Best Cabin Camping near Haleakala National Park, HI

This was the first place that we camped at on our Hawaii trip and it was by far our favorite. Paliku is one of two backcountry campsites in the Haleakala National Park summit district. Paliku lies along the eastern side of the crater and will take your breath away. The beauty of this campground is even more apparent after hiking through the barren landscape of the lava fields to get here.

After trekking nearly 10 miles from the visitor center to get here, you’ll be welcomed to take your boots off and step on the lush grass that grows all over the campsite, quite the contrast from all of the ‘a’a lava you’ve just been walking through. This rainy side of the crater features rich, thick, and best of all - almost completely native Hawaiian plants and animals. I can’t say that I’ve ever heard more interesting and diverse bird calls in my life that come from vividly colored native Hawaiian birds that live in this unique habitat. Be sure to collect a bird brochure at the visitor center when you pick up your permit to identify some of these unique birds you may never get the chance to see again in your life.

Campsites are tucked away and hidden along braided paths and tall grass of the dispersed camping area. Not one of them has a bad view.

Being so secluded, this backcountry campground takes preparation and work to get to. Campers must be fit enough to hike to and carry gear necessary to stay at this site. Water filters are a necessity as the water here is non-potable. Cold weather clothes and gear are also needed as temperatures often drop to sub-40.

Our first time here we tent camped. Some of the sites seemed close together but we stayed at the end and had good privacy with the trade off of a long trip to the bathrooms.  The shared bathrooms are great! Clean, flush toilets, and running water.  Showers and dishwashing stations also a plus.  Free coffee for early risers.   You can see the beach from a few campsites.  Like most camping in Hawaii, bring your earplugs for the roosters.

This campsite would be amazing for wedding parties! For tent and car campers, it’s nothing super special. ALTHOUGH! The outdoor shower is an AMAZING experience. To look up at the stars and trees and smell the fresh air while showering outside in an enclosed area was incredible. The beach is underaverage in my opinion (not the typical Hawaii experience). Close to local shops and fairly close to Lahaina!

Stayed here during the week and this is absolute best place to camp. Has cell reception, bathrooms, showers, ocean access, and overall great campground. I did a camp site which is in dirt which kinda sucks but that’s is only complaint but won’t rate it down for this. Food and drink access is close by too!

What a darling little spot. Would return in a heartbeat, and honestly probably will before the month is up. Had two glorious nights there and now I don't want to camp anywhere else in Maui because I was so spoiled.

Pros

• To echo other folks, absolutely LOVED the outdoor showers - and yes, they get hot. Felt utterly luxurious. Toilets and sinks remain clean and odorless. 
• Easy sandy beach access! Pebble-side great for hanging up hammocks.
• Can take relatively affordable kayaking tours from the campgrounds or rent SUP/kayaks for very affordable rates. 
• Free coffee in the morning! 
• Has its own teensy general store and a walkable larger market down a half mile and across the street. Famed pie place next door. 
• Pet-friendly!

Cons

• Literally 8 plugs for a bajillion people causing a massive traffic jam in the mornings and evenings. On the side of the ice house only (not even near campgrounds).
• Not that you need it, but if you do - weak wifi signal beyond the toilet/shower area. 
• Absolutely no shade at all on any sites, save for one campsite (campsite #1). 
• Beware the wind!!! Because it's open air with no shielding trees, sooo many people evacuated to sleep in cars or resigned to/woke up to collapsed tents because of high winds. 

Overall

4.5/5. Absolutely worth it. LOOOOOVE.

I read seriously conflicting reviews about this place before coming here, so I was super on the fence. We ended up camping in our campervan for our first night here, and it was just what we needed. The campervan site is just a dirt lot, but it's pretty big and right next to the showers and toilets. The amenities are GREAT. The showers are enclosed, they have benches and hooks to put your things down on and they have hot and cold water. The bathrooms are REAL bathrooms, with flushing toilets, running water sinks, toilet paper, mirrors, hooks and a ledge to put your things down on. Really well maintained too. In addition, there's also a cell phone charging station, and large sinks to wash your pots and pans. We came back here after camping on the East side of Maui in the state parks, and had an even deeper appreciation for it. Our second time around we camped in the tent area. Each tent spot has its own grill and picnic table, and is close to garbage bins, the beach and showers/toilets. My only complaint is that both the campervan area and the tent area are pretty much just dirt, rather than grass, which especially in the tent area makes you and your things quite dirty. The wood chips that line the pathways in the tent area are also pretty sharp, and my foot actually got cut on one even when I was wearing shoes - so be careful. Overall it was a great campground, and while it's expensive for adults ($20/person), let's just say that the people that run this place aren't that interested in checking that your party is actually the size you say it is or that you have the correct number of adults vs. kids (kids are $5)..compared to Papalaua Park ($10/person on weekdays, $20 on weekends and no amenities except for porta potties) this place blows that one out of the water.

If you are the type of person who likes to shower and have clean bathrooms nearby this is your only camping option on the eastern side of maui. (Other nearby camping options have porta potties and you can always drive a few blocks to a beach park with bathrooms and showers.) Unfortunately camp olowalu is overrun by roosters, so you aren't going to get a good night of sleep. The shaded trees are beautiful but they block out any of the lovely ocean breeze that usually makes night temperatures tolerable. There is supposedly reef for snorkeling at this campground, but it seems as though the reef in this area has been completely destroyed by human activity. Overall, one of the most expensive camping options on the island, and the vibe there didn't suit my style.

Awesome!! Would definitely stay there again!

I enjoyed my 5 night stay at a tent site here.  The grounds and facilities are well maintained and clean.  I used my site as a place to sleep and use the showers and bathroom facilities as needed.   I was gone by 8 am and back after sunset, going snorkeling, hiking and exploring the island.  I can't say what it would be like to lounge around all day at your site.  Some sights looked like they may have a lack of shade during the day.

The beach is rocky and not one you'd likely want to spend your day on.  For the price and if you like camping (with hot showers, flush toilets and a sinks to wash your dishes) this is a great place to stay!

This is right by some of the best beaches in the world. It is right on a main road on the island, so there can be road noise pretty close by. The waves usually take care of it, but not always.

Pretty spot, but is expensive. They charge $20 per person.

Has good amenities though including cold showers.