DAY 1: After an enjoyable experience at the Hilo airport of picking up your new home for the week, head off to the Hilo Farmer's Market. ( hilofarmersmarket.com ) Buy your produce there, as it is the best price, and loads of fun!
Next, make your way to Laupahoehoe County Park. About 45 minutes from Hilo. There's no swimming at this rocky beach, but you can wade through pools and skip rocks! There is a big grassy lawn for frisbee, and is a great place to hang out for the evening.
DAY 2: Try out Mahukona State Park. On your way, you might like to drive through old town Honoka'a, and to the end of the road, to the breathtaking Waipio Valley overlook. 
Awesome during whale season. Just have a seat, cool beverage in hand, and watch the show. It is usually quite empty, and much more quiet than Spencers. However, we experienced lots of bothersome flies in the summer months. Great place if you love cats, as there is a "sanctuary" in the woods there. There are outdoor-rinse off- showers, as well as private, indoor showers that can best be described as, well, a bit small and "icky'.
DAY 3: Make your way to Spencer's
Beach Park. Spencer's campground tends to fill up quickly, so book well in advance. It has a gate that is closed at night; which keeps the young partying crowd away, hence is quieter than other areas in that respect. However, it is such a popular place, that there are loads of people making their own people sounds. It has the best showers, however, they are temporarily down for a while, as of Nov. 07, until I don't know when! (stay tuned!) The scenic Kahakai Beach trail will guide you to small, secluded swimming spots. The hike is especially impressive during whale season. (Nov. - March) Also, the world - class white sand beach; Hapuna, is just a short drive away. (day use only)
DAY 4: Advance down the Kona coast, seeping up as much beauty as you can handle. Rent
Kayaks, take snorkeling tours, shop till your wallet drops. Then spend the night at Ho'okena Beach Park. It is under new management; no longer a part of the County, it is now run by Hawaiians. www.hookena.org/camping . Apparently, now you can buy a permit on site! We have had very mixed reviews of this place. We recommend it ONLY for a weekday; stay away on Friday or Saturday nights, unless you are a savage partier yourself, and don't plan on sleeping! Upon arrival, stay to the left; park in the dirt parking lot. You can literally back up on the beach! It has great showers, and a very lovely beach.
DAY 5: Time for the Southern end; a lovely windy road full of ocean views. Lots of wonderful beaches along the way; Miloli'i, and Whittington. Sweet little towns like Na'alehu where the grocery store sells incredible mac nut pies! Stay the night at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park. How close can you get to a huge sea turtle without getting wet? I think it's about 10 feet. They lay around on the beach to rest, and the locals really uphold the DO NOT TOUCH rule, as they are an endangered species, and need their space! Just take photos! There are nice pavilions to escape the sometimes windy conditions. No showers, and lots of tour buses frequent it during the day. (most of those tourists will never, ever walk to the far end of the beach, I've noticed!) Nice and quiet at night.
DAY 6: It's all uphill from here! Off to the Volcano you go! The lovely Namakani Pai'o campground awaits. It is just 3 miles from the entrance to Volcano National Park . What a great Visitor Center; so full of information; what the lava is doing, where to find the best hikes to suit you. If hiking is your thing, you could spend days here! The best part is IT'S FREE! Even if all the pull in sites are full, there's always lots of parking for you, and a large multi use pavilion. (Bathroom, but No showers) We think it is the very best campground we have, though it can get chilly, as it is high elevation. You can get a key to the Volcano House, nice hot, private, showers for $3.00 for 24 hours.
DAY 7: Bummer; you are on your way home! Don't fret as there is still plenty to see and do in and around Hilo! We will meet you at the Hilo airport, just before your departure time, to collect our vehicle, which you no doubt left in as sparkling a condition as when you got it!
Now, if you have a LONGER trip, just stay at one of these places for more nights! Or, add KALOPA State Park. It is a very long climb up, and is a very cool place to get away from the heat! (Obviously there is NO beach attraction here!) This place is lush, cool and green, and offers many excellent nature walks from brief to overnighters. No showers, unless you rent cabins from the State. Nice bathrooms.
If you have a shorter trip, cut one out!
If you arrive in Hilo late, we suggest you spend your first night at an accommodation in Hilo. Rest up, and we will meet you at your hotel of choice the following morning to get you a fresh start!
Things to note: Our campgrounds here do not offer water or electric hookups.
There are lots of GREAT DAY USE places, but close their gate at night, so no camping is allowed. We totally do not recommend just parking it anywhere. You could be on someone’s property, and get hassled. Sorry to say, but gone are the days of living in the woods / on the beach. You can’t even park for the night at the old Kona airport. You would think so, as it is perfect, but I myself, have been ushered out in the night by police.
