A nice park about 30 minutes from Hilo town going north on Highway 19 up the beautiful Hamakua Coastline is Laupahoehoe County Park There's not much swimming at this rocky beach, but you can wade through pools or play frisbee on the huge grassy lawn. Campsites with picnic tables at the oceans edge are available to those who like to listen to the ocean as they fall asleep in their comfy camper bed.
Another park 30 miles from Hilo town going south/east on highway 11, and turning onto Highway 130 through Pahoa town is Isaac Hale State park. Great for camping with security guard, new restrooms, outside showers, and surfing. Five miles down from Pahoa town is the camping area with Pohoiki county boat ramp nearby. At this boat ramp you can take tours to go check out the hot lava pouring in to the ocean, and for the fishing enthusiast charter a boat for some Hawaiian sport fishing. A 1/2 mile north is Ahalanui Park, famous for a large hot pond that is great for soaking and relaxing by the oceans edge in nice warm water!
Try out Mahukona State Park. On your way, you might like to drive through old town Honoka'a to the breathtaking Waipio Valley overlook at the end of the road. Awesome during whale season. It is usually quite empty, and quieter than Spencer Beach Park. There are outdoor-rinse off- showers, as well as private indoor showers.
Make your way to Spencer's Beach Park. Spencer's campground tends to fill up quickly, so book well in advance. It has a gate that is closed at night; which keeps the young partying crowd away. It has the best indoor showers, a beautiful white sand beach, with the ocean inviting you to bodysurf, swim and snorkel. Great places for tent camping too. The scenic Kahakai Beach trail will guide you to small secluded swimming spots. The hike is especially impressive during whale season. (Nov. - March) Also, the world class white sand beach Hapuna is just a short drive away. (day use only) This beach is like a post card, pristine white sand with the sea gently coming ashore. A can't miss!!
Spend the night at Ho'okena Beach Park. It is under new management; no longer a part of the County, it is now run by Hawaiians. They are doing a great job at keeping it safe for all, and local Hawaiian Aloha! You can now buy a permit on site at the camping area or go on line to www.hookena.org/camping to reserve a spot for the night. It has such a beautiful white sand beach and blue ocean with good snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. The spinner dolphins love to hang out in the waters there. You can literally back up to the beach and enjoy the view!
Time for the Southern end of the Island with breathtaking windy roads full of magnificent ocean views. Lots of wonderful beaches along the way; Miloli'i and Whittington are a couple. Whittington park is at mile marker 61 1/2, right at the bottom of the hill. A nicely maintained park with something to do for everyone. Grassy lawns for camping with fire-pits next to the ocean. There are wonderful tidepools, restrooms, outside showers and some nice partialy enclosed pavilions for use during windier conditions. Miloli'i is more primitive but is a beautiful peaceful park to enjoy paradise.
Stay the night at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park at mile marker 56. There are nice pavilions to escape the sometimes windy conditions. Restrooms are good, swimming and snorkeling is also quite spectacular. No showers, and lots of tour buses frequent it during the day to watch the endangered sea turtles basking in the sun on the beach. Beautiful beach for walks and very quiet at nice when all the tourists leave and you have the place to yourself!
Can't miss the Volcano National Park! The lovely Namakani Pai'o campground awaits. It is just 3 miles from the entrance to Volcano National Park and the Visitors Center which is so full of information about what the lava is doing and where to find the best hikes to suit you. For the hikers you could spend days here! The best part is IT'S FREE! Even if all the pull in sites are full, there's always lots of parking for you, and a large multi use pavilion. (Bathroom, but No showers) We think it is the very best campground we have, though it can get chilly because of its higher elevation.
To help you with your campground and visitor information, and even make online campground reservations for the Big Island of Hawaii, choose from the following links below.
