Campgrounds for various types of camping can be found in multiple areas near Kapa'a, Hawaii. The eastern shore of Kauai offers established camping options at Lydgate State Park Campground, just south of Kapa'a, and Anahola Beach Park, located about 10 miles north. Camping accommodations range from basic tent sites to more developed options with amenities. Kumu Camp provides glamping opportunities including yurts and cabins for those seeking more comfort. Most campgrounds in this region feature oceanfront locations with direct beach access, though inland options like Kōkeʻe State Park Campground in the mountains offer a different experience with cabin accommodations and forest surroundings.
"This park is very well maintained. The sites are close together and each gets a picnic table. I liken these kinds of sites as outdoor motels with a tent square and table and a neighbor within 15ft," noted one camper about Lydgate State Park. Camping permits are required for all public beach parks and state recreation areas, typically costing around $3 per person per night for non-residents. Facilities vary significantly between locations, with most beach parks offering basic amenities like outdoor showers, restrooms, and picnic tables. Weather conditions remain warm year-round, though rain showers are common, especially in winter months. Campers should be prepared for the ubiquitous wild chickens found throughout Kauai, which many reviewers mention as early morning noise sources. Some beach locations experience strong currents and rip tides, making swimming hazardous in certain areas.
Several visitors mentioned shoreline views and water access as key highlights of camping in this region. Anini Beach Park receives particularly high ratings for its protected reef that creates calm swimming conditions. "We saw sea turtles at this beach. It was ok as far as camping. Everyone is pretty close together and tourists are always walking around and close by you," shared one reviewer about Lydgate State Park. Campgrounds closer to town tend to have more activity and occasional noise issues, while more remote locations offer greater privacy. Some beach parks have reported safety concerns after dark, with reviewers recommending camping in groups at certain locations. The inland mountain campgrounds provide a completely different experience with cooler temperatures, hiking trails, and views of Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Valley, offering a high-altitude alternative to beach camping.
"The showers are "cold", which in Hawaii, means room temperature, so after the initial shock, it actually becomes quite comfortable."
"You can drive up to your camping spot and be right on the ocean. I loved it. Bathrooms were clean and close by, beach was lovely. Will def visit again"
$3 / night
"campground as much as I loved staying at Anini Beach. absolutely breathtaking. the reef goes on for miles. the waves are safe for little ones, and we saw countless fish, turtles and whales in the distance"
"We absolutely LOVED that we could camp as close to the ocean as we were able to, especially on such a beautiful bay. This was also a wonderful bay to swim in. "
$3 / night
"There are bathrooms and indoor showers within walking distance of all sites. The campsites are south of a well visited beach in the area."
"Camping pads are established, numbered and in very close proximity to each other. The beach front sites are beautiful. Lydia en closes Tuesday at ten through Thursday at noon."
$15 - $210 / night
"There are stray cats and neighborhood dogs roaming around. There is an outdoor communal kitchen which is nice too. The host is a nice lady. Anahola Beach is lovely, I camped there too."
"It’s a locals area for sure, people drive on the beach a bit."
"We left the beach around 4pm and decided to do a hike that was right down the road (can’t remember the name of the hike). The hike was amazing!"
"One thing I really love about most of the campgrounds in Kauai is that they are right next to the water. This campsite was great, and right next to the beautiful water."
$3 / night
"This was one of my favorite places to visit because it was very close to the Napali Coast which has so much hiking. That is actually one of the reasons we decided to stay here."
"Camping here was incredible, right on the coast and close to the trails to beat the crowds. I will camp here again."
"Located within the Kokee State Park. It was near Kilauea, which is a beautiful town in Kauai. I honestly think this was a spot that not a lot of people come to, because we didnt see very many people."
"Around this area there a some beautiful hikes into the canyon itself. You can do small day hikes to full night trips through the canyon. A must see if your on the island."
$5 - $150 / night
"There were also some food trucks that were close by the beach- we had some fish tacos that were incredible!! We were told that you can literally place your tent wherever you want."
"Great location, beach. Facilities are great. Charging outets, showers, sinks. Like everywhere on island includes free rooster alarms. Do not worry about sleeping in!"
"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."
"Walk over to the lodge for some yummy food and check out the museum and trail maps"
GuideI’ve backpacked it 7 times and have ran the trail 3 times. Plenty of camp sites for tents or hammocks. Careful camping on the beach as waves can rise overnight. Beautiful waterfall flows down to the beach .
TravelerStayed for five nights and loved it. A beautiful beach. It’s a locals area for sure, people drive on the beach a bit. Bungalow 7 was more in the jungle with lizards running and insects buzzing; it was also fairly connected to another unit by its deck- might not feel private if you didn’t know the other party. Bungalow 2 was beautiful! Right on the beach with the breeze. The bungalows have sweet outdoor showers, which was amazing as it was hot when we were there.
Saw many folks with rented trucks with tents on top. And just regular tenters/vanners as well. Free am coffee in a short window with cute cats.
ScoutIt was a great experience for all us. Nice scenic view of the camp.
ScoutHwjsjssjsjh
ScoutDo not stay at this campground if you have any intention of having a peaceful, quiet evening of camping. This might not happen all the time, but the night we went (Monday) they were blasting music very late into the evening and there were children blowing up fireworks everywhere.
I’m happy with people having a fun evening, but at least put the campground more than 50 feet away from an apparently major gathering place for locals.
TravelerWe stayed in a bungalow 7. After camping for 5 days we wanted to stay in a cabin. They do have hot water but it does run out, so try to get their earlier in the evening. They have electric plugs in the common area but I found it to be slow. Love the beach. There are stray cats and neighborhood dogs roaming around. There is an outdoor communal kitchen which is nice too. The host is a nice lady. Anahola Beach is lovely, I camped there too.
TravelerI had a reservation there for five days but only stayed one night. There is a big homeless encampment here. Lots of adults and children live here. It’s very loud, dirty. There were other campers here but everyone didn’t come out of their tents. I heard campers asking the people who lived here to not touch their things. It was also super sunny here. I wouldn’t leave anything out. I really didn’t feel safe or comfortable here. Check out Anahola or Kumu. Or even Anini instead
TravelerI was only able to get a two day permit and this place was my fav. You can drive up to your camping spot and be right on the ocean. I loved it. Bathrooms were clean and close by, beach was lovely. Will def visit again
ScoutIf you make it to Kalalau Beach, you will be rewarded with an amazing location and direct beach access in front of a stunning landscape. Access to the Kalalau Valley for exploring is easy from here. At the very end of the trail, there is a waterfall for access to water and taking a shower. Simply breathtaking, but you’ll have to work to make it there. There are outhouses too, but they’re very basic. You might find this site helpful as well: https://www.hikingkalalau.com.
Camping areas near Kapa'a, Hawaii offer diverse options from sea level beaches to mountain forest camps reaching elevations of 3,600 feet. Most coastal camping sites near Kapa'a require permits obtained from county offices in Lihue, typically costing $3 per night for non-residents. Eastern shore campsites often experience strong trade winds, while mountain camping areas like Kōkeʻe can drop to 45°F at night even during summer months.
Hiking at Kōkeʻe State Park: Located about 1.5 hours from Kapa'a in the mountains, Kōkeʻe State Park Campground offers multiple hiking trails with canyon and valley views. "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," notes a camper.
Snorkeling at calm beaches: The protected waters at Anini Beach Park create ideal snorkeling conditions. "The reef goes on for miles. The waves are safe for little ones, and we saw countless fish, turtles and whales in the distance," explains one visitor who stayed at the beach campground.
Visit Hanapepe town: Just a short drive from Salt Pond Beach Park, explore the town that inspired Lilo and Stitch. "Really close to Hanapepe which is the town that inspired Lilo and Stitch and has great shops and the best bakery on the island (Midnight Bear)," shares a camper.
Tree cover for shade: Many campers appreciate shaded sites at Anahola Beach Park, particularly during hot days. "I elected to post up under the tree section, which provided a good cover, flat ground and actually had a downed tree that I used to set up backpacking stove for coffee in the morning," reports one camper.
Oceanfront camping: Direct beach access ranks high for campers. "You can drive up to your camping spot and be right on the ocean. I loved it. Bathrooms were clean and close by, beach was lovely," comments a visitor about Anahola Beach Park.
Temperature variety: Campers appreciate the cooler mountain climate at Kōkeʻe as a break from coastal humidity. "The benefit of being atop the mountains is it cools comfortably at night, even in the summer. A lovely place to stay any time," notes a reviewer.
Permits required: Most public beach camping requires permits obtained in advance. "The permits are really easy to get and are pretty cheap. Just go to the camping office for parks in Lihue and you can get it either in advance or day of," explains a camper at Anahola Beach.
Varying crowd levels: Some campsites near Kapa'a attract more visitors than others. Lydgate State Park Campground has a more developed, social atmosphere. "The sites are close together and each gets a picnic table. I liken these kinds of sites as outdoor motels with a tent square and table and a neighbor within 15ft," explains a reviewer.
Basic facilities: Most beach campsites offer fundamental amenities. "The showers are 'cold', which in Hawaii, means room temperature, so after the initial shock, it actually becomes quite comfortable," notes a camper at Anahola Beach Park.
Protected swimming areas: Hanamaulu Beach Park offers calmer swimming options for children. "We stayed by the beach and did some hiking around the area as well which was beautiful. We went down the beach a little ways and found a place where the water wasn't as rough and got in and did some snorkeling," notes a visitor.
Playground access: Several beaches have play areas for children. "There is a GINORMOUS playground right next to the beach that you can drive up to. This beach is a local favorite," mentions a camper about Hanamaulu Beach Park.
Sand flea protection: Several beaches have biting insects at dawn and dusk. "The only negatives I experienced were the sand flies/mite at dusk and dawn when we were out on the sand. They bit up our feet and ankles similar to mosquitoes," warns a camper from Anahola Beach.
Alternative accommodations: For those with RVs or seeking more comfort, Kumu Camp offers glamping options. "We stayed in a bungalow 7. After camping for 5 days we wanted to stay in a cabin. They do have hot water but it does run out, so try to get their earlier in the evening," advises a visitor.
Outdoor kitchen access: Some camping areas provide community cooking facilities. "There is an outdoor communal kitchen which is nice too," notes a visitor at Kumu Camp, which offers an alternative to self-contained cooking.
Limited hookups: Most campgrounds near Kapa'a lack RV hookups. "Easy to book online ahead of time, reliable to find camp spots even day-of. Clean bathroom/showers, very friendly camp hosts. Right at the water and reasonably priced! We were there in a camper van," explains a Kumu Camp visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits are required for camping in Kapa'a, Hawaii?
Camping in Kapa'a and surrounding areas requires permits that must be obtained in advance. For state parks like Polihale State Park Campground and Kōkeʻe State Park Campground, permits can be reserved through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources website. County parks such as Anahola Beach Park require permits from the County of Kauai. For the popular Kalalau Trail, special overnight permits are necessary and should be secured months in advance due to high demand. Permit fees vary by location but typically range from $5-20 per night.
Where are the best campgrounds in Kapa'a, Kauai?
Kapa'a offers excellent access to some of Kauai's top camping destinations. Lydgate State Park Campground is the most developed option with established camping pads, picnic tables, and beautiful beachfront sites perfect for hammocks. It's well-maintained and ideal for first-time campers. For a more secluded experience, Anini Beach Park is breathtaking with miles of reef, gentle waves safe for children, and frequent wildlife sightings including turtles and distant whales. Both parks offer oceanfront camping typical of Kauai's beautiful coastline.
What amenities are available at Kapa'a camping areas?
Kapa'a area campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities. Kauai County Niumalu Park provides waterfront camping with sufficient space between sites. For basic but functional facilities, Hā'ena State Park offers shaded spots with beach views. Many campgrounds include restrooms and cold-water showers (which are actually room temperature in Hawaii's climate). Some parks like Lydgate have numbered sites with picnic tables. Most beach parks don't have electrical hookups or RV facilities, keeping the camping experience relatively rustic. Drinking water availability varies by location, so it's advisable to bring your own supply.
Keep Exploring
