Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

11/09/2026

Veterans Day is this Wednesday, November 11, and it is a fee-free day at all fee-charging national parks for U.S. citizens. Join us in honoring those who served our country.

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

This episode is over.

Lava fountaining from episode 56 ended at 6:01 p.m. HST, and what a grand finale with the volcanic gas and sunset producing some incredible colors!

Who was fortunate enough to witness Kīlauea volcano's potent display today?

📸1: USGS we**am image of the subsiding eruption at sunset
📸2: NPS Photo/J.Wei of lava fountaining from the north vent
📸3: NPS Photo/J.Wei closeup showing the lava fountain and lava flows spilling out of the north vent.

11/05/2026

🌋Kīlauea is erupting. Episode kanalima kūmāono (56) officially started at 12:10 pm HST with dome-shaped lava fountains and voluminous overflows from the north vent at and spatter visible in the southwest vent.

We have strong steady tradewinds today, so vog and tephra fallout will most likely not be a problem at the summit, but communities downwind of Kīlauea summit could be impacted.

📝Be prepared and be safe:

🚙Drive safely and be alert! Traffic is already picking up at the park entrance and in popular viewing areas and parking lots.
🚧Stay out of closed areas. Serious injuries have occurred in closed areas, and entering puts you and park staff at risk. Excellent, safe viewing opportunities are available in open areas.
🧠Stay away from cliff edges, they are unstable and undercut. If you feel the ground shaking, move further away from the caldera edge.
🛑Slow down, follow signs, watch for detours, and listen to rangers.
🚗Park only in designated areas; don’t block roads or emergency access.
🔒Do NOT leave valuables in your car — most break-ins happen when items are visible.
🚶‍➡️Pedestrians: stay alert and use sidewalks/crosswalks.
🦆Watch for nēnē on roads and in parking lots; never feed wildlife.
🚨Temporary closures may occur if vog or tephra (falling volcanic material) create hazardous conditions.
☑️Check park alerts and viewing areas: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm

📸NPS Photo/J.Wei taken from Uēkahuna as the eruption started

11/05/2026

When you want to see the lava and a double ānuenue 🌈🌈leads the way.

A robust and vigorous river of lava is flowing out of the north vent as of 9:15 am HST this morning, Thursday, November 5 and onto the crater floor. This activity could stop, or continue, or we could see the Episode 56 lava fountains fire up at any time.

🌋👀Keep your eyes on Kīlauea here: https://www.youtube.com//streams

NPS Photo/J.Wei

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/05/2026

Roiling lava ponds. From the air. Mahalo USGS! 🚁🌋

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/03/2026

🌋Kīlauea update for November 3, 2026

Lava flows began erupting from the north vent within Halema'uma'u yesterday, November 2, and are continuing today, but are less vigorous than they were yesterday afternoon and last night. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says that high lava fountaining remains a possibility today or within the next few days.

🥽Gusty tradewinds continue at the summit. If you plan to visit, protect yourself from the fine particles of tephra from past eruptions that blanket the landscape especially between Uēkahuna and Kīlauea Overlook. The winds are blowing tephra around which can irritate your eyes and respiratory system. Wear eye protection like goggles and use a dust mask. Long pants and a long-sleeved shirt offer additional protection.

Visit the park website for more safety information, viewing locations, and more: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm

📸USGS HVO web cam V1 showing a little lava oozing from the north vent in Halemaʻumaʻu crater

11/03/2026

🌋Kīlauea is ramping up as we await the official start of eruption episode 56 in Halemaʻumaʻu crater. A dome fountain continues in the north vent and was about 25 feet high as of 4:30 pm HST. Lava flows have extended more than half a mile across Halemaʻumaʻu crater floor. The south vent began to spatter then took a break. We are waiting and watching and whoa!-ing right along with you!

If you’re planning to try your lava luck tonight, please drive safely! It’s raining in many places, and it’s gusty. Also, 🥶 at 4000 ft above sea level.

📸NPS photo/J.Wei of the start of the dome-shaped lava fountain in the north vent.

11/03/2026

👀 USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has revised the forecast for episode 56 lava fountaining to being anytime between this afternoon (November 2) to November 7 and has raised the alert level to Orange/Watch for Kīlauea volcano.

🌋Precursory lava flows, spattering and drainback from the north vent started around 11:43 a.m. today, with a large voluminous flow from the north vent. Since then, the north vent continues to spatter and generate vigorous lava flows onto the crater floor.

🌬️If you visit, be prepared, stay out of closed areas, and expect crowded parking lots and overlooks. Strong tradewinds are blowing so hold on to your hats! Air quality is good at all popular overlooks and trails at Kīlauea summit.

❓A park map, information on eruption viewing areas and safety tips are on the park website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm

📸USGS screenshot from the V3 livestream.

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/31/2026

🌋The eruption within Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano remains paused, but we might see lava fountains resume sometime between November 2 and 9. USGS says due to the unusual buildup to episode 55, precise forecasting of the next episode is not exactly possible.

⛈️Thunderstorms and heavy rain pummeled the park last night, and viewing was best on the web cams. Magma is close to the surface in the west vent which produced a strong glow overnight (and some spatter) while the north vent produced weaker glow, seen in this screen shot from the USGS V1 livestream.

🚙If you visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park this weekend, be prepared for rain and potentially hazardous conditions on island roadways. Stay safe and be spooky! Happy Halloween. 🎃🍬

📸USGS screenshot of the glow from magma rising in the west and south vents.

10/29/2026

Good news! Mauna Loa Road is now open to all use all the way to the Lookout. Motorists: please drive safely and look out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

NPS Photo of Kīpukapuaulu on Mauna Loa Road