Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park — Visitor Info

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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park protects two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, along with dramatic lava landscapes, rainforest, and coastline on the Big Island. Volcanic activity and air quality can change park access day to day, so checking current conditions before you go matters more here than almost anywhere else.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: A multi-year construction project is repairing/removing damaged summit-area buildings and infrastructure, causing closures and delays. Volcanic gas (vog) can also affect air quality and reach hazardous levels for sensitive groups with little warning. Review the official Alerts & Conditions page and the current volcanic activity status before you visit.
Quick Facts
Location
Big Island (Hawai'i Island), Hawai'i
Entrance Fee
$30/vehicle, $25/motorcycle, $15/person (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backcountry hiking/camping
Lodging
Nāmakanipaio & Kulanaokuaiki Campgrounds; cabins
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Kīlauea Visitor Center
Near the park's main entrance on Crater Rim Drive — exhibits, park film, and the starting point for most summit-area sightseeing.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS hours page — construction may affect access to some visitor facilities.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $30 per vehicle or $25 per motorcycle, both valid 7 days; visitors on foot or bike pay $15 per person (16 and older). A Hawai'i Tri-Park Annual Pass ($55) covers this park plus Haleakalā and Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau for 12 months. The entrance station is cashless (credit/debit only) — note that campground fees are handled separately and some accept cash.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Air Quality & Volcanic Gas

Volcanic gas (vog) from Kīlauea can affect air quality throughout the park and is a real health consideration for people with respiratory conditions, young children, older adults, and pregnant visitors. Check the park's air quality alert page during your visit and be ready to change plans if conditions worsen.

Parking Fills Early

Popular parking areas along Crater Rim Drive can fill by 10am. Arriving early in the morning (or later in the afternoon) improves your odds of finding a space near the main overlooks.

Permits & Reservations

Day use of the park's roads, overlooks, and day-hike trails does not require a permit.

Backcountry Hiking & Camping

Overnight backcountry trips require a permit — see the park's Backcountry Hiking page for current requirements, trip planning, and safety information related to volcanic hazards.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Both campgrounds are drive-in, tent-style camping — there are no RV hookups in the park.

Nāmakanipaio Campground
Privately operated by Hawai'i Volcanoes Lodge Company (not the NPS) at 4,000ft elevation. Restrooms, water, picnic tables, barbecue pits; cabins also available. Reserve through the operator, not Recreation.gov.
Kulanaokuaiki Campground
About 5 miles down Hilina Pali Road at 2,700ft elevation. First-come, no water on site, vault toilet only, no campfires, and pets are not allowed in the campground or anywhere on Hilina Pali Road.

Park entrance fees apply in addition to campground fees at both locations. See the official campgrounds page for current rates and reservation details.

Good to Know

  • Volcanic activity changes park access — trails, overlooks, and roads can close on short notice depending on what Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are doing.
  • Air quality can shift quickly — have a backup plan if vog levels rise during your visit.
  • Nights are cool at elevation, even though you're in Hawai'i — nighttime temperatures at Kulanaokuaiki and Nāmakanipaio can dip into the 30s–40s F.
  • Drones are prohibited throughout the park without written superintendent approval.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, regulations, and volcanic conditions change frequently. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Campgrounds · NPS – Alerts & Conditions