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Hawaii Camping Options
The A-frames at Hapuna State Park |
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All require camping permits- inexpensive for the county and state parks, free for the national park. Camping permits can be obtained by calling or writing. There is usually no problem obtaining sites, when writing request reservations well in advance, allowing a minimum of one month for letters to go back and forth.
The best places we could find to camp are at the A-frame cabins at Hapuna State Park, and the tent campground at Spencer Beach County Park. Contacts are listed below. The A-frames are, well, a bit au naturel, but not bad, and right by the best beach on the island, about 22 miles north of Kona. Spencer Beach is a few miles further north than that, by a small public beach.
There is a campground high on the shoulder of Mauna Kea, but it is over
an hour from Kona, and the nearest camping to the
south is over an hour away. In other words, your choices are limited.
Most campgrounds have pavilions, fireplaces, toilets (sometimes pit),
and running water, but usually no individual electrical
hookups. Pavilions often have electric lights. Drinking water is available,
but at times brackish water is used for flushing and
showers, so read all signs regarding water. Cooking fires are allowed
in established firepits, but no wood is provided.
Charcoal is a good idea. If camping in the mountains be prepared for
cold and rainy weather. You can find plenty of stores
that sell, and a few stores that rent camping equipment. Make sure
you call ahead to see what supplies they carry.