Kalōpā State Recreation Area

Kalōpā State Recreation Area offers tent camping (in addition to separate cabin lodging) on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, reservable up to 90 days in advance. Activities: Camping, Hiking. CLOSED (including cabins and pavilion) as of the August 24, 2026 update on DLNR's live Important Park Notices page - "Hawaiʻi Island: camping/lodging remains suspended indefinitely" amid Hurricane Lala/Tropical Storm Moke recovery. Separately, DLNR's own page also states the cabins specifically were already closed until 12/31/2026 for an unrelated, earlier-reported issue. Status changing amid Hurricane Lala/Tropical Storm Moke recovery (as of 8/25/26) - check dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/important-park-notices/ before traveling. Hawaii State Park campgrounds are not set up for camping in vehicles (campers, vans, trailers); sleeping in vehicles in campground parking lots is not allowed statewide, and there are no electric/water hookup sites anywhere in the system (dlnr.hawaii.gov, confirmed live). Pets/animals are NOT allowed - confirmed via this park's own DLNR record ("No Animals/Pets" listed explicitly) and Hawaii's statewide Administrative Rules ("not allowed in... campgrounds"). Reservable (permit-based, not a specific numbered site) through Hawaii DLNR Division of State Parks' own reservation system at explore.ehawaii.gov (migrated from the legacy camping.ehawaii.gov system statewide as of February 1, 2026; login required to book).

Standard statewide camping permit fee: Hawaii residents $20/campsite/night, non-residents $30/campsite/night, for up to 10 people (dlnr.hawaii.gov, "*New Fees Effective 10/9/20"). Hawaiʻi Island's general campsite fee page also currently notes "(Currently only allowing 6 people per site)" - unclear if still current, confirm at booking. Full payment required at time of reservation (no partial deposits, no mail-in permits); NO REFUNDS if cancelled less than 15 days before check-in; $5/permit cancellation fee on refunds granted (dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/permits-fees/). Maximum stay 5 consecutive nights per park (shorter at some parks, e.g. Nāpali Coast), then a 30-day wait before that permittee may camp overnight in the same park again; one campsite/cabin per permit per park at a time; commercial use prohibited without a special use permit.