Kohanaiki Beach Park offers designated tent and RV camping sites where pets are allowed under supervision. Located right on the beach in Kailua Kona, this park provides clean facilities with showers, toilets, and trash collection, making it convenient for campers traveling with animals. Drinking water is available, though electric hookups are not. The park's campsites sit directly on the white sand, where morning views include watching surfers from your tent while keeping your pet comfortable in the shade. Gates close at 9pm, requiring campers to plan evening activities accordingly. Other pet-friendly options include Nāmakanipaio Campground in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, which offers tent sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations where pets are welcome.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park contains several pet-friendly camping locations with varying amenities. Kulanaokuaiki Campground allows pets and provides picnic tables and trash collection, though no drinking water is available—campers must bring their own supply. The primitive camping area has 9 designated sites and features an ADA accessible paved path to many camping spots. Wildlife and temperature variations require pet owners to prepare accordingly, as nighttime temperatures can drop significantly. The campground offers expansive views of Mauna Loa and nighttime viewing of the volcano glow. Hiking across lava flows with pets requires careful attention to the regularly spaced stone cairns marking trails, as the landscape provides little natural shade or water sources. For camping closer to services, JoesNuts.com near Captain Cook permits pets at their tent, RV, cabin and yurt sites, with a coffee farm and the painted church within walking distance.
"There was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats. "
from $46 - $60 / night
"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."
"Very quiet location with nearby access to incredible hiking. The higher altitude kept the temperatures in the low 60's and perfect for sleeping. Not very many campers so it was a peaceful evening."
"If 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."
"Although most people visit Hawaii for the luxury and relaxing beach setting, Hawai’i Volcanoes shows a very different side of the Big Island."
"Couldn’t find the entrance but beautiful sweeping views from ocean view estates with market, food and gas nearby."
from $89 - $135 / night
LegendWow! What a gem. These two yurts are beautifully furnished and located in a such a special place, surrounded by lava rocks with a direct view of the ocean across the horizon. Everything was clean and tastefully decorated. The yurts offered everything, including king size beds, board games, tons of local guidebooks, yoga matts, robes, tea, coffee, and kitchen ware. John was a lovely host, incredibly welcoming and down to earth.
LegendIf you are eligible to stay at this camp through military affiliation or military family member, it’s an amazing opportunity. We saw these incredible orange glow out our windows at night from the lava flows during the day. We could watch the live WebCams and if there was eruption activity in the caldera, the cabins are only a 10 minute walk away from the room. Cabins stayed warm enough even though it got cooler at night in January. Great facilities on the grounds, including restaurant, small grocery store, national park store, and more.
GuideThis is a nice little tucked away campground with beautiful views! Camping seemed pretty regulated (there’s a locked gate to get into the campsites) but we didn’t have any issues. Bathroom and outdoor showers were nice and clean. Highly recommend!
GuideWe actually just stumbled upon this campsite as we were trying to get a view of the coast line and wow! What a beautiful place! And it’s free!! Not many of those on the island. We didn’t actually end up staying here because we were headed up to Volcano but it was so nice that we considered changing our plans just to stay here. I’d highly recommend!
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!
TravelerApparently this place is prone to high winds which we did not see in any review. Get here early to put your tent in a protected spot if you can find it.
ScoutThere was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats. City of refuge and Captain Cook Monument are amazing to hang, and a few private beaches only for people who stay here
LegendDrove by and checked in to see if camping was available and got a super fast response that it’s not currently available. Couldn’t find the entrance but beautiful sweeping views from ocean view estates with market, food and gas nearby.
LegendDrove all around looking for something but nothing anywhere around that looked like Camping.
Camping near Kailua on Hawaii's Big Island offers diverse experiences from coastal beach parks to volcanic highlands. Sites range from sea level to over 3,000 feet elevation, creating significant temperature variations between coastal and mountain locations. Temperature fluctuations can exceed 30°F between daytime and nighttime at higher elevation campgrounds, requiring appropriate gear for both warm days and cool evenings.
Explore lava landscapes: At Kulanaokuaiki Campground, campers can witness volcanic features up close. "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," notes Shari G., highlighting the need for preparation.
Visit nearby attractions: From JoesNuts.com, cultural sites are within walking distance. "There was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats. City of refuge and Captain Cook Monument are amazing to hang," reports camper t T.
Morning surfing: Wake up early to catch waves at beaches near camps. "Sites are first come, first serve, but you do need a reservation. Known to the locals as pinetree surfing beach, there is some surfing," shares Rachael H. about beach conditions.
Night sky viewing: Volcano area campgrounds provide stellar astronomical observations. "The skies cleared up and there were millions of stars. They looked so close that you could reach out and grab one," writes Denice S. about her experience at Kulanaokuaiki Campground.
Early morning beach access: Shoreline campsites allow for dawn activities before crowds arrive. "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," says Shari G., describing the unique scenery.
Native flora: Kalopa State Recreation Area features unique botanical specimens. "Awesome hiking/running trails, many native plant species difficult to find elsewhere," notes taylor C. about this upland forest camping area.
Water availability varies: Many campgrounds require bringing your own water supply. "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," warns Shari G. about Kulanaokuaiki.
Reservation requirements: Beach camping spots fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "This is the place to go if you like nice faculties. Better than most parks here the bathrooms can be a trek but they are clean and well tended to. I only give it 4 stars because it always fairly packed out so plan fairly early especially on holiday weekends," advises Bryce H.
Gate closing times: Nāmakanipaio Campground has specific entry hours. "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!" suggests Brittany R., emphasizing timing importance.
Cabin alternatives: For families needing more amenities, cabins offer comfort while maintaining outdoor access. "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!)," shares Alejandro G. about accommodations at Nāmakanipaio.
Pet accommodations: Travelers with animals can find suitable pet-friendly camping options throughout the area. "There was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats," mentions t T. about the animal-friendly environment at JoesNuts.com.
Weather preparation: Pack for temperature swings, especially at volcanic sites. "Kind of a green desert... 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! I say desert, because it can get so hot during the day and turn around and get really cold at night," explains Elliott B.
Limited hookup options: Most pet-friendly camping near Kailua lacks full RV services. "This is more geared for a day used area rather than a camping stay. Shoreline is rocky and area is good for surfing and fishing. No drinking water here. If you decided to camp here its little to no privacy," reports Miles G. about Hawaii County Park Miloli'i Beach Campground.
Access considerations: RV campers should check road conditions before arrival. "The access road is off of the Chain of Craters Drive and it seems to go on forever through the lava fields. The road is not great, but we were in a little car and did not have any issues," explains Denice S. about reaching some more remote campgrounds.
Early arrival importance: Secure spots early, especially for larger vehicles. "The camping bathroom didn't have showers, but the communal bathroom for the cabins did, and a sympathetic cabin renter let me into that bathroom," notes Jessica F., highlighting the importance of understanding available facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Kailua, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Kailua, HI is Kohanaiki Beach Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Kailua, HI?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 dog-friendly camping locations near Kailua, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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