The best desert camping in Hawaii

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Looking for desert camping in Hawaii? You’ll find four options across the islands, where lava fields and dry scrub replace the usual lush rainforest. Average night goes for $72, but you can snag a spot for as low as $28. Most sites let you bring pets, light a campfire, and enjoy a proper toilet. Horseback riding, swimming holes, and hiking trails are never far away. Regulars head to Mutiny Farms (12 reviews), Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet (4 reviews), and Lava Land (4 reviews) for dry camping among black rock, cactus, and wide-open skies. Expect hot days, cool nights, and scenery that feels closer to Mars than Maui.

85% (42)

Top-rated campgrounds

Honua La'a "Sacred Land"

1. Honua La'a "Sacred Land"

97%
(31)
1 site · Lodging · Hawaiian Ocean View, HI
Enjoy the country life in Kau on the Big Island and the lovely red Lehua flowers blooming. We live on 20 acres on Road to the Sea, which has a remote green sand beach at the end of the road (4 miles down from us). We call our slice of paradise, Honua Laa (a sacred place). Straight down to the coast is a beautiful black and green sand beach and a huge tide pool. Rent a four-wheel-drive to get there, but you don’t need 4WD to get to our place, just go slow the road is gravel and bumpy. Off the grid. Rustic, but fun. If you are a Eco tourist or seeking adventure, you will love our spot! The silence is golden and the stars are amazing. Don't expect a hotel...this is upcountry glamorous camping. It's one-of-a-kind! Most of the parcels are 20 acre parcels around… But a few smaller parcels across the road. We have nice neighbors who keep an eye on things. The nearest grocery store is about 3 miles away. The Hele-On Bus is just 1.2 miles up the road. If you want to drive to the green sand beach at the end of our road, rent a 4 wheel drive. If you are athletic, you can walk, but it is 4 miles down and 4 miles back. I recommend going early in the morning and take water. Hot water shower is propane. Bring ice for your ice chest. Bring drinking water. There is a gas grill and propane single burner. Bathroom has manual flush toilet,. This is off the grid solar and there can be days without sun, or other glitches. You can charge your phone and have a lamp in your cabin. No wifi. I use ATandT and I understand that Verizon and T-Mobile work here also. The panoramic ocean view is spectacular! Very peaceful and relaxing! Our glamping cabins are in the front 3 acres. The back 17 acres is an old Ohia forest with 500 year old trees and lots of birds. You might even see a wild goat or a wild pig. There are small caves and gorgeous rock formations. It backs up to Manuka Forest Reserve.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$49
 / night
Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet

2. Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet

88%
(4)
3 sites · Lodging · Pāhoa, HI
Aloha ~ Are you ready for a Rebirth? An Epic, Elemental Stay? Come join us here at The Lava Sanctuary at Pele's Feet. Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano & Transformation, called me here to create an off-grid Magical Sanctuary on the newest land on Earth ~. We have grown and have several different accommodations from rustic to super nice Airbnb Plus. We have been featured in Hana Hou Magazine, as well as dozens of media around the world. This Elemental Vortex with wraparound Volcano views is surrounded by dramatic black lava fields, amazing black sand beaches, local culture and fun markets all located nearby! We have: The Magical Lava Temple (can sleep 5) The Phoenix House (look it up online, epic and unique!) - a tiny home that sleeps 2 and offers Rebirth! The Ohana House (can sleep 4) And the Lava Escape Pods (can sleep 1-2) Message us with your dates, your number of people, and we can let you know what's available ~ Infinite Blessings ~ JADE. The Radiant Lotus. Org.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$2
 / night
Rancho Gecko Ocean View

3. Rancho Gecko Ocean View

6 sites · RVs · Hawaiian Ocean View, HI
Aloha campers, if you are looking for a safe, quiet place to park your campervan for the night, you’ve come to the right spot. We offer a secluded, private parking area located at the foot of Mauna Loa in an agricultural region on the Big Island of Hawaii. The property features sweeping ocean views with beautiful sunrises and sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, South Point, and Pohue Bay. There are no streetlights in the area and minimal lighting on the property, making it very dark at night — perfect for stargazing. We are ideally located on the southwest side of the Big Island, about 50 miles from Kailua–Kona and 50 miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Just two blocks south of the main highway (Hawaii Belt Road), our large gated lot in Ocean View Ranchos is the perfect staging area for popular destinations on the east, south, and west sides of the island. It’s a short drive to Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Black Sands Beach, South Point (the southernmost point in the U.S.), and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, Kīlauea — only an hour away. We know firsthand how difficult it can be to secure safe overnight parking, as the State of Hawaii doesn’t allow it on public roadways. This is no-frills overnight parking. There is currently no running water, but we do provide a porta-potty for guests. We plan to add an outdoor shower and running water in the near future.
Toilets
Trash
from 
$35
 / night

Looking for desert camping in Hawaii? You’ll find four options across the islands, where lava fields and dry scrub replace the usual lush rainforest. Average night goes for $72, but you can snag a spot for as low as $28. Most sites let you bring pets, light a campfire, and enjoy a proper toilet. Horseback riding, swimming holes, and hiking trails are never far away. Regulars head to Mutiny Farms (12 reviews), Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet (4 reviews), and Lava Land (4 reviews) for dry camping among black rock, cactus, and wide-open skies. Expect hot days, cool nights, and scenery that feels closer to Mars than Maui.

85% (42)

Top-rated campgrounds

Honua La'a "Sacred Land"

1. Honua La'a "Sacred Land"

97%
(31)
1 site · Lodging · Hawaiian Ocean View, HI
Enjoy the country life in Kau on the Big Island and the lovely red Lehua flowers blooming. We live on 20 acres on Road to the Sea, which has a remote green sand beach at the end of the road (4 miles down from us). We call our slice of paradise, Honua Laa (a sacred place). Straight down to the coast is a beautiful black and green sand beach and a huge tide pool. Rent a four-wheel-drive to get there, but you don’t need 4WD to get to our place, just go slow the road is gravel and bumpy. Off the grid. Rustic, but fun. If you are a Eco tourist or seeking adventure, you will love our spot! The silence is golden and the stars are amazing. Don't expect a hotel...this is upcountry glamorous camping. It's one-of-a-kind! Most of the parcels are 20 acre parcels around… But a few smaller parcels across the road. We have nice neighbors who keep an eye on things. The nearest grocery store is about 3 miles away. The Hele-On Bus is just 1.2 miles up the road. If you want to drive to the green sand beach at the end of our road, rent a 4 wheel drive. If you are athletic, you can walk, but it is 4 miles down and 4 miles back. I recommend going early in the morning and take water. Hot water shower is propane. Bring ice for your ice chest. Bring drinking water. There is a gas grill and propane single burner. Bathroom has manual flush toilet,. This is off the grid solar and there can be days without sun, or other glitches. You can charge your phone and have a lamp in your cabin. No wifi. I use ATandT and I understand that Verizon and T-Mobile work here also. The panoramic ocean view is spectacular! Very peaceful and relaxing! Our glamping cabins are in the front 3 acres. The back 17 acres is an old Ohia forest with 500 year old trees and lots of birds. You might even see a wild goat or a wild pig. There are small caves and gorgeous rock formations. It backs up to Manuka Forest Reserve.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$49
 / night
Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet

2. Magical Lava Temple Pele's Feet

88%
(4)
3 sites · Lodging · Pāhoa, HI
Aloha ~ Are you ready for a Rebirth? An Epic, Elemental Stay? Come join us here at The Lava Sanctuary at Pele's Feet. Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of the Volcano & Transformation, called me here to create an off-grid Magical Sanctuary on the newest land on Earth ~. We have grown and have several different accommodations from rustic to super nice Airbnb Plus. We have been featured in Hana Hou Magazine, as well as dozens of media around the world. This Elemental Vortex with wraparound Volcano views is surrounded by dramatic black lava fields, amazing black sand beaches, local culture and fun markets all located nearby! We have: The Magical Lava Temple (can sleep 5) The Phoenix House (look it up online, epic and unique!) - a tiny home that sleeps 2 and offers Rebirth! The Ohana House (can sleep 4) And the Lava Escape Pods (can sleep 1-2) Message us with your dates, your number of people, and we can let you know what's available ~ Infinite Blessings ~ JADE. The Radiant Lotus. Org.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$2
 / night
Rancho Gecko Ocean View

3. Rancho Gecko Ocean View

6 sites · RVs · Hawaiian Ocean View, HI
Aloha campers, if you are looking for a safe, quiet place to park your campervan for the night, you’ve come to the right spot. We offer a secluded, private parking area located at the foot of Mauna Loa in an agricultural region on the Big Island of Hawaii. The property features sweeping ocean views with beautiful sunrises and sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean, South Point, and Pohue Bay. There are no streetlights in the area and minimal lighting on the property, making it very dark at night — perfect for stargazing. We are ideally located on the southwest side of the Big Island, about 50 miles from Kailua–Kona and 50 miles from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Just two blocks south of the main highway (Hawaii Belt Road), our large gated lot in Ocean View Ranchos is the perfect staging area for popular destinations on the east, south, and west sides of the island. It’s a short drive to Punaluʻu Bake Shop, Black Sands Beach, South Point (the southernmost point in the U.S.), and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, Kīlauea — only an hour away. We know firsthand how difficult it can be to secure safe overnight parking, as the State of Hawaii doesn’t allow it on public roadways. This is no-frills overnight parking. There is currently no running water, but we do provide a porta-potty for guests. We plan to add an outdoor shower and running water in the near future.
Toilets
Trash
from 
$35
 / night

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