Best Tent Camping in Hawaii

Recent Tent Reviews in Hawaii

327 Reviews of 60 Hawaii Campgrounds

• V

  Valerie S.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• J

  JoAnn C B.

  Traveler

  

  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!

• 

  Emily W.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Kenny H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 28, 2018

  Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

  Great beach stay!

  Had two cabins right next to each other. The only bad things about this camping stay: was only one table with bench seats between the two cabins the tent campIng there seemed lIke the tents were rIght on top of each other but then again we dId not tent camp and the flies, so many flies! Bring an electric fly swatter and let the kids go to town! The great things about this stay : great view, beds to sleep in, toilet in the cabin, water spicket to clean stuff, hidden shower in the trees, fire pit and literally a min walk from the beach. I would definitely go camping there again!

• 

  Sharon N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2017

  Kalopa State Rec Area - Hawaii

  "Coolest" place to camp

  I live on the island, but down at sea level. I had always wanted to come up and camp here because the nights are cool and the tent site is in the woods. Some times we need to escape the heat. :) It is a small location that needs to be reserved in advance. The cost is different for residents and visitors. We stayed at the tent sites, but have heard good things about the cabins. There are three tent sites, with a men and women bathroom and large shared pavilion. I liked how the sites have raised and covered places you can pitch your tent under in case it rains. Make sure you bring a mattress of some sort as the shelter floor is concrete. Also bring mosquito spray they like this campsite as well.

  We met the others camping that night and had great conversation under the shared pavilion. There are also a couple really lovely hiking trails to explore during the day!

• 

  Jen C.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 24, 2021

  Anini Beach Park

  Kaua'i county camping rocks

  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. The other campers were quiet and respectful. We loved it. The showers are outdoors and not heated. But we swam with turtles and snorkeling was good!

• 

  Jenna S.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2019

  Camp Olowalu

  Cot camping

  It 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.

• 

  Sandy S.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 13, 2019

  Bellows Field Beach Park

  Military grounds

  Great cabins on ground, but you'll have to be military to rent. Civilians can tent camp on the opposite side. The sand here is so fine, it will make its way in to your rent, no matter how tight you close it up. Beware the manawar here when it's in season. They line up all along the beach..

• 

  Mike L.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 4, 2020

  Bellows Air Force Station

  Crowded Clamping

  Date of stay: September 19 Campsite: #16

  This area is available to DoD ID card holders only.

  Tent campsites are way too close together! Every 2 sites should be combined to make 1. Ocean view sites are very sandy and if you are near the restroom, be prepared for beach goers to walk right through your site to use the toilet...! (Side note, that’s my biggest pet peeve!!)

  Tons of amenities here though, putt-putt, driving range, bar w/ pool table, foose, beach equipment rental, paint ball, small bouldering area!

• 

  Bryce H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 2, 2018

  Ho'okena Beach Park

  Wake up on a historic and pristine salt and pepper beach

  My favorite place to camp in Hawaii. A small and isolated beach well hidden from the average person it seems. Ho'okena is a fun place to get a feel of local vibes for sure. Great and very accommodating staff. Real bathrooms as well as fairly clean port-o-poties they provide closer to the actual camp sites. Some really amazing snorkeling too!

• 

  jane G.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 28, 2021

  Papalaua Wayside Park

  Exposed but pretty nice

  You don’t need a permit right now which is nice. My friends and I came in late and were still able to find a spot, we parked next to the port-a-potty’s and some guys came around 3 am to grab the trash and spooked us, so avoid that if possible. Thorns on the ground, so wear shoes. Really close to the highway so we were worried about noise and privacy because we were tent camping on our car, so not so much of an issue if you’re in a tent or hammock on the beach. Overall a nice experience.

• 

  Michael

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 8, 2021

  Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

  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.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 27, 2022

  Camp Olowalu

  Gorgeous but NOISY!

  The 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.

• 

  Christy K.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• 

  Sharon N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 8, 2017

  Nāmakanipaio Campground — Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

  Walking distance to Volcano crater!

  A friend came to visit from off island and I had to take her to see Volcano National Park. We tent camped one night at this campground. It has toilets and a large pavilion, that we utilized to cook and eat under due to early morning rain. The night we stayed was verily quiet with not many other campers. I paid in the onsite dropbox with a check, but I am sure there is a way to probably pay online. Unfortunately there are no shower facilities.

  The all time highlight is that when it got dark we made the 15-20 minute hike up to the Jagger Museum overlook/observatory to see the glowing lava in the crater.

  The campground is technically outside of the national park and if you hike in there is no park fee.

• 

  Tom&Jennifer D.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 19, 2023

  Kelly Rene

  A must visit . Don’t miss this place

  I found this listing on here but no way to book it instantly so I contacted the host directly . Kelly is super easy to communicate with and answers right away . The grounds for camping are on her resort property a couple acres behind it in fact , so there’s no visible building from tent sites . We absolutely loved the coqui singing at night and waking to an amazing array of bird’s singing. Kelly’s son Alex gives you a full walkthrough of the different types of tress to pick from , and a tour of the hotel property . There’s amazing facilities here including hot water in the showers. I can’t wait to come back here for a visit when we have more time !

• M

  Michael B.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 7, 2023

  Camp Olowalu

  Lovely, affordable accomodation

  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!

• C

  Chris W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 14, 2016

  Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

  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.

• 

  Sharon N.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 3, 2017

  Isaac Hale Beach Park

  Sunsets and Fishing

  Decided to check out the road south of Pahoa and happened to find this park/campground. I bought the permit online with my iPhone and we picked a tent site. The camping area has little to no trees, so enjoy the sun. It is directly across the street from the ocean where there are many people enjoying the waves and fishing. It's not a beach and not really a good place to swim. There was a nice playground close by and water for kids to play around in.

  The bathhouse was pretty clean, but I found the general area to be loud with noise of other campers being so close. It kind of had a party campground feel, if you like that sort of thing. I normally enjoy quieter environments. However, the sunset and the sound of the waves couldn't be beat.

  There was no fire pits, but there were grills and picnic tables.

• 

  Isabella H.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 30, 2018

  Camp Olowalu

  Beachfront Amazingness!!

  Okay, this place is incredible and the best "camping" I have ever done. My husband and I went to Maui for our honeymoon and decided to stay here for a few nights to save some money and we also really wanted to camp. The cost is way cheaper than a hotel, and you get the outdoor/nature vibes. It seriously is a win-win. They also give you resources for snorkeling, scuba diving, hikes, and whale watching nearby. At this point in our lives, this was our first time visiting Maui (we have been back a few times since), so getting all the extra resources of things nearby was a plus. There are a few options you can choose from to stay:

  1. Cabin- These are right on the beach and look amazing. We didn't stay here, but would definitely stay in one of these. These actually were all booked at the time we wanted to go.
  2. Tentalows- This is what we stayed in and they were amazing! These are also next to the beach, but a little more upscale to tent camping. There were showers we could use which was nice. We had our own porch seating with a light which was super cute.
  3. Beachside camping in tents- You have to bring your own tents, but they have campsites available to rent along the beach.

  Our experience was incredible, and we would definitely recommend this place. We did some hikes nearby that were awesome, played at the beach, and did some snorkeling. It doesn't get any better than this in paradise.

• 

  Laura H.

  Ranger

  

  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!

• 

  Kristen P.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Jordan T.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 17, 2019

  Kīpahulu Campground — Haleakalā National Park

  Pretty nice campground in Haleakala state park

  This 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.

• 

  Laura H.

  Ranger

  

  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

• 

  Jessica E.

  Guide

  

  May. 29, 2018

  Camp Olowalu

  Great amenities, nothing super special for tent camping

  This campsite would be amazing for wedding parties! For tent and car campers, it’s nothing super special. ALTHOUGH! The outdoor shower is an AMAZING experience. 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). Close to local shops and fairly close to Lahaina!

• 

  Amber A.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 30, 2016

  Kahana Campground — Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park

  Green mountains, blue sea, amazing camping

  Every camp site is perfect, all close to the water (and the car) and with beautiful views. Like lots of Hawaii, we just kept our swimsuits on all the time while visiting. Lots of bugs, make sure your tent's bug screen is intact and bring spray for hiking/picnicking. Make sure to take in the cultural aspects of this park too. One accessible site. Lots of nearby trails or walk on the beaches. Get up early for sunrise!

• 

  Jessica F.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 25, 2016

  Manuka State Wayside

  Camping not really encouraged here, best I could tell

  I guerrilla camped here in 2007, on a bike tour, but there were no obvious camping areas, and the locals having a picnic didn't think there was any camping there. As a biker, I didn't have many other choices, so I pitched a tent in a nook not visible from the road or parking lot, and it was fine for the evening.

  I did hear a feral pig rustling in the bushes nearby, and spent the night wondering if I was going to be attacked by a feral pig looking for the empty baked bean can in my tent. To think I was smug when I thought at least I didn't have to worry about bears in Hawaii.