Best Tent Camping in Hawaii

Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning views of Diamond Head, and relaxed way of life. But one thing that is often overlooked by visitors (and really shouldn’t be!) is the amazing experience of camping in Hawaii.

The Hawaiian Islands are made up of eight main islands, including Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Kauai and Niihau. Each one offers unique camping experiences and different activities.

Oahu, home to the city of Honolulu, and the most populated island, offers a unique blend of city comforts and tropical vibes. The southernmost coast is where you’ll find popular tourist destinations like Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, and Hanauma Bay. Due to the number of people that live on this part of the island, there are limited camping areas, but just a short drive makes a big difference.

On Oahu’s Windward coast, expect stunning views of the Ko’olau mountains and the turquoise waters of Lanikai and Kailua. Bellows is a great camping spot right on the beach away from the bustle of Honolulu, and only a few minutes drive from the popular Maunawili hike trailhead. Permits are required to go camping in Hawaii, and sites usually book up in advance, so be sure to call a few weeks ahead if you want to get a spot.

If relaxing in nature and getting away from the crowd is what you’re after, Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area, located inland near Aiea, provides visitors with lush forest views, and is the site of a former temple of Hawaiian healing. It is also near the trailhead for the Aiea Loop Trail, a popular 4.5 mile hike with stunning mountain vistas, and is just a short drive away from Pearl Harbor.

The Big Island, the largest of the Hawaiian islands and known for its diverse landscape and constantly flowing lava, is another great option if you are looking to do some camping in Hawaii. Camping permits are available for Punalu’u, Hawaii’s famous black sand beach, which has a reputation for great snorkeling and fishing and for sea turtle sightings. You can also snag one of 16 campsites in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis, and although it’s a little more rustic (there are restrooms but no showers), it’s probably worth it to be able to camp at “one of the most unique campsites to visit in the world”.

Whether you’re camping in Hawaii for the first time, or just looking for a new favorite spot, The Dyrt has you covered.

Best Tent Sites in Hawaii (59)

    1. Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Wahiawa, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 293-1736

    "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."

    "Initially I was bummed I didn't get a beach front campsite, ours was only a 30 second walk to the beach."

    2. Polihale State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 241-3444

    $20 - $30 / night

    "Polihale is everything you think of from a Hawaiian beach - without the crowds. there are many sites - some with and some without picnic tables and each with a short walk to a beach and bathroom. the bathrooms"

    "Hey guys, from 07.02.2020 I have to hand over all camping equipment - tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, pillow, cutlery and travel bag - in Kauai. Please contact us if you are interested."

    3. Anini Beach Park

    10 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website
    +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 have our tent set up under huge trees, next to the beach and it is gorgeous! This is tent camping at it's best. Bathrooms were well stocked and mostly clean."

    4. Hā’ena State Park

    10 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website
    +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."

    5. Spencer Beach Park

    9 Reviews
    Pu'u O Umi Natural Area Reserve, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 974-6200

    "It's ok spot, but the terrain is dust, with bedrock about two inches, down, making it hard to get my tent stakes in. When the wind kicked up before dawn, I ended up with dust in my mouth."

    "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."

    6. Salt Pond Beach Park

    10 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 244-6660

    $5 - $150 / night

    "There were also some food trucks that were close by the beach- we had some fish tacos that were incredible!! We were told that you can literally place your tent wherever you want."

    "Great location, beach. Facilities are great. Charging outets, showers, sinks. Like everywhere on island includes free rooster alarms. Do not worry about sleeping in!"

    7. Anahola Beach Park

    8 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 241-6660

    "The showers are "cold", which in Hawaii, means room temperature, so after the initial shock, it actually becomes quite comfortable."

    "So pick a flat spot and you are good to go!"

    8. Holua Primitive Wilderness Campsite — Haleakalā National Park

    7 Reviews
    Haleakala National Park, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 572-4400

    "Dispersed campsites are a 3 minute hike up the trail to the left as you arrive to the Holua cabin and located throughout the flat land next to the horse stables."

    "This usually means you need to pick up a permit, you backpack in, the facilities are limited. The hike to the crater is 3.8 miles at the shortest, sot this is a backpacking trip."

    9. Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

    8 Reviews
    Mililani Mauka, HI
    Website
    +1 (808) 587-0300

    $20 - $30 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    10. Kalalau Trail Camping — Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park

    7 Reviews
    Kapa‘a, HI
    Website

    "This was my favorite hike in Hawaii. It was so beautiful I felt like I was in a movie!"

    "Campsites are spread out with camping available anywhere in the treeline running the whole length of the nearly half mile long beach."

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Tent Camping Reviews in Hawaii

331 Reviews of 59 Hawaii Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 10, 2018

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    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!

  • V
    Apr. 4, 2023

    Camp Olowalu

    Relaxing and clean camping spot!

    Our 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.

  • 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.

  • Christy K.
    Jul. 25, 2015

    Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

    Nice grassy open area and very clean

    We stayed here Thanksgiving night prior to spending a day in Volcanoes national park. Given the holiday, everything was closed in town so make sure you bring some food and supplies. It was also pretty quiet and felt very safe.

    In the middle of the night we woke up to RAIN! 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.

    There is a paystation on site and restrooms, firepits and picnic tables.

  • Laura H.
    May. 20, 2021

    Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

    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!

  • 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.

  • Kristen P.
    Jun. 16, 2018

    Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

    10 miles from anything you are used to (except a bathroom 😂)

    This camping site is great! It’s 10 miles inside the volcanos national park. At the end of the drive there is parking for about 4 vehicles and a very clean and nice structure housing a pit toilet with paper. No running water, no fires allowed. Camping stoves ok. There are I believe 10-12 sites some right off the lot some farther out ours was up over a hill so you could not see any other sites or the lot from our location. There was a picnic table in each site. You pay at the gate (we got the year pass) and then $10 a night you put it in the bash box on site and put the receipt at your site if you happen to love for the day. We both tent camped and put up hammocks. You are in the shadow of Laura loa volcano and when we went you could see the glow of the main crater from our site however with the recent activity I am pretty sure the level may be too low now.

    We hikes for a half hour towards the crater glow in the night to get to a ridge to look out over the valley. The moon was bright enough you didn’t need flashlights. It’s very windy at night and the temp drops. I had a sleep mat in my hammock and slept in sweats with a blanket and Summer sleeping bag. Our hammocks were swaying in the wind all night.

    One of the best sites was the moon setting behind Mauna Loa just before sunrise and then watchingbehr sure from purple to pink to red as the sun came up from behind us and cast colors on her. A few miles farther on the drive you will reach a dead end with a pavilion and an incredible view of the Pacific.

    Its close enough to hilo we left our site for the day and went to the hilo parks to swim than did all of the volcano park activities in the early evening.

  • Keith F.
    May. 16, 2018

    Anahola Beach Park

    Top 5 on Kauai

    This campground features both male / female bathrooms and has two outdoor showers available. The showers are "cold", which in Hawaii, means room temperature, so after the initial shock, it actually becomes quite comfortable. I do not recall if there were picnic tables, but at the most maybe one or two. It does require a permit, but those are easy and cheap (~$3). I elected to post up under the tree section, which provided a good cover, flat ground and actually had a downed tree that I used to set up backpacking stove for coffee in the morning. There were a few small fires on the beach throughout the stay, but I don't believe it is technically legal to do so. Overall, my favorite place to stay in Kauai with the given options due to the recent storms and North Shore closures.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2022

    Hosmer Grove Campground — Haleakalā National Park

    Tiny Campground, BIG Experience!

    The 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.


Guide to Hawaii

Tent camping in Hawaii offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes, from lush forests to breathtaking beaches. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a first-timer, there's a perfect spot waiting for you.

Tips for tent camping near the beach

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Kulanaokuaiki Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park features well-maintained pit toilets and designated sites, making it a great choice for those wanting to explore the unique volcanic landscape.
  • At Wiliwili Camp, campers can enjoy a rustic experience with picnic tables and a beautiful river nearby, perfect for cooling off after a hike.
  • Bellows Air Force Station offers a variety of amenities, including showers and a small market, ensuring a comfortable stay while enjoying the beach.

Local attractions for outdoor enthusiasts