Pitch your Tent on a Beach or a Volcano!
Imagine waking up to only the sound of the waves lapping on the beach and splashing in the tide pools. You climb out of your tent, put the Kona coffee on to perk and wiggle your toes in the sand.
The visitors haven't arrived yet, and the beach is yours :-)
Or...imagine pitching a tent in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The volcano isn't dormant; in fact, Kilauea on the Big Island, the island of Hawaii, is the world's most active volcano. Kilauea is also known as the drive-in volcano because lava flows can often be viewed by hikers or even from your car. But don't worry.
The campground is far from the lava flows and sulphur fumes, and unlike many of the moonscape areas in the 330,000 park, the campsites are in a green oasis. As daylight fades and a soothing fragrance from the rain splashed Eucalyptus wafts through the cool air, an outdoor fireplace provides cozy warmth. The rain gently splashing on the broad shiny leaves of surrounding plants and the hushed chirping of native birds nesting in the high canopy of massive Koa and Eucalyptus provide a tranquil lullaby. E komo mai (welcome) to camping in the Hawaiian Islands!
While Hawaii’s world renowned luxury resorts are tempting, one might do well to trade in those plastic lei and simulated waterfalls for a taste of true Paradise, at least for a night or two.
And spending less at pricey resorts (that tend to stress fragile coastlines and often support mega corporations outside of Hawaii) means more to spend on special mementos, good fun and local merchants and artists.
Buying 6 papayas for a buck at a grower’s market for example is a nice alternative to spending $6 for half a papaya in a resort. For a great campsite breakfast, pick up some fresh fruit (how’s four papayas for a buck sound?), mac nut bread and Kona coffee (and talk story with locals while you’re there…you’ll learn a lot more than you will lounging at a resort). Then there are the kayaking adventures, sunset dinner cruises (even us frugal, backpacker types appreciate a little wining and dining!), horseback riding on the beach, snorkeling with the dolphins…well you get the idea!
Pitching a tent on a tropical beach or in a fragrant volcano forest is easy in Hawaii where campgrounds range from drive-up parks with full amenities to wilderness settings accessible only to hikers. Public campgrounds are run by Hawaii’s National Parks, State Parks and County Parks and are as prolific in Hawaii as papayas.
Those planning on spending all their vacation nights at campgrounds and limiting their vacation to one island should opt for the island of Hawaii (Big Island) or Kauai. Both offer several choice campgrounds. However, island hoppers or those planning to alternate camping with other accommodations shouldn’t overlook the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Depending on the time of year, some reservations fill up months in advance. Apply for permits as early as possible. A good place to start is at Hawaii State Campgrounds which tend to be nicer and cheaper (from $5 for most tent camping to $55 for your own, screened A-Frame at Hapuna Beach on the Big Island). For details, visit www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/index.html Click on “Permits and Fees” and scroll down.
More info on Volcano National Park
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Written by a Big Island resident (me:-)
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