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
Park Service Employee Earns a Lifetime of Stories
August 18, 2008 - 4:49pm
Regina Jones-Brake remembers the day she met Lady Bird Johnson. Jones-Brake was 22 and setting type at the Benjamin Franklin print shop in Philadelphia's historic district. "I was called a printer's devil," said Jones-Brake. "I wore a mop cap and 18th century attire. I set type, I inked the ink balls, I wet the paper and I ran it through. I was so excited about the job that I worked on Sundays; nobody else wanted to work on Sundays."
August 18, 2008 - 4:49pm
Regina Jones-Brake remembers the day she met Lady Bird Johnson. Jones-Brake was 22 and setting type at the Benjamin Franklin print shop in Philadelphia's historic district. "I was called a printer's devil," said Jones-Brake. "I wore a mop cap and 18th century attire. I set type, I inked the ink balls, I wet the paper and I ran it through. I was so excited about the job that I worked on Sundays; nobody else wanted to work on Sundays."
Maplewood Boy Scouts Are Evacuated near Grand Canyon
August 18, 2008 - 4:29pm
A group of Boy Scouts from Maplewood on a backpacking and rafting trip near the Grand Canyon were evacuated by helicopter Sunday after an earthen dam failed and flood waters threatened their campsite. The six boys and three adult leaders were among scores of people rescued from campgrounds and tribal lands after days of heavy rains caused flooding along two creeks that flow into the Colorado River. "Some boys had enough time to grab their backpacks and some did not," said Bridget Lai, whose husband Michael and son Kyle, 13, are on the trip. "There's not a whole lot you can do about a dam breaking. There's not a lot you can prepare for."
August 18, 2008 - 4:29pm
A group of Boy Scouts from Maplewood on a backpacking and rafting trip near the Grand Canyon were evacuated by helicopter Sunday after an earthen dam failed and flood waters threatened their campsite. The six boys and three adult leaders were among scores of people rescued from campgrounds and tribal lands after days of heavy rains caused flooding along two creeks that flow into the Colorado River. "Some boys had enough time to grab their backpacks and some did not," said Bridget Lai, whose husband Michael and son Kyle, 13, are on the trip. "There's not a whole lot you can do about a dam breaking. There's not a lot you can prepare for."
National Parks Are Offering Podcasts
August 18, 2008 - 4:26pm
Why go to a national park if you can experience one via an Internet podcast? Park officials across the country are hopeful the podcasts themselves will make people want to visit their parks. But if a trip just isn't possible, podcasts are seen as the next best thing.
August 18, 2008 - 4:26pm
Why go to a national park if you can experience one via an Internet podcast? Park officials across the country are hopeful the podcasts themselves will make people want to visit their parks. But if a trip just isn't possible, podcasts are seen as the next best thing.
Pot Farm Found in Park
August 18, 2008 - 4:21pm
A park service pilot on a routine flight over the North Cascades National Park service area helped discover a large marijuana farm worth nearly $48 million -- the first such grow operation found in a national park site in the state. Officials said the farm, which law enforcement officials raided this week, contained more than 16,700 plants. It was well established and resembled the elaborate grow sites run by Mexican drug traffickers plaguing national parks in California, authorities said.
August 18, 2008 - 4:21pm
A park service pilot on a routine flight over the North Cascades National Park service area helped discover a large marijuana farm worth nearly $48 million -- the first such grow operation found in a national park site in the state. Officials said the farm, which law enforcement officials raided this week, contained more than 16,700 plants. It was well established and resembled the elaborate grow sites run by Mexican drug traffickers plaguing national parks in California, authorities said.
Celebrate Zion Wonders
August 18, 2008 - 4:16pm
Next year will be a big celebration for Zion National Park and all who value the majestic views that can be seen within this natural landmark. Zion didn't receive national park status until 1919, but it was recognized for its beauty in 1909, when it was designated as Mukuntuweap National Monument. According to "A History of Washington County: From Isolation to Destination," by Doug Alder and Karl Brooks, The monument designation came after a survey report by St. George resident Leo A. Snow shared the secret of what has become a place of sanctuary befitting its name.
August 18, 2008 - 4:16pm
Next year will be a big celebration for Zion National Park and all who value the majestic views that can be seen within this natural landmark. Zion didn't receive national park status until 1919, but it was recognized for its beauty in 1909, when it was designated as Mukuntuweap National Monument. According to "A History of Washington County: From Isolation to Destination," by Doug Alder and Karl Brooks, The monument designation came after a survey report by St. George resident Leo A. Snow shared the secret of what has become a place of sanctuary befitting its name.
