Camping options near Ocean Pointe, Hawaii range from mountain forests to beach settings, with elevations from sea level to over 1,500 feet at inland sites. The Ko'olau Mountains create distinct weather patterns across the island, with windward side campgrounds receiving more rainfall than leeward locations. Most campsites open Friday through Wednesday morning, closing midweek for maintenance.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden offers several hiking trails through 400 acres of tropical vegetation and alongside a 32-acre lake. "The hike with fishing gear, cooler, kids, is a little long..bring a wagon!" notes Mike L. The garden provides unique camping opportunities away from the beach.
Paddleboarding and water sports: The waters at Camp Mokuleia on the northwestern tip of Oahu remain calm during summer months. "The water is pretty mellow (at least during the summer) and is great for stand up paddling," shares Apryl E. This location also puts you near the Mokuleia climbing wall with over 60 routes.
Off-road adventure camping: Mountain camping at Peacock Flats requires 4WD vehicles to access. "The drive in can take 1-1.5 hours or longer depending on the conditions of the road," explains Laura H. This remote location provides stargazing opportunities rare on Oahu. "On a clear night however the sky is amazing!" adds Mike L.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Kahana Campground provides tree-lined campsites. "There are plenty of trees for shade and to put up your hammock," notes Laura H. However, some sites offer limited seclusion: "Campsites are fairly close together and not super well marked/differentiated between, but there is plenty of room," reports Brittany B.
Cultural experiences: Several campgrounds connect visitors to Hawaiian cultural activities. "Make sure to take in the cultural aspects of this park too," recommends Amber A. about Kahana Campground. At Kualoa Regional Park, camping puts you near famous filming locations while remaining "tucked away from the massive crowds there to see Chinamans Gat," according to Mike L.
Morning beach access: Direct beach access distinguishes many campsites. "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," explains Laura H. This waterfront proximity creates built-in recreation options without travel time.
What you should know
Reservation windows: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area requires advance planning, especially for cabin rentals. "The campground has an automatic gate for security and helpful resident staff," notes Steve & Ashley G. Campsites here operate on a code-access system for safety.
Weather considerations: The Ko'olau Mountain Range catches clouds and creates rain patterns. "It can rain a lot in this area so keep that in mind," cautions Sarah I. about Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden. Peacock Flats experiences similar mountain weather: "The sites can be quite wet, we hammock camped the first time we came out to stay off the ground."
Military access requirements: Several camping areas require military identification. "This area is available to DoD ID card holders only," explains Mike L. regarding Bellows Air Force Station. Military areas typically offer more amenities but require documentation checks: "Highly recommend having paperwork, permits, IDs all together in advance because you have to pass through military checkpoints."
Tips for camping with families
Sand management strategies: Beach camping means dealing with sand in everything. "The sand here is so fine, it will make its way in to your rent, no matter how tight you close it up," warns Sandy S. about Bellows Field Beach Park. Bringing additional tarps helps create sand-free zones.
Centralized campground amenities: Sand Island State Recreation Area offers family-friendly facilities. "Clean grounds great beach access clean restrooms," states Jeffery C. The shoreline provides swimming appropriate for younger visitors: "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," adds Sarah I.
Weekday camping advantages: Weekdays offer significantly reduced crowds at most campgrounds. "This rec park is one of the least visited since the area is no longer a busy as it used to be," notes Sandy S. about Sand Island. For families seeking quieter experiences, Sunday through Tuesday reservations typically encounter fewer local weekend visitors.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV hookup locations: Only specific campgrounds accommodate RVs near Ocean Pointe. Sand Island State Recreation Area provides "electric-hookups" and "sanitary-dump" facilities, though without specific sewer or water hookups. Bellows Field Beach Park also supports RV camping with electrical connections.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites often place vehicles close together. "Tent campsites are way too close together! Every 2 sites should be combined to make 1," cautions Mike L. about Bellows Air Force Station. This proximity affects privacy between camping units and sometimes causes foot traffic through sites.
