Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park adventure.
Flowing lava, crater hikes, and rainforests await campers at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The volcanic hotspot that has been steadily constructing the Hawaiian Island chain for the past 85 million years is still busy under the Big Island. Here, at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, you can get up close and personal with two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, where glowing orange lava is frequently visible, and Mauna Loa, the world’s largest subaerial volcano. Aside from those two standout spots, Hawai‘i Volcanoes is known for hiking and camping, both of which give visitors adventure access to crater rims, alpine deserts, lava tubes, oceanside lava flows, rainforests, and beaches. In addition to preserving the natural settings of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, the park serves as a refuge for endemic Hawaiian animal and plant species like the Nēnē goose, the ‘I‘iwi honeycreeper, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the iconic ʻŌhiʻa tree.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is open year-round. Summers run slightly hotter and drier than winters , but the Big Island’s tropical temperatures and trade winds make for comfortable camping in all seasons. In general, it’s smart to prepare for hot days, cold nights, and rain no matter when you visit. Snow is common on Mauna Loa in winter.