Hawai'i Volcanoes Backcountry Passes

Every Hawai'i Volcanoes Backcountry wilderness-permit entry point on recreation.gov - AllTrails ratings, demand scores, and a trailhead map.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island protects active volcanic landscapes, from summit calderas to a remote wilderness coast, with backcountry camping areas and cabins reached on foot. A backcountry permit reserves a specific camping area for each night of your itinerary. Popular coastal sites and cabins are limited, so competitive dates can be hard to get.

Top Hawai'i Volcanoes Backcountry entry points

The most in-demand entry points, ranked by how fast each one books up on recreation.gov.

• Halapē - Very high demand - 4.6 on AllTrails
• Ka‘aha - Very high demand - 4.6 on AllTrails
• Keauhou - High demand - 4.5 on AllTrails
• Puʻuʻulaʻula (Red Hill) Cabin Area - Moderate demand - 4.2 on AllTrails
• Mauna Loa Cabin Area - Moderate demand - 4.4 on AllTrails
• ʻĀpua Point - Easy to get - 4.5 on AllTrails
• Nāpau - Easy to get - 4.7 on AllTrails
• Pepeiao Cabin - Easy to get
• Ala Wai'i
• Dispersed Camping
• Great Crack - 3.6 on AllTrails

Popular trails

• Napau Crater via Napau Trail - 4.7 on AllTrails
• Hilina Pali and Halapé - 4.6 on AllTrails
• Ka'aha Trail to Ka'aha Campsite and Hilina Pali Trail Loop - 4.6 on AllTrails
• Apua Point via Puna Kau Trail - 4.5 on AllTrails
• Keauhou Trail - 4.5 on AllTrails
• Mauna Loa Cabin Trail via Observatory Trail - 4.4 on AllTrails
• Mauna Loa Trail to Red Hill - 4.2 on AllTrails
• The Great Crack - 3.6 on AllTrails

Hawai'i Volcanoes Backcountry permit guide · Book on recreation.gov