Fire Restrictions Implemented - January 21, 2010
Due to the escalating fire danger in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the entire island of Hawai`i, the following restrictions are in effect:

• No campfires throughout the park
• No barbeques at Namakanipaio Campground, Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park) picnic area, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, or Kahuku
• Cooking stoves are permitted with appropriate precautions
• Hilina Pali Road is closed beyond the Kulanaokuaiki campground due to extreme fire conditions

NPS Photo

Campers may pitch their tents in the grassy areas of Namakanipaio Campground.

There are two drive-in campgrounds in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Namakanipaio and Kulanaokuaiki. Camping is FREE of charge. Entrance fees to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park apply and may be paid at the entrance station.

Drive-In camping is available on a first-come basis. No reservations, No permits, and No check-in are necessary. Stays are limited to 7 days in a month and cannot exceed 30 days per year.

NPS photo

No reservations are needed. Just find a suitable spot to set up your tent.

Namakanipaio Campground, is located 31 1/2 miles south of Hilo on Highway-11 at 4,000' elevation. It is a large, open grassy area with tall eucalyptus and ohi'a trees. This campground has restrooms, water, picnic tables, and barbecue pits. These are shared facilities with just a few individual sites.

Weather may be cool and damp year-round. Daytime temperature range: 60s to 70s F. Nightime temperature range: 30s to low 50s F. We suggest that you use a tent with a good rainfly and bring warm clothing for cool days and evenings.

NPS photo

Kulanaokuaiki has 8 individual campsites, each with a picnic table. 2 sites are wheelchair accessible.

Kulanaokuaiki Campground is located about 5 miles down the Hilina Pali Road at 2,700' elevation. There is NO WATER at this location. This new campground has 8 campsites. 2 of the sites are wheelchair accessible. There is a vault-type toilet (no running water), and picnic tables.

No Fires!
No Dogs in the campground or anywhere on Hilina Pali Road

Nightime temperature range: high 40s to high 60s degreees F. Daytime temperature range: high 60s to 90s degrees F. We suggest that you use a tent with a good rainfly and bring warm clothing for cool days and evenings.

Photo by Anne Walker

Camper cabins in Namakanipaio Campground are nestled amongst tall eucalyptus trees.

Volcano House Hotel, operates rustic camper cabins at the Namakanipaio campground.

NOTE: The Volcano House hotel and Namakanipaio Cabins are closed due to seismic retrofitting, fire suppression upgrades and rehabilitation of the interior of the facility. It will reopen in early 2012.

The cabins sleep 4 (1 double bed and 2 bunk-style twin beds). Each cabin has a picnic table and an outdoor barbecue grill. Showers are available. Reservations are required.

Camping Areas Outside the Park

County and State campgrounds are located around the island.

Services in Volcano Village, located right outside the Park:

Showers
Showers may be rented (on a space available basis) through the Volcano House hotel which operates camper cabins in the Namakanipaio Campground area. Call: (808) 967-7321 for more information.

Stores
Two small village grocery stores and a hardware store are located in Volcano Village. The nearest large shopping area is in Hilo (31 1/2 miles away, 45 minutes drive).

Laundry
A laundromat is located at the rear of the Thai Thai Restaurant/Volcano True Value Hardware store in Volcano Village.

Restaurants
The Volcano House hotel, located across the street from Kilauea Visitor Center, has a restaurant and snack shop (This restaurant is  closed for 4 to 6 months - from January1, 2010, due to seismic retrofitting and fire suppression upgrades). The Crater Rim Cafe and Java Cafe at Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) are open to active and retired military.

In addition, there are several restaurants located outside the park in Volcano Village and at the Volcano Golf and Country Club.