Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is located Hawaii County, Hawaii, with the closest and most popular area to the park being Hilo (about 30 miles from the park), a town more commonly known as the Big Island. 

The park sits on 323,431 acres of land that is meant to protect a variety of unique, rare and visually attractive features including active volcanoes, rare plants and vegetation, rainforest and desert, Kilauea's summit caldera and craters, a wide variety of animal species, and a lot more. 

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was established in August 1916 under the name ‘Hawaii National Park,’ and was later re-designated on September of 1961 as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In 1978 the park gained status as a wilderness. In 1980 as a Biosphere Reserve and in 1987 as a World Heritage Site.

To get to the park, drive 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via Highway’s 19 and11. You could also get to the park by driving 96 miles southeast on Highway 11, from Kailua-Kona. Once you get to this national park, you will not only get to enjoy the beautiful ecosystem around you, but you will also get to enjoy lots of recreational activities that the park has to offer. 

Recreational activities that you can enjoy at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park include hiking, camping, auto touring, stargazing, ranger-led programs, and mountain climbing. Bringing your doggie to the park is also allowed, but you will have to follow strict rules and guidelines to stay and enjoy all that the park has to offer. 

Basic rules to follow include, keeping your dog on a leash no longer than six feet long and respecting the environment around you including plants, wildlife, and other visitors to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Cleaning up after your dog’s solid waste and being aware of areas of the park that you can access and not access with your pooch. 

Basically, all undeveloped areas of the park including trails and wilderness areas are prohibited for dog’s and so are park buildings. Dogs are also not allowed on Hilina Pali Road and the Kulanaokuaiki Campground. Dogs are generally allowed in all developed areas of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.