Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Monday will resume collecting entrance fees and allow public access to more areas of the park as part of its phased reopening.
The national park closed in March to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following areas will reopen by 9 a.m. Monday:
• Crater Rim Drive to Kilauea Military Camp, and to Devastation Trail parking lot;
• Kilauea summit area trails, including Byron Ledge Trail (newly repaired following the 2018 eruption and summit collapse), Devastation, and Halema‘uma‘u trails;
• Kilauea Iki Overlook and trail (one-way counterclockwise loop only)
• Chain of Craters Road to Mauna Ulu parking lot;
• Pu‘uhuluhulu and trails near Mauna Ulu, including Napau and Naulu trails (day use only);
• Ka‘u Desert and Mauna Iki trails (day use only)
Businesses in the park meeting local and federal public health requirements will also reopen with limited services, including Volcano House, Kilauea Military Camp, Volcano Art Center Gallery and the park’s non-profit partner, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association.
Areas already open include:
• Mauna Loa Road to Kipukapuaulu for vehicles, bicyclists and hikers, including Tree Molds and Kīpukapuaulu Trail. (The pavilion, picnic area and restroom remain closed).
• Mauna Loa Road past Kipukapuaulu is open for hikers and bicyclists to Mauna Loa Overlook at 6,662 feet, but is closed to vehicles for wildfire prevention.
• Footprints Trail from Highway 11 to the Ka‘ū Desert Trail and Mauna Iki Trail junction, including the Footprints shelter.
• Escape Road, for bicycling, horseback riding and hiking.
All other areas in the park remain closed at this time for public safety, including Nahuku and Kilauea Visitor Center.
“Services are limited, and visitors should bring everything they might need for a safe visit including water, meals, and hand sanitizer,” said HVNP Acting Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “Above all, visitors should pack their patience, avoid crowds, and have alternate destinations planned should parking lots be full.”
Those visiting should plan in advance, practice social distancing and wear a face covering when social distancing can’t be maintained, among other preventative safety measures.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted at nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes and on social media. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
