Nāmakanipaio Campground in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park houses upscale glamping cabins where luxury meets wilderness adventure. Located near Volcano, HI, these accommodations feature comfortable beds, electricity, and picnic tables for outdoor dining. The cabins include modern key card access systems, complimentary shower amenities, and proximity to the volcanic landscape. Hamakua Guesthouse & Camping Cabanas offers a different glamping experience with elevated hammock cabanas that provide screened, tented porches with two sleeping hammocks, secure gear lockers, and basic electrical amenities powered by solar energy. Both locations maintain clean facilities with toilets and trash disposal, allowing visitors to experience Hawaii's natural beauty without sacrificing comfort. "The cabin was excellent. The doors have key card swipe and the shower was good and even the complimentary shower gel in the women's shower was nice," noted one guest about their Nāmakanipaio experience.
The volcanic setting creates extraordinary glamping campsites with opportunities to view active lava flows. Nāmakanipaio's location allows glampers to make the 15-20 minute hike to Jagger Museum overlook for nighttime views of the glowing crater when conditions permit. Arnotts Lodge and Hiking Adventures provides glamping accommodations with convenient access to Hilo's attractions, functioning as a base camp for volcano exploration. Visitors should note the higher elevation at Nāmakanipaio results in cooler temperatures, with nights dropping into the low 60s – perfect for comfortable sleeping but requiring warmer clothing than typical Hawaiian destinations. One visitor highlighted, "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." Most glamping campgrounds near Hawaiian Paradise Park require reservations, and availability is limited with popular spots filling quickly, especially during peak seasons.
"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."
"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."
"Unless you have a car it's almost impossible to get to them with your luggage. Hot showers, wifi, and plenty of common areas for eating, relaxing, etc. Children under 7 not allowed."
from $25 - $250 / night
"These elevated, screened and tented porches offer one a pleasant and inexpensive (for Hawaii) night’s sleep."
from $37 - $130 / night
"My family and I visit Hawaii every other Christmas. I know, spending Christmas without snow may seem weird to some people, because we always have a white Christmas where I am from (Washington State)."
from $20 / night
GuideThis 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!
LegendRoddy 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
LegendThis guest house offers a wide array of lodging opportunities, but the most unique are their hammock cabanas. These elevated, screened and tented porches offer one a pleasant and inexpensive (for Hawaii) night’s sleep. Rather than providing a bed or cot, each tent has two sleeping hammocks, a small cooler, secure gear locker and some basic lighting and electricity. Note, the power goes off at 10pm, as the whole compound runs on solar power and batteries. It was raining buckets the night we stayed there, but we were dry and comfortable, although torrential rain on any small structure might make sleeping a challenge.
The guest house at the top of the property has a great covered back porch with some great cooking, food preparation, and washing up options. Also the bathrooms and showers are lovely, especially if you’ve just come from a backcountry trip in the National Park!
The guest house also welcomes the small herd of local stray cats to roam around outside and get an evening meal. It’s so cool if you like cats, but could be a bit of a nightmare if you do not. These furry guests are not allowed inside so no worries there, but they will investigate your food bag and meow like crazy should you be trying to make dinner outside.
ScoutI found this place on Craig’s List. It was for sale when I arrived and has been updated since then. It is such an amazing spot.
GuideSurprisingly there are few places to camp on this side of the island. Unless you have a car it's almost impossible to get to them with your luggage. Hot showers, wifi, and plenty of common areas for eating, relaxing, etc. Children under 7 not allowed. No stores or restaurants in walking distance. So many birds and other loud creatures singing all night long. Overall a great stop but not quite what we were looking for.
RangerThe 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.
Guidelots Of trails for a variety of levels
TravelerDue 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.
TravelerI 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.
Glamping near Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaii offers a volcanic camping experience at an elevation of 3,000-4,000 feet. The higher altitude results in temperature fluctuations with daytime highs in the 70s and nighttime lows frequently dropping into the 50s. Most glamping accommodations in this region require advanced reservations, particularly during Hawaii's busy winter season when mainland visitors escape colder climates.
Volcano viewing access: Nāmakanipaio Campground provides direct access to volcano viewing areas within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. "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," notes Sharon N., who mentions that hiking from the campground eliminates park entrance fees.
Hiking trail exploration: Arnotts Lodge and Hiking Adventures serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby trails. "Centrally located in Hilo, city camping!" explains Aubrey G., who adds "Hot showers, wifi, and plenty of common areas for eating, relaxing, etc." The lodge restricts children under 7 years old.
Local swimming areas: Kolekole Beach Park offers swimming opportunities with natural features for recreation. "There was also some great small cliffs that we could jump off of- the whole family loved doing this," shares Sasha W., who advises visitors to watch for the "pretty small, spray painted sign" marking the entrance.
Temperature comfort: The elevation creates ideal sleeping conditions compared to coastal areas. "The higher altitude kept the temperatures in the low 60's and perfect for sleeping," writes Eric N. about Nāmakanipaio Campground, noting the area had "not very many campers so it was a peaceful evening."
Pavilion access: Kalopa State Recreation Area offers group facilities alongside individual camping areas. "Pavilions and cabins for rent. Check the county website for availability," advises Taylor C., who also highlights the "awesome hiking/running trails, many native plant species difficult to find elsewhere."
Campsite amenities: Traditional campsites at Nāmakanipaio provide basic comforts amid natural surroundings. "Roddy efficient grass sites - big enough for a couple or snag multiple for a family. BBQ at each site, mowed grass, bathrooms and sinks," reports Jennifer H., who suggests visitors "grab dinner at volcano house and have all day and night to explore the NP."
Weather preparation: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly, requiring appropriate clothing and gear. "It can get so hot during the day and turn around and get really cold at night," warns Elliott B. about Nāmakanipaio, describing the area as a "green desert" with "open sites with decent amenities."
Local wildlife interactions: Hamakua Guesthouse & Camping Cabanas hosts local cats that visitors should be aware of. "The guest house also welcomes the small herd of local stray cats to roam around outside and get an evening meal," Shari G. explains, noting "they will investigate your food bag and meow like crazy should you be trying to make dinner outside."
Limited services: Proximity to stores and restaurants varies by location. At Arnotts Lodge, Aubrey G. points out there are "no stores or restaurants in walking distance," adding that "so many birds and other loud creatures singing all night long" create a unique soundscape.
Early arrival strategy: Competition for campsites can be fierce, requiring planning ahead. "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," warns Brittany R. about Nāmakanipaio Campground. "If you're planning on staying here I'd definitely recommend getting here early!"
Rain preparation: Hawaii's climate means precipitation is always possible, affecting comfort. "It was raining buckets the night we stayed there, but we were dry and comfortable, although torrential rain on any small structure might make sleeping a challenge," shares Shari G. about her experience in a hammock cabana at Hamakua Guesthouse.
Beach safety awareness: When visiting nearby beaches, note the absence of lifeguards at some locations. "They didnt have any life guards on duty just FYI," cautions Sasha W. about Kolekole Beach Park, which otherwise offers a family-friendly environment that "almost feels like you are in a 'jungle' only because of the greenery and trees."
Limited hookup availability: Most glamping accommodations near Hawaiian Paradise Park offer minimal RV services. "Very quiet location with nearby access to incredible hiking," notes Eric N. about Nāmakanipaio, which offers tent and limited RV camping options without full hookups.
Solar power considerations: Some facilities operate on alternative energy systems with time restrictions. Shari G. explains that at Hamakua Guesthouse, "the power goes off at 10pm, as the whole compound runs on solar power and batteries," requiring guests to plan evening activities accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI is Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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