Camping at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Campgrounds, Reservations, and Costs

By Erika Müller · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Yes, you can camp inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The park has two official campgrounds open to the public. Neither requires an online reservation. Sites are assigned on arrival, on a first-come, first-served basis. Backcountry camping is allowed with a free permit. Plan on a $30 vehicle entrance fee in addition to the campsite fee.

Campgrounds in the park (2)

• Campground Nāmakanipaio first come, first served · 16 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Kulanaokuaiki first come, first served · 9 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can You Camp Inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?

Yes. The park allows camping in designated campgrounds and backcountry camping in designated areas. Setting up a tent outside an official site is prohibited and may result in a fine.

There is one distinctive feature here. You sleep on an active volcano. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions move through the park with the wind. Elevation adds another challenge. At the summit of Kīlauea, about 4,000 feet above sea level, temperatures are 13 to 14°F lower than at the coast. Bring warm layers, even in summer. In fair weather, summit nights range from 54 to 59°F.

Campgrounds Inside the Park

Nāmakanipaio Campground

Nāmakanipaio is the park's main campground, located at about 4,000 feet in the summit area and reached directly from Highway 11. It has around ten tent sites, picnic tables, grills, and restrooms.

The site's main advantage is the surrounding forest of ʻōhiʻa and tree ferns, which shelters the campground from the wind and provides a home for native birds that you can hear from dawn. On clear nights, the glow from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater can be seen a few miles away.

Small RVs are allowed on some sites, but there are no electrical or water hookups. Nearby, Hawaii Volcano House offers cabins. Check its own website for reservations and rates.

Reservations. First come, first served. NPS sites cannot be reserved in advance on recreation.gov.

Fee. Free, with the park entrance fee charged separately.

Kulanaokuaiki Campground

This primitive campground sits farther down Chain of Craters Road, away from the main tourist traffic. It has about 15 tent sites, with no electricity, drinking water, or other services. Bring everything you need, including water, food, and trash bags.

In return, you sleep among fields of solidified lava. The nighttime silence, occasionally broken by the cracking of cooling ground, makes this a memorable experience in its own right.

Tents only. RVs and trailers cannot access the campground.

Reservations. First come, first served.

Fee. Free.

RV vs. Tent: Which Site Is Right for You?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is not designed for large RVs. Neither campground offers electrical hookups, running water, or a dump station. Nāmakanipaio accepts smaller vehicles on a few sites. Kulanaokuaiki is for tents only.

If you are traveling by RV, the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes RV camping guide covers the island's specific restrictions and nearby lodging alternatives.

Camping Nearby: Campgrounds Outside the Park

When both campgrounds are full, or if you want more amenities, several options are available on the Big Island. Hilo, about 30 miles northeast along Highway 11, has county campgrounds and forest sites. The private camping options are more developed around Kailua-Kona, about 96 miles away.

For lodges and hotels in and around the park, see Hawaiʻi Volcanoes hotels and lodges. Hawaii Volcano House remains the only lodge within the park's boundaries.

Wild Camping and Backcountry Camping

The park allows backcountry camping in designated areas, provided you obtain a free permit from the Backcountry Office at the Visitor Emergency Operations Center, or VEOC, near the park entrance. The permit is issued to a named individual and is valid for a limited period.

One park-specific concern is that some backcountry areas may close without notice if volcanic activity requires it. Check conditions the morning you leave. The Hawaiʻi Volcanoes hiking itineraries list the trails open to backcountry camping and detail the authorized areas.

How and When to Reserve a Campsite at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes

Both campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. NPS sites cannot be reserved online. During peak season, from July through August and on U.S. holiday weekends, Nāmakanipaio may be full by early afternoon, so arrive early.

Reserve Hawaii Volcano House cabins directly with the property, several weeks ahead during the busy season.

The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. To choose the best weather window, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes weather explains seasonal conditions at different elevations.

Costs: How Much Does a Night of Camping Cost at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes?

The $30 entrance fee is valid for 7 consecutive days. The America the Beautiful pass, which costs $80 per year, covers admission to all U.S. national parks and other federal recreation sites. For entrance fees and annual passes, see the National Parks Fees & Passes page.

Safety and Best Practices for Volcanic Camping

Camping at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes requires precautions you would not need in an ordinary park.

Volcanic gases, including vog and SO2. Sulfur dioxide from Halemaʻumaʻu Crater can reach the campground depending on the wind. People with asthma or respiratory or heart conditions should check the NPS daily bulletins and keep their medications close at hand. If concentrations rise, head down to a lower, better-ventilated area.

Volcanic ground. Stay on designated trails. A thin lava crust may conceal a thermal cavity or a void. Do not go off trail at night.

Water. Neither campground provides enough drinking water for cooking and the needs of your stay. Fill up before entering the park, in Hilo, or along the way.

Wildlife. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes has no bears or alligators. It does have feral pigs and mongooses, which may rummage through your belongings if food or trash is left within reach. Keep everything in your locked vehicle or in the food storage boxes available at the sites.

For all current rules, check the regulations posted at the park entrance or available on the NPS website.

Which Campground Should You Choose?

You are tent camping and want the fullest volcanic experience. Choose Kulanaokuaiki. Primitive, quiet, and surrounded by lava fields, it offers an entirely immersive experience.

You have kids or want basic comforts such as restrooms, tables, and grills. Choose Nāmakanipaio. It is better equipped, close to the park center and the native forest.

You are traveling in a small RV. Nāmakanipaio is your only option. Check the size limits before you commit to the road.

You want a roof over your head. The cabins at Hawaii Volcano House sit next to Nāmakanipaio and offer a middle ground between camping and a lodge. The Hawaiʻi Volcanoes guide summarizes all lodging options.

Frequently Asked Questions