information: 808-985-6011. The phone is not staffed continuously. Use the official contact page for email options. The mailing address is P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052. Use the road directions, not the mailing address, for navigation.