National Park Fee-Free Day (MLK Birthday) 2026

Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers the Big Island's most compelling travel value: free entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the third Monday of January, honoring Dr. King's legacy while opening two of the island's most extraordinary landscapes to everyone without the usual entrance fees. In 2026, Monday, January 19 is the designated fee-free day, giving locals and visitors a chance to explore active lava landscapes, sacred Hawaiian refuge sites, petroglyphs, coastal trails, and cultural exhibits with no vehicle or pedestrian charges. If your Big Island itinerary includes mid-January, this guide ensures you maximize the day with smart planning, early starts, and respect for both the parks and the holiday's deeper meaning.​

Date and what fee-free means

The National Park Service designates the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January, as the first fee-free day of each year. In 2026, that falls on Monday, January 19. On this day, all entrance fees at fee-charging national parks across the United States are waived, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island.​

• No vehicle fee: The standard $30 private vehicle entrance at Hawaii Volcanoes is waived.​
• No pedestrian or bike fee: Walk-ins and cyclists enter free instead of the usual $15 per person.​
• No motorcycle fee: The typical $25 motorcycle charge is lifted.​
• Pu'uhonua o Honaunau: The $20 vehicle fee is also waived for the day.​

Important: While entrance fees are waived, amenity fees for camping, special tours, or concession services are not included. Visitor centers may be closed on the federal holiday, so plan for self-guided experiences and use the Official NPS app for audio tours and maps.​

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: what to see on MLK Day

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park protects the summits of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world's most active volcanoes, along with ecosystems that range from sea level to 13,680 feet. The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it perfect for early arrivals and late stays on a fee-free day.​

Must-see highlights

• Kīlauea Caldera: Drive or walk the crater rim for views of Halema'uma'u, steam vents, and volcanic geology.​
• Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku): A short walk through a massive lava cave draped with ferns; arrive early to avoid midday crowds.​
• Chain of Craters Road: A scenic 19-mile descent to the coast, passing lava flows, petroglyphs at Pu'u Loa, and the Holei Sea Arch.​
• Devastation Trail: A paved boardwalk across a cinder desert created by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption.​
• Kīlauea Iki Crater Trail: A 4-mile loop across a hardened lava lake floor; one of the park's signature hikes.​

Practical tips for Volcanoes NP on January 19

• Arrive early: Parking lots fill by mid-morning on free days and holidays. Aim for a 7:00–8:00 a.m. entry.​
• Visitor Center: Kīlauea Visitor Center may be closed on the federal holiday; download the Official NPS app ahead for maps, audio tours, and real-time alerts.​
• Weather: Summit temperatures can be cool and wet in January; bring layers, rain gear, and closed-toe shoes.​
• Food and water: Pack snacks and refillable bottles; the park's only food service is Volcano House, which may have limited hours on holidays.​

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park: a sacred refuge

Located on the Kona coast about 15 miles south of Kailua-Kona, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau preserves one of Hawaii's most sacred sites: a place of refuge where ancient Hawaiians who broke kapu (sacred laws) or defeated warriors could seek sanctuary and absolution. The park features a massive 400-year-old Great Wall, royal fishponds, reconstructed temples, and coastal tide pools.​

What to see and do

• The Great Wall (L-shaped): A dry-set masonry wall over 1,000 feet long and 10 feet high, separating the royal grounds from the place of refuge.​
• Hale o Keawe: A reconstructed temple (heiau) that once housed the bones of Hawaiian chiefs.​
• Royal fishponds: Tilapia nests circle in the sandy bottoms of ponds reserved for royalty.​
• 1871 Trail: A 2.5-mile round-trip hike to the abandoned Ki'ilae fishing village, passing heiau sites and coastal lava.​
• Tide pools and snorkeling: The park's rocky shoreline offers pools and clear water for observing marine life (respect cultural protocols and do not disturb sites).​

Practical tips for Pu'uhonua o Honaunau

• Hours: Open 8:15 a.m. to sunset daily, but the Visitor Center is closed on federal holidays including MLK Day.​
• Self-guided tour: Pick up a map at the entrance kiosk or use the Official NPS app for audio narration.​
• Respect: This is a sacred site. Walk quietly, do not climb on walls or structures, and follow posted cultural protocols.​
• Sun protection: Coastal exposure is intense; bring hats, sunscreen, and water.​

Combining both parks in one day

With careful timing, you can visit both parks on MLK Day:

• 7:00 a.m.: Arrive at Hawaii Volcanoes; complete Kīlauea Iki Trail or Chain of Craters Road.​
• 11:00 a.m.: Leave Volcanoes and drive 2.5 hours west via Hilo and the northern route, or cut south through Pahala.​
• 1:30 p.m.: Arrive at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau for a 2–3 hour exploration.​
• Late afternoon: Sunset viewing from the park's coastal edge or nearby Kealakekua Bay.​

Reverse the order if you are staying on the Kona side: start at Pu'uhonua early, then drive to Volcanoes for afternoon and evening.​

Honoring Dr. King's legacy through service

MLK Day is also designated as a National Day of Service. Many national parks, including those in Hawaii, coordinate volunteer projects such as trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and cultural site restoration. Check the National Park Service volunteer portal or contact park offices in advance if you want to contribute to the island's public lands.​

Other always-free Big Island national sites

In addition to the fee-free day benefits, the Big Island hosts several national park units that are always free to enter:

• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park: Ancient Hawaiian fishponds, petroglyphs, and coastal trails near Kailua-Kona.​
• Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site: A massive temple built by Kamehameha the Great in the late 1700s.​
• Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: A 175-mile coastal corridor linking cultural and historical sites across the island.​

Visit these on any day without fees to extend your Big Island national park experience beyond MLK Day.​

What to pack for a fee-free park day

• Clothing: Layers for cool summit weather at Volcanoes; sun protection for coastal Pu'uhonua.​
• Footwear: Sturdy hiking shoes with grip for lava trails; water shoes if you plan tide pool exploration.​
• Essentials: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, refillable water bottles, snacks, portable charger, and a first-aid kit.​
• Tech: Download the Official NPS app before arrival; cell service is spotty in both parks.​

Respectful travel and cultural awareness

Both parks preserve landscapes and sites sacred to Native Hawaiians. Follow Leave No Trace principles, stay on marked trails, do not remove rocks or plants, and approach cultural structures with reverence. Remember that MLK Day honors a civil rights leader who fought for justice and equality; reflect on these values as you explore lands that carry their own histories of cultural resilience and sovereignty.​

Call to action

Mark Monday, January 19, 2026 on your calendar, plan an early start, and choose your Big Island park adventure. Whether you chase lava landscapes at Hawaii Volcanoes, seek sanctuary at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, or combine both into an island-spanning day, the fee-free MLK Day opens doors to exploration, service, and reflection. Pack your layers, download your maps, and honor Dr. King's legacy by connecting with public lands that belong to everyone.​

Verified Information at a Glance

• Event: National Park Service Fee-Free Day (MLK Birthday)​
• Date: Monday, January 19, 2026 (third Monday of January)​
• Category: Federal holiday observance with waived entrance fees at all fee-charging national parks​
• Big Island parks included:
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (usual $30 vehicle fee waived)​
• Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (usual $20 vehicle fee waived)​
• Hours: Hawaii Volcanoes open 24/7; Pu'uhonua 8:15 a.m. to sunset​
• Visitor centers: Closed on federal holidays; use Official NPS app for self-guided tours​
• Not included: Amenity fees for camping, tours, concessions​
• Always-free sites: Kaloko-Honokōhau, Pu'ukoholā Heiau, Ala Kahakai Trail​
• Other 2026 fee-free days: April 19 (National Park Week), June 19 (Juneteenth), August 4, September 27, November 11​