14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Beach parks and coastal areas surrounding Kailua, Hawaii offer several tent camping options with ocean views and access to snorkeling, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Kiholo State Park Campground provides tent-only sites with weekend-only availability and requires advance reservations. Ho'okena Beach Park in Captain Cook features tent camping on a secluded beach with clean facilities and excellent snorkeling opportunities. Spencer Beach Park offers walk-in tent sites with picnic tables, showers, and toilets, though campers should be prepared for potentially windy conditions.
Most tent campgrounds in the Kailua region require permits secured in advance, with fees typically ranging from $10-20 per night. Sites are often set on a mix of sand, grass, or volcanic terrain depending on location. Campers should bring adequate water supplies, as some primitive tent camping areas like Miloli'i Beach Campground lack drinking water. Tent stakes can be difficult to secure in some locations due to rocky or hard-packed ground conditions. According to campers, Spencer Beach Park has "dust terrain with bedrock about two inches down, making it hard to get tent stakes in." Most beach parks provide basic amenities including toilets and picnic tables, while some offer outdoor showers.
Tent campers at Kalopa State Recreation Area appreciate the cooler mountain climate compared to coastal areas. One visitor noted the campground has "raised and covered places you can pitch your tent under in case it rains," though they recommend bringing a mattress as shelter floors are concrete. Waimanu Campsite offers a backcountry tent camping experience requiring a 9-mile hike with stream crossings that can become dangerous during heavy rain. Campers at Ho'okena Beach Park report it as "a small and isolated beach well hidden from the average person" with good facilities including real bathrooms and portable toilets near the actual campsites. Wildlife viewing opportunities include sea turtles at several beach parks, particularly at Punalu'u Beach Park where tent camping is on grassy areas adjacent to a black sand beach.
"There was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats. "
from $46 - $60 / night
Check Availability"The proximity to the ocean. Make sure to make a reservation and camping is available on weekends only."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"If you decided to camp here its little to no privacy."
"My favorite place to camp in Hawaii. A small and isolated beach well hidden from the average person it seems. Ho'okena is a fun place to get a feel of local vibes for sure."
"This is a nice little tucked away campground with beautiful views! Camping seemed pretty regulated (there’s a locked gate to get into the campsites) but we didn’t have any issues."
from $6 - $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"I had always wanted to come up and camp here because the nights are cool and the tent site is in the woods."
"It is located in Honokaa. There are so many beautiful plants and trees, and the people who work there say that they are pretty rare plants. The hibiscus plants are amazing, and they are everywhere."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This beach park has quite a few picnic tables around, so we were able to snag one and have a picnic. We packed some lunch, ate and people watched."
"Waimanu Valley is a state campground for backpacking. It starts out at Waipio Valley lookout and continues 9 miles up to the next valley over."
"A beautiful pristine beach, waterfalls all around, and towering green mountains covered in dense jungle. Absolutely amazing! Be sure to pack in enough water and food!"
"Anywhere is Hawaii is pretty amazing!"
"One thing we really loved about this place was that there was an awesome place to scuba dive close by."
GuideThis is a nice little tucked away campground with beautiful views! Camping seemed pretty regulated (there’s a locked gate to get into the campsites) but we didn’t have any issues. Bathroom and outdoor showers were nice and clean. Highly recommend!
GuideThis was a great little campground! We showed up in the early afternoon and got the last spot available but only because the original person who got it had upgraded to a cabin. If you’re planning on staying here I’d definitely recommend getting here early! Once there though it was a great site. Super friendly people and beautiful area!
TravelerApparently 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.
ScoutThere was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area. Lots of pets, the cow! and baby goats. City of refuge and Captain Cook Monument are amazing to hang, and a few private beaches only for people who stay here
LegendDrove by and checked in to see if camping was available and got a super fast response that it’s not currently available. Couldn’t find the entrance but beautiful sweeping views from ocean view estates with market, food and gas nearby.
LegendRoddy efficient grass sites - big enough for a couple or snag multiple for a family. Little cabins you can rent too. Bbq at each site l, mowed grass, bathrooms and sinks. Grab dinner at volcano house and have all day and night to explore the NP
ScoutWe really enjoyed swimming in the pool under the Easter Island statue. The facilities were great, and the host was welcoming. Thanks for letting us stay on your beautiful property.
GuideI found this listing on here but no way to book it instantly so I contacted the host directly . Kelly is super easy to communicate with and answers right away . The grounds for camping are on her resort property a couple acres behind it in fact , so there’s no visible building from tent sites . We absolutely loved the coqui singing at night and waking to an amazing array of bird’s singing. Kelly’s son Alex gives you a full walkthrough of the different types of tress to pick from , and a tour of the hotel property . There’s amazing facilities here including hot water in the showers. I can’t wait to come back here for a visit when we have more time !
LegendIf getting away from the crowds is on your list at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then this primitive camping area is one of the places to do it. This lovely primitive camping area has 9 designated sites, 1 pit toilet that was kept clean and well-stocked, and an ADA accessible paved path that accesses many of the camping sites. The sites are a short walk from the parking area so you have to carry your gear to the site. There is no water available at the campground so be prepared. Water is available at the visitor’s center up the hill about 7 miles away.
The campground offers expansive views of Mauna Loa and the surrounding area including some pretty cool night-time glow of the eruption in Kilauea crater. One of the great benefits of camping in the park is the proximity to many hiking trails, but also to some of the better night time viewing. The popular Kilauea overlook is packed like a rock concert as soon as the sun goes down. Parking is a disaster, and the overlook is simply too crowded. If you can wait until around 9-10pm until you arrive you can have a much easier time finding parking at the trailhead and space along the overlook. Then it’s just a short drive back to your tent, and not an hour’s drive back to your hotel in Hilo. Just outside the park is Volcano Village with a small market and gasoline station for groceries and limited camping supplies. For something specialized like camping gas we had to drive to a hardware store outside of Hilo. The Volcano House Lodge near the park visitor’s center offers two restaurants with the same menu, one is more of a bar and grill, the other a sit down style.
Hiking is extensive in the park, and many trails will carry you far from the crowded center of the park, but be sure to be prepared with layers, water and snacks. Hiking across the lava flows offers no discernable trail except for the regularly spaced ahu stone piles(cairns) which are the only way to navigate. Should the weather turn or fog roll in, visibility can be greatly reduced. Cycling is also a great activity along the park roads, but be ready for a great deal of elevation change.
Note: This campsite is NOT free. It was $10 per night.
Tent campsites near Kailua, Hawaii range from sea level beach locations to higher elevation mountain sites at 3,000+ feet. The Big Island's western coast receives less than 20 inches of annual rainfall in many camping areas, though mountain locations like Kalopa can experience frequent mist and cooler temperatures. Campground terrain varies dramatically from black sand beaches to native forest environments.
Snorkel with marine life: At Kohanaiki Beach Park, you'll wake up right on the beach with immediate access to morning water activities. As one camper notes, "You wake up right on the beach and get to watch surfers in the morning," making it an ideal spot for water enthusiasts.
Explore historical sites: Several tent camping areas provide access to cultural landmarks. The area near JoesNuts.com offers walking access to significant sites. One visitor mentions, "There was a coffee farm within walk distance, the church, peace gardens and just nice little area... City of refuge and Captain Cook Monument are amazing to hang."
Hike through native forests: Mountain camping areas provide access to nature trails through native Hawaiian ecosystems. A camper at Kalopa State Recreation Area appreciates that "The trails there range from easy to difficult. The native plants in the area are beautiful, there is even a small gated garden with all the native plants inside labeled."
Protected tent platforms: Some campgrounds provide sheltered areas for setup. A camper at Kalopa State Rec Area - Hawaii notes, "I liked how the sites have raised and covered places you can pitch your tent under in case it rains. Make sure you bring a mattress of some sort as the shelter floor is concrete."
Temperature variation: Mountain sites offer cooler camping alternatives. According to visitors, Kalopa provides "a nice cool place to escape the heat" with "wonderfully magical mist that hangs around morning and evening." Another adds it "is cold at night" compared to coastal areas.
Wildlife encounters: Many beach camping areas offer opportunities to observe marine animals. At Spencer Beach Park, one visitor reports it's "known to be a place where you can swim with green sea turtles."
Permit requirements: Most Kailua-area campgrounds require advanced booking. At Spencer Beach Park, one camper warns: "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."
Site security: Some campgrounds have controlled access systems. At Ho'okena Beach Park, "Camping seemed pretty regulated (there's a locked gate to get into the campsites) but we didn't have any issues. Bathroom and outdoor showers were nice and clean."
Weather challenges: Coastal areas can experience significant winds. Spencer Beach Park visitors caution, "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."
Limited facilities: Remote campsites may lack basic amenities. At Hawaii County Park Miloli'i Beach Campground, a visitor notes, "No drinking water here. If you decided to camp here its little to no privacy."
Quiet locations: Some beach parks offer more secluded family camping experiences. Spencer Beach Park gets high marks from 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."
Safety considerations: Protected swimming areas are important for children. A visitor to Spencer Beach Park appreciated 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."
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with varied recreational options. At Manuka State Wayside, one camper describes how "We walked along here in the evenings after dinner" on the "walking/running path that goes along the beach."
Gate closure times: Check access restrictions if arriving late. At Kohanaiki Beach Park, an RV visitor warns, "The one negative is gates close at 9pm."
Terrain challenges: Ground conditions may impact parking and stabilizing RVs. One visitor to Spencer Beach Park described "dust terrain with bedrock about two inches down" which can complicate setup.
Water access points: While several campgrounds accommodate RVs, water hookup availability varies. Mahukona Beach Park lacks water hookups, while Spencer Beach Park provides them, making it more suitable for RV camping with water needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kailua, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kailua, HI is Kohanaiki Beach Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Kailua, HI?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Kailua, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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