Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park enact temporary safety closures

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park staff are implementing temporary safety closures due to severe weather forecasted to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding.

The Mauna Loa summit is closed as blizzard conditions and wind speeds of up to 100 mph are expected.

The following closures are in effect starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 13:

• Mauna Loa Road from Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout will be closed to all use, including pedestrians and bicycles.
• Tent camping at Nāmakanipaio campground.
• All backcountry camping sites, including Red Hill Cabin, the coastal backcountry, and Pepeiao Cabin.
• Chain of Craters Road at the Crater Rim Drive intersection near Devastation Trail.
• Kīpukapuaulu Trail.

The Kahuku Unit will be closed Saturday and Sunday.

Kīlauea summit areas will remain open at this time, including the Welcome Center, Kīlauea Military Camp, Volcano House, and front-country trails. Crater Rim Drive West is open from the park entrance to Kīlauea Military Camp.

Road access to areas west of Kīlauea Military Camp, including Kīlauea Overlook and Uēkahuna, is closed due to ongoing cleanup to remove large amounts of tephra from the recent eruption.

Access to areas west of Kīlauea Military Camp off Crater Rim Trail is allowed; however, visitors are advised to use caution on roadways, trails, and crosswalks due to reduced visibility. Trees and branches may fall due to heavy rain and wind.

National Park Service staff will reassess conditions Monday and, if safe, will reopen closed areas. Additional closures may occur if severe weather continues.