National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Dog Policy

Name: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Address: HI

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is Somewhat Dog Friendly

Trails

Dogs Not Allowed

^[]

Campground

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash & Exceptions ^[]

Roads

Dogs Allowed

with 6' Leash ^[]

This park on the Big Island protects the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, two of the world's most active geological features. Diverse ecosystems range from tropical forests at sea level to barren lava beds at more than 13,000 feet (4,000 m).^[1]

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a somewhat dog friendly park. Dogs are not allowed on any trails, but they are allowed on a number of roads and at one of the campgrounds.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park also runs the BARK Ranger Program, where you can earn a special dog tag by learning and following responsible practices (see the BARK Ranger section below).

Website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
Pet Policy Details: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/pets.htm
BARK Ranger: Yes ^[]
Area: 509 mi²
Annual Visitors: 589,775

Trail Policy

Dogs are not allowed on trails at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Campground Policy

Dogs are allowed at Nāmakanipaio Campground on a 6' leash.

Dogs are not allowed at Kulanaokuaiki Campground.

Road Policy

Dogs are allowed on most paved roads with a 6' leash.

Dogs are allowed on the following roads:

Crater Rim Drive (where vehicles are also allowed)
Chain of Craters Road to Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs
Mauna Loa Road (aka the Strip Road)
Highway 11
Kīlauea Military Camp roads and parking areas
Kahuku Road - Highway 11 → Gate
Old Mamalahoa Highway

Dogs are not allowed on the following roads:

Kulanaokuaiki Campground & parking area
Hilina Pali Road
Puʻu o Lokuana

BARK Ranger

Bark Ranger is a great program offered at many National Park Service destinations. It teaches dog owners how to explore parks responsibly with their dogs, and participants often receive a special reward after completing the program. Many parks offer a Bark Ranger dog tag, sometimes free and sometimes available for purchase, while others may provide a bandana, sticker, certificate, or another park-specific item. To get started, stop by a park office or visitor center and ask for the Bark Ranger checklist. Once you and your dog complete the activities, return the checklist to receive or purchase the reward offered at that park. See the link below for more details.

B.A.R.K. is an acronym for:

B: Bag your poop: Help keep the park clean by bagging and picking up your dog poop, and properly disposing of it. Don’t leave your bagged poop on the side of the trail, hanging from branches, or throw it into the woods. Please note dog poop is not a natural fertilizer — it can carry disease that can spread to wildlife or other dogs.
A: Always wear a leash: Dogs must be restrained on a leash no longer than 6'. Retractable leashes that extend beyond 6' are not allowed. Not everyone appreciates a dog running up to them, and many people are scared or allergic to dogs — a leash prevents uncomfortable situations between your dog and others. Leashes also help protect your dog from running off if anything spooks them.
R: Respect wildlife: Dogs can chase or scare wildlife such as birds and turtles. They can also damage nesting areas. Some parks have wildlife, such as bears, coyotes, or wolves, that can threaten your dog. Please be respectful of wildlife with your dog, and if you do encounter wildlife, keep dog at distance to protect both your dog and the wildlife.
K: Know where to go: Know which trails allow dogs, and which don’t. Don’t leave dogs unattended in vehicles while you go off to hike. See the link below for more details.

For more information on the Bark Ranger program, please see: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/pets.htm

We also have a list of all parks that run the BARK Ranger program.

Location & Map

State

Hawaii

Have a photo of your dog here?

Note: Policies can change -- please make sure to check official dog/pet policies prior to making plans or booking travel.

Please tell us if you think there’s anything we should add or change on this page.

Credits

[1] Overview text from the Wikipedia article List of national parks of the United States, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.