| Visit
the Park
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is a fascinating
world of active volcanism, biological diversity,
and Hawaiian culture, past and present.
Use these pages to help plan a "real"
visit to the Park.
Finding Hawai`i Volcanoes
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is located
on the Big Island of Hawai`i. From Hilo:
30 miles southwest on Highway 11 (a 45 minute
drive); from Kailua-Kona: 96 miles southeast
on Highway 11 (2 to 2 1/2 hour drive), or
125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways
19 and 11 (2 1/2 to 3 hours).
Hilo and Kona Airports are served by inter-island
carriers. Some major airlines have direct
flights to Kona from the continental U.S.
Rental cars may be reserved at both airports.
At various locations the public bus (Hele
On Bus) ph# (808) 961-8744, commercial
tour buses, taxis, motorcycles, and bicycles
are available. No rental vehicles or bicycles
may be obtained in the park.
Operating Hours
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open
24 hours a day year-round. Kilauea Visitor
Center is open daily from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00
p.m. and Jaggar Museum is open daily from
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. "Born
of Fire... Born of the Sea" is
the featured 25 minute film that is shown
in the Kilauea Visitor Center on the hour
throughout the day, starting at 9:00 a.m.
with the last film shown at 4:00 p.m..
Volcano
Art Center Gallery, located adjacent
to the Kilauea Visitor Center, is open from
9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. daily.
Volcano
House, located across the street from
the Kilauea Visitor Center, operates a hotel,
restaurant, snack bar, and gift shops.
 |
| Photo: (Park Volunteer
Bonsey and Ranger Kaawaloa, dressed
for a short hike.) |
Weather
Expect changeable weather. Weather at Kilauea's
summit (4000' elevation) fluctuates daily
and can be rainy and chilly any time of
the year. (See the Climate
webpage for weather trends, and Mauna
Loa Summit Weather for alpine conditions).
Temperature varies by elevation and it is
generally 14 degrees cooler at the summit
than it is at sea level. The coastal plain
at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often
hot, dry, and windy. Come prepared. Bring
rain gear, sturdy shoes, hats, water bottles,
sun glasses, and high UV factor sunscreen.
Fees and Park Passes
The entrance fee
to the park (a seven-day permit) is $10.00
per vehicle, $5.00 for pedestrians or bicyclists.
Fees for those arriving by commercial
bus or tour vary by passenger capacity.
Persons holding a valid Golden
Age Passport (available to U.S. citizens
or residents 62 years of age or older for
a one-time fee of $10.00), Golden
Eagle Passport, or National
Park Pass ($50.00 pass is good for 1
full year from date of purchase and allows
entrance to any national park that charges
an entrance fee) are admitted free of charge.
An annual tri-park pass
may be purchased for $20.00 which allows
access for 1 full year from date of first
use at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park,
Haleakala National Park, and Pu'uhonua o
Honaunau National Historical Park.
For more information about park passes,
visit: The National Park Service Fees
and Passes.
Click here for facts
about the park.
Click here for Visitor
Statistics.
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