The Ultimate Guide to Camping on the Big Island of Hawaii

Camping on the Hawaiian Islands is a very popular activity among locals. It is an inexpensive way for families to bond and create memories over the beauty of the campfire and the sound of the surf. The Big Island of Hawaii offers some great parks for camping. The following is the ultimate guide to camping on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are about ten county campsites on the Big Island of Hawaii. These campsites are all along the coastline and they all offer different amenities and recreational activities to suit any campers taste. If you like roughing it, I recommend Miloli'i Beach Park in South Kona. The only amenity this site offers is a restroom, you are on your own for the rest. So bring your own tent and chairs, and forget about bathing while at Miloli'i Beach Park. Miloli'i does allow fishing, so food should not be a problem.

If you are more into the country club lifestyle of camping, I recommend Ho'okena Beach Park, also in South Kona. Ho'okena has a concession stand that sells food and camping supplies (now accepting credit cards), and they rent snorkel gear, boogie boards, chairs and camping stoves. The beach is pristine and great for swimming and dolphin watching. Ho'okena Beach Park is definitely one of the best campsites on the Big Island.

Of course Kona is not the only area of the Big Island that offers camping. Punalu'u Beach Park over on the southeastern shore is really nice. Located right next door to Punalu'u Bay, it offers a sandy beach for swimming. Spencer Beach Park has lifeguards, indoor showers and drinkable water, a great place to camp with your family.

As with camping in any other part of the country, the county of Hawaii has some rules and regulations. To see the complete list, check out the Hawaii County park and recreation website. To recap, camping permits are required, and cost about $5, and you must be eighteen years or older to obtain one. Pets are not allowed on the campgrounds or in any county parks. Quiet time is from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM, so parties have to end early. Check out time for camping is noon, and please clean up after yourself so the next party can enjoy the grounds as much as you did.

The county parks on the Big Island of Hawaii offer many options for campers that would be sure to please anyone. From the rugged to the refined, the Big Island has it all. Hopefully this ultimate guide to camping on the Big Island of Hawaii will help you choose the best campsite for you.