Tent camping near Nanakuli, Hawaii offers several inland and mountainous options beyond the more publicized coastal sites. The area's camping locations span from sea level beaches to forest reserves at elevations approaching 1,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between coastal and mountain campsites. During summer months, inland camping spots like Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden can receive afternoon rain showers while beach locations remain dry.
What to do
Hiking opportunities: At Peacock Flats - Mokuleia Forest Reserve, campers can access trailheads for several forest hikes. One camper noted, "There are a couple trailheads for hiking and nice views of the north shore and west side along the drive to the campground."
Fishing activities: Many campgrounds offer fishing options, particularly at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden where fishing is a popular family activity. A visitor explained, "Free fishing (bring your own bread), easy hiking, and large spread out campsites make this a great spot to camp with little ones!"
Water sports: Several campgrounds provide water recreation. At Camp Mokuleia, "The water is pretty mellow (at least during the summer) and is great for stand up paddling. This is on the Northwestern tip of Oahu and is a must see."
What campers like
Privacy options: Unlike some crowded sites, certain campgrounds offer more seclusion. At Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, campers appreciate the "Roomy, Level Campsites - Plenty of foliage to make your site private."
Adventure access: The journey to some sites is part of the experience. Peacock Flats is described as "quite the adventure and can be very wet and muddy. Highly recommend having paperwork, permits, IDs all together in advance because you have to pass through military checkpoints."
Night sky viewing: Mountain camping locations provide astronomical benefits. At Peacock Flats, "On a clear night however the sky is amazing!" This makes it worth the challenging drive for many astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Most camping areas require advance planning. For Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, "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."
Weather preparedness: Inland locations can experience different weather patterns than coastal sites. At Ho'omaluhia, you should "Expect a Little Rain - The Ko'olau Range is basically a cloud magnet, so pack a rain jacket/poncho."
Access challenges: Some camping areas require special vehicles or have restricted entry times. For Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park, 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."
Tips for camping with families
Insect management: Bug control is essential, particularly at certain sites. At Ho'omaluhia, "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."
Activity planning: Some campgrounds offer unique recreational opportunities. Camp Mokuleia has "a skydiving company, so throughout the day you will often times see parachuters appearing in the sky."
Beach safety considerations: For beach camping with children, select protected areas. At Sand Island State Recreation Area, "The beach isn't the nicest but it's good for little kids and there's a nice surf break if the swell is in."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV camping options: True RV camping is restricted to a few locations. At Mālaekahana State Recreation Area, "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."
Security features: RV and vehicle campers appreciate security measures. At Mālaekahana, "the campsites themselves are blocked off by a gate with a keypad entry so there aren't random cars driving by your campsite ever."
Campsite selection strategy: For RVs and vehicle camping, site selection matters. One visitor at Mālaekahana shared, "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."
