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Big Island, Hawaii Camping - National Park Campgrounds, State Campgrounds, County Campgrounds
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There are 14 total campgrounds to choose from on the Big Island: 2 national park campgrounds (+5 more backcountry hike-in camping options), 2 state campgrounds, and 10 county campgrounds. Download information and a map of the Big Island Parks. *Will open Adobe.
Big Island National Park Campgrounds
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has 2 drive-in campgrounds and 5 primitive backcountry hike-in camping options. Both camping options are free. The drive-in campgrounds do not require a permit but the backcountry options do require a permit (apply at the Kilauea Visitors Center no earlier than 1 day before your hike).
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P. O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052
Phone: 808-985-6000
| Campground Name |
Location in Volcanos National Park |
Notes |
Namakani Paio Drive-In Campground
*Also 10 Rustic Cabins |
Located at the 4,000-foot elevation on the eastern slope of Mauna Loa.
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Tent & camping cabins; Self-contained mobile campers permitted. Maximum stay of 7 nights. Pavilion with fireplace (bring your own firewood), picnic tables, barbecue grills, drinking water, restrooms, & pay phone. |
| Kulanaokuaiki Drive-In Campground |
Located at the 2,700-foot elevation.
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Self-contained mobile campers permitted. Maximum stay of 7 nights. Facilities include barbecue grills, a vault-type toilet (no running water), & picnic tables. No water at this location. |
| Kaaha |
Located along a coastal trail in the park.
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Has a simple 3-sided shelter, pit toilet & water. |
| Halape |
Located along a coastal trail in the park. |
Has a simple 3-sided shelter, pit toilet & water. |
| Keauhou |
Located along a coastal trail in the park. |
Has a simple 3-sided shelter, pit toilet & water. |
| Apua |
Located along a coastal trail in the park. |
Has a pit toilet but no water or shelter. |
Napau |
Located on Kilauea's east-rift. |
Has a pit toilet but no water or shelter. |
Backcountry Cabins
There are also 3 hike-in cabin locations. Two cabins are located on Mauna Loa, the third is located in the Kau Desert. Permits are required and may be obtained at the Kilauea Visitor Center no earlier than the day before your trip. Facilities vary by cabin. |
Big Island State Campgrounds
See the main camping page for Hawaii state-wide camping permit procedures, rules, prices, & exceptions.
Hawaii (Big Island) District (for permit applications & information):
P.O. Box 936
(75 Aupuni Street, #204)
Hilo, HI 96721-0936
Phone: 808-974-6200
Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 3:30PM
Reservations taken between 8AM - 12PM Only
Big Island
State Campground Name |
Location |
| Kalopa SRA |
At end of Kalopa Road, 3 miles inward from Mamalahoa Hwy 19;
5 miles southeast of Honokaa |
| MacKenzie SRA |
On Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road (Hwy 137);
9 miles northeast of Kaimu |
County Campgrounds
Big Island county campgrounds require a permit to be obtained from the Division of Parks and Recreation. Permits can be acquired in person, by mail, and online at: www.ehawaii.gov/Hawaii_County/camping/exe/camp.cgi (extra transaction fee for online reservations). Reservations can be made up to one year from today's date.
The main location is:
101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6
Hilo, HI 96720
Ph: 808-961-8311
 For each calendar year from June-August, a person may camp at each campground for a total of 7 nights. (i.e. If I camp for 4 nights in June at Isaac Hale Beach Park, then 3 nights in July, I won't be able to camp in Isaac Hale until the end of summer months.)
For each calendar year from January-May and September-December, a person may camp at each campground for a total of 14 nights.
| County Campground Name |
Location |
Notes |
| Isaac Hale Beach Park * |
26 miles from Hilo; 7 miles from Pahoa;
Adjacent to Pohoiki Bay and State maintained boat ramp.
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22 campsites |
| Hookena Beach Park |
Entry road off Highway 11, past 101 mile marker;
approximately 2.2 miles from hwy on narrow winding road.
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22 campsites |
| Kapaa Beach Park * |
Entry road off Highway 27 (traveling north), past 16 mile marker;
Park is situated approximately .7 mile from hwy.
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22 campsites |
| Kolekole Beach Park * |
Entry road off Highway 19 (traveling north), past 14 mile marker;
electricity in pavilion. |
45 campsites |
| Laupahoehoe Beach Park |
Entry road off Highway 19 (traveling north), past 27 mile marker;
Park is situated approximately 1.2 miles down from highway;
electricity in pavilion. |
45 campsites |
| Mahukona Beach Park * |
Entry road off Highway 27, past 14 mile marker;
electricity in pavilion. |
22 campsites |
| Milolii Beach Park * |
Entry road off Highway 11, past 88 mile marker;
approximately 5 miles from hwy, on very winding, narrow road. |
22 campsites |
| Punaluu Beach Park * |
Entry road off Highway 11, past 55 mile marker;
electricity in pavilion. |
22 campsites |
| Spencer Beach Park |
Entry road off Highway 19;
approximately 2 miles from Kawaihae junction;
electricity in pavilion. |
68 campsites |
| Whittington Beach Park |
Entry road off Highway 11, past the 60 mile marker. |
22 campsites |
*NO DRINKING WATER
*Please realize we have done our best to provide full & accurate information about camping in Hawaii - despite sources being conflicting, outdated, and generally just wrong or incomplete. If you find that any of our information is wrong, please let us know so we can share the correct information with other travelers. Our goal is to one day be 100% accurate & complete about camping options in Hawaii - but it's a long road...
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