YES! This is most ultimate way to explore and experience the Big Island. My partner and I are over 50 and had a great time! We read all the tips on how to explore and places to stay but decided to wing it when we learned after asking the local police and park rangers: in the paid national and state parks, you can sleep in your parking space, if you did not need a campsite. At the Volcano National park, we were the only people parked at the Sea Arch, near the ocean. It was so dark, private with crashing waves, soothing rain (Hilo side of the island see a lot of rain) and billions and billions of stars.
We did stay in viewing spots with no hassles. There are free beach showers.
Although we had a coffee press, there are amazing coffee place everywhere! We did bring a king sized cotton sheet that made our sleep more comfortable. The air mattress we had, can be filled by electric outlet, which was hard to find and since we didn't have an extension cord.
During this time of the pandemic it was interesting to see people in public streets wearing masks. We were happy! For actual real restrooms, check out the grocery stores or larger beach sites. None of the fast food restaurants allowed even paying customers to use their bathrooms. However, we saw portables roadside.
We gave this trip 5 stars and the only reason a 4 for cleanliness is that with people using it beach side, it unreasonable to expect this to be hotel clean.
Skip the tour guides, rental cars, hotels and BOOK this van for your visit to the Big Island!