Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, is a United States National Park on the island of Hawaii. It encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the world's most massive subaerial

In recognition of its outstanding natural values, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and a World Heritage Site in 1987.

The park includes 323,431 acres (505.36 sq mi; 1,308.88 km2) of land. Over half of the park is designated the Hawaii Volcanoes Wilderness area and provides unusual hiking and camping opportunities.

Climates range from lush tropical rain forests, to the arid and barren Kaʻū Desert.

Several of the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii are located within the park:

• 1790 Footprints

• Ainahou Ranch

• Ainapo Trail

• Kilauea Crater

• Puna-Ka'u Historic District

• Volcano House

• Whitney Seismograph Vault No. 29

• Wilkes Campsite

Location

Hawaii County, Hawaii
USA

Getting There

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawai'i, also known as the Big Island. Here are some ways to get there:

By car: You can rent a car and drive to the park from major cities on the island, such as Hilo or Kona. The park is located about 30 miles southwest of Hilo and about 96 miles southeast of Kona. There are two entrances to the park: the Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Kahuku Unit. The Kīlauea Visitor Center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, while the Kahuku Unit is open on weekends and holidays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

By tour: There are many tour operators on the island that offer guided tours of the park. These tours can provide you with a lot of information about the park's geology, history, and culture.

By bus: The Hele-On bus service provides public transportation to the park from Hilo and other nearby towns. The buses run on weekdays and weekends, but the schedule can vary depending on the season.

By air: You can take a helicopter tour of the park from Hilo or Kona. These tours offer stunning aerial views of the park's volcanic features, such as the Halema'uma'u Crater and the Pu'u 'O'o Vent.

Nearby Airports

This is a list of primary airports in Hawaii that have scheduled passenger service on commercial airlines.