Whittington Beach Park

Nightly rates:

 Adult: $5 for residents, $20 for non-residents.
 Junior: $2 for residents, $20 for non-residents.
 Child: $1 for residents, $20 for non-residents.



Punalu`u Beach Park

Pepeiao Cabin

Manuka State Wayside

Kaaha Shelter

Halape Shelter

Keauhou Shelter

Kulanaokuaiki camping area is free and is available on a first-come basis. No reservations and No permits are necessary. Stays are limited to 7 days in a month and cannot exceed 30 days per year.

Kulanaokuaiki 

Apua Point

Far from the Big Island’s sandy beaches and crowded hotels, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park showcases the living, breathing power of Pele, the Goddess of Fire, and her striking processes of creation and destruction. Designated a national park in 1916, and a World Heritage Site in 1987, the park encompasses more than 330,000 acres, and ranges from the Pacific Ocean to the 13,677-foot summit of Mauna Loa. This vast area contains a striking variety of ecosystems, from low-elevation tropical rainforests to high-elevation volcanic deserts. The park’s most active volcano, Kīlauea, has experienced intermittent periods of eruption since the 1980s. These eruptions have enlarged the island by more than 500 acres. The most recent eruption occurred in 2018, when thermal explosions and lava flows temporarily closed the park. Some facilities and trails remain closed, but the majority of the park has reopened.  

Just west of the park, about 45 minutes west of Hilo, Nāmakanipaio Campground is situated on the lower flank of Mauna Loa, near the Kīlauea Caldera. The campground offers 26 grassy campsites and 10 camper cabins shaded by tall eucalyptus and ōhi’a trees. Campsites have picnic tables and fire pits, and the campground has drinking water and flush restrooms; showers are available to cabin guests. The campground sits on the lower slope of Mauna Loa, at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Evenings can get cool, and rain—often heavy—is common. Good rain gear and, for campers, a durable, water-repellent tent fly is recommended. For those not packing camping gear on their Hawaiian vacations, the Volcano House rents camping packages that include a tent, sleeping pads, linens, a cooler, lantern and two camp chairs. Dogs are permitted in the campground, but not in cabins. Campsites are first-come, first-served for $15/night for two people; cabins are reservable for $80/night; park entrance fee required.

Camping at Nāmakanipaio is ideal for spending a few days exploring all the natural wonders in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The best place to start is the Kīlauea Visitor Center for the latest park info, trail maps, and volcanic activity updates. Park staff and volunteers offer a variety of interpretive programs on Hawaiian food, art, and culture, as well as volcanism and geology. A drive down the Chain of Craters Road reveals a variety of dramatic and colorful lava formations, craters, vents, and cinder cones. Many can be seen from viewpoints or short nature trails. There are several hiking trails that explore some of the older lava flows, and visit the Hōlei Sea Arch and Pu’u Loa Petroglyph sites. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, and pack along plenty of drinking water and sun protection. While the park is safe for visiting and exploring, guests should heed all safety warnings and stay out of closed areas.  

Namakanipaio Campground

This beach park offers so many activities, views, and great places to eat. This is one of my families favorite places to visit when coming to Hawaii. It is a drive from the big island, but definitely worth it. We stayed here 1 night before heading back to the big island. So glad we decided to make the trip. Its located on the south side of the big island, in the Ka'u District. One incredible thing about this beach and camping here is you get the best views of the ocean. It honestly doesnt get any better than that. We also enjoyed snorkeling here, too. I would highly recommend that. We also did a diving tour, which is one of the reasons we decided to come to this part of the island. The diving was incredible, highly recommend. We saw a shark, so many turtles, and lots of fish. One great thing about the park is there is no cost to come, which is awesome! We were warned, however, that the locals dont really take too kindly to people staying here. Not sure why, but everyone warned us. We camped in a spot that was hidden, so we didnt have any troubles. Just FYI before you plan to come here or stay long. Again, we stayed only 1 night and honestly were only in our camping spot for maybe 6hrs total. Just to sleep.

Whittington Beach Park

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About This Campground

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2021 Explorer Giveaway

So beautiful

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Nearby Campgrounds

Punalu`u Beach Park

Pepeiao Cabin

Manuka State Wayside

Kaaha Shelter

Halape Shelter

Keauhou Shelter

Kulanaokuaiki

Apua Point

Namakanipaio Campground

Is This Your Campground?

About This Campground

Features

Access

Location

Coordinates

Nearby Campgrounds

Punalu`u Beach Park

Pepeiao Cabin

Manuka State Wayside

Kaaha Shelter

Halape Shelter

Keauhou Shelter

Kulanaokuaiki

Apua Point

Namakanipaio Campground

For Campers

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