Keauhou Backcountry Campsite — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Keauhou is located on the southern seacoast of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and is one of the favored destinations of hearty wilderness hikers. The campsite is 7.6 miles from the closest trailhead. The hike to Keauhou can be a grueling, hot hike through predominately non-native grasses to a small rocky bay where cold fresh water seeps to the surface and mixes with the ocean. Permitted campers may stay a maximum of 3 consecutive nights per site. A total of 16 hikers are allowed per night at Keauhou. The campsite may be accessed from several trailheads; Mau Loa o Maunaulu via the Keauhou Trail - 7.6 miles (accessed via Chain of Craters Road). Puʻuloa via the Puna Coast Trail - 9.7 miles (accessed via Chain of Craters Road). Hilina Pali Overlook (10+miles - not recommended)

All eight backcountry campsites (Ka‘aha, Halapē, Keauhou, ‘Āpua Point, Nāpau, Pepeiao Cabin, Red Hill Cabin and Mauna Loa Cabin) require a permit. See the Backcountry Hiking page for instructions on how to obtain your permit. https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_bc.htm

For backcountry camping, there is a non-refundable $10.00 fee per trip, in addition to the park entrance fee. The fee is good for up to 10 people and 7 nights per permit. Failure to obtain a backcountry permit is a violation of 36 CFR 2.10(b)(8). Violators may be subject to fines up to $1000 and/or 6 months in jail. All eight backcountry campsites (Ka‘aha, Halapē, Keauhou, ‘Āpua Point, Nāpau, Pepeiao Cabin, Red Hill Cabin and Mauna Loa Cabin) require a permit, with a stay limit of three consecutive nights at one site. Campers can move to another backcountry site for the fourth night, but no more than 7 consecutive nights per permit. Stays longer than 7 nights require purchasing an additional $10.00 permit. Sites may be reserved up to a week in advance and are reserved upon receipt of permit fees.