By:
Submission
Pepeiao is in the southwestern reaches of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park backcountry. The cabin is no longer safe for use and visitors should plan on tent camping.
The cabin may be accessed from two trailheads;
1.) Hilina Pali Overlook via the Hilina Pali Trail - 4.8 miles (accessed via Hilina Pali Road).
2.) Kaʻū Desert Trailhead via the Kaʻū Desert Trail - 9.1 miles (accessed via Hwy 11).
It can also be accessed from coastal Kaʻaha via the Kaʻaha Trail - 6.0 miles. Campers may stay a maximum of 3 consecutive nights. A total of 16 hikers are allowed per night. Backpackers to Pepeiao should be adequately equipped, experienced in wilderness trekking, and physically fit.
Register
All eight backcountry campsites (Ka‘aha, Halapē, Keauhou, ‘Āpua Point, Nāpau, Pepeiao, Red Hill Cabin and Mauna Loa Cabin) require a permit.
Ka'aha, Halapē, and Keauhou have three-walled primitive shelters where hikers may enjoy a respite from the sun. Water caught off the roofs of these shelters are stored in adjacent catchment tanks (check with rangers when you obtain your permit for current water levels -- water is NOT always available and there are no streams in the area). TREAT water obtained from catchment tanks before drinking. There is no drinking water at ʻĀpua Point or Nāpau.
Leave No Trace
Hikers are required to pack out everything they pack in. Do not bury or discard trash in pit toilets - Pack it out. Practice "leave no trace" camping.
For backcountry camping, there is a non-refundable $10.00 fee per trip, in addition to the park entrance fee. The fee is good for up to 10 people and 7 nights per permit. Failure to obtain a backcountry permit is a violation of 36 CFR 2.10(b)(8). Violators may be subject to fines up to $1000 and/or 6 months in jail. All eight backcountry campsites (Ka‘aha, Halapē, Keauhou, ‘Āpua Point, Nāpau, Pepeiao Cabin, Red Hill Cabin and Mauna Loa Cabin) require a permit, with a stay limit of three consecutive nights at one site. Campers can move to another backcountry site for the fourth night, but no more than 7 consecutive nights per permit. Stays longer than 7 nights require purchasing an additional $10.00 permit. Sites may be reserved up to a week in advance and are reserved upon receipt of permit fees. Fees for backcountry camping can be paid in person at the Backcountry Office by credit card, personal check, cash (exact change please), or online through pay.gov up to a week in advance of your departure. Physical permits must be picked up no more than 24 hours in advance from the Backcountry Office, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Awesome. Water tank was frozen in the morning so fill up before bed. Great little shelter to rest and hang out
It's approximately a six to eight hour hike from the observatory. Recommend sleeping in your car at the observatory if you're not used to altitude (Observatory is at 10K, summit and cabin are 13.)
The night sky is the clearest you will ever see in your life.
We stayed here in January. Cold, below freezing. However, the cabin was sealed well. Some broken windows were filled in with pillows. The cabin had water, a table, and some chairs. There were 3 inch mats for all the bunks. The outhouse has a fine view of the summit crater, but it's a little bit far from the cabin for night time visits. The 2 mile hike from the junction with observatory trail is relatively flat, but a surprisingly difficult hike due to the rough and rocky surface.
This was a cool place. The cabin has 6 bunk beds with plastic covered mattresses, a table, a back room with a sink and counter space. Some extra sleeping bags. There's a guest log book. I was able to read what other people did. There's a compostable outhouse but looked pretty full🤢. There was a water storage that seemed full but I did not try. The view was beautiful. This would be a great place to stay for a night or two and to hopefully watch stars if its clear.
