This listing is for Halapē, a backcountry campsite on the southern coast of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, where the trail ends at a small sandy beach with coconut trees. It is a long hike from the nearest trailhead, by the Keauhou, Hilina Pali or Puna Coast trails. Every overnight stay needs a backcountry permit, reserved on Recreation.gov and picked up in person at the park's Backcountry Office, with a safety briefing. Halapē has a primitive shelter, but catchment water is not always there and must be treated, and there are no streams, so carry water. The Park Service advises staying out of the open ocean, where rough seas, high surf and strong currents are typical; sharks are sometimes seen offshore, and sea urchins and sharp rock are hazards when wading. A strong earthquake can send a local tsunami ashore, so move to high ground at once if you feel one; a tsunami after a large earthquake killed campers here. Hawksbill turtles nest on park beaches, so do not camp in areas posted for turtle nesting.
Long backcountry hike; permit from the Backcountry Office.