Big Island camping starts at $10/night for a tent site inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. County beach park campgrounds with showers run $6–$21/night depending on residency, and state park campsites cost $20–$30/night.
Most sites require a permit, and the booking windows vary: county parks open reservations up to a year out, state parks 90 days. National park sites are first-come, first-served with no permit needed.
If you’re considering a camper van, Hawaii has a specific law to know about before you plan your nights.
Table of contents
- Map + list of campsites
- How to get a camping permit
- Camper van rentals (and are they legal in Hawaiʻi?)
- Camping tips specific to the Big Island
Table of Contents
- Map + list of campsites
- How to get a camping permit
- Camper van rentals (and are they legal in Hawaiʻi?)
- Camping tips specific to the Big Island
Several of these parks double as Big Island beaches worth visiting even if you’re not camping.
Map and list of Big Island Campsites
If you’re wondering where to camp on the Big Island, the short answer is: almost everywhere. Campgrounds range from calm, sheltered beaches on the Kohala coast to windy lava-rock shorelines in Kaʻu, plus a cool highland forest at Kalōpā. Use the map below to find a site near where you want to be.
The Hawaii County and State Parks in the following table allow camping. Please note that the facilities vary for each campsite and that some sites have no potable water. The table is a summary and we encourage you to go to the respective websites of the campsites to see the up-to-date and exact camping situation.
| Camping Site | Location | Restrooms | Showers | Drinking Water | Picnic Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoʻokena Beach Park County | Hoʻokena, South Kona | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kalopa State Recreation Area State | Hamakua coast, near Honokaʻa | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kapaʻa Beach Park County | Kapaʻa, North Kohala | ✔ | – | – | ✔ |
| Kiholo State Park Reserve State | Kiholo, North Kona | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Kohanaiki Beach Park County | South from Kawaihae toward Kailua-Kona | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Laupahoehoe Beach Park County | Laupahoehoe, North Hilo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Mauna Kea Recreation Area County · lodging only, no camping | Saddle Road, between Kona and Hilo | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Miloliʻi Beach Park County | Miloliʻi, South Kona | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Punaluʻu Beach Park County | Punaluʻu, Kaʻu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – |
| Spencer Beach Park County | Kawaihae, North Kohala | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Waimanu Campsite State · Hawaiʻi residents only | Waimanu Valley, North Kohala | ✔ | – | – | – |
| Whittington Beach Park County | Honuapo, Kaʻu | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
See our gallery of campsites on the Big Island for an impression of some of the campsites listed above:
Campsite Pictures
How to Get a Camping Permit on the Big Island
Every legal campsite on the Big Island requires a permit. There is no free camping in any county or state park, and you cannot buy permits at the parks themselves. The good news: both systems are fully online, and the process takes about 10 minutes.
The Big Island has three separate permit systems that do not share a booking platform. Which one you use depends on where you want to camp.
- Hawaiʻi County Park Camping Permits
- Hawaiʻi State Park Camping Permits
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (No Permit Needed)
Permits are not needed when staying at private lands. Have a look at for example the Hipcamp website to see a list of camping opportunities on the Big Island.
Hawaiʻi County Camping Permits
County parks make up the majority of Big Island campgrounds, including popular spots like Spencer Beach Park, Punaluʻu, and Hoʻokena.
Prices (2026)
County permits are priced per person, per night:
- Adults (18+): $6/night for residents, $21/night for non-residents.
- Juniors (13–17): $3/night for residents, $21/night for non-residents.
- Children 12 and under: free.
A $1 per person per day processing fee is added to every permit.
How to book
- Go to the Hawaiʻi County Camp Reservation System.
- Create an account (or log in if you already have one).
- Search by park name or browse all available locations.
- Select your dates. Permits can be purchased up to one year in advance.
- Enter the number of adults and juniors in your group.
- Pay by credit card. You will receive a confirmation email with your permit.
- Print your permit or save it on your phone. You must be able to show it at the campsite.
You can also purchase permits in person at the Hilo office (101 Pauahi St., Suite 6) or the Kona office (75-5530 Kuakini Highway), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several satellite offices in Waimea, Kapaʻau, and Nāʻālehu also sell permits, but call ahead to confirm hours.
Refund policy: Refunds must be requested at least 15 days before your reservation date. The online processing fee is non-refundable.
Hawaiʻi State Camping Permits
On the Big Island, state-managed camping locations include Kalopa State Recreation Area, Kiholo State Park Reserve, and the Hapuna Beach A-frame shelters. Waimanu Valley camping is also managed through the state system but is restricted to Hawaiʻi residents.
Prices (2026)
State permits are priced per campsite, per night (up to 10 people per site):
- Residents: $20/night per campsite.
- Non-residents: $30/night per campsite.
- Children 2 and under: free.
Hapuna Beach A-frame shelters cost $40/night for residents and $70/night for non-residents (max 4 people per shelter). Kalopa cabin rentals are $70/night (residents) and $100/night (non-residents), for up to 8 people.
How to book
- Go to Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi (the state’s new booking platform as of late 2025).
- Create an account.
- Search for your park by name or browse Hawaiʻi Island locations.
- Select your campsite and dates. Most parks allow booking up to one year in advance. The exception is Kiholo State Park Reserve, which only opens bookings 30 days ahead.
- Pay in full at the time of reservation. Credit card required for online booking.
- Print your permit or keep a digital copy. You must have it with you at the campsite.
In-person purchases are available at the DLNR District Office in Hilo, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Accepted payment methods include credit card, cash, and money orders.
Refund policy: No refunds within 15 days of check-in, no exceptions. A $5 cancellation fee per permit applies to all refund requests.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (No Permit Needed)
The two campgrounds inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park do not require a camping permit. Both are first-come, first-served.
- Nāmakanipaio Campground: $15/night.
- Kulanaokuaiki Campground: $10/night.
These fees are in addition to the $30 park entrance fee per vehicle (or free with an America the Beautiful pass). Pay camping fees at the campground self-registration station.
Tent rentals in the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
If you haven’t brought a tent you can also stay in a cabin at the Namakanipaio site or rent a 2-person tent including an 8 inch memory foam mattress with hotel linens, a cooler, a lantern and 2 camping chairs for a total of $55/night ($15 for the site rental and $40 for the equipment, price doesn’t include the mandatory park entrance fee).
More information on the Hawaii Volcano House website.
The Namakanipaio Campground in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park contains cabins and campsites (not shown).
Camper vans, are they legal?
Because camper van rentals are getting increasingly popular we now often get asked whether it is legal to sleep in a camper van on the Big Island. The answer to that question is “yes, but not everywhere”.
Hawaii bans vehicle habitation on any public property between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. (§291C-112). That covers beach parking lots, roadside pullouts, trailheads, and any other public land. You can legally sleep in a camper van on private property with the owner’s permission. Hipcamp lists Big Island options that explicitly allow overnight vehicle stays.
Where to spend the night with a camper van
The easiest way to find a legal place to spend the night with your van is by going to a website like HiPcamp to look for people that rent out a space on their property to RVs. See here for example.
Camper van rental websites
Camper vans are getting more popular with the recent steep increase in hotel prices. Here are some websites where you can rent a van yourself:
- Sun + Salt Campervans (website): Unlike all other options below, this provider offers fully kitted out vans. Rates are $225/night before discounts, and they require a minimum rental period of 3 nights.
- Big Island Campers (website): Rent out several customized camper vans with lots of additional options.
- Hawaiian Overlanders (website): The most affordable option of this list – offers rooftop tents on top of several 4WD vehicles.
- Ready Rigs (website): Offers Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road vehicles with a tent rigged to the roof (see below).
Ready Rigs vans are equipped with rooftop tents, electric coolers, cooking and eating amenities, and more. Image from the Ready Rigs website.
Tips for Camping on the Big Island
- Nights at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park drop into the low 50s°F (10–12°C) at 4,000 ft elevation. Bring layers and a warm sleeping bag, even in summer.
- Trade winds blow predominantly from east to west. Set up your tent and cooking area so smoke from your fire or grill blows away from your sleeping spot, not into it.
- Several county parks (Miloliʻi, Kapaʻa, Kīholo) have no potable water. Check the amenity table above before you go, and bring more water than you think you need. A gallon per person per day is a safe baseline.