Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Designation: National Park
Location: Hawaii
📘 Park Overview
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.
🌤 Weather Information
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.
🚗 Directions
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).
Images
Coastline of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Credit: Courtesy of J. Frank
Sunrise at Kīlauea Iki
Credit: NPS Photo/J. Wei
Lava flows from the Mauna Ulu eruption drape the Hōlei Pali
Credit: NPS Photo/A. LaValle
Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff)
Credit: NPS Photo/A. LaValle
The Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park once was one of the largest cattle ranches in Hawaiʻi
Credit: NPS Photo/A. LaValle
Tide pools along the Puna Coast
Credit: NPS Photo/A. LaValle
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
Credit: NPS Photo/D. Boyle
Lava trees memorialize trees that once stood in the path of encroaching lava
Credit: NPS Photo/A. LaValle
About 200 species of ferns can be found across the Hawaiian Islands. Sixty-five percent of these species are considered endemic, found nowhere else in the world.
Credit: NPS Photo
The red blossoms of the ʻōhiʻa are a Hawaiian cultural icon
Credit: NPS Photo/J. Wei
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Dec 19
Patchy rain nearby
High: 71.2°F | Low: 61.8°F
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 7.6 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 1.5
Sunrise: 06:50 AM
Sunset: 05:48 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 61.3°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Dec 20
Patchy rain nearby
High: 71.5°F | Low: 61.8°F
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 8.5 mph
Rain Chance: 87%
UV Index: 1.5
Sunrise: 06:50 AM
Sunset: 05:48 PM
Moon: New Moon (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 61.4°F
Cloud Cover: 87%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Dec 21
Sunny
High: 70.2°F | Low: 59.9°F
Humidity: 69%
Wind: 13.6 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.6
Sunrise: 06:51 AM
Sunset: 05:49 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.7°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Life on the Edge
Learn about Hawaiʻi geology, culture, and plants and animals at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. daily. Ranger programs may be canceled due to staffing issues, hazardous weather, or volcanic conditions. Visit the Welcome Center for more information about location and status of these programs.
Location: Location of program varies. Visit the Welcome Center for more information.
Date: Jan 1, 2025 12:00am to Dec 31, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar.
A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar.
Kaʻū resident, actor and playwright Dick Hershberger will give a final performance of his living history program, “A Walk into the Past,” as Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Hershberger will appear in period costume and deliver his stories in first person at the Kahuku Unit. With support from the Kīlauea Drama and Entertainment Network, he has presented the historical performances for a dozen years.
When: Saturday, December 13 at 11 a.m.
Where: Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station.Turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Hwy 11 in Kaʻū.
Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Stewardship at the Summit - Kīlauea Visitor Center
Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required for people under the age of 18. Visit the park website for additional planning details: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm. Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center
Location: Meet near the Kīlauea Visitor Center parking area. The visitor center is temporarily closed for renovation, but parking is available in that area.
Date: Dec 13, 2025 12:00am to Dec 13, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Stewardship at the Summit - Kīlauea Visitor Center
Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required for people under the age of 18. Visit the park website for additional planning details: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm. Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center
Location: Meet near the Kīlauea Visitor Center parking area. The visitor center is temporarily closed for renovation, but parking is available in that area.
Date: Dec 20, 2025 12:00am to Dec 20, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
USGS Geology Talk: A Year of Lava fountains at the Summit of Kīlauea.
USGS Geology Talk: A Year of Lava fountains at the Summit of Kīlauea.
The ongoing historic eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the summit of Kīlauea in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, began the night of December 23, 2024. Since then, more than 35 episodes of lava fountaining from two vents have added nearly 200 feet of lava to the crater floor and contributed to a cone that stands almost 150 feet above the crater rim. Wahinekapu (also called Steaming Bluff) provides a panoramic view of these newest features on Kīlauea volcano. Join USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Kendra J. Lynn, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo geology department assistant professor Lis Gallant and park staff at Wahinekapu to hear how this unique eruption has progressed over the past year, with an emphasis on the far-reaching hazards associated with the lava fountains.
When: Tuesday, December 23 at 10 a.m.
Where: Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff). Park at the Steam Vents parking lot and take a short walk out to the bluff. Overflow parking available at Kīlauea Visitor Center.
Date: Dec 23, 2025 12:00am to Dec 23, 2025 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
1 Crater Rim Drive
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718
📞 Voice Phone: 8089856011
📞 Fax Phone: 8089856004
✉️ Email: havo_information@nps.gov