Camping on the Big Island of Hawai'i!
The campsites on the Big Island vary from primitive campsites to parks that offer choices of day use, backpacking, lodging or camping with restrooms and showers. Although Hawai’i is known as the BIG Island there are relatively few legal campsites. Almost all camping on Hawai’i is in parks and most require permits. With Hawai’i-ebook.com you will be able to secure your camping permits before your arrival.



The Big Island of Hawai’i has 11 of the 13 general world climates. It can be a beautiful sunny day in Kona and be raining with flashflood warnings in Hilo… surprise! Learn about climate and the area in which you’ll be camping. With Hawaii-ebook.com, you’ll possess good local knowledge before you even leave on your trip!!!

Precise directions to each campground plus a GPS reference point are given so the camp can be easily located on any map. Pictures, an accurate description of the campground, what facilities are provided at the park, and points of interest or local history are provided when available.

Contact information for the National Parks and for the County and State of Hawai’i is provided. Hawaii-ebook gives the addresses, phone numbers, e-mails and websites (when available) for each park. If you have any questions about the park’s condition or just want to clarify the camping rules and regulations.





Campfires and Barbeques

Concrete BBQ’s with grills or improved fire pits for cooking are provided in many parks on the Big Island. Each park in Hawaii-ebook.com lists if grills are available or if private BBQ’s are permitted. Open fires are almost always prohibited. Know before you go whether you can grill your meat or whether to pack sandwiches.

You should plan to bring your own wood or charcoal. Most of the available wood surrounding the cooking areas has been heavily scavenged. Portable grills, especially propane gas can be handy on busy weekends or holidays. Some of the grills that are provided can be full of holes; an extra grill or aluminum foil is a good idea. The parks in Hawai’i generally lack proper charcoal disposal. Hawai’i is very special so always properly dispose of your charcoal.

Some tips for helping keep Hawai’i beautiful:
• Always take YOUR trash with you and dispose of it properly.
• Never ever leave a fire or barbeque unattended.
• Please completely extinguish the fire before you leave.
• NEVER dump used charcoal into the ocean.

Complete listing of the Parks that allow overight camping in: Parks, Beaches & Bike Rides on Hawaii.
Hapuna State Beach Park
Hapuna Beach is consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in the world and is one of the Big Island's finest. It is probably the largest fine white sand beach on the Big Island. The State has A-frame cabins available for lodging. They are located on the inland from the beach parking area. Reservations required.
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The park has two drive up camp sites. 1) Kamakani Paio. Primitive A-frames cabins located in the Kamakani Paio Campground are available for rental as well. 2) Kulanaokuaiki has been recently completed. No water is available there. Open fires are prohibited! Only stoves or the grills.
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Hookena Beach Park
Hookena Beach Park has a soft sand with trees back by the cliff area that provide shade. Bring your swimsuit, goggles, and a waterproof camera! Spinner Dolphins frequent Kauhako Bay and love to interact with snorkelers and divers. The county just built a nice new bathroom with a great shower.
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Isaac Hale Beach Park
Camping is available at this county park but don't expect much solitude. This Hawaii County Park tends to be one of the busier parks and hangouts in Puna. There are two picnic tables in the pavilion and the county's concrete grill is in poor shape. The best campsites are located just Kapoho side from the boat ramp.
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Kalopa State Recreation Area
The Park has camping and lodging available in separate areas of the park. It gets cool when the sun goes down all year round, so bring warm clothes and gear. The camping area has some nice concrete pavilions. The cabins offer group accommodations and come with kitchens and heated showers.
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Kolekole Beach Park
Being an East facing coastal valley the park is heavily shaded. Kolekole Park has lots of grass and there are several scattered pavilions to picnic in. Pavilions are also available for camping and a permit is required. Come prepared if you are going to camp because of variable coastal weather conditions!
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Laupahoehoe Beach Park
Laupahoehoe Point offers an excellent view of the Hamakua Coastline both north and south. Many small pavilions with tables provide decent shelter from changing coastal weather. Most have good grills to cook on! A couple of bathrooms are located in the park for your convenience. Please camp in the posted areas.
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MacKenzie State Park
This park is located on Puna Coastline which is extremely rugged and subject to strong tradewinds and currents. MacKenzie Park is nestled in a large grove of ironwood trees. The park has six stone picnic tables plus many suitable and level campsites. Bring plenty of DRINKING WATER.
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Mahukona Beach Park
Mahukona Beach Park was originally one of the only deep water ports and small boat harbors on the Big Island. This small coastal park is located on the northwest coast of the Kohala Mountain Range. There is no water at the Park. Picnicking and camping are available in separate areas of the park.
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Manuka State Wayside Park
This park allows tent camping only and a permit is required. There is a small pavilion available with six tables. This park is located within the Manuka Forest Reserve. Manuka Park Wayside is a great place to stop and use the facilities when you are headed around the Big Island or to Volcano.
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Punalu'u Beach Park
Punalu'u Beach is Hawaii's easiest black sand beach to get to! Come prepared if you are going to camp because the park is subject to variable coastal weather conditions! There are several pavilions equipped with tables, sinks, and grills for preparing meals. Camping must be done in the posted grassy areas.
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Spencer Beach Park
Spencer Park is situated below the Pu'ukohola Heiau on the coastline just before Kawaihae Harbor. Camping is available in the park. Most people tend to camp on the northern end of the beach by the main bathroom with the showers. Small campsites can be found close to the ocean and are shaded by kiawe trees.
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Whittington Beach Park
Camping is permitted only on the lawn. Come prepared if you are going to camp because the park is subject to variable coastal weather conditions! You are not permitted to tie on to any of the pavilions. Bring your own drinking water. None available at the park. Catchment water is available for showers.
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