Nāmakanipaio Campground, near Volcano, Hawai'i, is a unique spot right in the heart of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This campground offers a mix of tent sites, RV spots, and even cabins, making it a flexible choice for different camping styles.

The campground is known for its proximity to the park's stunning trails and the famous Jagger Museum, where you can catch a glimpse of the glowing lava at night. Visitors have praised the well-kept grassy sites and the convenience of having picnic tables and BBQ grills at each spot. One camper noted, “The campground was lovely... I only wish we had stayed more than one night to be able to explore the area more.”

While there are no showers, the clean pit toilets and drinking water make it manageable for a comfortable stay. Campers have mentioned that it can get chilly at night, so packing some warm gear is a smart move. As one reviewer put it, “Bring extra warm stuff; can get windy and quite chilly at night.”

For those eager to explore, the campground is surrounded by a variety of trails suitable for all skill levels. Just be aware that the area has faced closures due to volcanic activity, so it's wise to check conditions before heading out. Whether you're here for a night or a weekend, Nāmakanipaio Campground offers a memorable experience with breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature.

Nāmakanipaio Campground is located 31.5 miles south of Hilo on Highway-11 at 4,000' elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and 'ōhi'a trees. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables and barbecue pits. Campfires are permitted in the barbeque pits only. If there are more than 2 people in your party, you can expand to 4 people per site with another tent. Maximum stay is 7 days.

Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

On the Big Island, you can experience some of the best camping adventures near Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The park is the home of two active volcanoes, along with several lava tubes. Hikers can explore a few of them, including the Thurston Lava Tube. Take a car or your RV and drive up Crater Rim Drive to see the Jaggar Museum’s volcano exhibit. There’s also a lookout point with a stunning view of the Halaema’uma’u Crater. Some campgrounds put campers close to extinct lava fields, while other campsites offer cabins and yurts. You can also take advantage of the nearby lagoon.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Best Camping Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

We stayed here Thanksgiving night prior to spending a day in Volcanoes national park. Given the holiday, everything was closed in town so make sure you bring some food and supplies. It was also pretty quiet and felt very safe. 

In the middle of the night we woke up to RAIN! And if anyone knows rain in Hawaii is HARD - so make sure you are prepared if you decide to camp in Hawaii. 

This is a great way to be close to the volcano park to get an early start. 

There is a paystation on site and restrooms, firepits and picnic tables. 

Nice grassy open area and very clean

nice open camping sites, with restroom access and BBQ pit for pit. reasonable price per night. also has a entrance fee.

Namakaipaio

Very quiet location with nearby access to incredible hiking.  The higher altitude kept the temperatures in the low 60's and perfect for sleeping.  Not very many campers so it was a peaceful evening.  

Volcanoes NP

great camp site, had everything you would want at a tropical camp site.

camping

I stayed here in spring of 2007, and was struck by how similar it was to Northern California, with the tall eucalyptus trees, and cute little cabins. 

The camping bathroom didn't have showers, but the communal bathroom for the cabins did, and a sympathetic cabin renter let me into that bathroom. (I'm a bike tourist, so I really need the shower.)

I spent two nights here, because the second day I went for the dusk hike among the lava fields. Note to bikers, make friends with someone at the bottom who can drive you up, because it is a big climb not to be biked up in the dark. 

There was a pavilion with a stone fireplace that was very attractive for groups. 

No showers, unless you make friends with someone in a cabin

Nice, open sites with decent amenities. You don't really have a lot of privacy at all... but you should be off exploring the park! I say desert, because it can get so hot during the day and turn around and get really cold at night.

Kind of a green desert...

We were able to snag a walk up site right at check out time, which is when you should arrive if you want to camp here. The campground was full by dinner time. The huge upside of this campground is the proximity to the Jagger Museum and the inner caldera of the volcano. You can hike from the campground to the caldera overlook and if you get lucky with a cloudy night sky, you'll be treated to a fiery display with the volcano glow lighting up the sky. The only downside of this campground is that there are no showers for tent campers. Definitely not something that would prevent us from returning.

Arrived and Left in Awe

A friend came to visit from off island and I had to take her to see Volcano National Park. We tent camped one night at this campground. It has toilets and a large pavilion, that we utilized to cook and eat under due to early morning rain. The night we stayed was verily quiet with not many other campers. I paid in the onsite dropbox with a check, but I am sure there is a way to probably pay online. Unfortunately there are no shower facilities.

The all time highlight is that when it got dark we made the 15-20 minute hike up to the Jagger Museum overlook/observatory to see the glowing lava in the crater.

The campground is technically outside of the national park and if you hike in there is no park fee.

Walking distance to Volcano crater!

Pretty epic experience sleeping so close to Pele. The best entrance to see the volcano at night is a bit of a drive/back ride but well worth it! Talk to locals in Pahoa and Keaau for tips on how to see the best views of the volcano. Cheap site about like $15 i believe.

A Volcano at Midnight

This camping site is great! It’s 10 miles inside the volcanos national park. At the end of the drive there is parking for about 4 vehicles and a very clean and nice structure housing a pit toilet with paper. No running water, no fires allowed. Camping stoves ok. There are I believe 10-12 sites some right off the lot some farther out ours was up over a hill so you could not see any other sites or the lot from our location. There was a picnic table in each site. You pay at the gate (we got the year pass) and then $10 a night you put it in the bash box on site and put the receipt at your site if you happen to love for the day. We both tent camped and put up hammocks. You are in the shadow of Laura loa volcano and when we went you could see the glow of the main crater from our site however with the recent activity I am pretty sure the level may be too low now.

We hikes for a half hour towards the crater glow in the night to get to a ridge to look out over the valley. The moon was bright enough you didn’t need flashlights. It’s very windy at night and the temp drops. I had a sleep mat in my hammock and slept in sweats with a blanket and Summer sleeping bag. Our hammocks were swaying in the wind all night.

One of the best sites was the moon setting behind Mauna Loa just before sunrise and then watchingbehr sure from purple to pink to red as the sun came up from behind us and cast colors on her. A few miles farther on the drive you will reach a dead end with a pavilion and an incredible view of the Pacific.

Its close enough to hilo we left our site for the day and went to the hilo parks to swim than did all of the volcano park activities in the early evening.

10 miles from anything you are used to (except a bathroom 😂)

Awesome access to lots of trails and of course the volcano. Wouldn’t go right now with the eruptions but worth the visit in the future.

Bring extra warm stuff; can get windy and quite chilly at night.

Colder than you think

I love camping at this spot. Namakanipaio has wonderful views the Milky Way, and used to have a great view of the glowing lava lake. It was a short hike to Jagger Museum, that now is being consumed by the caldera. With daily earthquakes in the area, it is no longer safe. you can not even stop in the highway in that area. Hopefully it will open again in the future. 

Closed due to volcanic activity

Due to the draining of the Lava Lake and constant earthquakes in Volcanoes National Park, this area is closed. At this time it is uncertain that it will open again. 

Currently Closed

Great day trip 

The campground was lovely. Great location, just down the road from Volcano House (where you go to check in). We stayed in a cabin and it was excellent. The doors have key cars swipe (don't forget your key, the doors lock automatically behind you!) The shower was good and even the complimentary shower gel in the women's shower was nice!
Dinner at Volcano House was good.
I only wish we had stayed more than one night to be able to explore the area more.

Amazing Travel

Roddy efficient grass sites - big enough for a couple or snag multiple for a family. Little cabins you can rent too. Bbq at each site l, mowed grass, bathrooms and sinks. Grab dinner at volcano house and have all day and night to explore the NP

Proximity to NP & Volcano house ++

This was a great little campground! We showed up in the early afternoon and got the last spot available but only because the original person who got it had upgraded to a cabin. If you’re planning on staying here I’d definitely recommend getting here early! Once there though it was a great site. Super friendly people and beautiful area! 

Photos of Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Real photos from real campers