Wheelchair Accessibility at Hawaii’s Volcano National Park: The Ultimate Guide
Part of my travel goals are to visit as many national parks as possible, so when I journeyed to Hawaii’s Big Island in March 2022, I knew that a stop to Volcanoes National Park was a must. Since I’m a big planner, I did research ahead of time so I knew what to expect during my time there and thought I’d share my experiences with you so you can plan your own trip there. Here is my guide on wheelchair accessibility at Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park.
Is Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park Wheelchair Accessible?
Many national parks have a fairly good level of accessibility and Volcanoes National Park is no different. This park offers accessible trails, overlooks, an educational film about the park and a scenic drive. The visitor center is also accessible.
When I visited, I felt like I was able to fully enjoy the park with very few areas that weren’t accessible (Thurston Lava Tube is not accessible due to stairs). Seeing the numerous craters, ancient lava flow, steam vents and even active lava made my experience truly memorable.
While there are some challenges when visiting the park in a wheelchair, mostly due to the rocky and uneven terrain, it is still a great park for people of all abilities to enjoy. I would highly recommend you make this a stop while you’re on the Big Island.
Why Visit Volcanoes National Park?
This is a great destination for geology and nature lovers. It was amazing to see the assorted colors of the soil and to understand all the activity that was going on under the surface of the earth. While driving through the old lava fields, and witnessing how beautiful, flowered plants broke their way through the hard, black rock and were starting to flourish in the harsh environment. It made me reflect and reminded me that even out of devastation, there is eventually the possibility of something beautiful.
While hiking on one of the accessible trails, I was also able to see my first Nene bird. The Nene is the official state bird of Hawaii and an endangered species. If you see one, enjoy the moment, but give them their space so they don’t feel threatened. Please don’t feed them or attempt to pet them as this can be harmful to them. You’ll immediately recognize them when you see them as they look very similar to a Canadian Goose.
Wheelchair Accessibility at Volcanoes National Park: Places to Stay When Visiting the Park
Many people will stay in Hilo as it is a short distance from the park and central to other activities that one may have planned. However, another option is to stay inside the park.
The Volcano House is a hotel located near the visitor center and will allow you early and easy access to everything that the park has to offer. There is only one ADA-accessible room, so make sure to make your reservations early.
If you do decide to stay in Hilo (which is also a good option), there are plenty of hotels to choose from. I stayed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a Doubletree by Hilton.
My accessible room had a balcony overlooking the pool area and a large, spacious bathroom with a roll-in shower. There was also enough room for me to navigate the bedroom in my wheelchair. The only drawback was that it had a platform bed, so people who require the use of a Hoyer lift would have difficulty.
How Much Time to Spend at Volcanoes National Park
There is so much to do and see that I recommend spending at least one full day at the park (arriving early), however, you could easily spend more than a day depending on how much time you spend admiring the views, reading about the park’s history, and taking advantage of the accessible trails. Make sure to bring plenty of water and a picnic lunch to fully enjoy your experience.
Wheelchair Accessibility at Volcanoes National Park: Things to Do
Okay, so Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park is wheelchair accessible, but you may be asking yourself what can I do to experience this diverse place? Here are my must-see/dos when visiting Volcanoes National Park.
Kilauea Crater
There is a large parking lot at this overlook with designated accessible spaces. Accessible restrooms are also available here. There is a paved path going from the parking lot that then turns into a short gravel trail to get to the main overlook area.
The most challenging section of this trail is the transition from the pavement to the gravel, as it could have been sloped better and is more like a small-inch drop-off. The gravel varies in thickness, so choose the best route for you to navigate.
This massive crater is probably the most famous in the park. While there was no visible lava when I visited, there were areas where steam was escaping from the surface. The different colored soil made many interesting areas to look at.
Steam Vents
As groundwater sinks further into the earth and hits rocks heated by the magma underneath, steam is created which then escapes up into the air. These interesting vents have been called the breath of the volcano. There is a small parking area with designated accessible parking.
The Crater Rim Trail runs by this unique feature making it accessible to people of all abilities.
Sulphur Banks
Located just across the road from the steam vents and accessible by a short trail from the vents are the Sulphur banks. Similarly, to the vents, steam escapes from the ground, but in this area brings with it volcanic gases. These gases have deposited crystal-like structures on the ground.
A trail and boardwalk make this area accessible to people of all abilities. While it may be tempting to try to touch the steam, please do not. The steam is extremely hot and has measured over two hundred degrees. You will get burned.
Watch the Park Movie
At the Kilauea Visitor Center, you can learn more about the history of the park including, information about past eruptions, how the park was formed, wildlife, plants, and the park’s cultural significance. There is a film in the theater that will highlight important and interesting information.
Roll on an Accessible Trail
There are three accessible trails within Volcano National Park. These include: Devastation Trail, Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge) Trail, and Kīpukapuaulu Trail.
1. Devastation Trail
Devastation Trail is a paved pathway that passes through a landscape that is recovering from the effects of falling cinder. It is 1-mile roundtrip and leads to a lovely crater overlook. There are some sections where there are steeper inclines (greater than 8%).
When I visited in March 2022, the Devastation Trail was the only one that was open (the others were under construction). It was a nice way to explore the park and I even got to see my first Nene bird. These endangered birds are native only to Hawaii and are special to see.
2. Kūpinaʻi Pali (Waldron Ledge)
This now trail, was once part of the Crater Rim Drive that was destroyed by an earthquake. This trail is paved (since it was a road) and fairly flat to navigate and is part of the larger Crater Rim Trail. There are some cracked and upheaved sections due to the earthquake damage, but in most places, they can be avoided. This trail is 1 mile roundtrip.
3. Kīpukapuaulu
This dirt loop trail is 1.2 miles. It has some gentle slopes throughout as it navigates you through more recent lava flow sections as well as some old and rare flora and fauna. You may even get to glimpse some wildlife as well.
Watch for Active Lava
While mother nature is unpredictable and being able to witness active lava is never guaranteed, it is possible that you may get lucky and see this awesome feature. Check with park rangers for current conditions and where the best place to see any active flow is.
I was fortunate enough to have activity when I visited the park. Although it was a rainy evening and prevented me from having the best views of the lava, it was still one of the highlights of my trip.
Be prepared and bring a camera that has a good zoom lens as it is typical for the viewing areas to be quite a distance from the actual lava flow. This is for safety reasons. Some of the best times to view the lava is at dusk when you can see it glowing really well against the darkening sky.
Chain of Craters Road
The Chain of Craters Road is a scenic drive that will take you to some really interesting areas of the park. You’ll pass by dormant volcanic craters, ancient lava fields and end up by the ocean where there is a sea arch.
Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the drive and to stop at the numerous overlooks and scenic pull-offs. While not all pull-offs have accessible parking, or really any designated parking spaces, you can quickly stop and see the views it has to offer right from your vehicle. There was one stop that did have an accessible parking space and a ramped tower so you can see the vastness of the hardened volcanic lava fields.
The sea arch at the end of the road has a parking area with accessible spaces and accessible restrooms. The paths that lead to better views of the arch, however, are not accessible due to the old lava which creates a rough and rocky terrain. For the best views of the arch, pay attention as you drive up to the parking area from your vehicle. Driving along the coast and seeing the arch from a distance was still very beautiful even if you can’t get a closer look.
The Perfect 1 Day Wheelchair Accessible Itinerary for Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park
To help you make the most of your time here, I’ve included an itinerary if you only have one day to spend in the park.
- Arrive in the park and check with the visitor center to inquire about the current active lava flow Head to Kilauea Visitor Center to watch the park film.
- Continue to drive to the Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks (which are in the same area as the vents).
- Drive to the end of the road to the Kilauea Overlook
- Choose one of the accessible trails to explore
- Drive the Chain to Craters Road, stopping at any pull-offs or overlooks that you find interesting
- End your day by checking out any active lava flow (which is great seen at dusk).
If You Have More Time
If you have more than one day to spend in the park, consider going to the Volcano Art Center. This building is located next to the Volcano House and offers modern and historic art displays, cultural programs, guided forest walks and more.
You could also roll on more of the accessible trails offered in the park. There are 3 wheelchair-accessible trails throughout the park. Each trail offers something special and unique. Just make sure to check with rangers and the visitor center for any closures or other important information.
Lastly, check at the ranger or visitor center to see what ranger-guided activities are being offered that day and to inquire about their accessibility. These activities can change from day to day and from season to season.
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Wheelchair Accessibility at Volcanoes National Park: Will I see Lava at Volcanoes National Park?
Lava conditions can change often so it’s hard to say whether you’ll be lucky enough to see active lava. When you get to the park, head to the visitor center where a ranger can advise you on current conditions and the best place to view any active flow.
In March 2022, I was lucky enough to visit when the lava was active. The viewing area is fairly far from the actual flow for safety reasons. Despite the rain that was dampening the day and creating fog around this incredible hot spot, I was still able to see the lava and it was one of the highlights of my time in the park.
Tips for Visiting Volcanoes National Park
- Bring plenty of water. Hawaii can get very hot and you don’t want to ruin your visit by becoming dehydrated. Fill up a reusable water bottle and be sure to drink often. If you need to refill your bottle, there is water available at the visitor center.
- Don’t forget your sunscreen. This park has a lot of open areas, and it can be easy to focus on the gorgeous scenery that you don’t pay attention to the amount of sun you’re getting. Make sure to apply sunscreen so you don’t get burned.
- Wear appropriate footwear. For people with limited mobility, make sure that you wear sturdy shoes that can handle the rough terrain. If you are a wheelchair user, keep an eye on your tires and obstacles that may puncture them. The lava is not only uneven but can be sharp in some areas as well.
- Be prepared for any kind of weather. It is common to have a passing shower throughout the day in Hawaii, so make sure to bring an umbrella or rain poncho to help keep you dry. Likewise, the weather can be quite warm in the day but cool off in the evening. It never hurts to bring layers that you can either add or remove depending on your needs.
- Bring snacks or a picnic. If you plan to spend the entire day in the park (which is easy to do) make sure you bring some nourishment with you. This can help not only your hunger but energy levels as well. There is really no place to get food inside of the park, so bring your own picnic or protein-filled snacks to enjoy throughout the day. There are picnic areas throughout the park. Just make sure to properly dispose of your trash to not harm the environment or wildlife. Please do not try to feed any animals as this can cause them harm.
- Get to the park early and plan to stay late. By arriving early, it will help you beat some of the heat and make your stay more pleasant by avoiding some of the crowds as well. Staying later will also allow for cooler temperatures to explore and provide you with some excellent lava viewing conditions.
- Always check with a park ranger for closures, available activities and lava viewing opportunities. Even if you’ve done your research on the park ahead of time, things can change and you will want the most up to date information available so you can maximize your visit.
Check out my Hawaii Packing List post for more ideas on what to pack for your trip.
Final Thoughts on Wheelchair Accessibility at Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park
Given that Volcanoes National Park has tons of lava fields, dormant volcanoes and generally uneven terrain, the accessibility here is quite good. I was able to go to all the major overlooks, see active lava and even do some accessible hikes. The views were hard to beat, and I enjoyed my time here very much. There were very few places that were not accessible (such as the lava tubes and the hike to see the petroglyphs) and this was due to the natural terrain of old lava.
You can tell that the rangers and park are doing all that they can to make this park enjoyable and accessible to everyone. I had a wonderful time visiting and definitely recommend that you put Volcanoes National Park on your Hawaiian itinerary as well.
