When people think of camping in Hawaii, they often think of a sandy beach with warm water, palm trees, and coconuts. Well, that is only one type of camping experience you can have here!
In this blog post, I will discuss the best places to camp in Hawaii based on your interests, why people should come to visit the islands for their next vacation, and some helpful tips to make your stay more enjoyable.
Unforgettable camp spots in Hawaii Islands
Kauai
Photo by Roberto Nickson
Kauai is Hawaii’s fourth-largest island and is often called the “Garden Island,” which is entirely accurate. The oldest of all islands in this chain, Kauai possesses a serene beauty that has been preserved for centuries by its remoteness from developed areas; emerald valleys wrapped around sharp mountain spires as well as jagged cliffs aged by time with age on its side.
Polihale State Park, Kauai
Polihale State Park is a great camp spot for people who prefer a more secluded camping experience. This is the most remote beach in Hawaii, and you will feel like you are on your own island! Although there is no freshwater source at this site, it does offer ocean views with paved roads to make transportation easier.
Due to the high demand for people visiting Hawaii, the authorities have increased campsite rates over time. Right now, at Polihale State Park, you can expect to pay around $40 for a site if you are camping here on weekdays or non-holiday weekends and up to $60 per night on holiday weekends! This may seem expensive as this is not a site with amenities like hot showers or toilets, but it offers access to several trails and stunning views of Kalalau Valley, which makes up for the lack of facilities!
Kalalau Beach, Kauai
Photo by Chelsey Horne
Perfect for experienced campers who want to explore the Na Pali Coast. Walking down to the shore and looking back at Kalalau Beach, you’ll see why this island is so well-known for its beauty. Iconic ridge lines crisscross hillsides with a beautiful waterfall pouring from one side of it onto an endless stretch of white sand beaches ending in blue water beyond that.
Anahola Beach Park, Kauai
Some fantastic restaurants near Anahola village are worth checking out if you love seafood or local Hawaiian food. This camping spot is situated close to the ocean and offers stunning views of it! If your idea of a perfect vacation includes lounging on sandy beaches and swimming in blue waters, this campground might be what you need for that tropical experience!
Salt Pond Beach Park, Kauai
This is a state park located on the west coast of Kauai. Salt Pond Beach Park caters to all kinds of visitors, including hikers, birdwatchers, and fishers as well!
This camping spot has excellent amenities such as restrooms and showers, so you won’t have to go without them while you are here enjoying nature at its best.
Maui
Photo by James Wheeler
One of the archipelago’s most popular tourist spots, Maui, can easily be found sandwiched between the Big Island and Molokai. Traveling along Road to Hana will take you through scenic Eastside while exploring other attractions like Haleakala – which is now our world’s largest dormant volcano!
Wai’anapanapa State Park
Photo by James Wheeler
Wai’anapanapa State Park (Maui) is located at the end of Waiʻanapanapa Road off Hana Highway at mile marker 32, 53 miles (85 km) east of Kahului, Maui. The camping area is inside the park. There are separate areas for tent camping and RV sites with hook-ups.
Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables and pavilions, BBQ grills/fire pits (bring your own firewood), parking lots, drinking water faucets.
It is an excellent spot to camp if you love the ocean as it offers campsites with views of both the sunrise and sunset! It also has an ancient Hawaiian stone arch dating back hundreds of years when people gather for weddings or other ceremonies. This location would be perfect for those who enjoy exploring historical places in addition to enjoying the ocean.
Oahu
Oahu is the most populated island in Hawaii, and the majority of people who live here are Honolulu residents, so getting to nature can be difficult at times. However, you should still have plenty of options when camping on Oahu.
Bellows Field Beach Park, Oahu
Photo by Jess Loiterton
Spend your time in pure relaxation, knowing that you are on one of Hawaii’s most beautiful spots!
Pristine white sand awaits along azure blue shores; there’s so much fun available for visitors here like swimming at beach resorts or exploring underwater life while snorkeling around reefs just offshore – but if neither appeals then take out a boat across open seas towards sweeter destinations.
It offers ocean swimming and surfing, as well as a protected bay for those who may not be comfortable with open ocean swims or want more of a calmer experience during their camping trip in Hawaii. There are also lifeguards on duty so this makes the location perfect for families with young children.
Malaekahana Beach Campground, Oahu
If you are looking for a camping spot close to the ocean, this campground is perfect for you! There are lovely views of the Oahu Islands, which make for great photos. This location also has activities like hiking, fishing, and bird watching, so be sure to check it out if these sound fun to you.
The sparkling waters of the Malaekahana Beach Campground will be a great place to stay while you’re in town. The 74+ tent campsites provide ample room for your family, and there are showers available too! You can even rent out one of their small huts if you want more space than what’s offered at this campground– they come equipped with an indoor bed, so it feels just like home away from home!
Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu
Photo by Jeremy Bishop
This is a great place to go if you love exploring nature and taking in the beautiful sights. The camping location has waterfalls, trails, and more, so be sure to check it out!
Kualoa Regional Park (Windward Oahu)
Photo by Jeremy Bishop
If you are looking for an all-inclusive type of experience, then this park may be great for you! There are all sorts of activities to do, including camping, swimming, or kayaking, so be sure to check it out if you don’t know where exactly you want to camp yet.
This is an excellent location for those who love exploring nature and being surrounded by beauty in general. It also has plenty of things that visitors can enjoy doing while they are here.
Big Island
Photo by Jess Loiterton
The Big Island is diverse in its encompassing 12 separate climate zones, ranging from the balmy coastal jungles of Puna to snow-capped mountain peaks dotting Mauna Kea. Unique among other places on earth for this varies between different areas with dramatically different temperatures and scenic beauty across each distinct terrain found here including lush rainforests alongside desert-like regions at lower elevations like Waimeiki Valley which has been carved out by volcanic activity over time leaving behind views, unlike any other place I’ve seen before!
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Big Island
This is a great spot for people who are interested in snorkeling and scuba diving. It offers 60 oceanfront campsites with picnic tables, BBQ grills, fresh water showers, and restrooms.
Kalopa State Recreation Area, Big Island
Photo by Jess Loiterton
This is a great spot for people who enjoy fishing. It offers tents, duplex cabins, RV sites, and amenities such as hot showers, fire pits, and toilets. Hiking through the forest is a fantastic experience for families with children. The beach, which can be reached within minutes of driving or if you take an easy 0.7-mile hiking trail through it’s also just down the road!
Spencer Beach Park, Big Island
For the best camping on Hawaii’s Big Island, Spencer Beach Park shouldn’t be overlooked. This Hawaiian campground is most notable for its location and one of just a handful of white sand beaches anywhere near as remote as this corner pocket in Oahu’s North Shore, which makes it an ideal getaway from bustling tourist traps like Honolulu or Hilo town proper even if you’re not looking forward to some serious beach time exercise!
The idyllic destination also offers serene views over crystal-clear waters where turtles come by daily to lay their eggs before making way down southward again so snorkellers can take advantage too once water temperatures allow – although we advise against swimming around the turtles when they come ashore.
Kua Bay, Big Island
This beach is located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has an area of 137 square miles- making it one of the largest national parks in all 50 states! It offers some fantastic views with its expansive coastline and mountain ranges filled with lush forests to explore. Not to mention some great hiking trails that lead to an observation deck and even a few waterfalls.
Kekaha Kai State Park, Big Island
If you’re looking for more of a secluded beach camping experience on Hawaii’s big island, Kealia Beach is the perfect spot. The park offers over 50 tent sites, and there is no need to hike in or out as it has a large parking lot. There are also hot showers, restrooms, and picnic tables available for day use!
Lanai
Lanai can make for a perfect overnight trip from Maui and it is a great place for beach camping.
Hulopoe Beach Park, Lanai
Hulopoe Beach Park is the only campsite on the Island of Lanai.
The park is a popular destination for locals and visitors. The beautiful beaches, tide pools with rare plants found nowhere else on Earth (some even containing insects!), sandy shores perfect for swims or to relax near the fire pit at sunset – these things can’t be missed!
There are only eight campsites, but you’re never too far from one if the need arises since they border each other closely enough that camping doesn’t feel like an isolated experience here. Instead, it feels integral in fostering close relationships between yourself personally and community members who share your passions.
Molokai
Photo by KM L
The isolated paradise of Molokai is a must-see for travelers looking to escape urban life. The fifth-largest island in Hawaii, at only 38 miles long and ten wide when its widest point is reached, it’s easy enough that you can find yourself there without even knowing how!
With over 50% native Hawaiian ancestry who continue their traditional lifestyles thanks primarily to love affair with the land, this serene spot leaves little need other than just relaxing on one of the many pristine beaches located throughout these wilderness areas.
Pala’au State Park, Molokai
This is an ideal spot for people who are interested in snorkeling and scuba diving. It offers camping, cabins, showers, & restrooms nearby, making this location unique amongst other campsites in Hawaii.
What to pack for a camping trip in Hawaii?
Photo by Josh Hild
Universal Waterproof Phone Case – since you never know when it might rain, this case is a must!
Waterproof Torchlight – for late-night reading or bathroom trips in the dark.
Dehydrated Food (MRE) – dry food has an incredibly long shelf life and can be made into anything with just water; perfect for camping adventures!
Lifestraw – this is essential for water filtration when you are in the wild!
Mosquito Repellent – if you’re camping near any bodies of fresh or saltwater, mosquitos will be a severe problem.
Shoes with good grip– walking on wet rocks can easily cause slips which could have dangerous consequences, so make sure your shoes are up to the task!
Sun Protection Supplies – don’t forget lots of sunscreens, a hat, and even better if you bring along one that provides both sun protection as well as an insect repellent.
This way, you can save space by only having to pack one item for two purposes!
Camping Stove – you’ll need to be able to cook food while camping.
Photo by Lum3n
Sleeping Bag – this is one item you don’t want to cheap out on! Your bag will get plenty of use, so make sure it’s up for the task by checking reviews before purchasing.
Tent– many different styles and brands are available, but most people recommend bringing along a four-season tent that can handle heavy winds and snow.
Tarp – tarp helps cover any area of your campsite or is used as an extra layer, especially on the ground you will be sleeping on! A tarp also helps protect against rocks that could puncture your air mattress if placed underneath it.
GPS – can be helpful in case you get lost.
First Aid Kit – the most essential thing to pack for your camping trip! Make sure it’s organized and ready before heading into nature so that if anything goes wrong, you’re able to act quickly.
Flashlight/Lantern is even better if this is one item with multiple purposes, like a lantern that doubles as your flashlight.
Sunscreen – don’t forget to reapply this often if you’re in the sun for long periods or are swimming!
What not to bring on your trip (and why)
These are the things you shouldn’t bring with you on your camping trip to Hawaii.
Space Blanket – these are only meant for emergency use to warm up a person’s body temperature when they are injured or otherwise unable to move around quickly, so it is best not to bring them along as part of your regular supplies.
Portable Stove– while it may seem like bringing one along would save you the hassle of having to cook over an open fire, they are banned in some areas because they can cause wildfires.
Alcohol – should not be consumed where there is a high risk of wildfire for obvious reasons since it’s flammable! If you want to bring alcohol with you, though, you can check out the tip below on making it safe.
Flammable Liquid (gas or kerosene)– this is dangerous for obvious reasons and should only be used in an emergency where you have no other choice.
Matches – if your matchbox gets wet, they could become useless, which would leave you without a way to start a fire. So it’s best not to bring them along unless you’re planning on keeping them in your dry bag!
Slingshot– these things can be surprisingly dangerous because if they miss their target, they could end up hitting another camper or, even worse – starting a wildfire. It is much safer for everyone involved that the slingshot stays at home.
Camping etiquette
Camping etiquette and what not to do while out on a hike or at the beach, such as littering, not cleaning up after your pet, etc.
Littering – this is a big problem in Hawaii and should be avoided at all costs!
Feeding Wildlife– you can feed animals if they come to you for food but don’t go out of your way to harass the wildlife or try to interact with them. This could end badly for both you and the animals!
Not Cleaning Up After Your Pet– this is especially important if your pet has been defecating in an area where other people may be walking. If there are no garbage cans around, carry out what you brought with you instead of leaving it behind to cause environmental damage for others.
Before Leaving camp – make sure you clean up your campsite and remove any garbage or traces of food. This will help reduce the impact on the environment for others who come along after you!
Unfamiliar with the Area? – don’t leave your campsite without a map of the area you’re in, and make sure to bring it along even when going for a quick walk.
No Trespassing – constantly look for signs that say “no trespassing” or something similar that indicates an off-limits zone. These
Areas are for a good reason – because they could be dangerous or environmentally sensitive!
Don’t Scare wildlife– while it might seem fun to try and get close-up photos of animals, make sure not to bother them when you see them. If the animal appears scared by your presence (or if there is a sign telling you not to go into that area), leave them alone so they can continue living in their natural habitat.
Camping in Hawaii is a popular pastime for many, but it can also be daunting if you’re not sure how to prepare or what to expect. The tips and tricks we’ve provided should help campers have an enjoyable experience without any unwelcome surprises! Follow these best practices when camping so that your trip goes as smoothly as possible. Remember: always keep the safety of yourself and other people in mind while exploring nature’s beauty-it will make your vacation one worth remembering instead of one from which you’d rather forget.
Suggested FAQs:
1. What animals do you often see when tent camping in Hawaii?
2. How enthusiastic is the weather in Hawaii, and at what times of the year should someone go if they’re tent camping?
3. What are some of your favorite things to do while camping in Hawaii?
4. Is it allowed to camp outside of the grounds of the campsite area?
5. What is a typical packing list for camping in Hawaii?
6. Do you have any tips/advice when going camping in Hawaii, especially for beginners who have never been before?
7. Has anyone ever had a predator try and take them at their campsite when they were in Hawaii?
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