Near endless summer weather means near endless opportunities for fun in the sun. Hiking, swimming, and surfing are all on the list in the hot spot of Hawaii. But have you ever considered camping in Hawaii?  

While your rovin’ writer has quite often considered returning to his birth state of Hawaii, even he never considered camping in the awesome Aloha State. Surely there must be other travelers who have also not considered this Pacific possibility. Thus, without further ado, here are 12 amazing, must-see camping spots in Hawaii:

1.  Na Pali State Park, Kauai

Hikers will enjoy the exceptional eleven-mile Kalalau Trail hike because it ends in a beautiful little spot for camping. If you’d rather not hike that far in one day, you can spend the night at a site six miles in if you have the proper paperwork. Pack light to optimize your experience whether you break up the hike or not!

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Bellows Field Beach Park, Oahu

This park is found along an awesome expanse of windward beach reserved for military training during the week. But when the weekend comes, you have your choice of between 25 and 50 campsites. Sites are open as of high noon every Friday.

You can swim in the ocean all day and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the waves crashing upon the shore. Facilities include two comfort stations, outdoor showers, two lifeguard towers, and limited parking.

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Kiholo State Park Reserve, Big Island

This is a coastal, work-in-progress, lava-covered spot located off a gravel access road. It includes bays, lava flows, and a lot of open space. This stark park has little more than restrooms and you will have to bring in your own water. Still, you can go fishing, hiking, snorkeling, and swimming, and the isolation will certainly make it a much better place to spot wildlife and enjoy nature.

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Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, Maui

This recreation area is located 6,200-feet above sea level. Unless you like the cold, it’s best not to camp here in the winter as the nighttime temperatures can reach freezing. The forests aren’t tropical but more reminiscent of the US Pacific Northwest. Although hunting is permitted here, it’s more appealing to hikers as there are four hiking trails here: The Haleakala Ridge Trail, the Plum Trail, the Polipoli Trail, and the Redwood Trail.

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Koke’e State Park, Kauai

This state park is a picturesque place that is perhaps most popular for tent camping sleeping at an elevation of 4,000 feet on the rim of famous Waimea Canyon and seven different hiking trails. This is also a good place for exploring nature, hunting, and looking for wildlife. Amenities include restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, and even a gift shop.

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Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu

Those in the know say that if you’re staying on the island of Oahu and get the sudden urge to go camping, this place is “your best bet.” After all, oceanfront campsites generally get booked up quickly; plus veteran visitors say “it’s much easier” to get a permit here. More importantly, you’ll enjoy being surrounded by Plus, you’ll love camping and hiking amidst this beautiful 200-acre botanical garden and the impressive Ko’olau Mountains.

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Kalopa State Recreation Area, Big Island

You can camp out in a tent or even rent a duplex cabin here at this popular recreation area. The cabins sleep up to eight people. They include bunk beds, hot showers, toilet facilities, and even a recreational dining hall suitable for shared cooking. There are also picnic tables for outdoor dining, and the place is ADA accessible. This is also a good spot for hiking. 

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Pala’au State Park, Molokai

Here at this 233-acre state park, you can camp close to a great scenic overview of infamous Kalaupapa, the colony to which lepers were once banished. The main attraction here is Kaule O Nanahoa or “the phallus of Nanahoa.” It’s a sacred site that was once believed to increase fertility.  Hike the trail through the ironwood forest to visit Kalaupapa Lookout, and see Kalalupapa from 1000-feet up. Amenities here include a picnic pavilion and a restroom.

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Anini Beach Park, Kauai

Even the locals love this beachside camping spot. The shallow water near the shore is good for wading if you avoid the sharp coral and rocks in some spots. This is an especially great place for snorkeling where you might even see the state fish—the triggerfish—or parrotfish or unicornfish. This is also a great place to windsurf. Unfortunately, with the wind often comes rain, so be sure to bring a durable tent.

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Kea’au Beach Park, Oahu

Found near Waianae on the west shore of Oahu, Kea’au Beach Park, is a popular camping spot for visitors into blue water, striking sunsets, and nature. It includes picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. The campsite is grassy but near the ocean, it is reportedly a bit rocky. On the far north end of the park, you will find a large beach. Like the majority of the campsites here in Hawaii, a permit is required for camping.    

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Manuka State Wayside, Big Island

This lovely 13.4-acre park is situated in South Kona on the flank of Leeward Mauna Loa. It features an arboretum and a variety of habitats including mesic montane kipuka forests, lowland mesic forests, wet montane forests, and subalpine shrublands and forests. Relatively recent multiple lava flows have created some unsurveyed and uncharacterized lava tubes. These lava tubes make the hiking here even more interesting. Restrooms are available.

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Wai’anapanapa State Park, Maui

Last but not least in Hawaii, Waianapanapa State Park offers not only tent camping but also rents cabins in a rather remote, locale on this low-cliffed, wild coastline. This one-of-a-kind state park is popular for shore fishing and hiking.

The well-known Manuka Nature Trail offers visitors a memorable two-mile nature hike through the neighboring Manuka Natural Area Reserve which offers an education in Hawaiian natural history. Some people say that this place can make you feel as if you’re in a fairytale.  

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