Plan Your Visit

 

It's supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but when parking lots are full and visitors bump into each other on trails and overlooks, the holiday spirit can take a dive. This season, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park wants to help you plan like a park ranger with five insightful tips to help you navigate the festive season:

 

Top Things To Know

1. Plan Ahead

Make sure you know about

• eruption viewing tips,
• basic information,
• current conditions,
• directions & transportation,
• entrance fees,
• parking,
• things to do,

2. Tap the App

• Download the free National Park Service app (and offline content) before you arrive.
• Self-guided tours, alerts and other valuable information is like a ranger in your pocket. You can even send a postcard without a stamp.

3. Know Before You Go

• Visitors should expect long waits at the entrance station, congestion on roads and popular trails, and little or no parking at Devastation Trail, Nāhuku and the summit of Kīlauea between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., now through early January.
• Have a Plan B during the holidays, and visit the Kahuku Unit. Kahuku is never crowded, and open Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kahuku is located on Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5 in Ka‘ū, approximately 1 hr from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

4. Contemplate Culture

• Park landscapes are cherished places for many people. Is it quiet? Help keep it that way and allow visitors to connect with their surroundings in peace. Think before you take pictures of other visitors and whether they want to hear your music or phones.
• Take the Pono Pledge to be safe, responsible and respectful to each other and the ʻāina (land) during your visit to Hawaiʻi.

5. Stay Safe

• Learn more about how you can have a safe visit.
• Do not enter closed areas. It is critical to stay on trails and in designated overlooks. Concealed sinkholes, unstable cliff edges and earth cracks, volcanic gasses present hazards.
• Maintain social distance of 6 feet from others and wear a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are sick, visit another day. Masks are required in all park buildings and several overlooks.

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Have a question?
Park staff are avilable to answer questions at 808-985-6011.

 

Plan Like a Park Ranger

 

Millions of people visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park annually to make lifelong memories. These are some important considerations to make this a successful visit.