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Meeting Locations, Directions & Park Entry
Volcanoes Hiking Guides does not use one meeting point for every experience.
Where you meet depends on the hike you book, and access may change because of construction, parking, trail closures, weather, volcanic activity or air quality.
After booking, Volcanoes Hiking Guides sends the confirmed meeting location, map pin, written directions and guide contact information.
Always follow the most recent message rather than an old map pin, marketplace listing or general park address.
Current Kīlauea Visitor Center Update
The Kīlauea Visitor Center building, restrooms and part of the surrounding parking area are temporarily closed for renovation.
Visitor information, park rangers, Junior Ranger materials and the park store are currently available at the temporary Welcome Center at Kīlauea Military Camp.
The Welcome Center is:
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Located approximately 1.25 miles beyond the park entrance station
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Near the U.S. flagpole at Kīlauea Military Camp
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Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
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Served by parking at the nearby ballfield
The National Park Service currently expects the Kīlauea Visitor Center renovation to continue through late 2026. Check the latest construction information.
The temporary Welcome Center is not automatically your hiking meeting point. Go there only when it appears in the instructions for your reservation.
Meeting Points by Hiking Experience
These are the normal meeting areas currently used by Volcanoes Hiking Guides. The final map pin and written directions sent for your reservation always take priority.
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Hiking Experience
★ Keiki to Kūpuna
★ 3-Hour Nature & Steam Vent Hike
★ Private 3-Hour Volcano Experience
★ 4.5-Hour Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike
★ Private 4.5-Hour Kīlauea Iki Crater Hike
★ 6-Hour Volcano Adventure Hike
★ Private 6-Hour Volcano Explorer
★ Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike
Normal Meeting Area
U.S. flagpole at Kīlauea Military Camp
Kīlauea Military Camp
Kīlauea Military Camp
Kīlauea Iki Overlook
Kīlauea Iki Overlook
Kīlauea Visitor Center area or the updated location provided in your confirmation
Kīlauea Visitor Center area or the updated location provided in your confirmation
Confirmed Puʻu ʻŌʻō Trail or Highway 200/Saddle Road-area access point
Because construction and parking conditions can change, do not use this table by itself for navigation. Wait for the specific map pin sent for your booking.
Kīlauea Overlook and Kīlauea Iki Overlook Are Different Places
Guests should pay close attention to these two similarly named locations:
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Kīlauea Iki Overlook overlooks Kīlauea Iki crater
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Kīlauea Overlook is a different parking and viewing area beside Kīlauea’s summit caldera
The 4.5-hour public and private hikes normally meet at Kīlauea Iki Overlook, not Kīlauea Overlook.
Enter the exact pin from your confirmation rather than typing only “Kīlauea Overlook” into your navigation app.
Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike Meeting Point
The Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike uses a meeting point in the Puʻu ʻŌʻō Trail and Highway 200/Saddle Road area.
It does not use the main Kīlauea entrance or the regular meeting system for the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park hikes.
Guests receive a separate map pin and written directions for the confirmed access point. Do not drive to Kīlauea Visitor Center, Kīlauea Military Camp or Kīlauea Iki Overlook unless your booking instructions specifically direct you there.
When Will You Receive the Final Directions?
Initial booking information is followed by final arrival instructions the day before the hike.
Volcanoes Hiking Guides sends:
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Confirmed meeting location
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Map pin
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Written driving directions
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Arrival time
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Parking instructions
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Assigned guide’s contact information
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Any preparation or location updates
These details are sent by email and by text message or WhatsApp.
Save the information before leaving an area with reliable mobile service.
Contact us so we can confirm your meeting location and arrival details.
Directions to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Most Volcanoes Hiking Guides experiences take place in the main Kīlauea section of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, reached from Highway 11.
Current National Park Service estimates are:
From Hilo:
Approximately 30 miles southwest on Highway 11.
Estimated driving time: 45 minutes
From Kailua-Kona:
Approximately 95 miles southeast on Highway 11.
Estimated driving time: 2 to 2.5 hours
An alternative route through Waimea and Hilo is approximately 125 miles and normally takes 2.5 to 3 hours.
From Waikoloa:
Approximately 90 miles southeast using Highway 200.
Estimated driving time: 2 hours
These times reach the general park area, not the hiking meeting point. Allow additional time for:
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Traffic
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Weather
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Construction
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Entrance-station lines
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Eruption-related congestion
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Driving inside the park
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Finding parking
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Walking to the meeting location
Reaching the park entrance does not mean you have reached your guide. Review the National Park Service directions.
You Need Your Own Transportation
Volcanoes Hiking Guides does not provide hotel pickup, a sightseeing bus or transportation between your accommodation and the meeting location.
Guests travel in their own personal or rental vehicle. Volcanoes Hiking Guides guides do not drive guests.
A personal or rental vehicle is generally the most dependable way to reach the assigned meeting point.
Will You Need to Move Your Vehicle During the Experience?
Most experiences do not require guests to move their vehicles after meeting the guide.
A Kīlauea Iki itinerary may occasionally require guests to reposition their own vehicle or follow the guide’s vehicle to another approved location. If that applies to your reservation, the guide will explain the process.
Do not independently drive to another trailhead because it appears to be the next stop on a map.
Public Transportation
The Hawaiʻi County Hele-On bus currently stops near the Kīlauea Visitor Center area.
However, there is no public bus or shuttle system connecting the different hiking locations inside the park. A bus should not be considered suitable for a guided hike simply because it reaches the general visitor center area.
Check the current Hele-On schedule and speak with Volcanoes Hiking Guides before relying on public transportation.
Rideshare Services
Rideshare is not a dependable transportation plan for a scheduled hike.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is in a rural area, and the National Park Service warns that finding a rideshare driver inside the park may be extremely difficult or impossible.
Do not rely on a rideshare service unless you have confirmed both your arrival and return arrangements.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Entrance Fees
Park entrance is not included in the Volcanoes Hiking Guides tour price.
For qualifying commercial non-road-based guided tours, the National Park Service currently lists an entrance fee of:
$15 per person age 16 or older
Guests age 15 and younger are exempt from the entrance fee.
Current entrance options may also include:
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$30 private vehicle pass, valid for seven days and covering the passholder and passengers in one private, non-commercial vehicle
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Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass
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An eligible America the Beautiful Pass
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Senior, Access, Military, Volunteer or other qualifying federal passes
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A valid Every Kid Outdoors Fourth Grade Pass
Eligible passes are accepted according to the terms printed on or associated with the pass. The passholder may need to show matching photo identification.
Tell the entrance-station staff that you are joining a guided hiking experience and follow their instructions about which fee or pass applies to your group.
Because entrance rules can change, review the current National Park Service fees and passes before your visit.
Already Have a National Park Pass?
If you already have a valid America the Beautiful Pass or Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Annual Pass, bring the pass and the passholder’s matching photo ID.
Eligible passes are accepted according to current National Park Service terms. You do not need to purchase another pass if your existing pass covers admission. Park staff will confirm how the pass applies when you enter.
The Park Entrance Is Cashless
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park does not currently accept cash for entrance fees.
The entrance station accepts credit and debit cards. A qualifying pass may also be purchased or presented according to current National Park Service rules.
If you purchase a digital pass:
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Save it to your phone before arriving
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Take a screenshot for offline access
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Keep it available during the visit
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Bring matching identification when required
Mobile service can be limited inside the park.
Fourth-Grade Passes
Eligible U.S. fourth-grade students can receive a free Every Kid Outdoors Fourth Grade Pass.
The pass may admit the fourth grader and accompanying family members according to National Park Service terms. Obtain and activate the pass before relying on it for park entry.
This benefit may apply to families booking Keiki to Kūpuna or another eligible park experience, but the pass must meet the current National Park Service requirements.
Entry for the Ancient Forest & Bird Hike
The Private Mauna Loa Ancient Forest & Bird Hike does not use the main Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entrance station.
Follow the separate access and parking instructions sent for that experience.
Do not purchase a Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park pass solely for this hike unless your booking confirmation says it is needed.
Parking at Your Meeting Point
Park only in an approved space at the location identified in your final instructions.
Parking may be limited during:
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Major holidays
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Busy travel periods
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Active eruption episodes
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Construction
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Road or trail closures
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Periods of heavy visitation
Parking at Kīlauea Iki Overlook is limited and can fill quickly during busy periods, so allow extra time in case a space is not immediately available. Before your visit, check the latest Kīlauea Iki trail and parking information from the National Park Service.
Arrive early and follow the parking instructions sent for your reservation.
What to Do if the Parking Area Is Full
Do not:
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Park illegally
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Block traffic
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Leave your vehicle outside a designated space
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Change meeting locations without speaking to the guide
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Begin driving around the park looking for another trailhead
Call the assigned guide or Jennifer using the contact information sent before the hike. Follow their instructions about where to wait or park.
Large Vehicles and RVs
The National Park Service restricts oversized vehicles on several park roads.
Vehicles longer than 26 feet or wider than 8 feet are not permitted on portions of Crater Rim Drive East, Chain of Craters Road and other restricted park roads. Kīlauea Overlook also has a 26-foot vehicle-length limit.
If you are driving an RV, campervan or large passenger vehicle, review the current park restrictions and follow all signs.
Before You Start Driving
Open the latest Volcanoes Hiking Guides message and confirm:
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Hike booked
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Date
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Starting time
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Meeting location
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Map pin
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Written directions
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Parking instructions
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Guide’s contact information
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Park-entry requirements
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Any location update
Save the information before leaving an area with reliable service.
The official National Park Service app can also store downloaded park information for offline use.
When You Reach the Meeting Point
After arriving:
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Park in an approved space.
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Keep your phone available.
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Follow the check-in instructions from your confirmation.
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Find and check in with your guide.
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Prepare your personal belongings.
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Collect or adjust any guide-provided equipment.
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Confirm that you have your water and personal medication.
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Wait for your guide before beginning the route.
Do not begin hiking independently while waiting for the rest of the group.
How to Recognize Your Guide
Depending on the meeting location, your guide may use one or more of the following:
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Volcanoes Hiking Guides branded clothing
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A marked or recognizable company vehicle
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A Volcanoes Hiking Guides sign
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A text message or phone call
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A vehicle description sent before arrival
Your guide’s name and contact information are included in the final instructions.
Arrive 15 Minutes Early
Plan to reach the confirmed meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time.
This gives you time to park, find the guide, prepare your belongings and collect any supplied equipment.
What Happens if You Are Late?
Contact the assigned guide as soon as you realize you may be delayed.
Be ready to provide:
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Name on the booking
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Experience booked
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Current location
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Expected arrival time
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Whether you have entered the park
A public group may wait up to 15 minutes after the scheduled start. A private hike may wait up to 45 minutes.
Once the guide and group have left the meeting point, a late guest cannot join the hike. The planned finishing time will not be extended because of a late arrival.
Do not speed, park illegally or stop in an unsafe place while trying to reach the group.
If You Went to the Wrong Location
If you accidentally arrive at:
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Kīlauea Overlook instead of Kīlauea Iki Overlook
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Kīlauea Visitor Center
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The temporary Welcome Center
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The wrong trailhead
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An old meeting location
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A location from an outdated marketplace listing
Contact the assigned guide immediately.
Do not begin driving between trailheads until the guide confirms where you should go.
Why a Meeting Point Might Change
A meeting point may change because of:
✓ Trail or road closure
✓ Construction
✓ Limited parking
✓ Weather
✓ Volcanic activity
✓ Group size
✓ Air quality
✓ Park restrictions
✓ Changes to the planned route
A new meeting location does not necessarily mean the hiking experience has been canceled.
Volcanoes Hiking Guides will contact you using the phone number, email address or messaging details attached to your reservation.
Which Information Should You Trust?
Use information in this order:
1. The latest direct message from Volcanoes Hiking Guides
2. Current official National Park Service information
3. The current Volcanoes Hiking Guides website
Do not rely on:
☆ Old screenshots
☆ Saved map pins from a previous visit
☆ Third-party listings that have not been updated
☆ Directions for a different Volcanoes Hiking Guides experience
☆ Previous meeting locations
☆ Old travel articles
Check Everything Before You Leave
Before starting your drive, make sure you know:
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Where you are meeting
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When you need to arrive
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How to reach the location
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Where to park
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Which park-entry option applies
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How to contact your guide
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What water and equipment you need to bring
If anything remains unclear, contact Volcanoes Hiking Guides before leaving your accommodation.
