From campsites nestled among the mountains to those skirting the edge of the beach, Hawaii is home to some of the best campsites in the Pacific. If you’re looking to truly get away from it all, you’ll ditch the luxury beachfront resorts and head to one of these ten secluded campgrounds. Some of these campsites are easy to reach, and others, well, let’s just say that you will definitely want to pack lightly.
- Kalopa State Recreation Area
David Baron/Flickr Known for lodging and camping, this park features only short hiking trails, with longer excursions in the neighboring forest reserve. Nestled on the slopes of Mauna Kea near Honoka’a, the Kalopa Forest receives substantial rainfall, resulting in the enchanting and lush native forest you’ll find here. If you aren’t into sleeping in a tent, consider renting a duplex cabin at Kalopa State Recreation Area. These eight-person cabins feature bunk beds, toilet facilities, hot showers, and a recreational dining hall for shared cooking.
- Polihale State Park
K e v i n/Flickr At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii. While often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches, the secluded spot is the perfect place for a weekend retreat into the wilderness. So, grab your gear, pitch a tent, and spend a few days swimming and fishing.
- Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
Joel/Flickr Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens is a little-known 400-acre natural oasis tucked away in Kaneohe perfect for an afternoon stroll. Ho’omaluhia is also home to countless walking and bike trails, a day-use area, campgrounds, and a visitor center with an exhibition hall, workshop, and botanical library. With nearly 30 picturesque campsites to choose from and plenty of restrooms available throughout the garden, you won’t find a bad campsite here.
- Pala’au State Park
jshyun/Flickr Perhaps most famous for its scenic overlook of Kalaupapa, a leper colony with the ocean on one side and giant 1,600-foot cliffs on the other described by Robert Louis Stevenson as a “prison fortified by nature,” Pala’au is a perfect spot for a picnic or camping getaway.
- Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Hawaii DLNR/Website This landscaped beach park perfect for swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, and other beach activities is also home to cozy four-person A-frame shelters. These shelters consist of a single screened-in room with wooden sleeping platforms and a picnic table. Nearby, you will find an enclosed pavilion with refrigerator, range, and tables. Comfort stations with cold showers and restrooms are also found on site. The perfect blend of rustic and charming, this is one lodging opportunity you won’t want to miss.
- Nal Pali Coast State Wilderness Park
Brian/Flickr If you’re up for a hike, the gorgeous eleven-mile Kalalau trail ends with a wonderful little spot to go camping. However, if you are unable to make it in one day, there is a spot six miles in where you are allowed to set up camp for the night, but only if you have the valid permits. This sounds amazing, but only if you are able to pack light!
- Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
Tim Szlachetka/Flickr Polipoli is perhaps most famous for its breathtaking redwood forest: Located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level is a forest populated by redwood trees that were brought to Hawaii in the 1920s to re-establish the watershed. Winter nights can reach freezing temperatures, and the forests will remind you of America’s Pacific Northwest, rather than tropical Hawaii. Within this stunning park, you will find several campsites as well as a single cabin available for rent.
- Malaekahana Beach Campground
Malaekahana Beach Campground/Facebook Found just 55 yards off Kamehameha Highway between Kahuku and Laie is this 37-acre campground surrounded by ironwood trees and backing up to a pristine white sand beach. The campground has 37 campsites available for tent camping from Friday to Wednesday and will cost you between $12 and $18 per night in permit fees. Enjoy beachfront camping with a food truck and fire pit access as well as gorgeous scenery and even kayak and paddleboard rentals.
- Kiholo State Park Reserve
brewbooks/Flickr This stark, coastal, lava-covered park is home to stunning trails, a breathtaking bay, and some wild camping, accessible via an unimproved gravel access road, with no amenities, and no water — recommended only for those serious campers who prefer isolation over large, close together campsites.
- Koke’e State Park
Rakesh A/Flickr Nestled along the rim of Waimea Canyon between 3,200 and 4,200 feet above sea level, Koke’e State Park is home to some of the prettiest scenery in the Aloha State, incredible hiking, and is the perfect spot for a weekend camping trip any time of year. Whether you choose to go tent camping or stay in a cozy cabin, your trip to Koke’e State Park is sure to be unforgettable.
So, tell us, where is your favorite place to pitch a tent in Hawaii? Is it any of these secluded spots?
David Baron/Flickr
Known for lodging and camping, this park features only short hiking trails, with longer excursions in the neighboring forest reserve. Nestled on the slopes of Mauna Kea near Honoka’a, the Kalopa Forest receives substantial rainfall, resulting in the enchanting and lush native forest you’ll find here. If you aren’t into sleeping in a tent, consider renting a duplex cabin at Kalopa State Recreation Area. These eight-person cabins feature bunk beds, toilet facilities, hot showers, and a recreational dining hall for shared cooking.
K e v i n/Flickr
At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii. While often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches, the secluded spot is the perfect place for a weekend retreat into the wilderness. So, grab your gear, pitch a tent, and spend a few days swimming and fishing.
Joel/Flickr
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens is a little-known 400-acre natural oasis tucked away in Kaneohe perfect for an afternoon stroll. Ho’omaluhia is also home to countless walking and bike trails, a day-use area, campgrounds, and a visitor center with an exhibition hall, workshop, and botanical library. With nearly 30 picturesque campsites to choose from and plenty of restrooms available throughout the garden, you won’t find a bad campsite here.
jshyun/Flickr
Perhaps most famous for its scenic overlook of Kalaupapa, a leper colony with the ocean on one side and giant 1,600-foot cliffs on the other described by Robert Louis Stevenson as a “prison fortified by nature,” Pala’au is a perfect spot for a picnic or camping getaway.
Hawaii DLNR/Website
This landscaped beach park perfect for swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, and other beach activities is also home to cozy four-person A-frame shelters. These shelters consist of a single screened-in room with wooden sleeping platforms and a picnic table. Nearby, you will find an enclosed pavilion with refrigerator, range, and tables. Comfort stations with cold showers and restrooms are also found on site. The perfect blend of rustic and charming, this is one lodging opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Brian/Flickr
If you’re up for a hike, the gorgeous eleven-mile Kalalau trail ends with a wonderful little spot to go camping. However, if you are unable to make it in one day, there is a spot six miles in where you are allowed to set up camp for the night, but only if you have the valid permits. This sounds amazing, but only if you are able to pack light!
Tim Szlachetka/Flickr
Polipoli is perhaps most famous for its breathtaking redwood forest: Located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level is a forest populated by redwood trees that were brought to Hawaii in the 1920s to re-establish the watershed. Winter nights can reach freezing temperatures, and the forests will remind you of America’s Pacific Northwest, rather than tropical Hawaii. Within this stunning park, you will find several campsites as well as a single cabin available for rent.
Malaekahana Beach Campground/Facebook
Found just 55 yards off Kamehameha Highway between Kahuku and Laie is this 37-acre campground surrounded by ironwood trees and backing up to a pristine white sand beach. The campground has 37 campsites available for tent camping from Friday to Wednesday and will cost you between $12 and $18 per night in permit fees. Enjoy beachfront camping with a food truck and fire pit access as well as gorgeous scenery and even kayak and paddleboard rentals.
brewbooks/Flickr
This stark, coastal, lava-covered park is home to stunning trails, a breathtaking bay, and some wild camping, accessible via an unimproved gravel access road, with no amenities, and no water — recommended only for those serious campers who prefer isolation over large, close together campsites.
Rakesh A/Flickr
Nestled along the rim of Waimea Canyon between 3,200 and 4,200 feet above sea level, Koke’e State Park is home to some of the prettiest scenery in the Aloha State, incredible hiking, and is the perfect spot for a weekend camping trip any time of year. Whether you choose to go tent camping or stay in a cozy cabin, your trip to Koke’e State Park is sure to be unforgettable.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 44-3480 Kalaniai Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727, USAAddress: Polihale State Park, Lower Saki Mana Rd, Waimea, HI 96796, USAAddress: Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USAAddress: P?l?‘au State Park, Kalae Hwy, Kualapuu, HI 96757, USAAddress: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USAAddress: N? Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kapa?a, HI 96746, USAAddress: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, Kula, HI 96790, USAAddress: Malaekahana Beach Campground, 56-335 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, USAAddress: K?holo State Park Reserve, 2000 96740, 71-2000 Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USAAddress: K?ke?e State Park, Hanapepe, HI 96716, USA
