If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Hawaiian Paradise Park, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Hawaii tent camping excursion.
Roam free on nearly 7 acres of an oceanfront ranch. Pick from the abundance of fresh fruit growing on the property. Hear the crashing waves and the whales playing amidst them. See the turtles and fish swimming. Hear the birds singing. The calming nature of this location will evaporate your worries. Lay poolside, soak in the hot tub, roam the property, explore the island. This is a great launching point to enjoy the treasures that the Big Island has waiting for you. Some places provide more privacy than others, but all are equipped with fire rings. There is a common bathroom and an indoor and outdoor shower with hot water.
**All water used on location is derived from an on site well which is refreshed daily, plenteously, from the cool mountains above as the water makes its attempt to return to the sea.
$49 - $69 / night
A place to rest and enjoy the natural surroundings, lots of room for camping or car camping, there’s hot showers and kitchen downstairs in the main house. Park your van, Rv, or Set up your tent on 3.5 acres Choose your own private space to camp 🏕 Trails wind through a fruit orchard where fruits like lemons, bananas 🍌 cherrys, pineapples, guava are abundant.. Bathroom, with hot showers, there’s a kitchen and WiFi available Drinking water 💧 Fruit stand at the end of Orchidland dr. With a hardware store, groceries etc.
$45 - $80 / night
This Award-Winning off-grid retreat in native Hawai'i rainforest is the perfect oasis for those looking for privacy and relaxation. With all the amenities you need including a fully stocked kitchen, comfortable beds, and hot water shower, you'll have everything you need to enjoy your stay. Lava Rock Clamping offers 3 unique cabins, a Plantation Style Cabin ideal for a couple, a Treehouse that can accommodate 4 guests, and a spacious Big Cabin that can host up to 6 people.
Conveniently located just 25 minutes away from the breathtaking Volcanoes National Park, which offers endless hiking opportunities with stunning views of the surrounding lava fields and the iconic Kilauea volcano. In addition to the park, the area is also home to numerous beaches and waterfalls, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, or simply relaxing in nature.
For those looking to explore the town, Hilo is nearby and offers plenty of options for shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. Whether you're seeking adventure or a peaceful getaway, this award-winning off-grid retreat offers the perfect blend of convenience and seclusion.
Book your stay at this exclusive property today for an unforgettable rainforest experience!
$100 / night
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.
Bring your own tent (Hammocks and makeshift tarps are not considered suitable tents) We offer covered outdoor hot water showers and toilets. Children must be at least 7 years of age and supervised by an adult/guardian at all times. No reservations needed (except for groups of 10 or more) Last check in at 4:00 pm Social distancing, sanitizing, and mask wearing is required on Arnott’s Lodge property. Remember, Hilo is the wettest part of the island! You will want a rain fly.
The camping area is a quiet zone after 10:00pm. No music or cellphone use. If you need to take a call, we have a separate guest area or TV lounge where you can talk on the phone. Loud snorers may have to rent out a room.
We will provide you with a camp space, shower, and toilet facilities. Everything else needs to be provided by the camper. We do not lend tools to assist with setting up your tent, nor do we rent out beddings, linens, or cooking supplies. You may purchase a clean towel for $5.00. We also do not provide free storage for your luggage and personal effects. Treat this as any other camping spot on the island and be conscious of your belongings.
Tents must be moved after 3 nights to preserve the lawn; larger tents after two nights.
7 nights maximum stay limit. Management’s approval is needed for any extension.
$25 - $250 / night
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)
Camping will continue to be suspended pending an upcoming State Department of Transportation project.
Major improvements include construction of a new comfort station; a new pavilion; potable water infrastructure; fire protection water system; refurbished pavilions; and new walkways, ramps, picnic tables, lighted parking areas and landscaping.
“Kolekole Gulch Park looks and feels entirely brand new,” said Maurice Messina, Director of Parks & Recreation. “We are excited to return this valuable resource to our community, enhanced in so many ways to allow greater access and enjoyment by all.”
The Kolekole Gulch Park project is one of several Department of Parks & Recreation construction projects underway or recently completed that enhance accessibility and ensure parks meet ADA requirements.
The park’s pavilions will be available to rent beginning April 25 by calling the Parks & Recreation Administration Office at (808) 961-8311. Camping will continue to be suspended pending an upcoming State Department of Transportation project.
Kolekole Gulch Park hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The gate to the park will be locked nightly.
$20 / night
Traveler
I live on the island, but down at sea level. I had always wanted to come up and camp here because the nights are cool and the tent site is in the woods. Some times we need to escape the heat. :) It is a small location that needs to be reserved in advance. The cost is different for residents and visitors. We stayed at the tent sites, but have heard good things about the cabins. There are three tent sites, with a men and women bathroom and large shared pavilion. I liked how the sites have raised and covered places you can pitch your tent under in case it rains. Make sure you bring a mattress of some sort as the shelter floor is concrete. Also bring mosquito spray they like this campsite as well.
We met the others camping that night and had great conversation under the shared pavilion. There are also a couple really lovely hiking trails to explore during the day!
Traveler
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.
Traveler
Decided to check out the road south of Pahoa and happened to find this park/campground. I bought the permit online with my iPhone and we picked a tent site. The camping area has little to no trees, so enjoy the sun. It is directly across the street from the ocean where there are many people enjoying the waves and fishing. It's not a beach and not really a good place to swim. There was a nice playground close by and water for kids to play around in.
The bathhouse was pretty clean, but I found the general area to be loud with noise of other campers being so close. It kind of had a party campground feel, if you like that sort of thing. I normally enjoy quieter environments. However, the sunset and the sound of the waves couldn't be beat.
There was no fire pits, but there were grills and picnic tables.
ScoutThis 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.
RangerWe 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.
GuideIt’s about a 7 mile hike, so bring loooottttsss of water but it’s one of the quietest back country camping spots in Hawaii you will find. It’s right by the beach. Bring sunscreen, water, first aid, all the regular supplies for a hike. As always practice LNT.
Ranger
If you are like me, you want to see the black sand beaches when visiting Hawaii. This is one of the nicest, biggest parks of black sand. There are tide pools and swimming so it is a popular park for daytime beach going.
The campground is NOT in the sand - you are on a grassy area next to the beach so you can sleep to the sound of the crashing waves without the hassle of sand.
Legend
For a chance to camp among the unique lava landscape of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Kulanaokuaiki Campground is a great opportunity.
Although most people visit Hawaii for the luxury and relaxing beach setting, Hawai’i Volcanoes shows a very different side of the Big Island. Camping at Kulanaokuaiki allowed us to immerse ourselves into the park and access some of its greatest sights.
The most important thing to note about this campground is that there is no water here. They do offer pit toilets, but you’ll have to be prepared with food, water, and supplies. Also remember that this small campground (only 9 sites) is first-come, first-served only, so arriving early will be important in securing a site for the night. Although the campground used to be free, there is now a $10 fee per night (as of November 2016)
The campground itself is a very unique setting: you’ll walk among old lava flows to get to your site. The sites are spaced out nicely, offering great sunset views and quiet wake-ups.
Other highlights from our time in the park include: learning about the myths and legends surrounding the volcanoes, seeing the “glow” from the Jaggar Museum, attending intriguing ranger programs, watching the sunset from midway up Mauna Kea, and driving the Chain of Craters road to hike short trails and see the lava destruction path.
You can read much more about our two days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Hawai’i Volcanoes)
LegendIf getting away from the crowds is on your list at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then this primitive camping area is one of the places to do it. This lovely primitive camping area has 9 designated sites, 1 pit toilet that was kept clean and well-stocked, and an ADA accessible paved path that accesses many of the camping sites. The sites are a short walk from the parking area so you have to carry your gear to the site. There is no water available at the campground so be prepared. Water is available at the visitor’s center up the hill about 7 miles away.
The campground offers expansive views of Mauna Loa and the surrounding area including some pretty cool night-time glow of the eruption in Kilauea crater. One of the great benefits of camping in the park is the proximity to many hiking trails, but also to some of the better night time viewing. The popular Kilauea overlook is packed like a rock concert as soon as the sun goes down. Parking is a disaster, and the overlook is simply too crowded. If you can wait until around 9-10pm until you arrive you can have a much easier time finding parking at the trailhead and space along the overlook. Then it’s just a short drive back to your tent, and not an hour’s drive back to your hotel in Hilo. Just outside the park is Volcano Village with a small market and gasoline station for groceries and limited camping supplies. For something specialized like camping gas we had to drive to a hardware store outside of Hilo. The Volcano House Lodge near the park visitor’s center offers two restaurants with the same menu, one is more of a bar and grill, the other a sit down style.
Hiking is extensive in the park, and many trails will carry you far from the crowded center of the park, but be sure to be prepared with layers, water and snacks. Hiking across the lava flows offers no discernable trail except for the regularly spaced ahu stone piles(cairns) which are the only way to navigate. Should the weather turn or fog roll in, visibility can be greatly reduced. Cycling is also a great activity along the park roads, but be ready for a great deal of elevation change.
Note: This campsite is NOT free. It was $10 per night.
GuideWe stayed here for two nights and greatly enjoyed quiet and near solitude of the beach park. We arrived in the dark to several locals who call the park home. We were hesitant about the situation, but after chatting with some of them, we discovered that they were very friendly and down to earth. After waking up and exploring the park, we found some sea turtles on the beach and continued walking around the various trails. We felt very comfortable here and will gladly return when we come visit Hawaii again!
Scout
Beautifully nestled on a section of gorgeous Big Island coastline this immaculately presented ranch was a place we could take a break from our hectic roadtrip and destress. We relaxed wondering the property picking and eating papaya, coconut, strawberry guava to name a few. One of the highlights was our sea turtle watching from the point where we saw at least ten turtles feeding and swimming in the crystal clear waters. Our hosts were nothing short of awesome and welcoming in the use of the beautiful pool from which you could look out to the sea and have wifi access. Looking back on our three weeks touring the four main islands of Hawaii, our stay at Wild Blue Water Ranch was by far the best value for money, hospitable and enjoyable drive-in camping experience we had! Totally recommended!
TravelerIt has more of a party feel that you would want to go with friends. Its a lot louder then the other campsites. Your friendly neighbors will invite you to tent hop. Its a cool scene. Theres a theral spa, and it's across the street from a small beach- not suitable for surfing, but its nice to rake a dip and cool off. I would go back for a birthday or a celebration and it would be a great time!!
Legend
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). But honestly, we love going this time of year because it isnt as busy. We love either camping, staying at my families condo, or doing a combo of both. We visited Kolekole Beach Park when we came last Christmas, and it was great. It was super clean, which we really loved. There was also some great small cliffs that we could jump off of- the whole family loved doing this. It almost feels like you are in a "jungle" only because of the greenery and trees. Not to mention the weather is pretty muggy. My family and I had a picnic here, and played in the water for the day. They didnt have any life guards on duty just FYI. Weirdly, there were a lot of cats around? Not sure why? but thought this was interesting. The park is a little hard to find, we drove past the sign and had to turn around. It's a pretty small, spray painted sign. We hiked in the morning before we came here, which was beautiful hike overlooking the water. Highly recommend!!
GuideWe 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.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. I want to give a warm welcome to your host, Keoni. This land is absolutely breathtaking. Hot showers, bathrooms, 15 minutes from the ocean and the property is covered in fruit trees..what else could you ask for? Book your stay today and come back to leave them some love! ❤️
Scout
The property was easy to find, gorgeous and super convenient to all of the things we wanted to do on the Big Island.
ScoutConvenient location, beautiful property and warm and welcoming hosts.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We'd like to welcome your host, Ed. This special place is located in the forest. "Your site is steps away from Cannabis plants in various stages of growth. The site has a fine gravel floor with a solar panel roofing to protect you from the rain. This site is private and includes access to the outdoor bathroom which includes a hot shower and toilet." Give them a try and come back here to leave them some love!
Scout
Beautiful and peaceful campsite. The bathrooms and showers are super clean with warm running water. The outdoor amenities are a nice touch, I enjoyed playing with the disc golf and walking around the pond in the morning. The grassy road during the rain gets slippery if you don’t have 4 wheel but we never got stuck. I just hate how much we tore up the grass, made me feel bad every time we returned to camp. There are 4 dogs roaming around and for the most part they minded their own business. If you wake up early enough you can get a beautiful sunrise over a cattle farm. If we ever visit again, we’d love to stay here again.
Legend
Jake from the Dyrt here! We are so excited to welcome the Lava Rock Camp to the Dyrt! They have a history of creating memorable experiences for guests, and we can't wait to see everyone share their highlights on the Dyrt!
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.
TravelerDue to the new volcanic activity, you can no longer reach this beach. I love this park, and enjoyed getting to surf it only twice in my life. my heart broke when the lava closed off all access points. Fissure 8 is producing a large volume of lava, and it is unclear how long this event might last. While this tiny section of our island is closed off, there is still plenty to do and see.
Guidepeaceful, fresh air, clean!
Rangerwhat a beautiful and secluded area
RangerThis is a pretty open and can be crowded campsite. Has some of the best surfing on Pahoa side and has a boat launch. There is an epic small thermal pond just a shorts hike from the boat launch. It is a well traveled path so you should be able to spot it!
Scout
I 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.
Legend
We spent two nights at the Napau Crater backcountry camp. The hike-in was remarkable with many sections crossing extensive lava flows and through sections of tropical rainforest. The campsite itself had a small pit toilet but no water- so we carried in 18 liters for our multi-day adventure. Let’s just say the hike-out was a bit lighter.
We did find several puddles along the trail that must have been created by feral pigs in the park, where we could have filtered water– but I wouldn’t count on them. Additionally, these are watering holes for wildlife so we shouldn’t be competing with them for water, so plan on packing in the water. We had the whole place to ourselves, we didn’t see any hikers until day three when we were on our way out. It was a lovely break from an island that can seem overwhelmed by visitors sometimes.
Hiking across the lava flows offers no discernable trail except for the regularly spaced ahu stone piles(cairns) which are the only way to navigate. Should the weather turn or fog roll in visibility can be greatly reduced. Backcountry permits were available at the backcountry office near the visitor’s center and the ranger was incredibly helpful. Water was also available there so you can fill up on your way.
Tent camping near Hawaiian Paradise Park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI is Isaac Hale Beach Park with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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