Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Vast areas of the park qualify as desert, and dehydration is common. Carrying two quarts
of water per person is the standard advice, but bring more and keep a gallon in the trunk:
you'll drink it.
EMERGENCIES
Park Dispatch
985-6170
Emergency services
911
MAPS
The free color map given at the park's entrance is fine for driving around, seeing the
main sights and hiking a few short and/or popular trails. The visitor center has some
backcountry trail maps if you're headed into the wild blue yonder.
If you'll be backpacking or hiking extensively, consider purchasing National Geo-
graphic's Trails Illustrated map,
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
. It's a comprehensive,
waterproof and rip-resistant large-format topographic hiking map that identifies most ter-
rain features, including campgrounds. For specific hikes, the USGS 1:24,000 maps
Kilauea, Volcano
and
Kaʻu Desert
are also helpful.
Getting There & Around
The national park is 29 miles (about 40 minutes) from Hilo and 97 miles (2½ hours)
from Kailua-Kona. From either direction you'll drive on Hwy 11. Volcano village is a
mile east of the park entrance.
The Hele-On Bus (
Click here
)
connects the park with Hilo (one hour, five daily
Monday to Saturday).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Volcano
POP 2600
Like so many aspects of the Big Island, the small village of Volcano is a unique little
gem. Most of the town is actually hidden in a remarkable forest of giant ferns,
sugi
(Japanese evergreen), and ohia trees, the main drag being an exception. It is also a mag-
net for artists and writers, who find inspiration in its quiet and remote setting on the edge
of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Their annual coming-out party is the Volcano Vil-
lage Artists' Hui, an open-studios extravaganza held the three days after Thanksgiving.
There's no better time to visit.
