Questions About Big Island Camping Permits

by Melissa
(Seattle, WA, USA)

Hi! I contacted you a while back in regarding to camping on the Big Island - I have been looking around for permits and I found a site which stated that no spots are open, but others that state that it is first-come, first-serve. I wish to camp under the rules :) so I was wondering if you knew which was true? And if Spencer Beach is full, what are others, on the beach with cold showers that would be great to try out?

THANKS!!!

Melissa

Aloha Melisa

First off here is the link to the county parks site that lists the parks that allow camping, with links to their availability and info on their facilities.

County Site on Big Island Camping

As far as the other sites, I would personally go with Punaluu, but there are not that many good swimming beaches down there in Kau. Punaluu is a beautiful black sand beach, and there is a couple of spots to at least get in the water there. The wind is always a factor down there, so make sure you can stake your tent.

If you want the typical white sandy beach area, Kohala is definitely the best bet. Mahukona has showers, but there is no beach there. There are plenty of good beaches right down the road, however.

Ho'okena is a beautiful beach, but there is definitely going to be a welcoming committee there, how you handle yourself would determine what kind of welcome that is.

I have never had a problem there.

Let me know if I can help more.