Halapē
Kīlauea Iki
Hōlei Pali
Steam Vents
The Kahuku Unit
Tide Pools
Nāhuku
Lava Trees
ʻAe Fern
ʻŌhiʻa
Nēnē
Rainforest
Hula at Kīlauea
Mauna Loa 1940 Cone
Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs
Halemaʻumaʻu Crater
Alerts
Weather forecast
Air Quality
To-Do Activities
- Arts and Culture
- Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Backcountry Hiking
- Front-Country Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Wildlife Watching
- Birdwatching
- Park Film
- Museum Exhibits
- Shopping
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
Things to explore
Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association operates the official park bookstores at the Welcome Center and the Kahuku Unit.
Walk along an old road damaged by an earthquake in 1983 and get panoramic views of Kaluapele
Stroll on a paved path through a recovering landscape that was buried by falling cinder from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.
Walk through lush rainforest and see a cave where a river of lava flowed 500 years ago.
Looking for solitude or adventure? The vast backcountry on Kīlauea and Mauna Loa provides ample opportunities.
Hike or bike to some of the best views of Kahuku and along the fissure of the 1868 Mauna Loa eruption
Hike across a lava field to the largest group of petroglyphs in Hawaiʻi.
Explore the 1969-1974 lava flows of Maunaulu and hike to the top of Puʻuhuluhulu cinder cone.
Descend 400 feet (122 m) through rainforest into a volcanic crater and hike across a hardened lava lake from the 1959 eruption.
Drive the two primary roads in the park for a scenic adventure through a dynamic geological and cultural landscape
Catch views of Kīlauea caldera, feel the breath of the volcano at Steaming Bluff (Wahinekapu), and walk through lush rainforest.
Hike through scenic pasturelands with native trees, and transverse the 1887 lava flow.
Take a strenuous hike to a pit crater filled with an array of native Hawaiian species.
Campgrounds and More
Kulanaokuaiki is located off Hilina Pali Road at 3,200 feet (975 m), there are nine walk-in campsites with picnic tables. There is an accessible vault toilet; however, no water is available and campfires are not permitted. Use fueled camping stoves only. This campground is subject to closure when the area is dry and during times of high fire risk. No dogs or pets are allowed at this campground to protect endangered nene.
Nāmakanipaio Campground is located 31.5 miles south of Hilo on Highway-11 at 4,000' elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and 'ōhi'a trees. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables and barbecue pits. Campfires are permitted in the barbeque pits only. If there are more than 2 people in your party, you can expand to 4 people per site with another tent. Maximum stay is 7 days.
Standard Park Information
Standard Opening Information: The Kahuku Unit is open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Park Directions Information: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is located on the Island of Hawai‘i. From Hilo: 30 miles southwest on Highway 11 (45 minute drive); from Kailua-Kona: 96 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via Highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).
Directions URL
Our Operating Hours
Weather Specific Information
The weather the summit of Kīlauea (~4000' elevation) varies daily and may be rainy and chilly any time of the year. Temperature varies by elevation. At the summit of the volcano, temperatures may be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than at sea level. The coastal plain at the end of Chain of Craters Road is often hot, dry, and windy with the possibility of passing showers.
