We stayed here 4 nights during our Christmas vacation on the Big Island. We had a 3-bedroom cottage and it was awesome: very clean, lots of room, beds comfortable, and a full kitchen with all the necessary utensils for cooking and eating meals in. We weren’t on KMC much as we spent most of our time out exploring but we did eat at the 10-Pin Grill a couple of times in the evening after returning from a long day out….the food was decent and reasonably priced (exactly what you would expect from a bowling alley) although the service was a bit slow. We used the laundry facility a couple of times which was handy to have available for use, it was very clean and never too busy; I think it was either $1.25 or $1.50 per load for the washer & dryer each. I thought the general store was reasonably sized and well stocked with all the essentials…but don’t expect AAFES exchange type prices. KMC, as others have indicated, is located within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park so it was a perfect location to base camp from to explore the park. Hilo was not at all far away; our travel from Hilo airport to KMC was maybe 40 minutes. We did make a day trip to Kona (via hwy 11)…that was quite a bit longer – 2 hours one way but well worth it (see my “Adventures in Paradise” review). On the return trip, we detoured and took saddle road up to the Mauna Kea Observatory Visitors Center for star gazing…although it seemed out of the way, it really wasn’t, the return route to KMC wasn’t any longer than the our original route to Kona on hwy 11….something to consider if you stay at KMC and make a trip to Kona…We had a great time at KMC; we’d definitely stay there again!

My husband and I had watched the sunset from McJagger Museum and were leaving the park and just happened to see the Military Camp sign along the road and my husband who is retired air force wanted to stop in and see the camp. They said that there was a cafeteria onsite and we were welcome to eat in the cafeteria- they said most people say it is pretty good. We were starving after spending all day in the park so we thought we would give it a try- food was excellent, grilled pork chops, salad bar, baked potato bar, rolls, soft serve ice cream and a drink for $15 each and you don’t have to be military to eat here- they said that they serve civilians as well as ex-military personnel. This was better than any meal we had in Hilo, would definitely eat here again.

The cozy cottages are heated and sports a wood burning fireplace. Much needed. It gets awfully cold. The bowling is awesome but the food is very slow coming out of the kitchen at the alley. The buffet the next day made up for it. Only $10!
Right in the Volcanoes National Park, come back and relax. Absolutely loved it!

Not only is KMC the only place available to say in Volcano National Park, but it is the only one you should consider.

If you're eligible to stay (members of the Canadian Forces are welcome too), prices are significantly lower than the alternative - cottage rentals in the area.

In addition to a clean and decent facility where you don't pay sales tax for to stay, you're not dinged with sales taxes on purchases at the General Store or at restaurants in the facility.