Parking around Volcano House?

Question

I' m trying to work out a day trip itinerary for HVNP and wondering how much of a problem parking is going to be. We are planning to go on a Sunday or Monday. My plan is to drive straight to the Kilauea overlook as soon as we get our car in Hilo, and we will hopefully arrive around 9:15-9:30. After that I was thinking of backtracking to the temporary visitor centre at the military camp to look around the shop and maybe listen to a ranger talk at 11, then go on to the steam vents and the Volcano House area to leave the car while I go walk out to the Sulfur Banks and back. Then drive down Chain of Craters road, stopping at whatever overlooks and so on we can get parked at (including Nahuku lava tube), and then walking out to the petroglyphs at the end before driving back to Hilo.

Is there an alternative for parking that I haven't considered? It seems that the parking at the Kilauea visitor centre is very limited during construction but I'm not clear on whether that is the only parking around the Volcano House area.

Answer

Parking around Volcano House and within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (HVNP) is generally manageable, but it does require a bit of planning, especially during weekends and peak visitor times. Since you are aiming for a Sunday or Monday, arriving early—as you planned around 9:15–9:30—is a smart strategy to secure spots at popular locations.

Here’s a detailed overview and tips regarding parking and logistics for your itinerary:

Kilauea Overlook & Nearby Trails: Parking here is limited but usually sufficient early in the morning. If you arrive around 9:15, you should have no problem. Later in the day, spots can fill quickly, especially on weekends.
Temporary Visitor Center at Military Camp: This site has a modest parking lot that usually accommodates most visitors. It’s a good alternative if the main Kilauea Visitor Center is under construction and crowded.
Volcano House Area & Steam Vents: Volcano House has a small parking lot for hotel guests, but public access is allowed for short stops to visit Sulfur Banks or the steam vents. If the lot is full, there is roadside parking along Crater Rim Drive, but spaces can be tight.
Chain of Craters Road: Most overlooks along Chain of Craters Road have small parking areas, usually sufficient for a few vehicles. Popular spots like Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube) can fill by mid-morning. Arriving early allows you to visit without competition.
Alternative Parking Options:
- Pull-offs along Crater Rim Drive can sometimes serve as overflow parking for quick stops.
- Some hikes and overlooks have adjacent picnic or trailhead parking (e.g., Devastation Trail, Steam Vents) that is free and generally available.
- If Volcano House parking is full, consider stopping briefly, dropping off passengers for short walks, and moving the car to the next spot.

Additional tips:

Bring a small hiking stick or backpack to minimize the need for multiple car trips for short walks.
Check the current park construction and road alerts on the official HVNP website before your trip; parking availability can shift due to construction closures.
Arriving early is key—many popular spots fill by 10:30–11:00. After that, roadside pull-offs and less-visited trails may be your best options.
If you plan to return to Volcano House for lunch or refreshments, try to park at a slightly less busy location nearby and walk over to avoid circling for parking.

Overall, your plan is feasible. The combination of early arrival, flexible use of small lots, and strategic use of roadside pull-offs should allow you to enjoy the main highlights without frustration over parking.