Best Tent Camping near Makakilo, HI

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!

Had two cabins right next to each other. The only bad things about this camping stay: was only one table with bench seats between the two cabins the tent campIng there seemed lIke the tents were rIght on top of each other but then again we dId not tent camp and the flies, so many flies! Bring an electric fly swatter and let the kids go to town! The great things about this stay : great view, beds to sleep in, toilet in the cabin, water spicket to clean stuff, hidden shower in the trees, fire pit and literally a min walk from the beach. I would definitely go camping there again!

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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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

Every camp site is perfect, all close to the water (and the car) and with beautiful views. Like lots of Hawaii, we just kept our swimsuits on all the time while visiting. Lots of bugs, make sure your tent's bug screen is intact and bring spray for hiking/picnicking. Make sure to take in the cultural aspects of this park too. One accessible site. Lots of nearby trails or walk on the beaches. Get up early for sunrise!

This website is in error. There are no dogs allowed on ANY Hawaii State Campground!!! Don't know if you know this or not. So if you have a dog in Hawaii, you cannot bring your loved one(s) camping anywhere. Too bad.

Malaekahana Campgrounds in Hawaii offers an exceptional camping tubidy experience with stunning ocean views, clean facilities, and a tranquil environment. The location is perfect for both relaxation and adventure, with plenty of activities like swimming mp3 juice, hiking, and exploring nearby attractions. It's y2mate an ideal spot for families and solo travelers alike to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of Hawaii.

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. One of the other things we loved about this site is the proximity to Ka'ena Point! It feels like you're standing out in the ocean without anything around it's such a small point! One of favorite places we hung out at during our trip to Hawaii

Telegram groups in Hong Kong are buzzing about stunning camping spots, and Mālaekahana seems like the perfect inspiration. Hong Kong nature lovers would enjoy a similar beachside setup, bringing a slice of Hawaii closer to home.

One of my favorite places to camp when visiting Hawaii. They have volleyball, tubing, rope swings, snorkeling, just to name a few. This place is also super green. It receives the most rain anywhere in Oahu. They have some pretty cool cultural events where you can learn how to roast a pig, fire dance, etc.

There is a beach camping spot nearby here and I will add it to the map once I get the info from my friend in Hawaii! It's definitely the best place to camp in the area but this is the best place to relax for a bit! A good close trail is the Crouching Tiger trail which is pretty steep and muddy so bring good hiking boots!

The campsites are spacious and very spread out. There were a handful of other people camping, but I only briefly saw them while I was there. The bathroom and shower facilities were nice and well maintained. I was able to pitch my tent close to the beach and had ocean views from my tent. 

I had a bit of a walk to my campsite from the parking area, which wasn't terrible, but good to keep in mind depending on how much you bring! 

I didn't see or talk to any staff while staying there, but also didn't have any issues.

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.

We lived in nearby Hauula Oahu for five years and this campsite was one of our favorites. The campsite is on Malaekahana Beach one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. The site is just north of Laie on Kamehameha Highway. The campground was recently put under new management and has invested in new cabins and facilities. You may not find a better site on Oahu. You will need to make a reservations for the cabins which are very popular with local residents. You can find supplies in nearby Laie or Kahuku. The cabins are very basic with screen and bunk bed setups. The site has an automatic gate for security and helpful resident staff. You can ride horses across the highway. The camp store has some basic items as well. This is a great choice for students or other visitors looking for a low cost option in a beautiful location.

Campsites are fairly close together and not super well marked/differentiated between, but there is plenty of room. The showers are not enclosed, and the bathrooms are across the main road, but were nice. The campsites are very close to the main road, so you hear cars at all hours. There were also a lot of people hanging out late in the evening, and in the early morning, who were clearly not camping. 

The beach area is pretty secluded and not crowded, and I was able to set my tent up right next to a little path to the beach. There are nice trees for setting up a hammock as well.

Hidden gem for those wanting a more authentic Oahu experience! I suppose we came "off-season" and post-pandemic, so we might be a bit fortunate; We felt like we were at our own little piece of paradise. We stayed in the Hale 14 which was great because it was close enough to walk to and hear the waves, but far enough that I felt like my son wouldn't wander off into the surf. My son is 5 and I feel this is the perfect age to stay off the beaten path. Our Hale was so affordable and exactly what I'd expect when paying less than $60 a night. You can only stay 10 days. There is a gate to keep random cars out of the camping area. The beautiful cove has great beginner waves for surfing. The "beds" are vinyl and not too thick, but of you're taking advantage of everything it shouldn't be a problem. This is not the Ritz (which I have frequented), however it's perfect for a single mom wanting to show her son the world on a budget. We will definitely be back. So grateful for this place having a family friendly, budget friendly Hale away from home! Be ready for roosters to wake you in the morning and cold showers. But I'll take Hawaii on a budget any day. If you really feel the need, get a hotel on your arrival and departure and just Live Aloha the rest of your stay!!!

I camped here in January 2021 during peak Covid closures when the campground was not yet re-opened for group camping. 

In 'normal' times this campground is mostly used for events and it's well set up for that. If you're independently camping, I recommend calling ahead and reserving one of the sites on the beach.  The sites are huge.

During covid they were only using every other site, and had installed a shower and sink at each one. The bathrooms are a walk away inside a yurt. We were assigned a bathroom for just our site and given a key for it. 

The property has a gate with a code that you can go in and out as you please, and the staff were really helpful and kind.

There is one large fire pit area to share, and we had a table at our site. You are not able to drive in your car, but it's only  a short walk, even to the furthest away sites.

We had the whole property to ourselves one night - but if you're visiting when events are operational, this might not be the case, so I recommend checking how busy they are when you call to reserve. 

They also have tent 'cabins' right on the beach which were pretty nice (but you still bring your own mats and bags).

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.

It's a very short walk to "Lost Survivors Beach" (where they filmed the pilot of Lost) and a short and beautiful  drive to the state park and hike where the road deadends just a few miles past the campground.  For supplies, it's about 15 minutes back to Haliewa where there are tons of restaurants, food cards, groceries and a Longs Drug.