If you are looking for a primitive stay in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park than Kulanaokuaiki Campground is the perfect place to camp. This campground is located down a 5-mile road that barely fits two cars passing each other.
The campground is primitive and does not have running water or electricity. You will need to bring water with you and plan for constantly changing weather.
When we visited the campground it was dreary and cold. This is hard to believe for Hawaii but it was just grey and ugly.
The next day in the park it was bright and sunny with barely a cloud in the sky and then two hours later it was pouring rain.
Kulanaokuaiki Campground - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
This is a tent only campground. RV's are not allowed in the campground
There is a vault type toilet near the parking area. There is no water at this location.
Wood, charcoal and all fires are not permitted with the exception of fueled cooking stoves.
Plan for cool days even though some days the highs 60s to 90s the weather can change quickly. I would plan on highs 40s to high 60s but be prepared that it can get a lot hotter than this.
Make sure you have a rain cover for your tent and are prepared for moist weather.
Season: Year Round
This campground is subject to closure when the area is dry and during times of high fire risk.
Number of Sites: 9
Location in the park: Kulanaokuaiki Campground is located about 5 miles down the Hilina Pali Road
Campsite Cost: $10.00 a night per site
$5.00 a night per site for campers who hold the Interagency Senior (Golden Age) and Golden Access passes
All guests must pay the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrance fee
Reservations: No, first come first serve
Campground Address:
Longitude/latitude: 19.34315, -155.27361
Elevation: 2,700 elevation
Accessible Sites: Three campgrounds are wheelchair accessible
Pets Allowed: Pets are not allowed in the campground or anywhere on Hilina Pali Road
Maximum Stay Limits: 7 days
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$40.00-$75.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$75.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$100.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Campground Amenities
Flush Toilets: No, accessible vault toilet
Payphone: No
Is wifi Available? No
Is cellular Phone Service Available? No
Is firewood available for purchase? No fires are allowed in the campground
Amenities at each campsite:
Fire pit in the site? No fires are allowed in the campground.
Picnic Table in the site? Yes
Bear Box in site/area? No
Potable Water? No
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: 6 people per site
The number of cars per campsite: parking is in one parking lot
Check in Time: 3 pm
Checkout time: 12 pm
Quiet Hours: 10 pm to 6 am
Maximum Stay: 7-day maximum stay limit.
Kulanaokuaiki Campground Map
Photos of Kulanaokuaiki Campground
If you are looking for a traditional campground check out Nāmakanipaio Campground.
There is one lodge in the park, Volcano House, that is located on the rim of the crater and well worth visiting.
Check out the best things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Check out all of our articles on Hawaii Volcanoes.
Where to stay when visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
I have personally visited the Big Island of Hawaii several times, and I even proposed to Tammilee at Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park just north of the Kona Airport!
Volcano House is the only lodge in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is perfect for exploring the Park. However, there are only 33 guest rooms, which can make it a challenge to find a room available. Here are a couple of options.
Make sure to book your stay at Colony I at Sea Mountain if you want to be close to the park and far from large cities like Kona and Hilo. Here you can relax in paradise and enjoy other top destinations like Punalu'u Black Sands Beach, South Point, Green Sands Beach, and the town of Naalehu, home of the Punalu'u Bake Shop! This is a condo/timeshare style hotel that provides numerous amenities, including barbecue grills, a furnished kitchen, a washer/dryer, a coffee/tea maker, and a TV with cable. The only drawback is that you are far from several of the top attractions that Hawaii offers like going to a luau, organized tours, etc.
Hilo has several hotel options and an international airport. Hilo is known as the wet side of the island, and where many locals live. I have never stayed on the Hilo side, but I know there is the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, a Doubletree by Hilton - 4-star hotel in the heart of Keaukaha.
Most visitors to Hawaii prefer to stay on the Kona side of the island and fly into the Kona Airport (KOA). Kona is known as the dry, sunny side of the island with numerous tourist activities.
If you are looking for a fantastic hotel with breathtaking views, I would suggest the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. This contemporary Hawaiian-style resort comes to life with lush, manicured gardens, endless blue skies, and ocean views to die for. Did I mention that it is just steps away from Hapuna Beach, one of the best beaches on the island!
My other favorite hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. You will love this resort as it is on the north end of Alii Drive (the heartbeat of Kona) and makes the perfect place to explore both Kona and the Island. They also have great A/C, nice rooms, and the Island Breeze Luau is fantastic!
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