Operating Hours
Open year-round.

Visitation
Christmas and Easter are peak visitation periods.

Permits
Free wilderness camping permits are required. Apply at the Kilauea Visitor Center no earlier than the day preceding your hike.

Visitors Center and Programs
Visitor Center: The Kilauea Visitor Center is located just inside the park entrance. It offers visitor information and exhibits. The Thomas A. Jaggar Museum, about 3 miles from the park entrance, features earth science displays and murals depicting Hawaiian culture.

Programs: Rangers lead an array of scheduled walks and talks to interpret the park's natural and cultural resources. Educational programs for school groups are available on a reservation basis. The After Dark in the Park lecture series is an annual festival celebrating Hawai`i's native cultural heritage.

Food Supplies and Concessions
Food/Supplies: The Volcano House Hotel provides a restaurant and snack bar. Volcano Village has restaurants and stores.

Concessions: The Hawaii Natural History Association operates bookstores at both locations, with an extensive selection of books, maps, videotapes, slides, and other educational items. There are a gift shop and art gallery near the Kilauea Visitor Center.

Visitor Impact
Backpackers on Mauna Loa must be adequately equipped, experienced in wilderness/high altitude trekking, and physically fit. Backpackers to coastal sites should take precautions against heat exhaustion.

Additional Information