Camping near Maili, Hawaii ranges from sea level beach sites to mountain campsites over 1,500 feet in elevation. The windward (eastern) side of Oahu experiences more rainfall than the leeward (western) side, creating distinct camping conditions within relatively short distances. Trade winds affect coastal sites year-round, with strongest patterns from May through September when consistent 10-15 mph winds are common.
What to do
Kayaking at Kahana Bay: Kahana Campground offers both ocean and river kayaking opportunities. "You can also kayak in the river which runs through the park," notes a camper who enjoyed the dual water access.
Rock climbing near Mokuleia: Camp Mokuleia provides access to Hawaii's highest concentration of climbing routes. "This campground is very close to the highest concentration of rock climbs in all of Hawaii! The Mokule'ia wall has over 60 climbs ranging from beginner to expert and includes trad, sport, and toprope routes," explains Alan B.
Skydiving adventures: Several campgrounds sit near skydiving operations. Camp Mokuleia campers regularly observe skydivers. "Across the street there is also a skydiving company, so throughout the day you will often times see parachuters appearing in the sky," reports Apryl E.
Fishing at botanical gardens: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden offers freshwater fishing in a mountain setting. "Free fishing (bring your own bread), easy hiking, and large spread out campsites make this a great spot to camp with little ones!" The visitor center provides a limited number of bamboo fishing poles on a first-come basis.
What campers like
Private beach access: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area features controlled entry systems that limit traffic. "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," explains Laura H.
Protected camping during windy seasons: When high winds affect eastern Oahu beaches, northwestern sites offer shelter. "For me, the greatest thing about this site is that it is located on the NW side of Oahu. In January, the winds were strongest from the East and we had to vacate our other campground when winds were up to 20MPH off the ocean. This side of the island gave us a break from the wind," shares a Camp Mokuleia visitor.
Clean facilities: Several campers note facility quality at Camp Mokuleia. "The bathrooms and shower facilities were basic but very clean and were nicer than some of the other campgrounds. The staff were super friendly and helpful," reports Brittany B., who rated it her favorite campground on Oahu.
Secluded mountain camping: Peacock Flats - Mokuleia Forest Reserve receives praise for its remote location. "Peacock Flats is hardly ever fully booked out due to how remote it is and requiring 4WD to get there. It's quite the adventure and can be very wet and muddy," notes a regular visitor.
What you should know
Gate hours and restrictions: Access limitations vary across campgrounds. At Mālaekahana, "Gates close at 7:00 pm. Watch out for centipedes; I got bit and it was extremely painful," warns Crystal C. Similarly, Peacock Flats has military checkpoint access rules: "Public access through the Yokohama Guard shack is from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM."
Weather variations: Kualoa A Regional Park experiences typical windward side patterns. The Ko'olau mountain range creates weather microclimates, with botanical garden campers noting: "The Ko'olau Range is basically a cloud magnet, so pack a rain jacket/poncho."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds book quickly during peak periods. Campers recommend reserving 1-2 weeks ahead for Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, where "camping is only allowed on weekends, Friday through Monday."
Facilities availability: Bathroom and shower quality varies significantly. At Sand Island, "There are showers and bathrooms with beach access," while Bellows Field Beach Park features both military and civilian sections with differing amenity levels.
Tips for camping with families
Beach camping safety: Choose sites with calmer water conditions for children. "The water is pretty mellow (at least during the summer) and is great for stand up paddling," notes a visitor to Camp Mokuleia.
Bring insect protection: Multiple sites report insect issues. At Ho'omaluhia, "The biting gnats will eat you alive," while others warn about centipedes at coastal sites.
Consider site layout: Sand Island State Recreation Area offers family-friendly spacing. "Sand Island is an industrial place so there's not many stores nearby but it's a pretty unique park with lots of space to hangout. The beach isn't the nicest but it's good for little kids," notes Sarah I.
Bring transport for gear: Some sites require carrying equipment from parking areas. At Ho'omaluhia, "the hike with fishing gear, cooler, kids, is a little long..bring a wagon!"
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most Oahu campgrounds have minimal RV facilities. At Bellows Field Beach Park, "The military side has both campgrounds and cabins, with a mini golf course and a mini-mart," providing more amenities than typical public sites.
Access restrictions: Road conditions limit RV camping options. 4WD is required for mountain sites, while beach locations typically accommodate smaller vehicles. "While some coastal campgrounds have straightforward drive-in access, mountain sites like Peacock Flats require four-wheel drive vehicles."
Alternative lodging: Consider cabin options when RV facilities are unavailable. Kunia River Farm offers cabin accommodations with electricity and toilets but without showers, providing an alternative to traditional RV camping.
