M
Mark W.
Scout
ScoutHanamaulu Beach Park
Large homeless encampment
I am a local, this is not a good place to camp due to large number of homeless and drug users.
Best Campgrounds in Hawaii
Hawaii's campgrounds stretch across multiple islands, offering oceanfront camping from simple tent sites to cabins and glamping accommodations. Mālaekahana State Recreation Area on Oahu provides tent and RV camping with amenities including showers, toilets, and drinking water, while Camp Olowalu on Maui features cabin options alongside traditional campsites. National park camping includes Hosmer Grove Campground at Haleakalā and Nāmakanipaio Campground at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, both providing access to unique ecological zones and volcanic landscapes. Beach park camping is popular at locations like Bellows Field Beach Park, Anini Beach Park, and Polihale State Park Campground.
Most Hawaii campgrounds require advance reservations, especially at popular beach locations. The Division of State Parks manages many sites through an online reservation system, while county parks may have separate permit processes. Campers should note that several campgrounds, including Hā'ena State Park and Salt Pond Beach Park, prohibit open fires, while others like Hosmer Grove and Mālaekahana allow them. Facilities vary widely, with some sites offering full amenities including showers and electric hookups, while others provide only basic vault toilets. One visitor noted, "This campground is located in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park. It offers very basic amenities, including cooking grills and vault toilets, with drinking water available only at the visitor center."
Beachfront camping represents the most sought-after experience, with several campgrounds providing direct ocean access. The sound of breaking waves creates a memorable atmosphere at many sites, particularly at Bellows Air Force Station where campers report high satisfaction. "Me and my wife come camping here at least 10 times a year if not more. It's a great place to be with the sound of the breaking waves at every camping site," noted one regular visitor. Higher elevation camping at Hosmer Grove requires preparation for unexpected weather conditions, as temperatures can drop significantly at night. Campers exploring the Kalalau Trail on Kauai should prepare for challenging hiking conditions, though the reward is what one visitor called "an amazing location and direct beach access in front of a stunning landscape." Some sites also experience strong winds, with Spencer Beach Park specifically mentioned by visitors as being prone to high winds.
Best Camping Sites in Hawaii (94)
1. Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground
21 ReviewsWahiawa, HIWebsite+1 (808) 293-1736$20 / night
"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."
"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."
2. Waiʻanapanapa State Park Campground
18 ReviewsKihei, HIWebsite+1 (808) 984-8109$20 - $70 / night
"I was here in December, which is the rainy, rough season in Hawaii. The park is very large, and is the quintessential black sand beach of Maui."
"Since the big resorts are on the opposite side of the island, most visitors to Maui travel the Hanna Highway as a day trip."
3. Camp Olowalu
18 ReviewsLahaina, HIWebsite+1 (808) 661-4303$24 - $1600 / night
"Like most camping in Hawaii, bring your earplugs for the roosters."
"To look up at the stars and trees and smell the fresh air while showering outside in an enclosed area was incredible. The beach is underaverage in my opinion (not the typical Hawaii experience)."
4. Hosmer Grove Campground — Haleakalā National Park
18 ReviewsHaleakala National Park, HIWebsite"Nearby trails through beautiful forests and with jaw-dropping views. Wake up early for the sunrise and pre-dawn birdsong."
"* The campground is at the entrance to the Haleakalā National Park, allowing you to wake up and explore as opposed to make an early drive a couple miles up a windy road if you were doing a longer hike"
5. Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
17 ReviewsHawaii Volcanoes National Park, HIWebsite+1 (808) 967-7321"And if anyone knows rain in Hawaii is HARD - so make sure you are prepared if you decide to camp in Hawaii. This is a great way to be close to the volcano park to get an early start."
"Pretty epic experience sleeping so close to Pele. The best entrance to see the volcano at night is a bit of a drive/back ride but well worth it!"
6. Polihale State Park Campground
15 ReviewsKapa‘a, HIWebsite+1 (808) 241-3444$20 / night
"LOVED a three day stay here camping on the sand and gazing out over the high bluffs to one of the best sunset views in all Hawaii. Rent a 4WD Jeep, take 80% of the air out of your tires and enjoy."
"Camping is very close together and tourists are always walking close by."
7. Bellows Field Beach Park
15 ReviewsKaneohe, HIWebsite+1 (808) 523-4525"Camping in hawaii is special no matter the time and place. Bellows has been a favorite because the waves are perfect for buggie boarding and the beach is peaceful."
"Because you need to have military access to enjoy this beautiful beach park."
8. Anini Beach Park
10 ReviewsKapa‘a, HIWebsite+1 (808) 244-6660$3 / night
"campground as much as I loved staying at Anini Beach. absolutely breathtaking. the reef goes on for miles. the waves are safe for little ones, and we saw countless fish, turtles and whales in the distance"
"We absolutely LOVED that we could camp as close to the ocean as we were able to, especially on such a beautiful bay. This was also a wonderful bay to swim in. "
9. Hā’ena State Park
10 ReviewsKapa‘a, HIWebsite+1 (808) 241-6660$3 / night
"This was one of my favorite places to visit because it was very close to the Napali Coast which has so much hiking. That is actually one of the reasons we decided to stay here."
"Camping here was incredible, right on the coast and close to the trails to beat the crowds. I will camp here again."
10. Spencer Beach Park
9 ReviewsPu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, HIWebsite+1 (808) 974-6200"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."
"Great access to the beach, a beautiful warm beach, nice hike access, cabana with gorgeous view, grills, tables, bathrooms, and showers."
Recent Camping Photos in Hawaii
106 Photos of 94 Hawaii Campgrounds
Savanna C.
Maleka Farm
Chris C.
Uka Hawaiian Native Camp
Stephanie Z.
Camp Mokuleia
Bryce K.
Paliku Backcountry Campsite — Haleakalā National Park
Jeffrey B.
Jeff's on Molokai
Miles G.
Punalu`u Beach Park
Saraj B.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Tracy Jo I.
Papalaua Wayside Park
Annie E.
Soil to Soul - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Reyna K.
Sand Island State Recreation Area
Melissa N.
Anini Beach Park
Jenna S.
Camp Olowalu
Recent Reviews in Hawaii
354 Reviews of 94 Hawaii Campgrounds
Zhaorong M.
TravelerKīpahulu Campground — Haleakalā National Park
Unforgettable experience
We camped at site 20, which was large and secluded. The sea was beautiful day and night. The restroom was about 10 minutes walk or 3 minutes drive. There was no shower facilities.
The campsite was close to the Pipiwai Trail. We had a great hike in the morning along scenic bamboo forests to the Waimoku Falls.
Important note for car campers: sites 18-20 are only accessible on foot and won't accommodate car campers. For the best experience, try to reserve sites 16-17, though sites 1-15 all allow car camping as well.
Delphine B.ScoutCozy Meadows Campground
Terrible place
You definitely should avoid this place. The shower is a garden hose on the floor, the place was dirty and not welcoming AT ALL. Moreover the owner asked for money, saying that I broke the entrance... not worth the money!
Matt S.
GuideKalalau Trail Camping — Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park
Favorite Backpacking Trip Ever!
I’ve backpacked it 7 times and have ran the trail 3 times. Plenty of camp sites for tents or hammocks. Careful camping on the beach as waves can rise overnight. Beautiful waterfall flows down to the beach .
- LLeigh G.Traveler
Kumu Camp
Fantastic!
Stayed for five nights and loved it. A beautiful beach. It’s a locals area for sure, people drive on the beach a bit. Bungalow 7 was more in the jungle with lizards running and insects buzzing; it was also fairly connected to another unit by its deck- might not feel private if you didn’t know the other party. Bungalow 2 was beautiful! Right on the beach with the breeze. The bungalows have sweet outdoor showers, which was amazing as it was hot when we were there.
Saw many folks with rented trucks with tents on top. And just regular tenters/vanners as well. Free am coffee in a short window with cute cats.
Brittany R.GuideIsaac Hale Beach Park - PERMANENTLY CLOSED
Great hot springs!
The beach itself is totally covered in lava rock. Cool to see the 2018 glow up close but it’s turned this into a rocky beach. If you want to sunbath I guess it would still be good, but when we were there the water looked too rough to swim and there wasn’t any sand, just rock. There was a lifeguard on duty though so I guess you technically are allowed to swim.
The hot springs were great though! I recommend going to the one back in the woods! They’re heated by the magma deep in the ground and are pretty hot! Worth the visit just for these!
No camping at all though. They still have it completely shut down.
- Brittany R.Guide
Ho'okena Beach Park
Great spot!
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. Bathroom and outdoor showers were nice and clean. Highly recommend!
- Brittany R.Guide
Whittington Beach Park
Absolutely beautiful spot!
We actually just stumbled upon this campsite as we were trying to get a view of the coast line and wow! What a beautiful place! And it’s free!! Not many of those on the island. We didn’t actually end up staying here because we were headed up to Volcano but it was so nice that we considered changing our plans just to stay here. I’d highly recommend!
- Brittany R.Guide
Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Great spot if you can get one!
This 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!
Guide to Hawaii
Camping in Hawaii offers a unique experience with stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're pitching a tent on a black sand beach or parking your RV near lush forests, there's something for everyone.
What to do
- Explore the Beaches: Check out the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park Campground. One camper said, “The black sand beach is lovely... the high surf did let us see the blowhole in action - great fun to watch.”
- Hiking: The Pipiwai Trail is a must-do. A reviewer mentioned, “The Pipiwai Trail hike is a must do on the Hana side- cannot go wrong with bamboo forests and a good waterfall.”
- Snorkeling and Swimming: Many campgrounds, like Camp Olowalu, offer access to great snorkeling spots. One visitor noted, “You can rent surfboards, paddle boards, kayaks. Saw whales surfacing at sundown.”
What campers like
- Natural Beauty: Campers rave about the scenery. One said, “The scenery here is absolutely stunning! Abutted next to the west-facing side of the crater, the magnificent color contrasts in the crater are on display at this campsite.”
- Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds have well-maintained facilities. A camper at Camp Olowalu shared, “The shared bathrooms are great! Clean, flush toilets, and running water.”
- Wildlife: Campers enjoy spotting unique wildlife. A reviewer at Holua Primitive Wilderness Campsite mentioned, “Watch for a NeNe, this bird is very rare and lives on at the top of this mountain.”
What you should know
- Weather Variability: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. One camper at Hosmer Grove Campground said, “Night time temperatures can be in the 30’s and 40’s... plan ahead!”
- Reservations: Some campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Kipahulu Campground noted, “This is a first come first serve campground... you can setup camp anywhere you can pitch a tent.”
- Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have showers or electricity. A camper at Papalaua Wayside Park mentioned, “No fire access. No water access.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Spencer Beach Park, which is great for kids. One parent said, “Kids really enjoyed this location and we had no issues staying.”
- Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities. A camper at Kalopa State Rec Area shared, “The Kalopa Nature Trail... takes you through all the gorgeous greenery and pretty trees.”
- Bring Snacks and Drinks: Stock up on food before heading to remote campgrounds. A visitor at Kipahulu Campground advised, “Make sure to get all necessary food items in Hana as this is the last big town on the Hana Highway before the park.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Road Conditions: Some roads can be tricky. A reviewer at Wai'anapanapa State Park Campground warned, “The road to Hana is a Maui Island must-do... be sure to drive at a pace that is comfortable for you.”
- Look for RV-Friendly Campgrounds: Not all campgrounds accommodate RVs. A camper at Camp Olowalu noted, “The camper van area... was exactly like camping on the perimeter of a large parking lot.”
- Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on essentials, as some campgrounds have limited amenities. A visitor at Kipahulu Campground mentioned, “There’s no running water here, so come prepared with water jugs.”
Camping in Hawaii is an adventure filled with breathtaking views and unique experiences. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beauty around you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available in Hawaii?
What camping is available in Hawaii?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hawaii offers a wide range of camping options, with 94 campgrounds and RV parks in Hawaii and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground in Hawaii?
Which is the most popular campground in Hawaii?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground in Hawaii is Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground with a 5-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping in Hawaii?
Where can I find free dispersed camping in Hawaii?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots in Hawaii.
What are the best parks in Hawaii?
What are the best parks in Hawaii?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 parks in Hawaii that allow camping, notably Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Haleakala National Park.
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