The best waterside campgrounds in Big Island

The Big Island is every bit the Hawaiian paradise you’ve seen in the movies. Azure waters and black- and white-sand beaches draw sunseekers to the coast, while rugged volcanic peaks and swathes of emerald-green rainforest tempt adventurers inland, and everywhere you go, you’ll be met with a vibrant fusion of Polynesian cultures. Hawaii’s tropical climate makes camping a four-season pastime with lots of options. Pitch a tent or rent a cabin at a state park, camp by the beachside at a county park, or park your campervan on a private farm.

94% (929) • 1 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Big Island

Waipio KOA

1. Waipio KOA

89%

(9)

4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Honokaa, HI

After arriving between 12-4 pm at the meet up location; waipio valley's lookout pavilion connected to flush toilet bathrooms, we will meet the local information officer and kahuna proceeding down Waipio road as we drive your 4x4 vehicle or guide your hui single file on foot 2.5 miles to Waipio's KOA to set camp for your stay. Please refrain from walking or driving Waipio road prior to or after our meetup as the current road safety restrictions prohibit all non-Hawaiian island residents from entering the valley without a local escort. Waipio KOA is an active farm to table fruit orchard, la'au lapa au medicine garden, and apo ohana community center. Waipio KOA shares a mission to unify the seven star tribes from all major honua (earth) continents in apo (circle) formation to spread equality, peace, and harmony around our shared planet earth. he ali'i ka aina he kauwa ke kanaka Now is the hour to come together in unity and equality to share ha breath, kala light, aina land/earth, and wai water. Once your camp is set, you will be walking distance from a potable spring, waterfalls, a black sand beach, Waipio stream and Waimanu Valley campground 9 miles on the Muliwai wilderness reserve trail. Wild horses, birds, pigs and farmers are commonly scene throughout the valley. When surf and ocean conditions allow you may enjoy kayaking, swimming, diving, fishing, surfing and seasonal whale and dolphin watching. As camp hosts we will provide the best guidance during your stay and are available for more intimate one on one assistance with your choice of activities should you need. Please specify what your intentions for this camp experience are during our meeting at the valley lookout. As active farmer gardeners we are seeking extra hands in work projects and welcome long stay extensions involving a work trade agreement. Be sure to let us know if you are interested in this option to extend your stay. Although it may be perfectly fun and fabulous to camp in the rain, extreme rain and high flood water conditions may result in a cancelation of your reservation. In accordance with hipcamp's cancelation policy, we can refund your payment 72 hrs before your arrival date. Mahalo for your kokua and we look joyward to seeing your happy camper smile. E Komo Mai

Toilets

Campfires

Showers

from

$40

/ night

The Big Island is every bit the Hawaiian paradise you’ve seen in the movies. Azure waters and black- and white-sand beaches draw sunseekers to the coast, while rugged volcanic peaks and swathes of emerald-green rainforest tempt adventurers inland, and everywhere you go, you’ll be met with a vibrant fusion of Polynesian cultures. Hawaii’s tropical climate makes camping a four-season pastime with lots of options. Pitch a tent or rent a cabin at a state park, camp by the beachside at a county park, or park your campervan on a private farm.

94% (929) • 1 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Big Island

Waipio KOA

1. Waipio KOA

89%

(9)

4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Honokaa, HI

After arriving between 12-4 pm at the meet up location; waipio valley's lookout pavilion connected to flush toilet bathrooms, we will meet the local information officer and kahuna proceeding down Waipio road as we drive your 4x4 vehicle or guide your hui single file on foot 2.5 miles to Waipio's KOA to set camp for your stay. Please refrain from walking or driving Waipio road prior to or after our meetup as the current road safety restrictions prohibit all non-Hawaiian island residents from entering the valley without a local escort. Waipio KOA is an active farm to table fruit orchard, la'au lapa au medicine garden, and apo ohana community center. Waipio KOA shares a mission to unify the seven star tribes from all major honua (earth) continents in apo (circle) formation to spread equality, peace, and harmony around our shared planet earth. he ali'i ka aina he kauwa ke kanaka Now is the hour to come together in unity and equality to share ha breath, kala light, aina land/earth, and wai water. Once your camp is set, you will be walking distance from a potable spring, waterfalls, a black sand beach, Waipio stream and Waimanu Valley campground 9 miles on the Muliwai wilderness reserve trail. Wild horses, birds, pigs and farmers are commonly scene throughout the valley. When surf and ocean conditions allow you may enjoy kayaking, swimming, diving, fishing, surfing and seasonal whale and dolphin watching. As camp hosts we will provide the best guidance during your stay and are available for more intimate one on one assistance with your choice of activities should you need. Please specify what your intentions for this camp experience are during our meeting at the valley lookout. As active farmer gardeners we are seeking extra hands in work projects and welcome long stay extensions involving a work trade agreement. Be sure to let us know if you are interested in this option to extend your stay. Although it may be perfectly fun and fabulous to camp in the rain, extreme rain and high flood water conditions may result in a cancelation of your reservation. In accordance with hipcamp's cancelation policy, we can refund your payment 72 hrs before your arrival date. Mahalo for your kokua and we look joyward to seeing your happy camper smile. E Komo Mai

Toilets

Campfires

Showers

from

$40

/ night

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping in Big Island guide

Where to go

Kailua-Kona Coast

=The Big Island’s Gold Coast stretches along the west shore, fringed with sandy beaches and colorful coral reefs. Seaside campers will find plenty of ways to get on the water, whether swimming and snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach Park, paddling around Kealakekua Bay in a kayak, or setting sail on a whale or dolphin-watching cruise. Back on land, take a tour of a Kona coffee plantation and pay a visit to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.

Kohala

Rugged lava fields meet golden beaches and pastoral farmlands in Kohala at the island’s northwestern tip, where you’ll also find some of Hawaii’s most luxurious resorts, spas, and restaurants. Swing by the regional capital Waimea, where you can saddle up for a horseback ride with a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy), admire the views from the Pololu Valley Lookout, then rent an A-frame at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.

Hilo & Hamakua Coast

Black-sand beaches, waterfalls, and tropical fruit plantations provide plenty of photo fodder along the eastern Hamakua Coast. Drive the Hamakua Heritage Corridor from Hilo all the way to the Waipio Valley Lookout, stopping along the way to see Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls before settling into camp.

South Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the headline act of the south, where still-smoking lava fields surround two of the world's most active volcanoes, and hikers can choose from two national park campgrounds or rent a cabin. There are more lava-sculpted landscapes in nearby Puna, where camping options include treehouses and jungle campsites. Don’t miss Lava Tree State Park, the green-colored sands at Papakolea Beach, or the black-sand Punalu’u Beach.