Many people visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes on a day trip, but I’d strongly recommend spending a couple of nights in the area. Below, you’ll find the best accommodation options in and around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Encompassing much of the southern half of the Big Island, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is one of two national parks in Hawaii and one of the most extraordinary national parks in the U.S.
The park is home to both the world’s largest volcano (Mauna Loa) and one of the most active volcanoes (Kīlauea) in the world, along with many other natural and cultural features.
You could spend days exploring this 335,000-acre national park.
The park’s multitude of activities range from going on scenic drives and learning about Native Hawaiian culture to watching tropical birds, enjoying sunrises and seeing a volcano erupt right on front of you.
There are some truly phenomenal hikes in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, too.
Moreover, this is one of those national parks that are arguably more spectacular at night than during daylight hours.
In fact, seeing Kīlauea erupt in the dark is one of the greatest experiences in the entire National Park System. On top of that, the star-peppered night sky in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is out of this world, pun totally intended.
This is all to say that it’s worth considering booking accommodation at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and spending a few nights and days in this magnificent place.
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Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Accommodation, B&Bs and Cabins
There might be only one hotel in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, but that doesn’t mean your accommodation options are limited. Rather the contrary, actually, nearby Volcano Village has dozens of places to stay.
If you’d like a more rustic and outdoorsy experience, you can also stay at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park cabins at the Nāmakanipaio Campground.
Let’s now take a closer look at all these places to stay in and around Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Volcano House
Its origins dating back to as early as 1846, well before Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park itself was established, Volcano House is one of the oldest still-operating lodges in the national parks.
It’s the only hotel at Hawai‘i Volcanoes, offering 33 historic guest rooms, a lounge, souvenir shops, snack bar and restaurant.
Located 4,000 feet above sea level, on the rim of the exceptionally active Kīlauea Caldera, Volcano House is an amazing place to stay.
There are four different room types: standard rooms, volcano crater view rooms, deluxe volcano crater view rooms and one spacious ADA accessible room.
Amenities are basic and range from complimentary WiFi to a coffeemaker with local Hawaiian coffee, a phone and a bathroom. In keeping with the hotel’s historic charm, there are no TVs in the rooms.
Various hiking trails start just outside the Volcano House doors. The easy Crater Rim Trail runs directly past it, in between the building itself and the caldera below.
Other recommended hikes include the Sulphur Banks Trail and, especially, the Halema‘uma‘u Trail.
Arguably the oldest tourist hiking trail in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the latter trail has taken visitors from Volcano House into the Kīlauea Caldera and back since the mid-1800s.
The Park Store and Kīlauea Visitor Center are right across the road from Volcano House. This is the best place to get information on eruption activity, suggested hikes, ranger programs and other fun activities in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Keep an eye on the calendar for Native Hawaiian cultural events and demonstrations, which take place next to the visitor center.
If you’re staying somewhere else near the park, you can also easily enjoy the hotel’s historic atmosphere by having lunch at one of its two eateries. Both restaurants overlook the spectacular Halema‘uma‘u Crater in the Kīlauea Caldera.
Check Volcano House Rates and Availability Here
Nāmakanipaio Campground Cabins
If you’re set on staying within the park, but Volcano House is fully booked, and you don’t want to sleep in a tent, the cabins at Nāmakanipaio Campground are a good alternative.
These rustic cabins are also managed by Volcano House. Located 3 miles west of Volcano House on Highway 11, the Nāmakanipaio Campground has ten one-room wooden cabins, “ideal for visitors seeking a camping experience without setting up a tent.”
Situated amid the beautiful natural scenery of Hawai‘i Volcanoes, these 200-square-feet cabins are extremely popular, so make sure to book your cabin way in advance.
The cabins can accommodate up to four people. They have one double bed and two bunk-style twin beds.
Additionally, each cabin also has its own outdoor fire pit, picnic table and grill.
A 0.5-mile trail connects the Nāmakanipaio Campground and Uēkahuna, the highest overlook on the Kīlauea Caldera rim.
This is a breathtaking viewpoint, one of the best places to watch Kīlauea erupt at night. The trail from the campground also links up with the Crater Rim Trail at Uēkahuna.
The Mauna Loa Road is just a minute’s drive northeast from the campground, while the Kaʻū Desert Trailhead is about 6.5 miles (10 minutes) down the road.
And, as I said earlier, it’s only 3 miles to Volcano House, the Kīlauea Visitor Center, the Crater Rim Drive and the numerous hiking trails at the Kīlauea Caldera.
Check Nāmakanipaio Campground Cabins Rates and Availability Here
Volcano Village
Located right outside the park’s boundaries, Volcano Village is the main tourist hub near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Although it’s a very small town, it does have all basic services, including a gas station, grocery store, restaurants, cafés, an art museum, and a food truck or two.
You’ll find a plethora of places to stay near Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in Volcano Village, from cabins and lodges to inns and B&Bs.
Check the map below to see rates and availability of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park accommodations in Volcano Village.
Booking.comVolcano Teapot Cottage
I specifically wanted to highlight the Volcano Teapot Cottage in Volcano Village, which is where I stayed during my three-day visit to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. (I was not compensated for my stay or this recommendation.)
Only 5 minutes from the park entrance, the Volcano Teapot Cottage is one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed at near a national park.
It is essentially a private bed and breakfast.
You’ll have the entire place to yourself, while the owners restock the kitchen and fridge when you’re out exploring Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
There’ll be freshly cut tropical fruit, breakfast items like eggs, granola, milk and much more, along with pastries.
As the name suggests, the Teapot Cottage is all about tea. There are references to tea all over the place, from art and other décor to books and, of course, countless of varieties of tea in the cupboards and shelves. It’s quite amazing.
There are two bedrooms, a large living room with TV and streaming services, dining area, a great kitchen and a laundry room. The bathroom has a fantastic shower and a clawfoot bathtub.
And if that’s not enough already, the Volcano Teapot Cottage sits amid a beautiful tropical garden.
You’ll wake up to the songs of tropical birds, the scent of the rain forest and sunshine streaming through the drapes. Phenomenal!
Check Volcano Teapot Cottage Rates and Availability Here