Skip to main content

This is when you should avoid visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park this month

Conservation efforts under weigh at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Lava at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
M. Newman / NPS

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is well-known for its volcanic activity. The park is home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano. Visitors are drawn to the rare opportunity to witness the power of volcanic processes, and this November will be no different.  If you’re planning on visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park this month, be aware that the National Park Service has planned a few flight operations in November to aid in monitoring conservation efforts. Here’s everything you need to know about how these operations and might impact your trip (and what you should do).

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park’s November flight operations

Volcanic fountains at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
M. Newman / National Park Service

These flight operations are crucial to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park because they are primarily used for volcanic monitoring, but they could also transport materials for conservation efforts like the fencing project that is currently underway at Mauna Loa.

Recommended Videos

Currently, flight operations are scheduled for November 12 and 15 between 9 a.m. and noon. Monitoring flights will also be conducted on November 20 and 22 from 6:30 a.m. to noon. These flights will document the petrel populations on Mauna Luna, an endangered native bird. Additionally, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) may conduct unscheduled flights over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to observe volcanic activity.

During these operations, visitors can expect a fair bit of noise around these volcanoes between 4,000 and 9,000 feet. The dates and times for these operations may change depending on the weather, so check the park’s official website for the latest updates on the closures.

Sarah Joseph
With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…
The best things to do in Big Bend National Park: An adventure you’ll never forget
A list of the must-see stops on your next trip to the popular Texan park
The Big Bend National Park Entrance Sign

Big Bend National Park is the jewel of the Chihuahuan Desert, brimming with life just under its rugged surface. The park straddles the border of the United States and Mexico, and even has a border crossing between the two. There are dozens of things to do in Big Bend National Park -- it's one of the best places for stargazing, exploring the Rio Grande, and enjoying days worth of breathtaking trails.
Need help deciding what to prioritize in this massive park, which spans over 1,250 square miles? I regularly visit Big Bend, and these five park features are always worth a stop. They're doable in a single day or easily extended if you're spending a longer period of time in Big Bend.

Hike through Santa Elena Canyon

Read more
The 20 best U.S. national parks to explore now
There are a lot of national parks to see, so here's a list to start with
Glacier National Park

As filmmaker Ken Burs rightly described, the national park system was "America's best idea." Today, these nature oases see over 331 million recreational visits per year, by last year's count. According to the National Park Service, 2024 saw the highest number of U.S. national park visitors of all time, as people from all walks of life sought a bit more of the outdoors. If that's you, it can be overwhelming to try and figure out which park to explore. From sea to shining sea, I've compiled a list of our favorite U.S. national parks that will satisfy your taste for adventure.
National Park Pass programs

Before we get into our list of the best national parks, we need to have a quick chat about the various National Park Pass programs. These passes will give you entry to the 430 parks across the U.S., and it's a good idea to book them in advance even though many also allow you to pay with card only at the entrance gates. Depending on your needs, there are different types of passes to choose from.

Read more
Crater Lake’s 2026 closure means now’s the time to visit
This is your last chance to visit Crater Lake National Park for three years
Crater Lake view

Crater Lake, which is the deepest lake in the United States, is closing for three years starting in 2026. Fortunately, Crater Lake National Park, one of the most underrated parks in the U.S.,  will still be open for visitors, but only park rangers and officials will be allowed to approach the water after this summer. This means that summer of 2025 will be your last year to swim here for a while. All boat tours from The Cleetwood Cove Marina will also be on hold, so this is the year to go!

This closure is just the first step in a huge rehabilitation project that will seek to update the trail and related infrastructure to improve safe access to the lake and visitor services. Cleetwood Cove Trail that leads up to Crater Lake is one of the most-used trails in the park since it's the only permitted access point to the shore, and the entire 1.1 miles of the trail is getting a huge makeover.

Read more