Volcanoes National Park Set To Reopen September 22
Good news for those chomping at the bit to visit Volcanoes National Park! Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is planning to reopen on Saturday, September 22 – National Public Lands Day. Scroll through this guide for more details. The Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center can also be reached at (808) 985-6000.
If you’ve been waiting for Volcanoes to reopen, book your room with us today. We’re just three miles from the entrance from the park!
Recovery and Restoration
Since August 31, over 30 buildings were inspected, water was restored to nine of them, and 20 miles of trail was assessed by the Park Service. On September 10, engineers from the Federal Highway Administration began parks roads assessments. Because of severe damage, at this time no vehicles over 15,000 pounds will be allowed in the park.
What to Expect Upon Entering
Upon entering, you’ll notice – for the first time in many years – there is no visible molten lava in the park. Recent volcanic activity caused the summit lava lake and lava flows from Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō to cease. However, there’s still plenty to see.
The park is preparing to reopen the following areas on September 22 by 10 am. The park will then continue to be open 24 hours a day.
- Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center (open but closes at 5 pm)
- Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store (also closes at 5 pm)
- Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp
- Sulphur Banks Trail
- Crater Rim Drive to Steam Vents
- Kīlauea Iki Overlook and parking lot
- Devastation Trail and Pu‘u Pua‘i
- Crater Rim Drive to Keanakāko‘i Crater, for pedestrians and bicyclists only
- Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu. The road will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists past Kīpukapuaulu
- Sections of Escape Road from Highway 11
- Chain of Craters Road
- The Volcano Art Center Gallery
- Kilauea Military Camp
*Areas not listed should be presumed closed.
Be advised, there is no drinking water in the park and unforeseen circumstances may delay park reopening. In addition to unprecedented volcanic activity, recent hurricanes and damaging wildfire further complicate restoration efforts. Between May and August, 62 collapse-explosions at Kilauea’s summit produced dozens of rockfalls and fractured park overlooks, trails, waterlines, parking lots and roads.
National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is a fee-free day, so on September 22, fees will be waived. Standard entrance fees will go into effect on Sunday, September 23.
The theme for this year’s National Public Lands Day is Resilience & Restoration. The park is looking for volunteers to embrace its opportunities to aid with recovery efforts.
Finally, a new Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park “Recovery” webpage is now available to share updates and photos with the public.
Our hotel is situated in a true tropical rainforest just three miles from the National Park entrance. It’s absolutely beautiful.
We’re a short distance from Volcano Village so our rainforest location is the perfect spot to stay while exploring the Big Island. With Volcanoes National Park set to reopen next week, we’re excited to welcome new guests and old friends. To learn more about our accommodations, visit our Properties & Rooms page. You can also visit our Activities page to learn about all the fun things to do once you’re here.
