Are you planning a camping trip to Wailuku with your dog? We've got you covered. Find the best information on pet-friendly campsites and dispersed camping near Wailuku, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Wailuku's most popular destinations.
COVID-19 regulations: we are following all local, state and federal regulations regarding COVID-19, and recommend our guests to comply with current mandates and travel requirements to Hawaii and inter-island before making a reservation.
PRE-CHECK IS REQUIRED FOR ALL INTER-ISLAND AND OUT-OF-STATE RESERVATIONS! AS OF OCTOBER 15, 2020, all inter-island and out-of-state visitors must prove the completion of the quarantine requirement or provide validated Safe Travels Hawai’i/DOH quarantine exemption. Documentation must be submitted via email to reservations@campolowalu.com, before 2PM on check-in day. Guests in non-compliance with the pre-check requirement will not be able to enter the campground. CAMP OLOWALU IS NOT A QUARANTINE SITE.
Currently, reservations are open for tent sites, car camping, tentalows (no linens provided) and A-frame cabins. The camp store will remain closed until further notice; morning complimentary coffee is also discontinued.
Camp on one of the 35 sites. Alongside Maui’s Olowalu Beach enjoy our campground amenities.
Tent camping Tentalows Car Camping Cabins
COMMON AMENITIES
Bathrooms: toilet, sink, mirror, hand soap, paper towels & toilet paper
Instant hot water showers
Outdoor dishwashing station
Wifi internet hotspot at check-in area
Trash & recycling stations
Private parking
2 Charging stations
Fire pit
Picnic benches
BBQ grills$24 - $1600 / night
Haleakalā Volcano, on the Hawaiian island of Maui, is a massive shield volcano that rises more than 10,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean, and makes up more than 75% of the island’s land mass. Its name, Haleakalā, is Hawaiian for “House of the Sun,” and is steeped in Hawaiian legend. More modern references attribute it to the spectacular sunrises observed from the rim of the summit crater. In an effort to preserve and protect the volcano’s spectacular summit crater, as well as the Kipahulu Valley rainforest on the volcano’s eastern slope, Haleakalā National Park was established in 1961. The majority of visitors to the park drive the long, winding road to the summit viewpoints and visitor center. The small number of adventurers who descend into the crater can explore an otherworldly landscape of colorful cinder cones, lava flows and other volcanic features.
For those interested in a little primitive camping on the flank of this sleeping giant, the Hosmer Grove Campground provides close access to the summit’s viewing areas and hiking trails. The campground is located partway up the mountain, just 0.5 mile past the park’s entrance station. From Kahului, it’s only about 28 miles, but the winding road makes the drive pretty slow. Hosmer Grove offers 10 campsites in a large, grassy area surrounded by foreign and native woods. Campsites have picnic tables and cooking grills, and vault toilets are available. Campfires are not permitted, but contained camp stoves are allowed. The campground is situated at 7,000 feet above sea level, right in Haleakalā’s “cloud belt,” so it’s often cool and foggy, and overnight temps can plummet below freezing. Free camping is first-come, first-served, with a three-night limit..
Taking in Haleakalā’s summit sunrise show requires making a long, slow, winding drive up the mountain in the blackness of night to reach the viewing areas before sunrise. In efforts to alleviate road and parking congestion at the summit, the national park has implemented a permit requirement to access the viewing areas. These can be obtained up to 60 days in advance from the recreation.gov website. Permits are only required for driving up the mountain between 3am and 7am. Dress warmly, as it is cold on the summit rim. Hikers will find more than 30 miles of trails that journey down into the crater for exploring its many features. There is no shade or water on the crater floor, and temperatures can vary significantly, so pack along plenty of water and sunscreen. Also, due to the soft, sandy nature of the trails, plan on spending twice as much time to hike out as to hike in.
This area offers one drive-up campground. Campers are advised that Kīpahulu is wet, remote, and far from most amenities. Come prepared - bring water, food, and a tent. There is no water available, but shared grills, picnic tables and pit-toilets are provided. Permits are not required, but campers must pay the $20 park entry fee. Camping is limited to 3 nights in any 30-day period. The Kīpahulu campground is about 1/8 mile (.2km) south of the Kīpahulu Visitor Center. It overlooks ocean cliffs and is a short walk from ʻOheʻo Gulch. In the evenings, the sound of the ocean waves makes this a peaceful place. The campground has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and pit toilets. No water is available at Kīpahulu Campground; However, drinking water is available at the Kīpahulu Visitor Center restrooms. There are two general stores in the nearby town of Hāna (10 miles[16km] away) where you can purchase water and basic food supplies. Be prepared for rain, harsh sun, and mosquitoes.
8 Acres of untouched land with camping in the meadow or forest. This location is in a prime spot and is accessible by any vehicle. We are 20 minutes from surfing or 30 minutes from beach town shopping in Paia and a great stop if you are going to do the road to Hana. Enjoy a perfect view of the night sky and the quiet of the jungle. We have a shower and bathroom on site and have tables and grills if you want to do a cookout!
$40 - $60 / night
Scout
Shower : a poor garden hose at the entrance of the “camp”
Toilet : ok
Broken plastic table, Grill without any tank…
It’s definitely not a cozy place, it look like more an unoccupied land
Scout
I enjoyed my 5 night stay at a tent site here. The grounds and facilities are well maintained and clean. I used my site as a place to sleep and use the showers and bathroom facilities as needed. I was gone by 8 am and back after sunset, going snorkeling, hiking and exploring the island. I can't say what it would be like to lounge around all day at your site. Some sights looked like they may have a lack of shade during the day.
The beach is rocky and not one you'd likely want to spend your day on. For the price and if you like camping (with hot showers, flush toilets and a sinks to wash your dishes) this is a great place to stay!
RangerOur first time here we tent camped. Some of the sites seemed close together but we stayed at the end and had good privacy with the trade off of a long trip to the bathrooms. The shared bathrooms are great! Clean, flush toilets, and running water. Showers and dishwashing stations also a plus. Free coffee for early risers. You can see the beach from a few campsites. Like most camping in Hawaii, bring your earplugs for the roosters.
Ranger
Im lucky enough that this is my second time staying here! Sad to say that both times there were empty sites even though they were all reserved. There is a nice sheltered area for a wind break for dinner, potable water and pit toilets with hand washing station. Plan for chilly and windy weather in the winter and spring. We stayed here once to save drive time to see the sunrise and the second time after hiking into the crater. Great location for both. The short hike connected to the campground to see all the tree varieties is cool!
Scout
I was kicked out for camping in designated area, by maui county parks and recreation as it does clearly state if you look well there is no overnight camping here
LegendThe outdoor showers at Camp Olowalu resort are worth the stay in and of themselves. They are works of art, frankly. The tent sites are amazing, though perhaps spaced a little close together between the main camp and the shoreline, but with beach access so close, and the surrounding environment so beautiful it’s easy to forget. The glamping tents, complete with fresh pineapple upon arrival, are something to behold.
However, we stayed in the camper van area, and while there was plenty of room and a nice picnic table, but it was exactly like camping on the perimeter of a large parking lot. Since all the tent sites are walk-in, those guests frequently return to their vehicles to retrieve belongings, luggage, or drive off to a restaurant at all hours. We found it to be noisy and distracting.
The location for the camp is beautiful, and it is close to the busy road on the west side of Maui. Between 12am and 5am were the only hours that things seemed to die down– this isn’t the campground’s fault of course, just be aware of this. Then, about 5am, the feral roosters chime in to have their say, and the traffic begins. Long story short...bring earplugs!
Right across the main road you’ll find a huge fruit stand market with lots of options, and within a few short miles there are dozens of restaurant options, and grocery stores. This part of the island is heavily residential so there are many services which cater to the locals. The camp store has a few touristy items for sale, ice, sunscreen, firewood and marshmallows in case you forget these.
LegendThe 6 sites in the only developed camping area in the park offer a great place to stage your morning sunrise experience in Haleakala. They are popular and very inexpensive($5 per night). The campsites are clustered into a small lawn area on a gently sloping hillside. While each tent platform is level, the parking lot definitely is not. So, if you plan to bring a camping vehicle, van, platform tent truck, or small camper, get there early to grab the most level spots (there are 2). And if your tent platform folds out to the side of the truck- please don’t take up two parking spots, figure it out so that others can also enjoy a good night’s sleep. Yes, this happened to us– ugggh!
Night time temperatures can be in the 30’s and 40’s and we found that the bedding provided in our rental camper was not enough. Fortunately, we brought along our down sleeping bag and puffy jackets(they were definitely needed during January), but could be needed at any time of year as the campground is at 6K above sea level. Also, temperatures at the summit for sunrise and sunset are cold- at any time of year. We wore multiple layers, hats, gloves, and winter coats and still froze up at the summit. The wind was gusting over 30 knots, and the wind chill was in the teens. So, plan ahead! The campground has a covered picnic area, as well as 2 pit toilets with a handwashing sink outside. There are also water spigots in the campground which have potable water.
One thing we didn’t know is that if you have a reservation for Hosmer Grove you don’t need a reservation for sunrise, because you are already in the park and past the entrance station. It’s still a long drive (around 30 minutes), up to the summit but it’s a bigger head start than most people who are coming from hotels and such farther away. But the rising and setting of the sun shouldn’t be the only thing you hope to experience while in this amazing park. Hiking and backpacking through the crater are spectacular. Some of the most unique and long range views we’ve ever experienced!
There are a few neighborhood markets nearby, gas station, restaurants and a farmer’s market, but the larger grocery stores are located down the mountain in Kahului. There are no eateries or shops, other than the summit gift shop(which offers very limited snacks) in the park so come prepared.
Ranger
Is saw a few tents here so it definitely looks like you can camp. There are showers and water available. Tons of places to hang out under the trees or set up hammock. Water is a little silty here so not the best for swimming or snorkeling.
Ranger
Incredible views with miles and miles of beautiful beach. Literally only saw 2 other people while I was there.
Ranger
While in HI, for a travel job we got to experience this beautiful island. Molokai is not only beautiful, but it has the full range of landscapes, from beach to mountains, from desert-like atmosphere to rain forest. The beaches are not only full of beautiful white sand, but lacking crowds of people! It is the most laidback of all of the islands, and probably has the most Hawaiians still living there. The people are so nice and friendly. There is so much history on such a small island. If you want a truly relaxing vacation, this is the spot!
GuideThere is no park entrance fee but there is a cost to some. The views here are amazing and Molokai is a very uninhabited island, so this place is very peaceful.
ScoutStaying in the tentalows for a week and I do not want to go! The royal palm entrance is a beautiful indicator of what’s ahead at camp Olowalu! Fully enclosed yurt like cabins with a sink, mirror, towels, linens, hooks, lights, outdoor shower, and keyed entry CLEAN bathrooms near every tentalow. Across the path is the beach and across the street is Olowalu general store with ono poke, great gifts, fresh pineapple market, butterfly farm, etc. gorgeous mature mango trees and bamboo. The most exquisite campground I’ve ever stayed at.
RangerThis is the only place I will stay when I come back to Maui. Tentalos are a far cry from roughing it, but they're also awesome. Much cheaper than a hotel. Well-kept grounds are similar to a city park. Close access to the beach and water activities. You can rent surfboards, paddle boards, kayaks. Saw whales surfacing at sundown.
Glamp it up.
Scouta beautiful campground unfortunately the park is only open to day trippers at the moment. I was keen on hiking into the park and packing it all in with me and the park rangers are serious about giving the land some time to rehab and relax until they again feel comfortable with thru hikers and campers
ScoutYou would not think about cold weather gear when camping on Maui, but we used it here. It was cold and wet both nights. We were prepared and had a great time; camping here made it much easier to drive up for the sunrises and sunsets each day.
We will camp here again!!
GuideTried setting up a tent in a windstorm, gave up and slept in the van instead. Check in after hours was easy enough, didn’t noticed as the parking lot filled up overnight.
Don’t turn your back on the chickens. They’ll get into your vehicle if given the chance.
If camping on Maui, definitely worth it for the last night of the trip for a good shower before flying home.
GuideThis beautiful 40 acre oceanside park is perfect for hanging out by the beach for a picnic or bbq, play volleyball on 3 courts take to the water in a wind or kite surfer, outrigger and canoeing. The white sand beach is surrounded by trees and bike paths. A lifeguard office is manned and equipped for rescue. Outdoor showers and water taps available and there are 4 parking lots with 189 parking spaces.
GuideThe Tentalow was clean and in nice condition. Little light pollution, great for star gazing.
TravelerWhat a darling little spot. Would return in a heartbeat, and honestly probably will before the month is up. Had two glorious nights there and now I don't want to camp anywhere else in Maui because I was so spoiled.
Pros
Cons
Overall
4.5/5. Absolutely worth it. LOOOOOVE.
Traveler
Solid drive in campground with toilets and beautiful ocean views. Mostly car campers at this one. The grounds were clean but very exposed to sight and the elements. Highly recommend stay here if you're planning on taking a trip to Hana. It's a perfect place to rest your feet after being in the car for multiple hours before returning to the other side - a single day trip is doable but probably exhausting. Actually the Pipiwai Trail hike is a must do on the Hana side- cannot go wrong with bamboo forests and a good waterfall.
Note: that a National Park pass ($30) here is good for 3 days of camping including sites at Haleakala.
ScoutThis is a must-see in Maui! From the base of the mountain, it will take you about 30 minutes to drive to the top of Haleakala.
The roads are very twisty, and there are sections where there are no guardrails. Be sure to drive at a pace that is comfortable for you, and utilize the pullover areas to let faster traffic pass. There is no need to make a reservation to enter the park unless you’re showing up early to watch the sunrise. You’ll just have to pay a park entry fee when you arrive at the base of the mountain(don’t worry you can’t miss the payment booth).
The summit is over 10,000 ft from sea level. Due to the elevation, it is pretty darn cold and the air is noticeably thinner. When we went, the base of the mountain was about 90F(32C) and the top of Haleakala is around 50F(10C). Also, it is very very windy at the summit. You should bring a sweater and a windbreaker to make sure you’re able to walk around comfortably.
The view of the surrounding islands and the crater are absolutely stunning! Check out some pictures here: https://creditcarrots.com/haleakala-crater/))
GuideIt was breath taking. Grounds were so nice, the place was so clean. The outdoor shower was perfect. Easy check-in. It was my first time cot camping. It was the perfect place to cot camp at a tent site.
GuideStayed here during the week and this is absolute best place to camp. Has cell reception, bathrooms, showers, ocean access, and overall great campground. I did a camp site which is in dirt which kinda sucks but that’s is only complaint but won’t rate it down for this. Food and drink access is close by too!
GuideLoved the location fantastic but we did get hit with atoms each night.
RangerOk, you twisted my arm...
Hosmer Grove Campground is a small set of primitive sites located in the Kīpahulu region of Haleakalā National Park, at the cloud line. This means it will get cold, especially at night, and even in the summer. Come prepared for this nice break from the Maui beach heat. The spaces are first come first serve, summer will likely be busier so come early. No permit needed. Fairly easy to pack in as well.
There are grills and nice picnic tables available at each site, but no campfires are allowed, so you must use the grills for your cooking. All the better to see the stars at night, right? Portable water is available and there are also put toilets only. Please be respectful of other campers since the area is so small.
Be prepared to be woken early to the sound of an array of birds, and even a clearly lost rooster up before dawn. The best thing about Maui, is that it’s an island formed out of nothing from a volcano, meaning it did not break off from a land mass carrying with it all the variety of animals and insects campers often find troubling. In fact, typical tropical concerns like venomous snakes and large cats are nonexistent here. A very safe place, animal wise, to camp, but do be warned of flash floods when hiking the area and come aware of the conditions and also prepared with a first aid kit, as outside help is far and difficult to reach. Towers were recently put in to assist with calls out, but in the valleys and at high elevations you will often find it hard to get reception. And help us an hour or more away. So hike with caution.
Sites are fairly level, close to each other, and on soft grass. The route to this area via the Hāna Hwy is almost worth the trip in and of itself, it’s truly a gorgeous area at all elevations.
Be sure to take advantage of the many guided hikes (also for safety reasons) offered by the national park and local private companies. We took a GREAT waterfall rappelling trip with Rappel Maui and enjoyed all their info about the area and expertise in rappelling. Be prepared for mosquitos, however we really didn’t encounter too many in June.
Check out the Pools at ‘Ohe’o and the many many waterfalls around the Nat Park as well as the state park while there. And the rocky, rough-waved cost on that side of the island (not great for swimming but so so beautiful).
GuideThis campground was the largest by far we saw on Maui - it was a large grassy area down a road past the visitor's center for Kipahulu. The area is for both tent and car camping, and there's no separate parking lot for tent campers since it is a bit of a walk from the visitor's parking lot. There's no running water, but two small buildings with pit toilets inside and hand sanitizer. There's also a group area that I believe needs to be reserved ahead of time and is at the back of the main camping area, as well as a trail off the campground that leads to shady tent camping spots (you definitely couldn't get a car in there) under large trees. We liked the campground a lot, especially how grassy it was (rather than dirt, like at Olowalu) but unfortunately we stayed on a Friday and Saturday night - and boy did the other people there like to party. We spent the first night stuck next to a HUGE party that didn't quiet down til late at night. Even after moving our van to a spot farther away from them, we realized that there were quite a number of groups partying til late at the site. I bet this wouldn't be the same case on a weekday night, but it's good to know that this campground is popular with the locals/residents on Maui and from other islands - probably because it's so cheap and accessible ($25 for 3 nights, which is essentially your entrance fee to get into the 7 sacred pools and hike the Pipiwai Trail).
As for Kipahulu itself, it's a beautiful place. we swam in the 7 sacred pools (which get pretty crowded in the afternoon from day tourists) and hiked the Pipiwai Trail. We LOVED Pipiwai - it's a bit grueling, and is 4 miles there and back, but the 100 foot waterfall at the end of it is incredible and a must-see. For the price, Kipahulu is a great place to camp at, and to make the most of your money, I'd suggest spending a night or two here and then heading to Hosmer Grove on your way to the summit. Note that there's no running water here, so come prepared with water jugs. While there's running water in the bathrooms at the service center, as well as a water fountain to fill up your water bottle there, there's no faucet or anything that you could use to fill up a big water jug. One of the major downsides to the site, in addition to the noise.
GuideI read seriously conflicting reviews about this place before coming here, so I was super on the fence. We ended up camping in our campervan for our first night here, and it was just what we needed. The campervan site is just a dirt lot, but it's pretty big and right next to the showers and toilets. The amenities are GREAT. The showers are enclosed, they have benches and hooks to put your things down on and they have hot and cold water. The bathrooms are REAL bathrooms, with flushing toilets, running water sinks, toilet paper, mirrors, hooks and a ledge to put your things down on. Really well maintained too. In addition, there's also a cell phone charging station, and large sinks to wash your pots and pans. We came back here after camping on the East side of Maui in the state parks, and had an even deeper appreciation for it. Our second time around we camped in the tent area. Each tent spot has its own grill and picnic table, and is close to garbage bins, the beach and showers/toilets. My only complaint is that both the campervan area and the tent area are pretty much just dirt, rather than grass, which especially in the tent area makes you and your things quite dirty. The wood chips that line the pathways in the tent area are also pretty sharp, and my foot actually got cut on one even when I was wearing shoes - so be careful. Overall it was a great campground, and while it's expensive for adults ($20/person), let's just say that the people that run this place aren't that interested in checking that your party is actually the size you say it is or that you have the correct number of adults vs. kids (kids are $5)..compared to Papalaua Park ($10/person on weekdays, $20 on weekends and no amenities except for porta potties) this place blows that one out of the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Wailuku, HI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Wailuku, HI is Camp Olowalu with a 4.7-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Wailuku, HI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dog-friendly camping locations near Wailuku, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.