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Best Tent Camping near Waipio, HI

69 Reviews

Tent camping options near Waipio on Hawaii's Big Island include several established campgrounds with beach and forest settings. Mālaekahana State Recreation Area offers beachfront tent sites on Oahu's northeastern shore, while Kahana Campground in Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park provides camping directly on the sand with mountain views. Keaīwa Heiau State Recreation Area and Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden offer inland tent camping alternatives with distinct environmental features.

Most tent campsites require reservations through Hawaii's state camping portal, with availability ranging from 3 days to 2 weeks in advance. Sites typically include basic amenities like picnic tables and nearby toilets, though shower availability varies by location. Walk-in tent locations at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden require campers to carry gear from parking areas to designated sites. Fire regulations differ between parks, with some allowing campfires in designated rings while others prohibit open flames entirely. A recent review noted, "The bathrooms are pretty good as far as camp bathrooms go" at Kahana Campground.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between coastal and inland locations. Coastal tent sites at Kahana Campground offer direct beach access but come with road noise and limited privacy between campsites. According to one visitor, "Every camp site is perfect, all close to the water and with beautiful views." Inland backcountry tent camping at Peacock Flats in Mokuleia Forest Reserve requires 4WD vehicle access and offers more seclusion but fewer amenities, with only pit toilets available. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden provides a unique primitive tent camping experience surrounded by tropical plantings beneath the Ko'olau Mountain Range, with fishing opportunities and nature trails accessible directly from the campground.

Best Tent Sites Near Waipio, Hawaii (10)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Waipio, HI

69 Reviews of 10 Waipio Campgrounds

  • J
    Aug. 10, 2018

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground

    Remote, relaxing

    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!

  • Laura H.
    May. 20, 2021

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground

    Best campground on North Shore Oahu

    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!

  • Emily W.
    Aug. 2, 2016

    Bellows Field Beach Park

    Oahu camping

    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. This spot has plenty of trees to set up a slack line and hammock to relax and play.

  • Mike L.
    Feb. 5, 2020

    Peacock Flats - Mokuleia Forest Reserve

    Great Gazing on Oahu

    Secluded spot in the Oahu Mountains. Getting there can be a challenge and Camping is very primitive. The only amenities on site are put toilets and picnic tables, plan accordingly.

    On a clear night however the sky is amazing!

    From the Website: Special Conditions Public access through the Yokohama Guard shack is from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 4WD access only. Everyone in the vehicle must be listed on the permit. Only street legal vehicles are allowed; registration, safety check and insurance must be current. Permits must be printed out and on hand at all times. No Parking on Air Force Installation over night. All paved roads and areas immediately adjacent to paved roads are considered a part of the Air Force Installation.
    At the campground, no water is available. Check-out from campsites is by 11:00am. Check-in to campsite is any time after 12:00pm noon. Hazards No hazards. Prohibited No prohibited.

  • Michael The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground

    Minimalist Beach Shack

    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.

  • Laura H.
    Sep. 7, 2017

    Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

    Ranger Review: Boost Oxygen at Kahana Valley State Park, Oahu, Hawaii

    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!!

    .........................

    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

  • S
    Dec. 14, 2020

    Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

    Fun Times

    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.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2016

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground

    Camping. Hawaiian Style.

    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.

  • Apryl E.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Camp Mokuleia

    Great mellow beach area!

    This campground is set up for anything from large groups (50+) to small families. There are cabins to rent out or places to pitch a tent. 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. Across the street there is also a skydiving company, so throughout the day you will often times see parachuters appearing in the sky.

Guide to Waipio

Tent camping near Waipio, Hawaii takes place in a region that receives varying levels of rainfall, with some campgrounds getting up to 300 inches annually. The Ko'olau Mountain Range creates distinct microclimates across camping areas, with temperature variations of 5-10°F between coastal and inland sites. Most campsites sit at elevations below 400 feet, though backcountry options reach higher into the mountains.

What to do

Beach exploration at dawn: Camp Mokuleia offers direct beach access where campers can spot sea turtles in the early morning. According to one visitor, "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."

Rock climbing access: Camp Mokuleia provides a strategic base for climbers. "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," notes one climbing enthusiast.

Fishing in botanical settings: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden offers a unique freshwater fishing experience. "Free fishing (bring your own bread), easy hiking, and large spread out campsites make this a great spot to camp with little ones!" explains a camper who visited in August.

Stargazing from elevation: Peacock Flats in Mokuleia Forest Reserve provides exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. A camper noted, "On a clear night however the sky is amazing!" This primitive campsite requires 4WD vehicle access and offers only basic amenities.

What campers like

Protected swimming areas: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area features sheltered waters ideal for families. One camper shares, "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."

Campsite privacy: At Mālaekahana, site selection impacts your experience. "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."

Facility cleanliness: Multiple campers highlight the well-maintained amenities. "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."

Secluded mountain views: Tent camping at Peacock Flats appeals to those seeking isolation from crowds. "Peacock Flats is hardly ever fully booked out due to how remote it is and requiring 4wd to get there. It's quite the adventure and can be very wet and muddy."

What you should know

Access restrictions: Some campsites have limited entry hours. At Peacock Flats, "Public access through the Yokohama Guard shack is from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. 4WD access only. Everyone in the vehicle must be listed on the permit."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Waipio, HI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Waipio, HI is Mālaekahana State Recreation Area Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Waipio, HI?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Waipio, HI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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