Camping is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about how you will be spending your nights during your trip to Hawaiʻi. Sleeping outdoors however, adds an element of adventure or romance to your vacation. It lets you be closer to nature and will show you an element of the Big Island few other visitors will experience. In our book this makes camping definitely worth considering if you consider yourself outdoorsy.
Our camping guide is split into the following topics:
Table of contents
- Permits and Campsites
- Map + list of campsites
- Camper vans, and are the legal in Hawaiʻi?
- 7 Handy Camping Tips
Table of Contents
- Permits and Campsites
- Map + list of campsites
- Camper vans, and are the legal in Hawaiʻi?
- 7 Handy Camping Tips
All in all, camping on the Big Island is a unique and exciting experience. It doesn’t offer the comfort that you can find in a real bed, but if you are an outdoorsy type, you will find many rewards. There are many campgrounds to choose from in lots of different climates, and spending at least part of your vacation under the star-studded sky of Hawaii is something we love doing!
Do you need a camping permit for campsites on the Big Island?
There are quite some places on the Big Island where you are allowed to camp, but camping permits are required for most of these – including all campsites located in state and county parks. Rules and facilities at the campsites differ on a case-by-case basis, so make sure to check the resources below to see if you need a permit to camp.
Permits are not needed when staying at private lands. Have a look at for example the Hipcamp website to see a list of camping opportunities on the Big Island.
Camping permits for Hawaii County Parks
Permits are required for all 10 county parks that allow camping. You can book a campsite online via the official Big Island Camp Reservation System. Permits can be purchased up to a year in advance, see the camp reservation website for prices and other details.
Camping permits for Hawaiʻi State Parks
Permits are required for all state park camping locations, and are available up to 90 days before your planed stay. State park requirements vary within the Island. Permit applications and other valuable information such as information on the park history and archaeology, health and safety information, and the park rules, can be found at the state website.
Camping in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
There are two camping areas within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Camping here costs $15 or $10 per night for the Namakanipaio and the Kulanaokuaiki campsites (2024 prices, in addition to the park entrance fees). Camping is on a first-come-first-served basis and no camping permit is needed to camp in the park.
Bring warm clothes as it will get chilly at night (elevation!). More information on the campsites can be found at the NPS camping website.
Tent rentals
If you haven’t brought a tent you can also stay in a cabin at the Namakanipaio site or rent a 2-person tent including an 8 inch memory foam mattress with hotel linens, a cooler, a lantern and 2 camping chairs for a total of $55/night ($15 for the site rental and $40 for the equipment, price doesn’t include the mandatory park entrance fee).
More information on the Hawaii Volcano House website.
The Namakanipaio Campground in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains cabins and campsites (not shown).
Map and list of Big Island Campsites
Given the exotic names of the campsites on the Big Island choosing where to stay may be confusing. Your options include places where you can fall asleep with the sound of the breaking waves on the background while you watch the stars overhead. Or what about spending the night with your family and/or friends over freshly grilled fish from the BBQ?
And did you know you can also camp on top of the world’s most active volcano? Just be sure to pack some warm clothes because nights will get chilly at 4000 ft elevation.
The map below will help you orientate and pick a campsite close to where you want to be.
The Hawaii County and State Parks in the following table allow camping. Please note that the facilities vary for each campsite and that some sites have no potable water. The table is a summary and we encourage you to go to the respective websites of the campsites to see the up-to-date and exact camping situation.
| County/State of Hawaii Camping Site | Campsite location |  | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaac Hale Beach Park (closed) | Pohoiki, Puna | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – |
| Hoʻokena Beach Park (website) | Hoʻokena, South Kona | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Kalopa state recreation area (website) | Hamakua coast, near Honokaʻa | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | – |
| Kapaʻa Beach Park (website) | Kapaʻa, North Kohala | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Kiholo state park reserve (website) | Kiholo, north Kona | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kohanaiki Beach Park (website) | South from Kawaihae toward Kailua Kona | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Kolekole Beach Park (closed!) | Wailea, South Hilo | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – |
| Laupahoehoe Beach Park (website) | Laupahoehoe, North Hilo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Mauna Kea Recreation Area (website), lodging only (no camping) | Saddle road, between Kona and Hilo | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – |
| Miloliʻi Beach Park (website) | Miloliʻi, South Kona | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – | ✔ |
| Punaluʻu Beach Park (website) | Punaluʻu, Kaʻu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Spencer Beach Park (website) | Kawaihae, North Kohala | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ |
| Waimanu campsite (website)(only residents) | Waimanu valley, North Kohala | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – |
| Whittington Beach Park (website) | Honuapo, Kaʻu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ |
See our gallery of campsites on the Big Island for an impression of some of the campsites listed above.
Camper vans, are they legal?
Because camper van rentals are getting increasingly popular we now often get asked whether it is legal to sleep in a camper van on the Big Island. The answer to that question is “yes, but not everywhere”.
Hawaiʻi State law (§291C-112) makes it illegal for a vehicle to be used as human habitation between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. while it’s parked on any roadway, street, highway or other public property. This means that yes, you can sleep in your vehicle if you park on private property with authorization of the owner. However, you cannot spend the night at any beach parking lot, roadside parking space, trailhead parking, or any other public space.
Where to spend the night with a camper van
The easiest way to find a legal place to spend the night with your van is by going to a website like HiPcamp to look for people that rent out a space on their property to RVs. See here for example.
Camper van rental websites
Camper vans are getting more popular with the recent steep increase in hotel prices. Here are some websites where you can rent a van yourself:
- Campervans Big Island (website): Offers affordable vintage vans with a modern updated interior.
- Ready Rigs (website): Offers Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road vehicles with a tent rigged to the roof (see below).
Ready Rigs vans are equipped with rooftop tents, electric coolers, cooking and eating amenities, and more. Image from the Read Rigs website.
Camping tips for beginners
You can skip this section is you are a seasoned camper and outdoor-guru. If not, taking a minute now might save you some frustration later! Here are some pointers about what to pay attention to when you are looking for a place to set up your tent:
- Choose a level place to pitch your tent that is protected both from the wind and from the sun. You don’t want to be blown out of your tent or come to a boil in the Hawaiian sun.
- Don’t pitch your tent in a potential puddle: if it starts raining you might be swimming. Likewise, if you are camping close to the ocean you should anticipate the high tide! Spots that look flat and dry during low tide may flood during high tide.
- Ensure there are no rocks or roots on the ground where your tent will stand. Nobody likes an uneven bed!
- Are you close enough to a potable water supply?
- If you have one, can you park your vehicle close enough to your camping spot so you can keep an eye on it?
- If there are restrooms facilities, are they within a reasonable distance?
- Consider your camping spot layout: Where to cook? Wash up? Eat? Light a fire? What is the prevailing wind direction (in Hawaii mostly from East to West)? How should you organize the fire so that you won’t have a smoky tent?
After you have pitched your tent
Now that you are all set and done, it is time to start explore the island! This website being a guide, we have some great resources on the outdoor activities on the Big Island.
If you do not feel like reading to much but want to skip directly to the highlights: Have a look at our 3 favorite beaches (in 3 colors!), 5 short-but-stunning hikes, and best snorkeling spots on Hawaii.
Campsite Pictures
