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 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
Gettysburg Address to Return for Visitor Center Grand Opening
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
August 21, 2008 - 5:04pm
There are only five known manuscripts of the famous Gettysburg Address, penned by President Abraham Lincoln — one of those original documents is scheduled to appear in Gettysburg, during the grand opening celebration of the new Gettysburg National Military Park Visitor Center.
Anglers Wary of North Cascades Plan to Limit Fishing
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
August 21, 2008 - 10:51am
Not much comes easy in the precipitous ice-and-rock geography of North Cascades National Park -- not the hiking, not the high-lakes fishing, and across the park's 40 years of existence, not even fish management. This is what I'm thinking during the sweaty hike out of the stunning cirque that embraces Monogram Lake, where I've spent a couple hours catching and releasing dozens of pretty cutthroat trout with two mountain anglers who fear that soon there will be no fish in the park's high lakes. Whether trout should be in these lakes at all has been an issue since the park was created in 1968, and it is coming to a head with the release in July of the park's voluminous "Mountain Lakes Fishery Management Plan."
Bison Advocates Go for Space
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
August 21, 2008 - 10:48am
As rancher Rick Knobe slowly guides his pickup around the iconic American bison on the prairie here, he reflects on a time when they roamed freely. "I figure the buffalo were there first, the elk were there first, the wolves were there first," he says, looking over his herd of 28 American bison, on his Lazy RRse Buffalo Ranch. "I figure these animals should be given more the right of way to roam."
Rapid Climate Change Threatens to Thaw Icy Wonderland of Alaska
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
August 21, 2008 - 10:43am
I was in Alaska for 10 days in August, on a fellowship with Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to see firsthand the effects of global warming. I didn't have to look far. I watched massive chunks of glacial ice breaking off into the sea.
Park Seeks Construction Comment
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
August 21, 2008 - 10:38am
The National Park Service proposes to construct new housing, operations and recreation facilities in Big Bend National Park. The public, organizations and other agencies may review and comment upon a draft environmental assessment (EA) describing the proposal. The new construction would occur at Panther Junction, Rio Grande Village and Castolon. The proposal is to construct 27 structures, of which 15 would serve new purposes and 12 would replace temporary or inadequate facilities.
