Hawaii by van
Big Island is the Pacific's most unusual van destination: you drive between recent lava fields, tropical forests and beaches of black or green sand. It is the largest and least populated of the Hawaiian islands.
Our itineraries
Travelling in Hawaii by van
On the road
Stops not to miss
Where to sleep
The rules for sleeping in a van
From the itinerary “Big Island Hawaii Van Road Trip: 10 days on the volcanic island” →In Hawaii the law bans sleeping in a vehicle parked on a road or public property between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., and on private property without the owner's consent. Authorised campgrounds are exempt (Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-112, archived text; Love Big Island says on 21/10/2026 that it still applies).
- County parks: get your permit online before you arrive; up to 7 nights per campground from June to August, 14 the rest of the year.
- Volcanoes park: Nāmakanipaio ($15) and Kulanaokuaiki ($10), no reservations, first come first served. Park entry is $30 per vehicle.
- State parks: the campgrounds at Kalōpā, Kīholo and Hāpuna are closed for repairs, with no reopening date (same source).
- Private land: only with the owner's consent, for example through Hipcamp.
When to go
Hawaii month by month
Year-round
- Jan : Best time
- Feb : Best time
- Mar : Best time
- Apr : Best time
- May : Best time
- Jun : Best time
- Jul : Best time
- Aug : Best time
- Sep : Best time
- Oct : Best time
- Nov : Best time
- Dec : Best time
Elsewhere
