Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Always Open?
Around-the-Clock Adventure and a Park That Never Closes
Sleepless Volcanoes and a 24/7 Playground
Just as the volcanoes Kilauea and Mauna Loa never sleep, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park never closes. Whether during the midsummer tourist season or on holidays (which are also fee-free entry days) in the winter, all 523 square miles of the park are yours to explore 24/7. Plan your visit to the park. The visitors center is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The park entrance has an honor system to pay for entry up until 9:00 am each morning.
Given that our bed and breakfast in Volcano is right at the park’s border, this wide-open schedule gives you flexibility with your daily plans. Take a packed lunch with you from the lodge and enjoy a full day in the park.
A Park That Is Always in Flux and Always Improving
Although the park never closes regularly, given that it is an active volcanic zone, there is always an element of unpredictability. The massive eruptions in 2018, which lasted for months, are an example of just this type of situation.
During that period of ongoing volcanic activity, over 60,000 earthquakes occurred, causing extensive damage to the park’s infrastructure. However, dedicated park crews quickly repaired much of the damage, announcing the reopening of highly trafficked roads, such as Mauna Loa Road, in a series of press releases.
The park’s management of this dynamic and always-shifting landscape is truly impressive, and all the more so because it is all in service of the safety of park visitors.
Plan Around Closures to Your Benefit
In addition to the repairs needed from the recent eruptions, the park is also one of the most visited national parks in the nation, so ongoing improvements are a regular occurrence.
Before and during your trip, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on temporary closures within the park’s boundaries, and you can plan your days accordingly.
For instance, the Thurston Lava Tube currently has limited parking while maintenance work happens, but that is all the more reason to visit during off-peak evening hours. It’s a win-win: you’ll have plentiful parking and the majestic lava tube all to yourself!
Reserve your visit today, and any type of adventure you can imagine, daytime or nighttime, is just a click away!
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