Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park released new statistics showing 2020 had a 57% drop in visitors from 2019. This decrease in number is credited to the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted all National Park Service operations nationwide.
A maximum of 66 national parks were fully closed for two months or more in 2020, including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, during the governor’s Stay at Home order.
The park has seen a 2% spike in visitors since the holidays continuing on through January and February of 2021.
Volcanoes National Park continues to work with public health officials to navigate changing conditions including following federal and public health guidelines. In a press release Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh said, “currently, almost all trails and backcountry areas that were open before the pandemic are open again. We continue to urge everyone to recreate responsibly and maintain physical distance and small group size, wear masks, and frequently sanitize hands.”
