We’d choose a sweet campsite or cabin over a hotel room any day, but especially in Hawaii. Hawaii is home to some of the most dramatic and diverse ecosystems in the world. Waterfalls, rainforests, deserts, coral reefs, waterfalls, volcanoes, hot springs, tide pools, lava sand beaches, waterfalls… Did we mention waterfalls? Well, you can camp right next to one at a Hipcamp on the Big Island (check it below!) ✨

Camping is also a fun way to travel on the cheap. Save your money for banana bread, surf board rentals and snorkel boats, not an overly expensive place to sleep!

Below are some of our favorite campsites in Hawaii! These all happen to be on the Big Island, but you can see all Hipcamps on this colorful archipelago here.

Mauna Kea Cloudforest Retreat

Big Island – $40/night

*Jaw drop* This Big Island campground boasts 14 acres of private riverfront property with waterfalls, several swimming holes, and tropical jungle, where you’ll camp right on the river. Plus, there’s a damn fine outdoor shower.

“What could be better than waking up and looking it out of your tent to see a picturesque waterfall and going for a quick dip? Not much. What makes it even better is that it didn’t cost an arm and a leg to experience it.” – Hipcamper Michael

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Glamping in Beautiful Kapoho

Big Island – $50

This is the cutest little A-frame! This campsite is close to the Kapoho Tidepools (great for snorkeling!) and Champagne Ponds (great for swimming!)

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James Cottage

Big Island – $289/night

This cottage runs closer to the price of an 3-to-4 star hotel on the island, but offers a totally different experience than staying in a resort! The cottage is a historic plantation home on a private ranch—with a hot tub and a beautiful natural swimming pool. ?

“This ranch is MAGIC. The James Cottage is a beautiful place to stay, and the sky is super dark making star gazing from your private hot tub a total dream. The bed is super comfy and the kitchen is nicely set up, it’s really everything you need (even laundry!) I love wandering around the ranch in the morning too, I got to meet baby piglets and watch horses wandering amongst the trees with the ocean behind them. My only wish is that I could have stayed longer!!” ~ Alyssa Ravasio, Founder and CEO of Hipcamp

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Deluxe Glamping Hammock Cabana

Big Island – $43

Each of these hammocks can sleep two and be adjusted for flat or cradled sleeping.

“Don’t waste your Hawaiian vacation cooped up in a hotel room. Come enjoy the real Hawaii, where the gentle breeze and tree frogs will lull you to sleep each night.” – Hipcamp Host Mathew

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Pua Lani Jungle House

Big Island – $125/night

Where to explore from this wooden cedar home in the rainforest jungle: active lava flowing into the ocean, black sand tide pools on the Puna coast, and warm ponds. But with a house this beautiful, will you ever want to leave? ?

“Paradise. This place is now my favorite place in the world.” – Field Scout Brooke Lambe

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Nature Cottage

Big Island – $60

An iconic jungle cabin—run solely on solar! ☀️

“My stay in the Nature Cottage was absolutely perfect. It’s tucked away on the most beautiful property surrounded by nature… This is a farm so there are workers living on sight whom are the nicest people you will ever meet. There are friendly animals roaming about and sooo many fruit trees!! This place is just perfect all around and I can’t wait to go back.” – Field Scout Brooke Lambe

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Ola’a Rainforest Property

Big Island – $20

Set up camp amongst native Ohia trees, Hapuu tree ferns, avocados and bananas.

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See all Hawaii campsites.

Know landowners in Hawaii who would be interested in hosting campers? Direct ’em here.