Hawaii · National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: tour or DIY?
Checked Oct 26, 2026 · Source: NPS
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes charges $30 per private vehicle, according to the National Park Service (checked Oct 26, 2026). The $80 America the Beautiful pass beats paying at the gate after 3 visits. One fee covers the whole car, so a party of four pays $7.50 each to enter, which favors driving yourself. January is busiest, with 10% of 2025 recreation visits.
DIY wins on entry cost for groups
The $30 vehicle fee is paid once for everyone in the car. A tour only beats driving yourself if it saves you real money or time on fuel, parking, shuttles and planning.
We do not print tour prices here because we do not have a live, licensed feed for them. Enter a real quote in the calculator and we prefill this park’s fee.
| Party | Entrance total | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $30 | $30 |
| 2 people | $30 | $15 |
| 4 people | $30 | $7.50 |
| 6 people | $30 | $5 |
Arithmetic on the NPS fee of $30. The vehicle fee covers all passengers, so cost per person falls as the group grows.
Entrance fees
| Fee | Cost | Notes from NPS |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $30 | Private Vehicle Pass - The private vehicle pass admits the passholder and up to 14 passengers of a single, private (non-commercial) vehicle. |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $25 | Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15 | Pedestrian/Cyclist Pass - Admits one individual bicyclist, hiker, or pedestrian visiting without a private vehicle. An individual pass is not required for visitors aged 15 and under. |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $100 | The commercial entrance fee for a Road Based Guided Tour is based on vehicle seating capacity. For a 16-25 passenger vehicle the user fee is $100. |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $200 | The commercial entrance fee for a Road Based Guided Tour is based on vehicle seating capacity. For a 26+ passenger vehicle the user fee is $200. |
| Commercial Entrance - Per Person | $15 | $15 per person for Commercial Non-Road Based Guided Tours. This includes hiking more than one mile on one trail, bird watching on foot for more than one hour at one location, and/or or bicycling tours. |
Source: nps.gov fees and passes for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes via the NPS API, checked Oct 26, 2026. Fees change; confirm before you go.
Pass math
- The $80 America the Beautiful Resident Annual Pass equals 3 visits at $30 per vehicle, here or at any other fee site.
- Seniors 62+ pay $20 for an annual pass or $80 for lifetime.
When it is busiest
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025. January had 10% of the year; October was the quietest month, with about 69% of the busiest month’s visits.
Show the numbers
| Month | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 181,117 |
| February | 158,216 |
| March | 162,193 |
| April | 147,328 |
| May | 143,362 |
| June | 173,228 |
| July | 171,827 |
| August | 157,880 |
| September | 129,940 |
| October | 125,237 |
| November | 157,374 |
| December | 170,152 |
Source: NPS IRMA Stats, recreation visitors, 2025, pulled Oct 26, 2026.
Alerts right now
7 active NPS alerts when we checked on Oct 26, 2026, including 1 closure. Showing the most serious first.
Park Closure Mauna Loa Road Closed Past Kīpukapuaulu for Tree Removal
Mauna Loa Road will be closed to the public from the gate past Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout for tree removal through October 28, 2026. The tree work will prepare the area for the Mauna Loa Road Rehabilitation Project. Vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians will not be allowed during the closure. Details on nps.gov
Caution Kīpukapuaulu Trail Closed Due to Hazardous Trees and Hanging Limbs
Kīpukapuaulu Trail remains closed due to numerous hazardous trees and hanging limbs resulting from several recent storms. Managers are developing a plan and will reopen the trail when it is safe. Details on nps.gov
Caution Protect Yourself from Volcanic Tephra
Volcanic ash, rock and glassy strands (tephra) is present at Kīlauea summit and can irritate your skin, eyes and respiratory system. For your safety, do not handle it. Eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, a hat, closed-toe shoes and a dust mask are recommended. Details on nps.gov
Information Kīlauea eruption
Volcanic eruptions can be hazardous. Stay out of closed areas and monitor air quality. Eruptions can last a few hours and are often separated by pauses lasting several weeks. Details on nps.gov
Information Hilina Pali Road Shoulder Work Scheduled 9/14/26 to 11/19/26
Hilina Pali Road beyond the Maunaiki Trailhead will be closed to motorized vehicles on September 14, 2026 from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday for shoulder work. Details on nps.gov
Information Sulphur Banks Bridge Closed; Boardwalk is Open
The Sulphur Banks Bridge is damaged and closed until further notice. The Haʻakulamanu area, boardwalk and Sulphur Banks Trail are open and accessible from the west side near Steam Vents. Details on nps.gov
Source: NPS API alerts, checked Oct 26, 2026. Conditions change by the hour; check the park page before you drive.
Hours and access
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day including holidays.
Source: NPS API operating hours, checked Oct 26, 2026.
What NPS lists to do here
- Arts and Culture
- Backcountry Camping
- Backcountry Hiking
- Biking
- Birdwatching
- Bookstore and Park Store
- Camping
- Car or Front Country Camping
- Front-Country Hiking
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program
- Museum Exhibits
- Park Film
- Shopping
- Wildlife Watching
Source: NPS API activity tags, checked Oct 26, 2026.
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Open the calculator for Hawaiʻi VolcanoesQuestions
How much does it cost to enter Hawaiʻi Volcanoes by car?
The NPS lists $30 per private vehicle (checked Oct 26, 2026). The fee covers every passenger in the vehicle.
When is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes busiest?
January had the most recreation visits in 2025 (10% of the year). October had the fewest, so January drew about 1.4 times as many visits. Source: NPS IRMA Stats.
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TourOrDIY is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service. Numbers are copied from NPS public data on Oct 26, 2026 and may have changed. See the accuracy disclaimer and our method.