Nāmakanipaio Campground at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park houses elevated glamping cabins with electricity, running water, and comfortable beds, while Hamakua Guesthouse & Camping Cabanas features distinctive hammock cabanas for a unique overnight experience. These accommodations provide access to clean bathrooms and trash facilities, with Nāmakanipaio offering picnic tables and Hamakua providing secure gear lockers and basic lighting powered by solar energy. Kalopa State Recreation Area includes additional glamping options within a native upland forest setting. Each location provides drinking water and toilets, with select sites featuring showers and electric hookups. One guest shared, "The campground was lovely. Great location, just down the road from Volcano House. We stayed in a cabin and it was excellent with key card door swipes and good showers."
Volcanic exploration defines the glamping experience at Nāmakanipaio with its proximity to active volcanic sites. Visitors staying at these canvas accommodations can witness the crater glow illuminating night skies during optimal volcanic activity periods. Hiking trails throughout Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park connect directly to Nāmakanipaio Campground, allowing for moonlit walks toward viewing areas. Hamakua Guesthouse offers a communal atmosphere with a covered back porch featuring cooking and food preparation areas. Kalopa State Recreation Area provides running and hiking trails through native plant species difficult to find elsewhere. According to a camper, "These elevated, screened and tented porches offer one a pleasant and inexpensive night's sleep. The guest house has a great covered back porch with cooking options, and the bathrooms and showers are lovely, especially if you've just come from a backcountry trip."
"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
"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
"These elevated, screened and tented porches offer one a pleasant and inexpensive (for Hawaii) night’s sleep."
from $37 - $130 / 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 Hilo, Hawaii ranges from established cabins and hammock setups to tent sites in native forest areas. Located on the eastern side of Hawaii's Big Island, these accommodations typically sit at elevations between 500 and 4,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations from coastal areas. Temperatures at higher elevation sites can drop into the low 60s at night, making for comfortable sleeping conditions during Hawaii's warm seasons.
Nighttime volcanic viewing: Nāmakanipaio Campground provides strategic access to volcanic viewing areas. "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. The campground sits technically outside park boundaries, allowing hikers to avoid entrance fees when accessing certain viewing areas.
Forest trail exploration: Kalopa State Recreation Area offers running and walking paths through unique native vegetation. "Awesome hiking/running trails, many native plant species difficult to find elsewhere," reports Taylor C. The recreation area maintains pavilions alongside its cabin rentals, providing rain shelter during exploration breaks.
Local adventure planning: Arnotts Lodge serves as a practical base for Hilo-side activities. "Hot showers, wifi, and plenty of common areas for eating, relaxing, etc," according to Aubrey G., who cautions that "no stores or restaurants [are] in walking distance," making advance meal planning necessary for tent campers.
Eucalyptus forest environment: Nāmakanipaio offers distinctive vegetation that creates a unique camping environment. Jessica F. explains, "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." This forested setting provides natural shade and wind protection for tent sites.
Temperature variation: The elevation changes provide comfortable sleeping conditions compared to coastal areas. Eric N. reports, "The higher altitude kept the temperatures in the low 60's and perfect for sleeping." This temperature differential makes glamping locations near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park particularly pleasant during summer months when coastal areas remain warm through the night.
Proximity to attractions: Camping locations strategically position visitors for efficient park exploration. Jennifer H. values Nāmakanipaio's "proximity to NP & Volcano house," noting campers can "grab dinner at volcano house and have all day and night to explore the NP." Most glamping sites near Hilo provide relatively quick access to either volcanic areas or coastal attractions.
Hammock sleeping arrangements: Hamakua Guesthouse offers an unconventional sleeping experience. Shari G. describes, "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." The site runs on solar power with batteries that shut off at 10pm, making flashlights necessary for late-night activities.
Variable site privacy: Open camping layouts at some locations provide limited separation between sites. Elliott B. describes Nāmakanipaio as having "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!"
Weather impact: Hawaii's Big Island experiences significant climate variation, with some camping areas regularly receiving heavy rainfall. Even at Nāmakanipaio, campers report the area can "get so hot during the day and turn around and get really cold at night," according to Elliott B., making layered clothing essential.
Early arrival recommended: Popular glamping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. Brittany R. advises about Nāmakanipaio: "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!"
Age restrictions apply: Some accommodations have minimum age requirements. At Arnotts Lodge, "Children under 7 not allowed," cautions Aubrey G., making this location unsuitable for families with young children despite its convenient location near Hilo.
Group cooking facilities: Look for sites with communal cooking areas for easier family meal preparation. Nāmakanipaio offers "a pavilion with a stone fireplace that was very attractive for groups," according to Jessica F., providing weather protection and social gathering space.
Limited facilities: RV camping options near Hilo generally lack full hookups. Most sites that accommodate RVs offer only basic amenities like picnic tables and restrooms. At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Nāmakanipaio area provides drinking water and toilets but limited electrical access for larger vehicles.
Site selection considerations: RVers should prioritize level sites with adequate clearance. Tarah W. notes Nāmakanipaio costs "about like $15 I believe" for basic sites, making it an economical option compared to hotel accommodations near the national park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Hilo, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Hilo, 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 Hilo, HI?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Hilo, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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