Exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: The Main Entrance

by Donald B. MacGowan

Hale'ma'uma'u eruption from Steaming Bluff, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Graphic Photo By Donald B MacGowan

There are many wondrous, enigmatic and fascinating attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii, some better known than others, many out of the way and generally off the beaten track. Tour Guide Hawaii has produced an encyclopedic collection of the most up-to-date information, presented as short GPS-cued videos, in an app downloadable to iPhone and iPod Touch that covers the entire Big Island, highlighting the popular and the uncrowded, the famous and the secluded, the adventurous and the relaxing.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Main Entrance

The Fee-Station at the Entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The main entrance to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park lies along the Hawai’i Belt Road between Volcano Village on the East and Mauna Loa Road on the west. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; the access fee is charged only during daylight hours. The Visitor Center has a 24-hour information line at 808.985.7017 and there is a 24-hour eruption hotline at 808.985.6000. Within the Park tune to A.M. radio 530 for continuous information broadcast.

Lava enters the ocean a La'epuki, near the end of Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Stop at the main gate to pay entrance fees and obtain a map and the latest information updates. Access fees for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for hikers, bikers and motorcyclists are $5.00; vehicles are charged $10.00. This charge entitles the payer to 5 days unlimited access to the Park. One can also buy a Hawaii National Park Pass for $20.00 good for one year at all National Park sites on the Big Island and Maui. For $50.00 one can buy a Golden Eagle National Park Pass, good for one year at any National Park in the country. U.S. citizens over 62 years of age can purchase a Golden Age Passport for $10.00 that entitles them to free access to all National Parks for life. Disabled U.S. citizens may obtain a free, lifetime Golden Access Pass good at all National Parks in the country.

Mauna Loa from Mauna Loa Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about 4200 feet elevation and one may enter in a driving sleet storm or freezing fog only to find oneself in the baking tropic desert of Holei at the end of Chain of Craters Road only forty minutes later. Expect rain, warm and cold; expect sun, warm and cold, and bring appropriate clothing and use it.

Sea arches, cliffs and wild ocean at the end of Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Food is only available in the Park at Volcano House, and occasionally at the end of Chain of Craters Road at a small concession stand. There are a number of restaurants and shops in Volcano Village to buy food and drinks, where the only gas near the Park also is available. It is wise to fill-up the gas tank and the food cooler before entering the Park. No matter what your plans may be, you are likely to spend more time and use more gas in the Park than you had originally intended.

Halema'uma'u eruption from Jagger Museum, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here.

Mauna Loa from Steaming Bluff, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

All media copyright 2010 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

Mauna Loa from Mauna Loa Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan