HVNP: What’s Open & Closed During Government Shutdown

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park announces that due to the lapse in federal appropriations and the ongoing eruption of Kīlauea Volcano both at the summit and from the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō vent, portions of the park are closed for visitor safety.

PC: NPS Janice Wei.

The open areas include Highway 11 through the park and Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (Kīpukapuaulu Trail, the day-use area and tree molds are open). Ka‘ū Desert Trail is open to the Footprints exhibit shelter. However, access may change without notice, and there are no NPS-provided services. Backcountry permits will not be issued and overnight camping will not be permitted.

Photo courtesy of Scott Cate .

The hazardous geologic processes and the immediate threats to visitor health and safety necessitate the restriction of access to areas that are volcanically active. These closed areas include the entire summit area of Kīlauea, the main park entrance, Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road and the active 61g lava flow within the park boundary.

Guests at Volcano House and Kīlauea Military Camp have 48 hours to depart by Monday morning, Jan. 22, 2018. Volcano Art Center Gallery is also closed.

The hazards associated with the active Kīlauea Volcano pose a significant risk to the safety of visitors in the absence of National Park Service staff.

Many other national park sites across the country will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures, but emergency and rescue services will be limited.

Please visit www.nps.gov and select “Find a Park” for additional information about access to other parks and sites in Hawai‘i. However, note that because of the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites are not being monitored or updated and may not reflect current conditions.

For updates on the shutdown, click here.