How to Elope in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

If you’ve ever thought that eloping in Hawaii sounds incredible but you don’t want the beach wedding that you see all over the internet, then eloping in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may be the perfect place for you. The variety in the landscapes in the park are great for couples who want both forest and ocean vibes on their wedding day. I can’t imagine a more perfect place to say ‘I do’.

Whether you want to hike to remote areas of the park, drive to easily accessible, yet beautiful landscapes, or a combination or the two, Volcanoes National Park has something for everyone. You can say ‘I Do’ overlooking a lush tropic rainforest, with lava erupting nearby, or even on the cliffs above the powerful Pacific ocean.

Where is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on the east side of the island of Hawaii, spanning over 350,000 acres. The park includes two active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and ranges from over 13,000 feet in elevation to sea level. Within the park you can find lush rainforests and sprawling desert landscapes. 

If you visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while Kilauea or Mauna Loa are erupting, park rangers will direct you to areas of the park that are safe for viewing the eruption. Rangers will also evacuate the park or areas of the park if conditions aren’t safe for viewing. 

The best way to get to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is to fly into either the Hilo or Kona airport. While you are visiting the Big Island, it’s easiest to rent a car at the airport to get around the island. Public transportation, ride shares, and taxis aren’t a reliable way to get around. However, there are many tour companies that operate vans and buses that tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and have various pick up locations near the hotels in Kona and Hilo.

Closest Cities/Towns

• Driving Time From Volcano Village: 10 minutes
• Driving Time From Naalehu: 30 minutes
• Driving Time From Hilo: 45 minutes
• Driving Time from Kona: 2 hours 15 minutes

There are a few small towns near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including Volcano Village. This small town is home to many AirBnBs and VRBOs, a few restaurants and 2 small hotels. It’s a quaint little village that borders the entrance to the park and is perfect to stay in if you want to be closer to the park than Hilo or Kona. Because this village is so small, I recommend staying in a rental with a kitchen so you can make meals and not have to rely completely on the few restaurant options that are in and near the park. 

Just south of the Park is the town of Na’alehu. This is a small residential town, but boasts the Punalu’u Bake Shop, a cute little coffee shop, and a weekly farmers market. It’s a great place to stop on your way to or from Kona.

The nearest ‘big city’ to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Hilo. Hilo offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, hotels & vacation rentals. Often people eloping in Volcanoes National Park will stay in Hilo to still have access to all of these conveniences.

The other major city on the Big Island is Kona, and that’s about a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from the entrance of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kona is on the west side of the island, which makes the 90 mile drive feel quite far. If you’re planning on spending more than one day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this drive can be exhausting, so it may be worth it to spend a night or two in Volcano Village so you have quick and easy access to the park.

How to Get to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 

Closest Major Airports:

There are two main airports on the Big Island of Hawaii. The Hilo airport is closer to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is quite convenient if you plan to spend most of your time in the park. The Kona airport is further away but can be a good option if you want to include some time on the dryer, beachier side of the island in your elopement week on the Big Island. 

• Hilo Airport: 45 minutes to park entrance – Google Maps Directions
• Kona Airport: 2 hours 15 minutes to park entrance – Google Maps Directions

How to Drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

There is one main road that loops around the entire island, which means if there is a car accident or traffic delays, there aren’t many ways to divert traffic around those blocks. This can be especially problematic if you are driving from Kona to Volcanoes National Park. Traffic delays are something to plan for when you are driving from Hilo or Kona to the park.

Why Should You Elope in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park?

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is so unique in that it has a variety of climates, elevations, vegetation and landscapes. Whether you prefer ocean views, sweeping desert landscapes, or forest vibes every couple can find a backdrop for their elopement in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park that feels just right for them. 

This park is enormous. Even when the park is crowded, you can find the less visited areas to escape from people. It’s important to note that if you plan on seeing all of the areas of the park, you’ll spend a good amount of time driving within the park. The roads are well maintained, but often do have bumps and cracks because of seismic activity. 

There are plenty of hikes with varying degrees of difficulty and a variety of landscapes within the park as well. My favorite hike is the Kilauea Iki trail. This hike goes down into an old, hardened lava pool, and comes back up on the ledge that separates that caldera from the currently active caldera. 

Kilauea volcano is one of the most active volcanoes on earth. The vents that have been erupting in 2025 and 2026 are easily seen from many overlooks within the park, making seeing an eruption even easier if you are in the park when an eruption occurs. I think one of the most mind blowing things about the two active volcanoes in the park is that new earth is being formed every time they erupt. While the eruptions can be violent and destructive, the creation of new earth is a really incredible thing to bear witness to. 

FAQ’s About Eloping in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Do I need a permit to get married in Volcanoes national park?

Yes! All national parks require a special use permit, but each park has their own pricing and system for getting the permit. For elopements in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, couples will need to submit a special use permit along with a $150 application fee. I’ll tell you more about that process in the next section.

Are decorations allowed?

Long answer short, decorations are not allowed for elopements in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But honestly, with how gorgeous this park is, you won’t need any decorations. One table and up to 12 chairs are allowed at your ceremony site.

Can I bring flowers?

Yes. Ish. The ecosystem of the park is quite fragile. Potted plants, dried flowers, and any plants with seeds are not allowed in the park. However, I work with several incredible local florists who would be more than happy to create a bouquet, haku lei (crown), and other arrangements that meet these requirements.

When is the best time of year to elope in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park? 

We’ll talk more about this later in the blog, but I always recommend avoiding scheduled school breaks (Summer break, Winter Break, Spring Break) as these are the busiest times of year in Hawaii. April, May and September are the drier, less crowded months of the year. However, there are many micro-climates within the park, so it’s smart to be prepared for the weather to change very quickly.

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

There are a few locations within the park that are wheelchair accessible and are permissible for elopements. The Sulphur Banks trail along with the Waldron’s Ledge locations are beautiful and wheelchair accessible. 

How do I get my marriage license?

Apply for the license & pay the $65 license fee https://health.hawaii.gov/vitalrecords/marriage-licenses/ 

Schedule an appointment with a licensing agent ASAP. This is a requirement and there are only a few agents on the Big Island. As soon as you know your travel dates & your elopement date, you need to get this appointment booked

You can read a thorough blog post of how to obtain your marriage license in the state of Hawaii here: https://lunasoulphoto.com/legal-requirements-for-eloping-in-hawaii/ 

Can my friend officiate my wedding?

Yes, they totally can! In the state of Hawaii, you can apply for a 60-day officiant license for $35. They can apply for that license here: https://emrs.ehawaii.gov/emrs/public/registration.html

Volcanoes National Park Wedding & Elopement Permits

A special use permit is required for getting married in Volcanoes National Park. It’s not a complicated process or a difficult application, but it is required. The fee to apply for the permit is $150. This fee does not cover the park entrance fees for you, your guests, or your vendors. Each vehicle that enters the park will pay a $30 entrance fee. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass or a Hawaii Tri Park Annual Pass, this fee does not apply. 

Information about the permit can be found here: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/management/special-use-permits.htm 

Your permit allows you to have a ceremony in any of the approved locations. I’ll share more about the locations in the next section. The permit allows you to have one table and up to 12 chairs for your wedding ceremony. Potted plants, dried flower arrangements, or any plants with seeds are prohibited in the park.

Parking is relatively easy at these locations on the approved wedding location list, especially if you avoid the busier times of year.

Best Location for Your Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Elopement

1. Kilauea Iki Trail Overlook

The Kilauea Iki Trail is a 3.2 mile loop with a nearly 800 foot elevation gain. When hiking this trail, you’ll first descend through a lush tropical rainforest. At the bottom, you will cross the floor of the Kilauea Iki Crater and then hike back up through lush tropical rainforest. The popular trail is well maintained with several scenic stops within .5 miles of the trailhead. To learn more about this hike, check out The Kilauea Iki Trail Guide courtesy of the National Park Service.

There are several overlooks quite close to the parking area, but the trail to the overlooks is not wheelchair accessible. The trail is well maintained and has minimal elevation changes from the parking area to the overlooks.

The overlooks near the parking area are the sites where you can have your ceremony. The overlooks are quite small, so they are best suited for couples without guests.

2. End of Chain of Craters Road

Chain of Craters Road is an 12-mile road leading from the entrance of the park to the ocean. At the end of the road is a viewing area for the Holei Sea Arch. There are numerous stops along the road for hiking, picnicking, viewing archeological sites, and taking in breathtaking views. You can learn more about the Chain of Craters Road here.

The coconut palm grove at the end of Chain of Craters Road is a perfect place for elopements. The grove is not a popular place in the park for visitors, making it great for private ceremonies. The space is vast, making it perfect for elopements with more guests. The grove is an easy, 10 minute walk on pavement from the parking area. This part of the walk is wheelchair accessible, but the short path from the road to the grove is not. This part of the trail is gravely over an old lava flow. There is ample parking at this location and restrooms are available. 

This grove is near the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. On most days, you can see waves crashing into the cliffs. It is the most incredible backdrop for an elopement or even for portraits. 

3. Waldron’s Ledge

This location was recently added to the list of approved sites for wedding ceremonies. It’s a .5 mile walk from the visitor’s center. As of February 2026, the visitor center is under construction for major renovations. Parking for this location is ample, but it is near the entrance so the parking lots can be quite crowded & busy.

The .5 mile walk to this location is over an old, paved road making it wheelchair accessible. Once you arrive to the ledge, you are met with sweeping views of the currently active Kilauea HaleMa’Uma’U Crater. This location is not usually crowded, but can be during an eruption because of the view of the vents. 

This location, with it’s typical lack of crowds and larger space is great for elopements with more guests.

4. Ha’akulamanu (Sulphur Banks)

This location, while smelly because of the sulphur steam from the underground heat is a really beautiful location for photos. It’s not the greatest location for guests because of the smell and because the high concentration of volcanic gases aren’t safe for people with respiratory problems, young children, babies, or pregnant women. However, it is a gorgeous location for bridal portraits. The steam creates a moody effect for those dramatic, editorial style photos in a wide open field.

The trail along the sulphur banks is an easy 1.2 mile loop with ample parking near the Steam Vents. Most of this trail is wheelchair accessible, but may require assistance in some gravel areas. 

Best Time of Year to Get Married at Volcanoes National Park

If we are anything alike (and I’m assuming we are since you are here lol), you don’t love a crowd. And coming to the most remote island chain in the world to get married probably means you value privacy.

When to Elope in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

When you’re planning your elopement in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, you’ll want to avoid the peak tourist seasons. Luckily, the temperature is quite consistent year round in Hawai’i with only moderate fluctuations to daily temperatures.

Peak Months:	Slow Months:
March, June, July, August, December	February, May, September, October

*https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/media/13190/2023-annual-report-final.pdf

What to Wear & Bring

What you should wear will really depend on the activities you choose to include in your day. If you plan to do any hiking, I will bring my pop-up changing tent so you can hike in comfortable clothes and then change into wedding clothes. I recommend wearing shoes appropriate for the amount of hiking you plan to include in your day. If you have dress shoes or heels, I recommend packing them in and putting them on when we arrive at the ceremony location. This area of the island also receives a great deal of rain and tends to have cooler temperatures. You’ll want to bring a rain jacket and/or a light jacket. Don’t worry, I’ll pack cute umbrellas, rain ponchos and hand warmers, just in case!

Depending on what package you book, I supply a light picnic meal. I’ll also bring some water, but recommend you bring any snacks or other drinks you like to have during hikes.

Where to Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

There are so many options for where to stay when you plan to elope in Volcanoes National Park, but I recommend staying near the park, in Volcano Village.

Hotels

Volcano Inn – a quaint hotel within 10 minutes of the park entrance. This cozy hotel offers 4 rooms and guests have access to a shared hot tub, breakfast served daily and the rainforest grounds. 

Volcano House – is the only hotel within the park. The rooms are old but have incredible views of the currently active Kilauea caldrea.

Aloha Crater Lodge – an adorable BnB just outside the park that boasts a lava tube on the property which guests can walk through.

Vacation Rentals

There are plenty of vacation rentals, AirBnBs & VRBOs just outside the park in Volcano Village. Because of the remoteness of the park, I recommend choosing a vacation rental that is in Volcano Village, closer to the park entrance.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Elopement Photographer and Videographer

I love love.

Documenting couples on the day they commit their lives to one another is truly the honor of my life. I often have “pinch me” moments while I’m working with couples because I get to help them plan & document their most important day in my absolute favorite place in the world. 

I specialize in working with couples who have prioritized choosing what feels right for their wedding celebration, even if that means bucking tradition. My couples often tell me they are “awkward in front of the camera”. My style of photography and videography is based on connection with you and your partner and any guests you choose to include on your elopement day. Of course, we’ll capture some really epic photos, but I’ll also prioritize documenting you, your partner and your people enjoying the moments of your elopement day.

I’m still relatively new to living on the big island. However, I am captivated by this island – the people, the culture, the land – all of it. I’ll share with you everything I know about the island and when there is something I don’t know, we’ll Google it together.

Ready to Plan Your Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Elopement?

If you’re ready to start planning your Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Elopement, let’s connect! Use the link below to fill out my contact form or you can email me directly at Brianna@LunaSoulPhoto.com