Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park closed Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail on 7 October 2026 after a sharp increase in seismic activity beneath Kīlauea summit. More than 200 shallow earthquakes were recorded in the seven days leading up to the closure, with six additional events in the 24 hours before the NPS acted.
What Triggered the Closures
The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) detected continued ground inflation and new crack formation on the caldera floor between Uēkahuna and Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff). Scientists link the cracks to a short-lived magma intrusion that occurred between 30 September and 1 October, pushing material toward the surface.
HVO scientists warn that lava fountains could resume within Halemaʻumaʻu crater from the north-south-west vent complex. The volcano is described as highly pressurised, and the NPS notes that “changes could occur quickly at the summit” - the standard phrasing it uses when an eruption cannot be ruled out in the near term.
Which Trails Are Closed
The 1.3-mile closure affects:
- Halemaʻumaʻu Trail - the main descent into the caldera from the rim, offering the closest legal approach to the active lava zone
- Byron Ledge Trail (partial) - the section that connects Halemaʻumaʻu Trail to Crater Rim Trail
All other park trails, including the full Crater Rim Trail circuit and Chain of Craters Road, remain open as of the closure announcement. The Kīlauea Overlook and Jaggar Museum viewpoints on the rim are unaffected.
Planning Your Visit
The rest of the park is operating normally. Chain of Craters Road to the coast, Thurston Lava Tube, and Kīlauea Iki Trail are all accessible. The Kīlauea Overlook provides a clear view into the caldera without requiring a permit or entering the closed area.
Conditions at an active volcano can shift without warning. Before any visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, check the NPS alerts page and the HVO activity updates - both are updated daily. Trail status can change within hours of a new eruption signal.
If you’re planning a broader trip to the island, our Big Island travel guide covers getting there, accommodation options, and the other major attractions. For route planning across the Hawaiian islands, see the practical travel section.
What to Expect on the Ground
The park entrance fee applies as normal ($35 per vehicle, valid for seven days). Rangers are stationed at the Kīlauea Visitor Center and can advise on current conditions and open viewing areas.
For travellers who specifically want to hike down toward the lava, the closure means the iconic Halemaʻumaʻu descent is off-limits for now. The timeline for reopening depends entirely on HVO’s assessment of summit stability - no estimated reopening date has been issued.
We will update this article if the NPS extends the closure area or announces changes to trail access.