Let’s face it—Hawaii can be an expensive place to travel. But if you plan on visiting Kauai we can help you make it a little cheaper!

Our guide to camping in Kauai will tell you everything you need to know about every campsite available on the island!

Well almost all of them.

We were actually sworn to secrecy about a couple of spots—but we’ll tell you how you can find out about these secret campsites below!

North Shore Camping

Kalalau Beach

The most remote campsite on the island just might be the best as well! This off-grid campsite is located at the end of the 11-mile trek that is known as the Kalalau Trail. This epic campsite is only accessible by trail or by kayak (summer months only). You’ll enjoy falling asleep under the stars and waking up to stunning views of the Kalalau Valley in the Nā Pali Coast Wilderness State Park. The best part is you’ll be without hoards of other people around!

• Getting There - Accessible from the North side of the island—you’ll need to park or be dropped off at the Hā’ena State Park and hike the 11 miles from the Kalalau trailhead to the beach. The trail is rated as difficult with many switchbacks and elevation changes that take you through the lush valleys and rugged sea cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast.

• Price - Permits are required to camp at Kalalau Beach. Permits cost $20 USD per person per night ($15 USD for residents of Hawaii) and can be purchased up to 90-days in advance on this state park website. Limited spots are now available for overnight parking at Hā’ena State Park. These overnight parking vouchers are available for $15 USD per day and can also be purchased up to 90-days in advance. You'll need to purchase your camping permits first but once you due head to www.GoHaena.com to purchase your parking vouchers!

• What to Know - Camping is also allowed in the Hanakoa Valley. The maximum length of stay is 5 consecutive nights. Getting dropped off by motorized boat is considered illegal. Not driving? Book a shuttle from either Princeville or the Waipa Park and Ride for only $15 USD! You don’t want to make this 11-mile hike any harder than it already is—so you better pack light. The Kalalau Trail website gives an excellent guide on the essential gear you’ll need!

Ha’ena Beach Park

This beach-front campsite is the closest you’ll find to the start of the Kalalau Trail. The beach offers great snorkelling in the summer months and includes outdoor showers to wash off the salt water. Other amenities include pavilions with sinks, bathrooms and a grassy area to enjoy.

• Getting There - Located near the end of the Kuhio Highway and less than 1 mile from Hā’ena State Park and the start of the Kalalau Trail.

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Hā’ena Beach Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - Unfortunately during our trip this campsite was closed due to storm damage. Check this website to find out if it’s open for your trip!

YMCA Camp Naue

This privately owned campsite was donated to the YMCA by the Mcbryde Sugar Company and is located just 5 minutes from the start of the Kalalau Trail. With hot* (read: ice cold) showers, male and female bathrooms, a barbecue pit and a large pavilion with outdoor sinks—Camp Naue is a great North Shore alternative while Hā’ena Beach Park remains closed.

• Getting There - You will find the entrance to this campground approximately 5 miles past Hanalei Bay along the Kuhio Highway. Turn right onto Alealea Road and look for a big white gate on your left!

• Price - $20 USD per person per night. Reservations are required and can be made by e-mailing campnaue@yahoo.com.

• What to Know - Check-in is no later than 6 p.m. and they only accept cash. They also advised us that all dates are subject to change due to last minute group/private event reservations and that updates may only be made at the sign-in station. This could potentially lead to your reservation being cancelled without notice and leaving you with no where else to camp!

Hanalei Blackpot Park

This small park is located right next to the mouth of the Hanalei River and is only open for camping from 12 p.m. on Fridays to 10 a.m. on Sundays. Includes comfort stations, cold showers and picnic tables.

• Getting There - Located in the town of Hanalei. Take Weke Road towards the Hanalei Pier. Continue past the Hanalei Pavilion to the end of the road.

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Hanalei Blackpot Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - Only available on weekends and holidays. This campsite is closed until further notice due to storm damage. Check the County of Kauai website for updates!

Anini Beach Park

Located near the clear and calm waters of Anini Beach this county run campsite offers pavilions, comfort stations, cold showers and picnic tables. Anini Beach is reef protected which makes it a great spot for swimming and snorkelling!

• Getting There - In between the towns of Kilauea and Princeville. Turn onto Kalihiwai Road after passing the big bridge and then take your first left onto Anini Road. The campsite is located past the boat ramp after the first two pavilions.

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Anini Beach Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - This campsite only allows ground tents—meaning if you book with a company such as Kauai Overlander you will not be able to use their rooftop tents. Luckily, they have ground tents available upon request! Anini Beach Park is closed from 10 a.m. on Tuesdays to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays for maintenance.

East Shore Camping

Kumu Camp Anahola

This rustic campsite will have you waking up at the edge of the beautiful Anahola Bay. Kumu Camp is a non-profit organization with all proceeds going to the Hawaiian Home Land Trust and the Anahola Region of Kauai. Their amenities include covered pavilions, fire pits, picnic tables and bathrooms with hot showers!

• Getting There - Located in the town of Anahola. From the Kuhio Highway turn onto Anahola Road—then take your third left onto Poha Road and follow it to the end!

• Price - Campsites 1-7 are $20 USD per person per night for the first two people and an extra $10 USD per person per night for each additional person up to a maximum of six people. Campsites 8-18 are $15 USD per person per night for the first two people and an extra $10 USD for each additional person up to a maximum of six people.

• What to Know - Campsites can accommodate ground tents, camper vans and trucks with rooftop tents. Check out their website for glamping options such as Yurts, Bungalows and something called a Rustic Tentalow!

Anahola Beach Park

This small park is located near the homes of Anahola and includes amenities such as a comfort station, cold showers and picnic tables. Located at the south end of Anahola Bay—you’ll have access to great swimming and snorkelling during your stay!

• Getting There - Follow the directions for Kumu Camp Anahola above but instead of turning onto Poha Road continue on Anahola Road until you reach the park!

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Anahola Beach Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - The campground is closed from 10 a.m. on Thursdays until 12 p.m. on Fridays for maintenance.

Lydgate Beach Park

These campsites can be found near Lydgate Beach between the towns of Lihue and Kapa’a. Looking to explore some of the waterfalls found in our 5-Day Kauai Travel Itinerary? This campsite is the closest to all of these great waterfalls as well as the Sleeping Giant Trailhead.

• Getting There - From Lihue, head North on the Kuhio Highway for approximately 6.5 miles. Turn right on Leho Drive and then take your first right again onto Nehe Road to find the campsite.

• Price - $25 USD per person per night for non-residents of Hawaii and only $5 USD for residents! Group camping is also available for groups of 20-200 at a price of $150 USD for non-residents and $75 USD for residents.

• What to Know - 10’x10’ sites accommodate up to 5 campers and 20’x20’ accommodate up to 10 campers. This campsite is closed from Tuesdays at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursdays. Check out this website for more information on how to obtain your camping permit.

Hanama’ulu Beach Park

This campsite at Hanamā’ulu Bay is the located just north of Lihue Airport and has comfort stations, cold showers, pavilions and picnic tables!

• Getting There - Head North on the Kuhio Highway and turn right onto Hanamā’ulu Road across from the Hanamā’ulu Cafe and next to the 7-11. Turn right on Hehi Road and follow it until you reach the park!

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Hanamā’ulu Beach Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - This campground is closed for camping until further notice and is currently open for day use only. Check the County of Kauai website for more information on whether it is open for your trip!

South and West Shore Camping

Salt Pond Park

This South Shore campground has comfort stations, pavilions. cold showers and picnic tables. It’s also known as a great spot for swimming and snorkelling!

• Getting There - Take the Kaumuali’i Highway just past the town of Hanapepe and turn left on Lele Road. Take the second right onto Lokokai/Salt Pond Road and follow this to the end.

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Salt Pond Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - Camping is designated to the left side of the park. The campground closes each Tuesday at 10 a.m. for maintenance and reopens at 12 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Lucy Wright Park

Near the town of Waimea, this campsite has a pavilion, a comfort station, cold showers and picnic tables. While there are better beaches for swimming and snorkelling—this black sand beach is known as a good area for surfing!

• Getting There - Take the Kaumuali’i Highway to the town of Waimea. Turn left onto Alawai Road after passing the bridge. The campsite can be found on the left!

• Price - You must obtain a county permit to camp at Lucy Wright Park. Permits cost $3 USD per adult per night and can be purchased from a local neighbourhood centre. A list of neighbourhood centres on Kauai can be found here. Free for residents of Hawaii!

• What to Know - The campground is closed every Monday from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

Polihale State Park

If you’ve been wondering which campsite was our favourite on Kauai—then look no further! The camping at Polihale Beach is definitely worth the bumpy drive you’ll need to endure to get there. This pristine beach has an impressive backdrop of sea cliffs and while you don’t need a four-wheel drive vehicle to get here it will allow you to access more remote areas of the beach. Some amenities include pavilions, bathrooms and outdoor showers. Falling asleep to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean and waking up to the incredible views easily made this one of our ‘Favourite Campsites Around the World’!

• Getting There - Follow the Kaumuali’i Highway all the way to end until it turns into Kao Road. Kao Road then turns into Kiko Road and you will take your first left onto Lower Saki Mana Road. This long and extremely bumpy dirt road will take you directly to Polihale State Park!

• Price - For non-residents the fee is $18 USD per campsite per night for up to six people. An extra $3 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $30 USD. For residents of Hawaii the fee is $12 USD per campsite per night for up to six people. An extra $2 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $20 USD. Go to this website to purchase your permit!

• What to Know - After some discussions with the Kauai Visitors Bureau it’s possible that rooftop tents may not be allowed here anymore. Due to the rough terrain, some rental car companies may prohibit driving to Polihale State Park. Make sure you check with your rental company before you go!

Koke’e State Park Camping

The Meadow

This campground is one of four located in Koke’e State Park. The Meadow campground offers the easiest access to all of the great hikes and viewpoints listed in our ‘5-Day Kauai Adventure Travel Itinerary’. Amenities include picnic tables, bathrooms, cold showers and a communal pavilion. It’s also within walking distance to the Koke’e Lodge which is open for breakfast and lunch!

• Getting There - As you drive along Koke’e Road, take your first left past the Koke’e Lodge and Natural History Museum onto Muhihi Road. This short road will lead you right into The Meadow campground.

• Price - A permit for Koke’e State Park is required to camp at this campground. For non-residents a permit costs $18 USD per campsite for the first 6 people. An extra $3 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $30 USD. For residents of Hawaii the fee is $12 USD per campsite for the first 6 people. An extra $2 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $20 USD.

• What to Know - You will not have cell service at any of the campgrounds in Koke’e State Park but there is a payphone located at the Koke’e Lodge. Due to the higher elevation—you can expect the temperature to be approximately 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit colder in Koke’s State Park and Waimea Canyon!

Sugi Grove and Waiakoali Campgrounds

Looking for an escape to a quiet campground? At the Sugi Grove and Waiakoali campsites, quiet is exactly what you’ll find! Both campsites include a pavilion, picnic tables, a composting toilet and as many stars as you can count.

• Getting There - Take your second right after you pass the Koke’e Lodge and Natural History Museum. Keep left at the fork to stay on Muhihi Road. Follow Muhihi Road for approximately 4 miles. You’ll need to cross over the stream to find the Sugi Grove campsite. The Waiakoali campground can be found approximately 1 mile past Sugi Grove.

• Price - A permit for Koke’e State Park is required to camp at both campgrounds. For non-residents a permit costs $18 USD per campsite for the first 6 people. An extra $3 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $30 USD. For residents of Hawaii the fee is $12 USD per campsite for the first 6 people. An extra $2 USD will be charged for each additional person up to a maximum of $20 USD.

• What to Know - Based on the location of these campgrounds we recommend having a 4x4 vehicle if you choose to camp at either site!

YWCA Camp Sloggett

Camp Sloggett offers a covered fire pit, picnic tables and bathrooms with hot showers while being a cheaper option than the Koke’e State Park campgrounds.

• Getting There - Take the first right after the Koke’e Lodge and Natural History Museum. Follow this dirt road for approximately 1/2 mile and look for the wooden Camp Sloggett sign. Turn right at the sign and follow this road into the campground!

• Price - Camping at Camp Sloggett costs $15 USD per night. Reservation requests can be made through their website but walk-in guests can usually be accommodated.

• What to Know - Travelling with a larger group? Check out their other options such as the Cottage, Sloggett Lodge and Mokihana.

Secret Campsites

If you’re really looking to explore the island like a local then you’ll definitely want to find some secret campsites. While we do know of a few—if we told you about them they wouldn’t be so secret! However, since we do want you to enjoy some of these hidden gems, we’ve decided to include a couple options to help you in your search.

• Option 1 - Befriend the locals. Nobody knows the island better than the people who live there! If you really want to find the best spots—we suggest you make some new friends on your trip and hopefully they will be kind enough to share their favourite campsites!

• Option 2 - Book with Kauai Overlander! We spent our 5 days cruising around the island with our rooftop tent and absolutely loved every minute of it. Each rental includes a camp guide that shows many of the sites listed above as well as a few secret campgrounds! If you choose to book with them—our only request is that you keep these FREE campsites a secret. The more people that know about them, the more chance they will be shut down or over-regulated by the state.

Final Thoughts

Maybe you’re looking to save money on your trip to Hawaii or perhaps you want to experience Kauai in a way that will get you out of your comfort zone and allow you to see as much of the island as possible. Whatever your reason is for choosing to camp on your trip to Kauai—we hope this guide helps you find all the best spots!