Best Tent Camping near Honolulu, HI

Tent campsites around Honolulu offer a mix of beachfront and mountainside settings across Oahu. Established tent campgrounds include Sand Island State Recreation Area near downtown Honolulu and Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area in Aiea, approximately 10 miles northwest of the city center. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden provides a unique inland tent camping experience beneath the Ko'olau Mountain Range, while beach tent sites can be found at Mālaekahana State Recreation Area and Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park along the island's windward coast.

Most tent campgrounds on Oahu have simple amenities with sites set on a mix of sandy beach areas, grassy clearings, or forested terrain. Showers and toilets are available at most established sites, though bathroom facilities at Kahana Campground require crossing the main road from the beach camping area. Many tent camping areas require advance reservations through Hawaii's Division of State Parks website. Fire restrictions vary by location, with Sand Island State Recreation Area prohibiting campfires while sites like Mālaekahana and Kahana allow them. Tent campers should note that sites at popular beach locations fill quickly on weekends, especially during summer months.

The tent-only sites at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden offer a distinctive non-beach camping experience with mountain views and forest surroundings. Areas farther from Honolulu typically provide more seclusion, though weekend camping at most locations sees higher visitor numbers. Beach tent sites at Kahana Campground and Mālaekahana place campers directly on the sand with easy ocean access. Campers at mountain sites enjoy cooler temperatures and protection from trade winds. A recent review noted that Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden provides "views of towering green cliffs in the misty jungle" and "cool mountain nights with temperatures dropping to a comfy 70°F." Tent campers at beach sites should prepare for exposure to sun and occasional rain showers typical of Hawaii's windward coast.

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Best Tent Sites Near Honolulu, Hawaii (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Honolulu, HI

74 Reviews of 10 Honolulu Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 10, 2018

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    Remote, relaxing

    Malaekahana State Recreation Campground & Malaekahana Beach Campground are 2 separate campgrounds run by 2 different “owners” on the Island of Oahu-Hawaii. They are only a few miles apart.

    The State Campground is State run requiring a permit (on line). No fires, no pets, tent camping. Reasonable pricing.

    Malaekahana Beach Campground is privately owned. Tents sites are $9.00 per person per night with maximums based on site size. They also have Rustic cabins with one queen bed and a bunk. ($50+). No electric or water. Water nearby. Then they have the larger cabins with 2 queen beds, flush toilet and electric for approx $120. a night. All sites have fire rings and a picnic table. No pets.Outdoor showers and flush toilets various locations around campground. Very dark at night-bring flashlights, lanterns. Employees there have always been very friendly and helpful. Gate locked 7p-7a. Must call for assistance if emergency arises or you’re out late! I’ve camped here many times and love having the beach so close! Last time I camped there was in Feb. There was a big storm that Sat & Sun and on Monday-the campers were all out trying to clean up the beach!

  • Laura H.
    May. 20, 2021

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    Best campground on North Shore Oahu

    One of the best campgrounds on Oahu because it is private and very well maintained! There are day use parking areas for people to use the beach but the campsites themselves are blocked off by a gate with a keypad entry so there aren't random cars driving by your campsite ever. Initially I was bummed I didn't get a beach front campsite, ours was only a 30 second walk to the beach. But because it's the windward side, it was sooo windy and we really appreciated our campsite set a little farther back from the beach and protected by trees. I personally think we chose the site well because of all the trees. Almost all the Area 1 sites have lots of trees to set up hammocks and for the much appreciated shade from the sun. Each campsite has a picnic table and a firepit. 

    The bathrooms have flush toilets and are very clean! Bring your own roll of TP to share. There are outdoor beach showers and outdoor sinks throughout the campground to get water, wash dishes and brush your teeth. So convenient. There are actually several options for camping.. Drive up tent sites, vehicle campsites for vans, hales or houses that sleep 4 with no electricity for $58 and larger suite hales or cabins that have electricity and their own bathroom inside for around $120. The beach is really nice white sand though a bit windy and they have surf board rentals and some small surf breaks. The camp store is convenient for ice or marshmallows or any small needs. Lots of fun things to do and see nearby. Overall a wonderful time camping here!

  • Emily W.
    Aug. 2, 2016

    Bellows Field Beach Park

    Oahu camping

    Camping in hawaii is special no matter the time and place. Bellows has been a favorite because the waves are perfect for buggie boarding and the beach is peaceful. This spot has plenty of trees to set up a slack line and hammock to relax and play.

  • Mike L.
    Feb. 5, 2020

    Peacock Flats - Mokuleia Forest Reserve

    Great Gazing on Oahu

    Secluded spot in the Oahu Mountains. Getting there can be a challenge and Camping is very primitive. The only amenities on site are put toilets and picnic tables, plan accordingly.

    On a clear night however the sky is amazing!

    From the Website: Special Conditions Public access through the Yokohama Guard shack is from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 4WD access only. Everyone in the vehicle must be listed on the permit. Only street legal vehicles are allowed; registration, safety check and insurance must be current. Permits must be printed out and on hand at all times. No Parking on Air Force Installation over night. All paved roads and areas immediately adjacent to paved roads are considered a part of the Air Force Installation.
    At the campground, no water is available. Check-out from campsites is by 11:00am. Check-in to campsite is any time after 12:00pm noon. Hazards No hazards. Prohibited No prohibited.

  • Michael The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    Minimalist Beach Shack

    This was a fun stop on Oahu. Keep expectations low as the amenities are few and far between. The beach shacks are pretty raw, but it's nice to have a place to keep stuff safe. There was no mattress on the bed, and the whole thing was crawling with ants. But it had electricity, a bit of privacy, and a porch to hang out on. Two-minute walk to the ocean from our site. They also had car/tent camping area for those with the gear. Outdoor shower with no privacy screen. Looking forward to staying here again.

  • Laura H.
    Sep. 7, 2017

    Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

    Ranger Review: Boost Oxygen at Kahana Valley State Park, Oahu, Hawaii

    Ranger Review: Boost Oxygen at Kahana Valley State Park

    Campground Review

    If you have always wanted to camp on the beach in an idyllic bay with towering mountains all around you, then this is your campsite. The campground at Ahupua'a o Kahana State Park is located right on the beach at Kahana Bay. It's on the northeastern side of Oahu so you'll be treated to beautiful sunrises on the horizon and sunsets behind the mountains. It feels like you stepped back in time to what an old Hawaii must have looked like. The bay is open daily for day use and for camping Friday night to Wednesday morning. There are only 10 beach campsites available for tent camping. You can reserve a campsite through the state website in advance. Kahana State Park Camping Reservations. The campsite is pretty full during the summer. The rest of the year the campsite fills up on Fridays and Saturday's. If you're flexible there is almost always availability on Sunday to Tuesday nights - you may have the bay and campground to yourself!

    The campground's best assets are its location and views of course! There are plenty of trees for shade and to put up your hammock. You can roll out of your tent in the morning right onto the sand and take a stroll along the beach or dive into the water. Most of the year the water is fairly protected, flat, easy to swim and great for paddleboarding. Occasionally there is an eastern swell that attracts surfers and bodyboarders. Always practice water safety if you choose to go out as there is no lifeguard on the beach. There are picnic tables at almost every campsite and nice new bathrooms located across the street that are nice to use. The bathrooms do require you to cross the street so you might be using the bushes in the middle of the night if the walk is too far.

    The cons to the campsite are that it's right along the road so there isn't much privacy. People driving by can see what you're cooking on the grill and may even walk through your campsite to get to the beach. It is a no frills campsite. It looks like there were two showers there with privacy but the plumbing has been disconnected. Don't forget to bring your own grill or camp stove! Otherwise the beach and views totally make up for all of that. Enjoy!!

    .........................

    Product Review

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to try out new products from time to time. This time I tried out Boost Oxygen on an awesome steep hike close to the campsite. There are a few trails in the state park that are family friendly and well maintained; however, I chose to use Boost Oxygen on a trail that gains elevation - fast. The trail climbs up and overlooks the campground and all of Kahana Bay. It's arguably the best view on all of Oahu. For real! This hike is also quite the cardio buster. I hadn't done it in a while so I took along both Peppermint and Grapefruit Boost Oxygen canisters to use on the way. I tested them out first by my car by using the diagram on the canister and the sign pointing where to place the piece under your nose, opened my mouth and breathed in gently, almost like using an inhaler for asthma. The flavors were very subtle and pleasant and very easy to breathe in. It's definitely a good idea to test these out before you intend to use them during a cardio activity to make sure you understand where to place it in the proper position under your nose and the general feel of it.

    I put one inside my backpack and the other in the side pocket so I could easily grab it. To be completely honest, I was really hesitant about trying this product out because I didn't think I would feel any difference from using it. And in reality I didn't feel a difference...at first. I took it out every 10-15 min to take a "puff" or two and sometimes a nice long inhalation. I took puffs and thought, "well this is fun and it tastes good but it can't possibly change how well I hike this trail." Until I got to the first landing where I texted my husband, "you know, I feel great, I made it up to the first lookout pretty fast." Then I went up and up on the steepest sections of the trail where it turns into a climbing scramble. I got to where I planned to stop and was just blown away. I'm not going to lie, I felt awesome. I made it up the mountain fast, didn't need to stop much, and most of all, I didn't feel wiped out at all. I was impressed.

    Minor cons I experienced. The 4oz can couldn't ship to Hawaii for some reason so I could only try out the 22oz cans. The can fell out of the side pocket of my pack a couple times so I still have to figure out how to secure it in a way where it's easily accessible while I'm hiking.

    Overall I really enjoyed using Boost Oxygen. I didn't feel any sudden differences or changes after each inhalation but I felt amazing after climbing that mountain. I'm looking forward to trying it out on some higher elevation hikes and backpacking trips on the other islands. After using it on this steep hike and feeling good and energized after, I think it'll really help with the slow dragging feeling I get at higher elevations! I'll try to update my review afterwards and let you know how it goes! Very cool product. 

    Here's a quick video with some of the killer views from the hike: Crouching Lion trail

  • S
    Dec. 14, 2020

    Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

    Fun Times

    Campsites can be fairly close and there’s no real clear sectioning, but each site comes with two picnic tables and plenty of space to set up tents. Good amount of stuff to do around the campsite. Makes for a fun weekend activity with family/friends.

  • Saraj B.The Dyrt ADMIN User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

    Camping in Jurassic Park aka Kahua Kuou Campsite

    If you need a break from the constant buzz of Honolulu, Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Gardens was my perfect getaway. Just a short 8-mile drive from Waikiki, this is a tropical paradise tucked beneath the Ko‘olau Mountain Range.

    PROs:

    -Views! Towering green cliffs in the misty jungle. 

    -No City Noise, Just Nature - no honking, no sirens - just chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the occasional gecko. 

    -Luxury (by camping standards). Plenty of bathrooms with running water, foot-washing stations, and dishwashing sinks. 

    -Roomy, Level Campsites - Plenty of foliage to make your site private.

    -Hiking Trails - I recommend going to the lake. Though I read beforehand that fishing was allowed, it was posted not allowed this past weekend.

    -Cool Mountain Nights - Temps drop to a comfy 70°F.

    Tips:

    -You NEED a Permit - No permit, no camping. An attendant checks at the entrance gate. I recommend reserving 1-2 weeks in advance to guarantee your spot. I bought a 3-day permit to stay 1 night as that was the only option. Camping is only allowed on weekends, Friday through Monday.

    -Bring Bug Spray - The biting gnats will eat you alive. Other than that, there were no other pests, besides the occasional chicken wanting my dinner.

    -Expect a Little Rain - The Ko‘olau Range is basically a cloud magnet, so pack a rain jacket/poncho.

    -Pack light - Parking is in a lot and you have to walk in to your site from there.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2016

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    Camping. Hawaiian Style.

    Two nights for a birthday weekend. Location: The location is great. Far from the hustle and bustle of Oahu's main tourist sites, Malaekahana is situated on the north shore of the island. Dark skies and large stretches of nearly empty beach make this campground fairly unique. Facilities: It feels a little cramped compared to mainland campgrounds. When you can look over and see directly into your neighboring site's tent is a little awkward. Site placement or more trees or barriers might help in adding to a little bit more privacy. Cost: This is what got me. A tent site is $9 per person, up to 6 people. Nearly $60 a night for a larger group is a little steep, especially when we paid $10 a night for a group of 7 at some of America's greatest national parks this summer. Overall: It's a nice way to get away from the mundane cycle of work and bills and responsibilities. Not too far away but a good distance away from civilization.


Guide to Honolulu

Tent camping near Honolulu, Hawaii offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Tent campers should check out Kahana Campground

  • Located right on the beach, Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park provides a picturesque setting with beautiful mountain views.
  • This campground allows pets and features picnic tables, making it a great spot for families and friends to gather.
  • Campers can enjoy the sound of waves crashing nearby, although the proximity to the road may bring some noise.

Tips for tent camping near Honolulu

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Bellows Air Force Station features a variety of amenities, including a market, mini-golf, and multiple hiking trails, making it ideal for a weekend retreat.
  • At Mālaekahana State Recreation Area, campers can enjoy electric hookups and a market, along with beautiful ocean views.
  • Camp Mokuleia offers spacious sites with clean facilities and is located near popular rock climbing spots, perfect for adventure seekers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Honolulu, HI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Honolulu, HI is Sand Island State Recreation Area with a 3.7-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Honolulu, HI?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Honolulu, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.