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Kōkeʻe State Park Campground

Hiking enthusiasts will find extensive trail access at Kōkeʻe State Park Campground, positioned at higher elevation in Kauai's interior mountains. The state-run facility sits away from coastal areas, providing cooler nighttime temperatures that campers appreciate during Hawaii's humid months. Each campsite includes individual water spouts and maintains clear spacing between sites.

The campground operates with basic but functional amenities including indoor toilets, cold-water showers, and picnic tables. An on-site lodge serves hot meals and operates a gift shop, while a museum provides trail maps for the surrounding area. The elevation change offers relief from coastal heat and humidity, though campers should pack warm clothing for cooler evenings.

Multiple hiking trails lead to viewpoints overlooking Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley, with popular routes including Awaawapuhi, Pihea, and Nualo trails. The nearby Alakai Swamp provides access to some of the wettest terrain on earth. Dmitri W. notes the facility is "a beautiful, safe, clean campground, run by the State of Hawaii."

Tent camping only is permitted, with no RV accommodations available. Reservations can be made for the $20 nightly fee. For campers preferring coastal access, Sugi Grove Primitive - Kokee State Park offers a more rustic alternative nearby.

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Map & DirectionsKōkeʻe State Park Campground is located in Hawaii near Kapa‘a

Public Campground

Coordinates

22.1397113800049 N
159.639587402344 W

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Site Types

Tent Sites
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Features

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Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Toilets

Contact

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Kōkeʻe State Park Campground

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6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the clean, well-spaced sites and excellent value at $12/night. Visitors regularly highlighted the on-site restaurant and convenient amenities, though some noted cold showers.

Stacy H.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 2, 2018

Paradise

The beauty here is unbelievable. Just breath taking. A must see!

Dmitri W.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 28, 2018

Take a High-Altitude Break from the Beach

A beautiful, safe, clean campground, run by the State of Hawaii, that can't be beat.

This campground is nowhere near the beach, but brings you to the interior of the island. From here you can view the Kalalau Valley lookout and look out over Waimea Canyon, known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Also you have access to hike the Alakai Swamp, which is one of the wettest places on Earth, or take a couple-mile hike up to the highest point on the island.

This campground offers indoor toilets and showers, a nice restaurant, and a gift shop.

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Lindsey M.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2018

Charming but A Park

This wonderful campground is not at all traditional but more of a park (like many campgrounds on Kauai). The market/depot has hot meals, coffee shop, smoothies and more making for a very luxurious stay. The benefit of being atop the mountains is it cools comfortably at night, even in the summer. A lovely place to stay any time.

Month of VisitJuly

Apryl E.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2018

The Grand Canyon of Kauai

This is one of the most beautiful and unexpected places to see on the island of Kauai. You can camp either in a tent or there are some cabins to check out as well. This is the place to go on the island if you need to get out of the heat and humidity given that its higher up in elevation. There are countless hikes that bring you to viewpoints of either the Napali Coast or the canyon itself.

Month of VisitJuly

(10) View All

Sasha W.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

One of my favorites

This campsite was probably one of my favorite places to camp. There was so much to do, and some awesome hikes! It was also super cheap to camp, like $12 a night so you couldnt really beat that. The campground was great, clean, and in a great location. I also really liked that each campsite is really well marked, and enough room in between each campsite. Each campsite does have a water spout, which made it nice to fill up our water bottles before we went hiking. There is also a restaurant on site which served great food. It was definitely very hot and muggy, but that is how it was everywhere we stayed. Thats just how Kauai is. There is some really great hikes nearby as well. I would recommend doing Awaawapuhi, Pihea and Nualo. All great hikes with beautiful viewss. There is also a great viewpoint that we saw a lot of people stopping at. It was the Kalalau Valley Lookout. Highly recommend because the views here are amazing. All in all, this was definitely the best place my husband and I stayed at during out honeymoon. Highly recommend.

Month of VisitJuly

(10) View All

Sarah P.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 20, 2018

so peaceful

kokee state park is a very chill easy camp ground. The showers and bathrooms and very basic and cold showers. It does tend to get cold at night so remeber to bring warm clothes. Walk over to the lodge for some yummy food and check out the museum and trail maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities are available at Kokee State Park Campground?

Kōkeʻe State Park Campground offers basic but functional facilities. The campground features restrooms and cold showers. Nearby, you'll find the Kōkeʻe Lodge which serves food and refreshments, including coffee and smoothies. There's also a market/depot offering hot meals and other supplies. A museum is available where visitors can check out trail maps and learn about the area. The campground is clean and well-maintained, with clearly defined individual campsites.

Do I need a permit to camp at Kokee State Park?

Yes, you need a permit to camp at Kōkeʻe State Park Campground. The camping fee is approximately $12 per night, making it an affordable option on Kauai. Permits can be obtained through the Hawaii State Parks reservation system. Each campsite is clearly designated, helping to maintain organization within the campground. For the most current permit information and to secure your spot, contact Hawaii State Parks directly or visit their official website before your trip.

What is the weather like at Kokee State Park throughout the year?

Kōkeʻe State Park Campground enjoys a unique climate due to its higher elevation in Kauai's interior. Temperatures are notably cooler than coastal areas, providing a refreshing escape from the island's heat and humidity. Nights can get quite cold year-round, so warm clothing is essential regardless of when you visit. Even during summer months, the evenings cool down comfortably, making for pleasant sleeping conditions. The park's mountain location can experience mist and rain, contributing to the lush environment, so waterproof gear is recommended regardless of season.

What are the best hiking trails near Kokee State Park Campground?

Kōkeʻe State Park offers some of Kauai's most spectacular hiking trails. Don't miss the trails leading to the Kalalau Valley lookout, which provides breathtaking panoramic views. The Waimea Canyon area, often called "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," offers numerous hiking opportunities with dramatic scenery. The park features multiple trail options varying in difficulty and length, suitable for different hiking abilities. Stop by the park's museum to pick up trail maps and get recommendations based on current conditions and your experience level.

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- Kapa‘a, HI (0.0 miles)