Do I need a permit to visit Kalaupapa?

NPS says all visitors must have a permit, and visitation is restricted under Hawaii state law.

What are the park hours?

The park lists no set opening or closing times, and tours happen only in daylight.

When is the best time to visit?

In 2025 January had the most recreation visits at 2,930 and December the fewest at 193. NPS says the rainy season is in winter.

Are dogs allowed at Kalaupapa?

Under the NPS national rule, pets must be leashed at six feet or less where allowed, and each park can close more areas to them.

All parks › Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit

Q: Is there an entrance fee at Kalaupapa National Historical Park?

NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee.

Updated October 30, 2026. Based on National Park Service data. Published by Humblebee.

Entrance fee: None^[1]
Busiest month (2025): January^[2]
Recreation visits, 2025: 15,335^[3]

Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a National Park System unit in Hawaii^[4]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee, and every visitor needs a permit^[1]^[5].

Entrance fees and passes

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Kalaupapa National Historical Park^[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.

When to visit and hours

The park has no set opening or closing hours, but tours run only in daylight^[5]. Visits are limited under Hawaii state law, and the park is home to residents and employees^[5]. In 2025 the busiest month was January with 2,930 recreation visits, and the quietest was December with 193^[2]. NPS describes warm weather all year, with a rainy winter and hotter, more humid summer days^[6]. Daytime temperatures run 65 to 75°F in winter and 80 to 90°F in summer^[6]. Check the official park page before you go, since NPS can change what it lists^[5].

Recreation visits counted by the National Park Service in each month of 2025. The busiest month, January, is highlighted^[2].

Show visits by month

Month, 2025	Recreation visits
January	2,930
February	2,478
March	1,148
April	1,021
May	912
June	978
July	1,053
August	902
September	1,066
October	1,460
November	1,194
December	193

Show visits by year

Year	Recreation visits
2021^[3]	25,252
2022^[3]	38,771
2023^[3]	46,981
2024^[3]	30,774
2025^[3]	15,335

Pets and dogs

The NPS national rule says where pets are allowed, they must be kept in a crate or cage or held on a leash of six feet or less^[7]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, and service animals are excepted^[7]. Each park can close more areas to pets, so ask the park before bringing one^[7].

Before you go

NPS lists no entrance fee here^[1].
Every visitor must have a permit^[5].
Tours are given only during daylight hours^[5].
NPS lists guided tours, living history and museum exhibits as activities^[8].
Confirm details on the official park page before your trip^[5].

Questions people ask

Is there an entrance fee at Kalaupapa National Historical Park?: NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee^[1].
Do I need a permit to visit Kalaupapa?: NPS says all visitors must have a permit, and visitation is restricted under Hawaii state law^[5].
What are the park hours?: The park lists no set opening or closing times, and tours happen only in daylight^[5].
When is the best time to visit?: In 2025 January had the most recreation visits at 2,930 and December the fewest at 193^[2]. NPS says the rainy season is in winter^[6].
Are dogs allowed at Kalaupapa?: Under the NPS national rule, pets must be leashed at six feet or less where allowed, and each park can close more areas to them^[7].

Facts and sources

NPS lists Kalaupapa National Historical Park as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 25,252, 2022: 38,771, 2023: 46,981, 2024: 30,774, 2025: 15,335. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
Kalaupapa National Historical Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Historical Park) in Hawaii. National Park Service
Operating hours, Park Hours: Kalaupapa National Historical Park is home to an active community of people, including patient-residents and State and Federal employees. Because of this, there are no park opening or closing hours, though tours are only given... National Park Service
NPS weather and seasons overview for Kalaupapa National Historical Park. National Park Service
National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
Activities NPS lists for Kalaupapa National Historical Park: Guided Tours, Living History, Museum Exhibits. National Park Service

Fees and hours are what NPS lists in its data at the snapshot date. They change: tell readers to confirm on the official park page before a trip. Visits are NPS recreation visits (counted entries, not unique people). Use them only for this park's own months and years, never to rank parks. Campground list and site counts come from NPS and Recreation.gov records. Count fields can differ slightly between the two. The pet rule is the national baseline (36 CFR 2.15). The park may close more areas to pets. Do not claim specific trails allow dogs unless a fact says so.