Big Island Camping Guide: Campsites, Permits, Costs, and Routes
Big Island camping is one of the best ways to see the island
Camping on the Big Island is not just a cheaper version of staying in a hotel.
It is a better way to experience the island if you want beaches, lava fields, coffee country, rainforest, waterfalls, volcanoes, and open road in the same trip.
The Big Island is made for movement. Kona is dry and sunny. Hilo is lush and rainy. Volcano is cool and misty. Kaʻū feels wide open and rugged. North Kohala has cliffs, wind, and old Hawaiʻi scenery. You can cross several climates in one day.
That is why a fully equipped camping rental works so well here.
With Ready Rigs, you are not just renting a vehicle. You are getting the camp setup, rooftop tent, cooler, kitchen gear, bedding, chairs, shade, and local camping guide that help make the trip easier.
The key is planning your nights correctly.
Big Island camping is very doable, but it is not a “sleep anywhere” situation. Use legal campsites, book permits when needed, and build a route that actually makes sense.
The easy version
For most visitors, the best Big Island camping plan is a mix of:
Hipcamp and private campsites
Hawaiʻi County beach parks
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park campgrounds
Select state park campgrounds
A simple route around the island
That gives you the freedom of camping without the stress of guessing where you are allowed to stay.
Ready Rigs guests get a local camping guide with recommended legal camping options, Hipcamp suggestions, and permit links.
Legal camping overview on the Big Island
Legal camping on the Big Island usually falls into five categories:
Camping typeBest forPermit or bookingHipcamp and private campsitesRooftop tent trips, privacy, easier host confirmationBook through hostHawaiʻi County beach parksClassic beach park campingCounty permitHawaiʻi State ParksSelect tent camping and cabin optionsState permitHawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkVolcano area campingCampground fee plus park entranceForest reserves and backcountryMore rugged tripsState or DOFAW permit
The important thing is that these systems are separate. A county permit does not cover a state park. A state permit does not cover a national park. A Hipcamp booking only covers that private site.
Hawaiʻi County says permits are required to camp in county parks, and permits can be purchased online or in person. State Parks also uses a separate reservation system and lists two Hawaiʻi Island state parks that allow camping: Kalōpā State Recreation Area and Kīholo State Park Reserve.
Start with Hipcamp if you want the easiest experience
For most Ready Rigs guests, Hipcamp is the cleanest starting point.
Hipcamp lets you book private campsites directly from hosts. That is useful because many listings clearly show whether they allow tents, vehicle camping, showers, toilets, pets, fires, and other amenities. Hipcamp lists Big Island camping options with filters for private campsites, tent sites, campervan style stays, toilets, showers, and campfires.
This matters for rooftop tent camping.
A rooftop tent setup is different from a normal ground tent. Some public campgrounds are designed around tent pads. Some have separate parking areas. Some state park rules are not friendly to sleeping in vehicles. A private host can usually confirm whether your exact setup is allowed before you book.
That clarity is valuable.
With Ready Rigs plus Hipcamp, you get:
A legal place to sleep
A host approved campsite
More privacy than many public campgrounds
Easier confirmation for rooftop tent setups
Better odds of amenities like toilets, showers, level parking, and quiet
Less time decoding public campground rules
This is the sweet spot for most visitors.
You still get the adventure. You just remove the sketchy part.
Big Island camping permits
Big Island camping permits depend on where you stay.
Hawaiʻi County camping permits
County beach parks are some of the most popular camping options on the Big Island.
Hawaiʻi County says there is no free camping in county parks, and campers must purchase and be able to produce a printed or electronic permit while camping. County permits cannot be purchased at county parks.
As of the current county reservation page, county camping fees are listed per person per night:
Camper typeHawaiʻi residentNonresidentAdult, 18 and older$6 per adult per night$21 per adult per nightJunior, 13 to 17$3 per junior per night$21 per junior per nightChild, 12 and under$1 per child per night$20 per child per night
The county page also notes that processing fees are included for adults and juniors and that a valid Hawaiʻi ID or Hawaiʻi driver license is required for resident rates.
Hawaiʻi State Park camping permits
State parks are a separate system.
For Hawaiʻi Island, State Parks lists Kalōpā State Recreation Area and Kīholo State Park Reserve as camping options. Reservations can be made 90 days in advance for Kalōpā and 30 days in advance for Kīholo.
Current State Parks camping fees are:
State campsiteHawaiʻi residentNonresidentStandard state park campsite$20 per campsite per night$30 per campsite per night
State Parks lists those fees for up to 10 people, while also noting some sites currently allow fewer people per site.
Important rooftop tent note: Hawaiʻi State Parks says its campgrounds are not set up for sleeping in vehicles, including campers, vans, and trailers. Sleeping in campground parking lots is not allowed, except for a specific Maui exception at Waiʻānapanapa State Park.
That does not mean state parks are useless. It means they are not always the best fit for vehicle based camping. For Ready Rigs trips, Hipcamp and compatible county options are usually easier.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park camping
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has two drive in campgrounds:
Nāmakanipaio Campground
Kulanaokuaiki Campground
The National Park Service lists both as drive in campgrounds inside the park.
Nāmakanipaio is operated by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Lodge Company. It is at about 4,000 feet elevation and has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. The listed drive in site fee is $15 per night, plus park entrance fees.
Kulanaokuaiki is more primitive. It has nine designated campsites, picnic tables, tent pads, a vault toilet, and no water. Fires are not permitted. The listed fee is $10 per night, plus park entrance fees.
Volcano is one of the best camping areas on the island, but pack for cooler weather. NPS notes that Nāmakanipaio can be cool and damp year round, with nighttime temperatures ranging from the 30s to low 50s Fahrenheit.
Best Big Island campsites by area
This is not every campsite on the island. This is the practical list for visitors planning a camping route.
Kona side camping
Kona side camping is best for airport access, beaches, snorkeling, coffee country, sunsets, and starting or ending a trip smoothly.
Hipcamp near Kona
Best for: first night, last night, rooftop tent trips, easier logistics
If you are flying into Kona, a private campsite near Kona is often the simplest first night. You can get groceries, learn the rig, set up before dark, and ease into the trip.
This is also a good last night option because it keeps you closer to the airport and reduces stress before departure.
Kohanaiki Beach Park
Best for: Kona side beach camping, surf access, sunsets
Kohanaiki, often called Pine Trees, is one of the most desirable Kona side beach park areas. It is close enough to Kona to be convenient but still feels like a real beach camping experience.
Use the county permit system and confirm current rules before planning your stay.
Kīholo State Park Reserve
Best for: rugged Kona coast scenery, remote feel, weekend camping
Kīholo is a state park reserve on the Kona coast with lava, blue water, pebble beach areas, and a wilder feel. Camping is by permit only, and State Parks says Kīholo camping is allowed on weekends only, Friday through Sunday nights, with reservations up to 30 days in advance. The park has no water and portable toilets are provided.
This can be beautiful, but it is not the easiest first night. It is better for travelers who are comfortable with fewer amenities.
South Kona camping
South Kona is one of the best areas for a slower camping trip. You get coffee farms, snorkeling, historic sites, and a more relaxed pace than central Kona.
Hoʻokena Beach Park
Best for: South Kona beach camping, ocean access, classic local camping feel
Hoʻokena is one of the stronger South Kona camping options. Hawaiʻi County lists Hoʻokena Beach Park as a beach park with camping, pavilion, restrooms, barbecue grills, and ADA access, and directs campers to the Hoʻokena camping site for permits and information.
Hoʻokena can be a strong fit for a Ready Rigs route if the campsite rules match your setup and availability lines up.
South Kona Hipcamp options
Best for: rooftop tent trips, farms, privacy, showers
South Kona private campsites can be excellent because you are close to coffee country, snorkeling, and old Hawaiʻi landscapes while avoiding crowded resort zones.
This is one of the areas where Hipcamp often makes more sense than trying to force a public campground into your route.
Kaʻū camping
Kaʻū is the southern part of the island. It is rugged, open, windy, and less developed. It can be one of the most memorable camping zones if you are prepared.
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park
Best for: black sand beach area, Kaʻū route, southern island camping
Punaluʻu is one of the most famous black sand beach areas on the Big Island. It is a useful camping option when building a route between Kona, South Point, and Volcano.
Use the county camping system and check current closures, maintenance dates, and campsite rules before relying on it.
Whittington Beach Park
Best for: Kaʻū coastline, quiet route planning, southern overnight stop
Whittington Beach Park is a county beach park in Kaʻū with camping, restrooms, pavilion, and barbecue grills listed by Hawaiʻi County.
This is more of a route building campsite than a luxury stop. It can work well if you are exploring the southern part of the island and want to avoid driving too far after dark.
Volcano area camping
Volcano is a must consider camping zone. It gives your trip variety and puts you close to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Nāmakanipaio Campground
Best for: first Volcano night, easier facilities, national park access
Nāmakanipaio is the more approachable of the two Volcanoes National Park campgrounds. It has water, restrooms, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. It is also close to the main park area.
This is a strong pick if you want one night near the park without going too remote.
Kulanaokuaiki Campground
Best for: more primitive camping, quiet national park feel
Kulanaokuaiki is more rugged. There is no water, fires are not allowed, and pets are not allowed in the campground or on Hilina Pali Road.
This is better for prepared campers, not visitors who want bathrooms, showers, and easy amenities.
Volcano area Hipcamp options
Best for: cooler weather, rainforest, privacy, easier booking
Private campsites near Volcano can be a strong option if you want access to the national park but prefer a hosted site or clearer rooftop tent compatibility.
Bring warm layers. Volcano weather is not Kona weather.
Hilo side and Hāmākua camping
The Hilo side is wetter, greener, and more tropical. Expect rain, lush scenery, waterfalls, jungle roads, and a different mood than Kona.
Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park
Best for: Hāmākua coast, dramatic ocean views, Hilo side route
Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park is a county park with camping, restrooms, boat launching, pavilion, and barbecue grills listed by Hawaiʻi County.
This area can be beautiful, but the coastline can be powerful. Treat it as scenic coastal camping, not casual swimming.
Kalōpā State Recreation Area
Best for: forest camping, cooler temperatures, Hāmākua side variety
Kalōpā is a state recreation area near Honokaʻa with tent camping and cabin lodging. State Parks lists camping by permit only, with resident and nonresident campsite fees of $20 and $30 per night.
This is not beach camping. It is forest camping. That is the point. It gives your route contrast and puts you in a cooler, greener environment.
Hilo area Hipcamp options
Best for: waterfalls, jungle, privacy, showers, slower east side stay
If you want to spend real time on the Hilo side, Hipcamp can be easier than relying only on public campgrounds. The east side is wetter, so look for listings with good drainage, covered areas, bathrooms, and clear access instructions.
Sample Big Island camping routes
These are simple route frameworks. Ready Rigs guests can adjust based on campsite availability, weather, permits, and trip length.
3 night Big Island camping route
Best for: quick trip, first time visitors, simple loop
Night 1: Kona side Hipcamp
Land, grab groceries, get familiar with the rig, and stay close to Kona.
Night 2: South Kona or Kaʻū
Explore coffee country, snorkeling, black sand beaches, or South Point depending on your route.
Night 3: Volcano area
Camp near Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and explore the park before returning toward Kona.
This is the shortest route I would recommend. Anything shorter starts to feel rushed.
5 night Big Island camping route
Best for: most Ready Rigs guests
Night 1: Kona side Hipcamp
Easy arrival night near the airport.
Night 2: South Kona
Coffee farms, snorkeling, historic sites, and slower roads.
Night 3: Kaʻū or Punaluʻu area
Black sand beach, southern coast, and wide open scenery.
Night 4: Volcano
National park, lava landscapes, rainforest, crater views, and cooler air.
Night 5: Hāmākua or Hilo side
Waterfalls, green coastline, and a different side of the island before looping back.
This is the best balance of adventure and practicality.
7 night Big Island camping route
Best for: deeper island trip
Night 1: Kona side Hipcamp
Start easy.
Night 2: North Kona or Kohala
Beaches, sunsets, rugged coastline, and drier weather.
Night 3: Hāmākua coast
Scenic drives, valleys, waterfalls, and green coastline.
Night 4: Hilo side
Rainforest, waterfalls, farmers markets, and east side exploring.
Night 5: Volcano
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Night 6: Kaʻū
Black sand beach, southern coast, and remote feel.
Night 7: South Kona or Kona side Hipcamp
Get back near Kona for an easy final morning.
Seven nights gives the Big Island enough room to breathe. You can move slower and avoid turning the trip into constant packing and driving.
What Big Island camping costs
Your camping cost depends on the type of site.
County parks
County parks are priced per person per night. Current nonresident county camping rates are listed at $21 per adult per night, $21 per junior per night, and $20 per child per night. Resident rates are lower.
State parks
State campsites are generally listed at $20 per campsite per night for Hawaiʻi residents and $30 per campsite per night for nonresidents, with children 2 and under free.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Nāmakanipaio drive in sites are listed at $15 per night, and Kulanaokuaiki is listed at $10 per night. Park entrance fees also apply.
Hipcamp and private campsites
Hipcamp pricing varies by host, location, amenities, and season. Expect private sites with showers, toilets, views, or farm settings to cost more than basic public permits, but the tradeoff is often worth it for rooftop tent compatibility and ease.
Ready Rigs rental
This is the bigger value piece. Instead of booking hotels, renting a car, buying camp gear, buying cooking gear, and figuring out everything separately, Ready Rigs bundles the adventure setup into one rental.
That is the point.
What to avoid when camping on the Big Island
Do not plan around random overnight parking
Do not build your trip around sleeping in beach parking lots, roadside pullouts, or scenic lookouts.
Hawaiʻi law restricts using a vehicle for human habitation between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. while parked on public roads or other public property, unless you are in a legal park, camp, or recreational area and following applicable rules. It also requires private property authorization from the owner or occupant.
The clean solution is simple: book legal campsites.
Do not assume every campground works for rooftop tents
Some sites are better for ground tents. Some state park rules are not ideal for vehicle sleeping. When in doubt, Hipcamp and private hosts are often easier because you can confirm your setup directly.
Do not ignore weather
Kona can be hot and dry. Volcano can be cold and wet. Hilo can rain hard. Kaʻū can be windy. Pack like you are visiting multiple islands.
Do not arrive after dark if you can avoid it
This is practical, not legal advice. Campsites are easier to find, level, and set up before sunset. First night especially, keep the plan simple.
Do not overpack your route
The Big Island is big. A common mistake is trying to see everything and ending up driving constantly. Camping should make the trip feel freer, not more frantic.
What to pack for Big Island camping
Ready Rigs already includes the core camping setup, but you should still bring smart personal gear.
Bring:
Light rain jacket
Warm layer for Volcano or higher elevation
Swimsuit
Reef safe sun protection
Headlamp or small flashlight
Sandals and closed toe shoes
Quick dry towel
Reusable water bottle
Groceries and snacks
Personal toiletries
Permit confirmations
Offline maps
Do not bring bulky camping gear unless you have a specific reason. That is the point of renting a fully equipped rig.
Why Ready Rigs makes Big Island camping easier
The hardest part of Big Island camping is not sleeping outside.
It is planning the logistics.
Where do you legally stay?
Which permit system do you use?
Which campsites work with a rooftop tent?
What gear do you actually need?
How do you avoid wasting your first day buying supplies?
How do you build a route that does not feel chaotic?
Ready Rigs solves the practical problems.
You get:
A fully equipped camping rental
Rooftop tent setup
Bedding
Cooler
Camp kitchen
Cookware
Stove
Chairs and table
Shade
Local camping guide
Permit links
Hipcamp suggestions
Route planning support
That is why Ready Rigs is the legal sweet spot for camping on the Big Island.
You get the freedom of an adventure trip with a cleaner plan behind it.
Big Island camping FAQ
Is camping on the Big Island worth it?
Yes. The Big Island is one of the best Hawaiian islands for camping because it has huge variety: beaches, lava fields, rainforest, waterfalls, volcanoes, coffee country, and remote coastline.
Do you need permits for Big Island camping?
Usually, yes. County parks require county permits. State parks require state permits. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park campgrounds have their own campground fees. Private sites like Hipcamp require a booking with the host.
Where is the easiest place to camp on the Big Island?
For most visitors, the easiest option is a private Hipcamp site that allows your setup. For Ready Rigs guests, this is often the smoothest way to camp legally with a rooftop tent.
Can you camp on beaches on the Big Island?
Yes, but only at designated beach parks or private sites where camping is allowed. A beach being public does not mean overnight camping is allowed.
Can you sleep in your car on the Big Island?
Do not plan on sleeping in your car on random public property. Hawaiʻi law restricts vehicle habitation on public roads and public property between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., with exceptions for legal parks, camps, recreational areas, and emergencies.
What is the best camping route on the Big Island?
For most visitors, a five night loop works best: Kona, South Kona, Kaʻū, Volcano, Hilo or Hāmākua, then back toward Kona.
How far ahead should I book Big Island campsites?
Book as early as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, and peak travel periods. County, state, national park, and private sites all have different booking windows.
Book a fully equipped Big Island camping rental
Big Island camping is better when the planning is clean.
Ready Rigs gives you the rig, rooftop tent, camp kitchen, cooler, bedding, chairs, shade, and local camping guide so you can spend less time figuring out logistics and more time actually seeing the island.
Book a fully equipped Big Island camping rental with Ready Rigs and start building your route.
