Experience Lagoons, Camping, And A Massive Wooden Playground At Hawaii’s Lydgate Park

From cascading waterfalls and the inviting turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean to lush rain forests and mountain peaks, breathtaking natural beauty abounds on the Hawaiian Islands. And nowhere will you find more breathtaking scenery than within Hawaii’s countless incredible parks. With more than 50 state parks, waysides, recreation areas, monuments, and historic sites, there are countless Hawaiian parks to choose from - including one of our absolute favorites: Lydgate Beach Park.

Nestled on the eastern coast of Kauai, Lydgate State Park is home to breathtaking natural beauty and is the perfect place to get away from it all - for just an afternoon or an entire weekend.

This spot is one of the most popular on Kauai’s eastern shore and it’s easy to see why as soon as you arrive. Not only is the surrounding landscape gorgeous, but you will discover a one-of-a-kind lagoon along the shore divided into an inner and outer section by two man-made rock walls.

The inner pool is shallow and perfect for children, while the outer pool is deeper and perfect for snorkeling and swimming, as you are protected from the waves of the open ocean but the rock walls still allow small reef fish to move into the pond, almost guaranteeing you’ll see a variety of tropical fish. There’s a lifeguard tower overlooking both pools and there’s truly no better place to make a splash.

Lydgate Beach Park is also home to a grassy field where locals like to play frisbee and fly kites. Sprawl out and enjoy the breeze in your hair and the sun on your face.

But that’s not all you’ll find here: built by 7,000 local volunteers in 1994 is the 16,000 square foot Kalamani Playground as well as a second playground that features an epic bridge over the road. Keiki will love playing here.

A 2.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle path along the coast is perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll or morning bike ride, and there are several pavilions with picnic tables to enjoy a snack.

You’ll even discover several historic sites here, including the remains of the Hikinaakala Heiau, a temple that dates back as far as 800 A.D. and the remains of Hauola, a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiians who broke laws.

And if you want to turn your beach day into an entire weekend, you can do so here. Camping permits must be obtained through the mail or at any of the five permitting locations on the island and cost $5 per night if you are a Hawaii resident and $25 per night if you’re not a resident of the Aloha State.

So, what are you waiting for? If you haven't visited Lydgate Beach Park yet, you're missing out — especially if you're looking to get away from it all for the weekend.

Address: Leho Drive, Lihue, HI 96766

Lydgate Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Have you ever been to this picturesque park before? What is your favorite Hawaiian park? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.