Map showing campground location near Pu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, Hawaii

Camper submitted image from Spencer Beach Park

Spencer Beach Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Swimming with green sea turtles, snorkeling along the coast, and hiking to a nearby heiau are among the draws at Spencer Beach Park, a state-managed campground on the Big Island's northwest shore near Waimea. The beach itself has calm, clear water in sections, and the grassy park area gives campers room to set up hammocks between palm trees or join informal activities like the yoga sessions visitors have spotted in the evenings. No lifeguards are on duty, so swimmers should assess conditions themselves.

The campground has full hookups, including electric, water, and sewer connections, making it one of the more infrastructure-equipped options on this stretch of coast. Showers and toilets are on-site, though at least one reviewer noted the large bathroom and covered facilities block the ocean view from some sites. Tent campers should be aware that the ground is dusty with bedrock close to the surface, which can make staking difficult, and high winds before dawn have caught some visitors off guard. Arriving early to secure a sheltered spot is worth the effort.

Crowds are a consistent theme in reviews. Weekends and summer months bring large local families with big tents and barbecue grills, and the park can feel packed out. Visiting mid-week during the school year noticeably reduces the density. A park manager checks sites in the morning and evening. Leah H. sums up the appeal simply: "Would go again in a heart beat." Nearby alternatives include Lava Lava Beach Club to the southwest and Mahukona Beach Park further up the coast. Reservations are required, so book in advance, especially for any weekend stay.

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Map & DirectionsSpencer Beach Park is located in Hawaii near Pu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve

Public Campground

Coordinates

20.02300058 N
155.82200055 W

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Connectivity

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Access

Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Spencer Beach Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the beautiful beach setting with excellent facilities including clean restrooms, showers, and grills. Most reviews indicate significant crowding on weekends, and some noted challenging camping conditions with dusty, rocky terrain.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Sar

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 13, 2025

Beware of winds

Apparently this place is prone to high winds which we did not see in any review. Get here early to put your tent in a protected spot if you can find it.

Siten/a

Month of VisitMarch

Kela W.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 21, 2021

Great for young families

This is such a serene park, lots of parking, trails to hike up to the heiau, beautiful open ocean to swim in, basketball court, bathrooms, a pavilion with outlets. Park manager comes through in the morning and night. Kids really enjoyed this location and we had no issues staying.

Sasha W.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2018

Great Beach!

My husband and I really enjoy this beach. We stayed the entire day here, and loved how close it was to restaurants and shopping places. It is located in a great spot. We got up early in the morning and did a hike nearby, then pretty much just sat our bums in the sand and water the rest of the day. We ate at a really good restaurant within walking distance of Spencer Beach Park. The park itself is really nice. There was a walking path just up from the beach that we saw a ton of people walking on, roller blading on and running. If had more time here I would have loved to walk this path to see how far it went. There were people on the grass area in the evening doing a yoga lesson which i thought was really cool. There are also good palm trees that some people put their hammocks on and relaxed in those. Wish I would have brought mine to do this! The beach was clean, they had garbage cans along the whole beach and seemed like people ere actually using them which was great! The water is beautiful and nice. We liked that the part of the beach that we were in the water was pretty calm. No life guards on duty at this one, or at least where we were. Highly recommend this beach park!

Month of VisitDecember

(10) View All

Bryce H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2018

Rough rock or grass. Little for views

The oceanview here is blocked by the lar ge bathroom and covered facilities. Tends to be a more family oriented spot. Lots of big tents and barbecue grills. Decent facilities but always seems to be packed out and the crowd has been a little rough every time I've been. Generally a nice spot but more of an in and out kind of spot for me.

Month of VisitMay

Christie L.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 10, 2018

Beautiful

The beauty of the island

Month of VisitApril

Tarah W.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017

One of the Best on the Big Island

I camped here a few times while living on the big island and I highly suggest it!! Great access to the beach, a beautiful warm beach, nice hike access, cabana with gorgeous view, grills, tables, bathrooms, and showers. Can get really crowded which is annoying however this site is AWESOME!

Janekim A.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2016

Camping on the North Side of Beach

All Hawaiian beaches get crazy on the weekends and summers. It's best to visit during the week and when schools are in session, because the beaches are teeming with local families. There is plenty of places to park and the area has clean bathrooms and showers by the beach. White side, clear waters, and is known to be a place where you can swim with green sea turtles.

Jessica F.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 25, 2016

Get your permit ahead of time

I stayed here in 2007, and got yelled at in the morning for not having a permit. I tried to explain that as a bike tourist, I didn't know where I would end up at night, but they were not impressed.

It's ok spot, but the terrain is dust, with bedrock about two inches, down, making it hard to get my tent stakes in. When the wind kicked up before dawn, I ended up with dust in my mouth. But I was able to watch the sun set from my tent.

The showers were lukewarm outdoor style, but far better than nothing. I didn't spend much time on the nice little beach here, and instead kept moving up the coast for snorkeling and hiking.

Leah H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 24, 2016

Beautiful

Best place I have ever camped but maybe I was just super excited to be there. The whole place was beautiful! Would go again in a heart beat!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do campers rate their experience at Spencer Beach Park?

Spencer Beach Park receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with most giving it 4 or 5 stars. Campers praise its beautiful setting with white sand beaches and clear water. Many highlight it as an excellent camping destination with gorgeous views and great beach access. While weekends and summer periods can get crowded with local families, the serene environment and natural beauty make it a favorite spot. Some visitors mention it can be windy at times, so selecting a protected tent site is advisable. Overall, the park's beautiful Hawaiian setting and amenities create a memorable camping experience that keeps visitors returning.

What amenities are available at Spencer Beach Park camping area?

Spencer Beach Park offers a comprehensive set of amenities for campers. The facilities include clean bathrooms and showers adjacent to the beach, a pavilion with electrical outlets, picnic tables, and barbecue grills. Recreational features include basketball courts and access to hiking trails leading to a heiau (Hawaiian temple). The park provides ample parking and is conveniently located near restaurants and shopping areas. A park manager patrols the grounds morning and evening for added security. The campground's proximity to a beautiful white sand beach with clear water is perhaps its most valued amenity.

What are the reservation requirements for camping at Spencer Beach Park in Hawaii?

Camping at Spencer Beach Park requires a permit, which should be secured before setting up camp. This is strictly enforced, and campers without proper permits may be confronted by park officials. As the park can become crowded, especially during weekends and when schools are not in session, reserving well in advance is recommended. For specific reservation procedures and current fees, contact the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation or check their official website. Bike tourists and travelers with flexible itineraries should be particularly careful to arrange permits before arrival since impromptu camping is not permitted.

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