Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a protected area located on the Big Island of Hawaii. It covers over 333,000 acres and features two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can witness volcanic eruptions, see unique volcanic landscapes, hike through rugged terrain, and learn about the area’s geology, ecology, and Hawaiian cultural history. The park offers many opportunities for exploration, education, and recreation, making it a popular destination for tourists and scientists alike.
VISIT Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
Park Details
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established on August 1, 1916, and has a total area of 335,259 acres (524 square miles, or 1,357 square kilometers).
| Address | 1 Crater Rim Drive, Hawaii National Park, HI, 96718 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 808 985-6011 |
| Hours | Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as well as all holidays |
| Entrance Fee | $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 days |
| Learn More | Official Website |
When to Visit: Weather vs. Peak Visitation
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the 53rd most visited park in the country.
The weather in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawaii is typically warm and humid, with temperatures ranging from 60-80°F (15-27°C). The park is located at a high elevation, so temperatures can be cooler and more moderate than in other parts of the island. Rain is frequent, especially in the park's rainforest areas, so visitors should come prepared with waterproof clothing and gear. The park also experiences frequent trade winds, which can make conditions quite windy at times. Despite these conditions, the park is open year-round and offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
Using Historical Data to Predict
We crunched 30 years of historical weather and/or park service data to find the best months to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We looked for the optimal temperatures, the least amount of snow and rain, and stayed away from peak visitation months if we could help it. All this data then helped us paint a picture as to what the absolute best time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is.
Our data shows the best months to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are April, May, June & September.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Visits | 128,836 | 120,931 | 113,452 | 103,247 | 102,792 | 113,015 | 133,249 | 125,357 | 92,720 | 96,054 | 107,457 | 131,266 |
| Precipitation | 16 | 13 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 15 |
| Avg Temp | 71 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 71 |
| Max Temp | 75 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 75 |
| Avg Temp | 56 | 55 | 55 | 56 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 59 | 56 |
| Min Temp | 49 | 49 | 50 | 52 | 53 | 55 | 55 | 56 | 56 | 56 | 53 | 50 |
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Road Trips
Many family vacations consist of stringing one or more national parks together during a week-long trip. Creating these types of trips is our specialty! Here are the road trips we've created where Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is visited.
| Trip Name | Trip Miles | Trip Days |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii National Park Itinerary | 160 | 8 |
Other Nearby National Park Sites
From national monuments, to historic sites to seashores and more, here are the other parks closest to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
| Name | Distance |
|---|---|
| Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park | 46 mi |
| Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park | 57 mi |
| Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site | 60 mi |
| Haleakalā National Park | 111 mi |
| Kalaupapa National Historical Park | 168 mi |
| Pearl Harbor National Memorial | 224 mi |
| Honouliuli National Historic Site | 231 mi |
Nearby Campsites & RV Parks
If you are looking to pitch a tent or park an RV at a campsite near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, here is a list of the closest campsites in the surrounding area. They all have slightly different amenitites, so its best to check them all out instead of just chosing the first on the list.
| Name | Details | Miles Away |
|---|---|---|
| Namakani Paio - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Volcano, HI more | 7 miles |
| MacKenzie State Rec Area - Hawaii | HI more | 22 miles |
| Isaac Hale Beach Park - Hawaii | HI more | 24 miles |
| Punaluu Beach Park - Hawaii | Mountain View, HI more | 26 miles |
| Onekahakaha - Hawaii | Hilo, HI more | 27 miles |
| Whittington Beach Park - Hawaii | Naalehu, HI more | 31 miles |
| Kolekole Beach Park - Hawaii | Honomu, HI more | 35 miles |
| Laupahoehoe Beach Park - Hawaii | HI more | 42 miles |
| Manuka State Wayside - Hawaii | Captain Cook, HI more | 45 miles |
| Hookena Beach Park - Hawaii | Captain Cook, HI more | 45 miles |
Nearest Ski Resorts
For those of you who are the diehard outdoors type, visiting a national park on a ski trip can be quite the adventure. Here are the ski resorts within 100 miles of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
None Found.
Nearest Airports
When visiting a National park, many people are faced with either a very long drive across country, or a much shorter flight. For those of you looking to fly into Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we've listed the closest airports in the area.
Large Airports
A large airport has scheduled major airline service with millions of passengers per year. This type of airport always accepts international flights. Here are the closest large airports to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
| Name | Code | City | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel K. Inouye International Airport | HNL | Honolulu, HI | 221 mi |
Medium Airports
A medium-sized airport has scheduled regional airline service. This type of airport may or may not accept international flights. Here are the closest medium-sized airports to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
| Name | Code | City | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo International Airport | ITO | Hilo, HI | 25 mi |
| Waimea Kohala Airport | MUE | Waimea, HI | 52 mi |
| Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole | KOA | Kailua-Kona, HI | 60 mi |
| Hana Airport | HNM | Hana, HI | 111 mi |
| Kahului Airport | OGG | Kahului, HI | 132 mi |
| Kapalua Airport | JHM | Lahaina, HI | 145 mi |
| Lanai Airport | LNY | Lanai City, HI | 149 mi |
Credits: Campground data provided by USCampgrounds.info. Map shapes from CartographyVectors. Weather data from NOAA. Airport data from OurAirports.com. Images from Unsplash, Flickr and Parks&Trips. All data has also been updated and augmented by Parks&Trips.