Private & Secluded Camping in Hawaii: 10 Remote Campgrounds
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Megan Shute
Author
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 in Hawaii. 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, 44-3480 Kalaniai Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727, USA
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.
Check out Kalopa Forest State Park for a beautiful hike in this quiet remote forest of Honokaa, HI:
Check out Kalopa Forest State Park for a beautiful hike in this quiet remote forest of Honokaa, HI:
Polihale State Park, Lower Saki Mana Rd, Waimea, HI 96796, USA
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.
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Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, 45-680 Luluku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
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.
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Pala'au State Park, Kalae Hwy, Kualapuu, HI 96757, USA
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, Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
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.
Watch this tour of the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area and the Hapuna Beach in this video from fabulous Travels:
Watch this tour of the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area and the Hapuna Beach in this video from fabulous Travels:
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Nal Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai County, HI, USA
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 valid permits. This sounds amazing, but only if you are able to pack light!
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area, Kula, HI 96790, USA
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, 56-335 Kamehameha Hwy, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
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 tent and vehicle camping spots available and runs about $10 per person 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.
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Kiholo State Park, , 2000 96740, 71-2000 Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
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. Kiholo State Park is recommended only for those serious campers who prefer isolation over large, close-together campsites.
Koke'e State Park Campground, Campground, 4187 Muhihi Rd, Waimea, HI 96796, USA
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 Aloha State. You'll enjoy incredible hiking, and it's the perfect spot for a weekend camping trip any time of year. Whether you choose to go tent camping in Hawaii or stay in a cozy cabin, your trip to Koke’e State Park is sure to be unforgettable.
Let's set out on the beautiful Awa'awapuhi Trail in Koke’e State Park in this video from The Hiking HI:
Let's set out on the beautiful Awa'awapuhi Trail in Koke’e State Park in this video from The Hiking HI:
So, tell us, where is your favorite place to pitch a tent in Hawaii? Have you ever been to any of these secluded campgrounds in Hawaii? Share your best spots with us in a comment.
Another amazing spot to camp in Hawaii is at the base of the Wai’anae mountains at Camp Pālehua in Kapolei, HI.
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More to Explore
More fantastic camping spots in Hawaii
What are some of the best campgrounds in Hawaii?
Just about any island in Hawaii will have outstanding camping — some may be harder to get to than others. But if you are up for an adventure, Hawaii will definitely deliver. Here are a few of the best camping spots in Hawaii for your next outdoor island adventure:
- Na Pali State Park, Kauai, HI: This remote island camping spot in Kauai is only accessible after an 11-mile hike. If you aren't up for the full journey, there is a spot about halfway through the hike to camp as well.
- Bellows Field Beach Park, Oahu, HI: This spot is a unique area to enjoy private camping on Oahu. During the week, it is a military training area, but during the weekends, it opens up for camping to residents of Hawaii. It's not often you can say you camped on a military training beach. Because it is so restricted, the views are incredible and the beach is pristine.
- Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Oahu, HI: Another amazing spot on Oahu is this gorgeous botanical garden. It is like staying on a tropical island - oh, wait you actually are! The Ko'olau Mountains are stunning when mist depends down into the valley.
- Pala’au State Park, Molokai, HI: Molokai is a remote secluded island untouched by heavy tourist traffic. The camping in this area is primitive, quiet, and gorgeous. Take the trail through the ironwood forest to Kalaupapa Lookout with views 1,000 feet above Kalalupapa.
Read more about these secluded camping locations in Hawaii in this article of 12 places to camp in Hawaii away from the crowds.