Dispersed camping means you find your own site within a certain allowed reason. This usually means you need to pick up a permit, you backpack in, the facilities are limited. The hike to the crater is 3.8 miles at the shortest, sot this is a backpacking trip. This means there are fewer people and you get a beautiful, isolated experience. Camping on lava flows is like nothing else. Gets chilly all times of the year due to the elevation. If you're in a large group these are great options, but I didn't see anyone else anywhere out here. My phone didn't work (which is how I like it!), but it was a few years ago. A true Hawaiian backcountry experience without too much effort.