Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Ticketed Entry
KĪLauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Visiting hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
We are closed some Saturdays before major Federal holidays. For a full schedule go to our events page . The overlook at the end of Kīlauea Road is always accessible to view the ocean, seabirds, Kīlauea Point and the lighthouse from a distance.
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern-most point in the main Hawaiian Islands on a portion of the former Kīlauea volcanic vent and includes spectacular views from a 180-foot ocean bluff.
The Refuge is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian Islands to view some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds found in Hawai‘i. Visitors also have a chance to view humpback whales (November through April), spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, native Hawaiian coastal plants and Hawai‘i’s state bird - the nēnē, or Hawaiian goose.
The refuge is also home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse, with its 2nd-order Fresnel lens, played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawai‘i. The Kīlauea Point Light Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been part of a rich history since it was built in 1913. Visit our website for more information. There is no access into the lighthouse at this moment.
Visiting hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
We are closed some Saturdays before major Federal holidays. For a full schedule go to our events page . The overlook at the end of Kīlauea Road is always accessible to view the ocean, seabirds, Kīlauea Point and the lighthouse from a distance.
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northern-most point in the main Hawaiian Islands on a portion of the former Kīlauea volcanic vent and includes spectacular views from a 180-foot ocean bluff.
The Refuge is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian Islands to view some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds found in Hawai‘i. Visitors also have a chance to view humpback whales (November through April), spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, green sea turtles, native Hawaiian coastal plants and Hawai‘i’s state bird - the nēnē, or Hawaiian goose.
The refuge is also home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse, with its 2nd-order Fresnel lens, played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawai‘i. The Kīlauea Point Light Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been part of a rich history since it was built in 1913. Visit our website for more information. There is no access into the lighthouse at this moment.
Notifications and Alerts
Storm damage repairs to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse, located on the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, will begin in September and continue for several months. Visibility of the lighthouse may be obscured as a result of the repairs being made. We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to offering an improved visitor experience upon completion!
Need to Know
- Making a Reservation
There is a $1.00 Non-refundable reservation fee per ticket.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
Make reservations per adult in the vehicle, prior to arrival.
For each adult in the vehicle, there must be an "Adult Refuge 1-Day Entry" Ticketed Entry purchased.
Children 15 and under are free and DO NOT need a reservation.
If you have an America The Beautiful interagency pass (aka National Park Pass), choose "Interagency Pass Holder" when adding the total quantity of adults in the vehicle.
Photo ID and physical interagency pass required upon entry for all reservations using the America The Beautiful interagency passes. A pass holder with the pass present, may bring 3 adults guests. You still need an "Interagency Pass Holder" reservation purchased for all adults in the vehicle.
You will need to make multiple reservations if you have more than 6 adults in your vehicle.
You may cancel your reservation up to 24 hours in advance of your entrance time.
Entry tickets are valid for 45 minutes. If you plan on visiting longer, please make multiple reservations.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
- General Refuge Rules
No food or drink (except water)
No smoking or vaping
Pets are not allowed, (except trained service dogs).
Drones are prohibited as they disrupt our sensitive wildlife.
It is not possible to walk to the refuge; visitors must arrive in a vehicle or on a bike.
Maintain at least a 10-foot distance from wildlife and stay on the paved trail.
Do not touch, chase, or feed the wildlife.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
- Facilities
Tours of the Lighthouse have been suspended.
Restrooms are available onsite, bring your own water to drink.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
- Accessibility
It is a five-minute walk on a paved path with a slight uphill grade to get from the parking lot to the point. For visitors needing assistance, a golf cart is available by request at the fee-booth.
Booking Windows
Entry tickets will be available for advanced reservations starting 60 days in advance.
Changes and Cancellations
Reservation Fee: There is a $1.00 non-refundable reservation fee per ticket.
All visitors must arrive by 3:30 p.m. Gate closes at 3:30 p.m. for last visitor entry.
You may cancel your ticket up to 24 hours in advance of your reserved entrance time by viewing your purchase in your Rec.gov account and choosing "Cancel" for a refund. There are no refunds for the $1.00 reservation fee per ticket. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to reservation time are non-refundable but greatly appreciated as it opens reservations to others. In order to change your reservation, you must cancel your existing reservation and create a new one, must be 24 hours in advance of your reserved time.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
3500 Kīlauea Rd. P.O. Box 1128 Kīlauea HI 96754
Phone Number
(808) 828-1413 OPTION #1
Available Tours and Tickets
- Kilauea Point Ticketed Entry
- Permitted Commercial Tour Operators
- Kilauea Ticketed Entry (Entrance Free Days)
