Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in April: Crowds, Weather & What to Pack

Best window · VisitWhen score 53/100 · #1 of 12 months

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: crowds run 73% of the December peak (109,889 average visits). Weather: highs average 73°F and lows 58°F, with 22.0″ of precipitation and 12.6 hours of daylight. Computed from NPS and NOAA data.

Planning Hawaiʻi Volcanoes? Pack a guidebook: Moon Best of Big Island of Hawaii on Amazon. · affiliate link, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases

Crowds in April

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes averages 109,889 recreation visits in April — 73% of what December, the peak month, draws — the quietest month of the year. Trailheads and parking fill accordingly — book early and start days at dawn.

Weather & daylight

Days are mild (highs average 73°F), and nights stay mild (lows average 58°F). This is one of the wetter months (22.0″ of precipitation on average). Mid-month daylight runs 12.6 hours.

NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station GLENWOOD #2 55.4, HI US (8 mi from park coordinates, 2,200 ft elevation) — conditions vary inside the park, especially with elevation. Daylight computed for the 15th of April.

What to pack for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes in April

Computed from the month's weather normals above — not a generic list.

• Rain shell + pack cover — 22.0″ of precipitation is normal this month
• Waterproof boots — plus navigation and a basic first-aid kit — 22.0″ of rain is normal this month

As an Amazon Associate, VisitWhen earns from qualifying purchases. Gear names above link to Amazon searches or to a specific product — we don't show or set prices; you always see Amazon's current price.

Packing for a trip with a date on it? Amazon Prime includes fast delivery on eligible items, and eligible new members may be offered a free trial, so gear ordered this week can arrive before you leave. Delivery speed varies by item and address. See if you can try Prime free →
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on qualifying sign-ups, at no extra cost to you. Current terms are on Amazon's page.

Also at their best in April

Other parks whose computed April verdict is a best window — same NPS × NOAA formula:

• Theodore Roosevelt in April — 7% of peak crowds, highs 56°F, score 92/100
• Badlands in April — 16% of peak crowds, highs 60°F, score 90/100
• Lake Clark in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 46°F, score 89/100
• Voyageurs in April — under 1% of peak crowds, highs 49°F, score 88/100

Common questions

See also: the best national parks to visit in April · Last verified 2026-09-24