Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Seventy million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution have created not only unique ecosystems, but also a distinct human culture in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . The park highlights two of the world's most active volcanoes. It also offers insights on the birth of the Hawaiian Islands and views of dramatic volcanic landscapes.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Cindy OrlandoPhone Number: 808-985-6000
Entrance Fees: Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Hawai`i Tri-park Annual Pass: $25
Sights: Mauna Loa Volcano; Pu`uloa Petroglyphs; Kilauea Volcano
Important Dates
Established as Park: September 22, 1961By The Numbers
Acres: 333,086.00Highest Point: Mauna Loa (13679 feet)
Annual Visitation: 1,612,246 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :19.400000 / -155.300000 (map it)
State: HI
Nearby Big City: Hawaii National Park, HI
Gateway Communities: Volcano, HI; Mountain View, HI; Kurtistown, HI; Keaau, HI; Hilo, HI
Nearby Airports: Hilo International Airport (ITO); Kona International Airport at Keahol (KOA)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Kilauea Lava Flow
Bryan Busovicki
Kilauea Volcano
Bryan Busovicki
Hawaii Volcanoes, 1836
National Park Service
View More Hawaii Volcanoes Photos
In Detail
Activities & Programs Although Hawaiian tropical weather is fairly consistent year-round, there is some variation. Winters tend to be slightly wetter, summers slightly warmer, and precipitation and temperature vary accordi ... read more.
At Your Fingertips Park Headquarters and Information (808) 985-6000 www.nps.gov/havo Emergencies 911 Camping Information (808) 985-6000 Dining, Lodging and Cabin Reservations (808) 967-7321 Eruption Update (808) 985- ... read more.
Camping at Hawaii Volcanoes Park Campgrounds There are two drive-in campgrounds in the park. Nāmakanipaio is three miles (5 km) from the park entrance on Highway 11. N¯āmakanipaio has eating shelters, wheelchair-ac ... read more.
Did You Know : Expanded Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been expanded six times to include rain forest and desert areas. ... read more.
Hawaii Volcanoes History The major inhabited Hawaiian Islands were formed during the past 5 million years by the intermittent outpouring of lava from the floor of the Pacific Ocean. According to the theory of plate tectonic ... read more.
In A Nutshell Park Entrance Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located 30 miles (48 km) south of Hilo and 95 miles (153 km) east of Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawai'i. There is only one entrance, which is locate ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Staying at Volcano House In 1846, Benjamin Pitman built the first Volcano House on the northeast side of the Kīlauea Caldera. The thatched structure was specifically for visitor use. A second Vo ... read more.
Oh, Ranger! Fate destined me to work in a place I've known from childhood, and after nearly nine years of service as an interpretive park ranger, I wouldn't have wished for anything different. My National Park S ... read more.
Only A Day The main feature of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is the 11-mile (18 m) Crater Rim Drive that circles Kīlauea's summit caldera. If you only have a few hours in the park, this is the trip for ... read more.
Pronun Guide Hawaiian was not a written language until missionaries devised a 13-sound alphabet. Islanders were discouraged from speaking Hawaiian in public so it survived primarily through music. Today, this me ... read more.
SCA Volunteers Since 1957, volunteers from the Student Conservation Association (SCA), the nation's oldest and largest conservation service organization, have been joining the effort to preserve and manage our nati ... read more.
Sights To See It took Pele eons to create her marvelous house, fashioned with red-hot, flowing rock. You are now a guest of Pele and the wonders she made are for you to treasure and respect. Active Volcanoes Mauna ... read more.
Types Of Lava You will see two types of lava in Hawai'i: 'a'ā and pāhoehoe. 'A'ā is rough and chunky, while pāhoehoe is smooth and ropy. They may vary in color from shiny black to dull brown. B ... read more.
Visitor Services Banking Services Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is in a rural setting, and the amenities that towns may have to offer, such as banking, are far removed. Automated teller machines (ATM) are located a ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Walking and hiking in the park can be a fascinating experience. Trails range from easy walks such as Kīpukapuaulu or Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku), to intermediate (Mauna Iki), to extremely ... read more.
Who's Who in Hawaii Volcanoes It takes many hours of dedication and hard work to keep Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park in operation. The flora, fauna and unique features of the land must be preserved and protected for future gener ... read more.
Recent News
- Hawaii Park Visitors Down 15% September 3, 2008, 11:40 am
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's funding shortage is showing July 23, 2008, 10:59 am
- Noise on rise at Volcanoes park June 17, 2008, 4:13 pm
- Kilauea volcano update: It only seems oh so quiet May 14, 2008, 2:15 pm
- Kilauea's fumes over Hawaii a concern April 28, 2008, 4:15 pm
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closes for second time this month April 24, 2008, 2:56 pm
- Elevated sulfur dioxide levels lead to call for evacuation April 17, 2008, 8:43 pm
Hawaii Volcanoes In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
