Camping in Hawaii takes a permit almost everywhere, and every agency runs its own system: the state, each county, and the national parks. Pick an island to see who runs each campground, what it costs, when you can book, and the rules that trip people up.
Every fact links to the official page it came from, checked Nov. 10, 2026. State parks moved to a new reservation site, Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi, for stays from Feb. 1, 2026. Source: DLNR State Parks
Oʻahu
State parktent
Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana, Mālaekahana, Keaīwa Heiau, Sand Island
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people
- When you can book
- Up to 30 days ahead
- Key rules
- No state-park camping on Oʻahu Wednesday and Thursday nights. Sand Island is Friday to Sunday nights only. Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa).
Source: DLNR Oʻahu camping
City & County of Honolulutent
17 county campgrounds (218 sites)
- Fee
- $10 per day per site (up to 10 people), plus a $5 admin fee per permit since July 1, 2026, plus a card fee. Permits are 3 days (Friday to Monday 8 a.m.) or 5 days (Friday to Wednesday 8 a.m.). DPR's camping page still shows older totals based on the $2 fee.
- When you can book
- Opens 5 p.m. HST on the Friday two weeks before; online sales close the Thursday before
- Key rules
- No camping Wednesday afternoon to Friday morning. Up to 10 people, 2 tents and 3 vehicles. Must be 18+. One permit per weekend. No refunds unless DPR closes the campground.
Source: Honolulu DPR Camping · ROH § 10-2.10 · DPR fee notice
State forest reservetent
DLNR Forestry forest-reserve sites
- Fee
- A fee is required (no free camping). Fees are shown per site on the reservation system.
- When you can book
- See the reservation system
- Key rules
- Remote sites reached by hiking or 4WD, with few or no amenities. Print your permit.
Kauaʻi
State parktent
Kōkeʻe State Park
Status: DLNR's Nov. 10, 2026 notice says Kōkeʻe reopened Nov. 7 for daylight hours, but all Kauaʻi state-park camping remains closed except Kalalau.
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa).
Source: DLNR Kauaʻi camping · DLNR park notices
State parktent
Polihale State Park
Status: Camping suspended until further notice.
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa).
No online booking.
Source: DLNR Kauaʻi camping
State parkbackpacking
Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park (Kalalau)
Status: Reopened to permitted overnight camping on Nov. 2, 2026.
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $25, non-residents $35, per person per night
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead (subject to change); sells out early, especially in summer
- Key rules
- Permits are issued for Kalalau and are also valid at Hanakoa. Max 5 nights, and no 2 nights in a row at Hanakoa. Going past Hanakāpīʻai needs a camping permit. Parking or shuttle reservations at Hāʻena are separate.
Book: Go Hāʻena (parking/shuttle)
Source: DLNR Nāpali special rules · DLNR park notices
County of Kauaʻitent
ʻAnini, Anahola, Salt Pond and Lydgate
Status: Salt Pond Park is closed until further notice.
- Fee
- ʻAnini, Anahola, Salt Pond: $3 per adult per night for non-residents; Hawaii residents with state ID and kids under 18 are exempt. Lydgate: $5 per site per day (residents) or $25 (non-residents); group area $75 or $150 per day.
- When you can book
- See the county booking page
- Key rules
- Pay by card when you book; no refunds. Weekly maintenance closures: ʻAnini Wed 10 a.m. to Thu noon, Anahola Thu 10 a.m. to Fri noon, Lydgate Tue 10 a.m. to Thu noon. Permittee must be 18+.
Source: County of Kauaʻi Camping
Hawaiʻi Island
State parktent, cabin
Kalōpā State Recreation Area
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people (currently 6 people per site on Hawaiʻi Island)
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa). Cabins: no linens, bedding or towels.
Source: DLNR Hawaiʻi Island camping
State parktent
Kīholo State Park Reserve
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people (currently 6 people per site)
- When you can book
- Up to 30 days ahead
- Key rules
- Weekends only. Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa).
Source: DLNR Hawaiʻi Island camping
State parkcabin
Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area (A-frame shelters)
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $40, non-residents $70, per shelter per night
- When you can book
- See the reservation system
- Key rules
- 4-person screened shelters with sleeping platforms; shared cold showers.
Source: DLNR Hawaiʻi Island camping
County of Hawaiʻitent, cabin
10 county beach parks, plus Mauna Kea cabins and bunkhouse
- Fee
- Residents: $6 adult, $3 junior (13-17), $1 child per night. Non-residents: $21 adult or junior, $20 child (12 and under) per night. A $1 per adult/junior per day processing fee is included. Mauna Kea cabin $75 ($150 non-resident) per night; bunkhouse $240 ($480).
- When you can book
- See the county reservation system
- Key rules
- No free camping in county parks. Permits can't be bought at the parks. Resident rates need a Hawaii ID. Have your permit printed or on your phone.
Book: County reservation system
Source: County of Hawaiʻi camping reservations · County Parks & Recreation
National parktent, cabin
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Nāmakanipaio
- Fee
- Drive-in sites $15 per night; park entrance fees also apply
- When you can book
- First come, first served for campsites; camper cabins require reservations
- Key rules
- Run by Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Lodge Company (Volcano House). Max 7 days. Fires in barbecue pits only. 4,000 ft: cold, damp nights.
Source: NPS: Campgrounds · NPS: Fees
National parktent
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Kulanaokuaiki
- Fee
- $10 per site per night ($5 with Senior or Access pass); park entrance fees also apply
- When you can book
- First come, first served (9 sites)
- Key rules
- No water. No fires. Max 7 nights in a row. Pay at the self-registration station.
No online booking.
Source: NPS: Campgrounds
Maui
State parktent, cabin
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa). One high-elevation cabin for up to 8; no electricity.
Source: DLNR Maui camping
State parktent, cabin, camper van
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Status: As of Nov. 5, 2026, camper-van camping and the eastern parking area are closed for improvements.
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people. Cabins: $70 residents, $100 non-residents, per cabin per night.
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa). Cabins sleep 6; bring your own linens.
Source: DLNR Maui camping · DLNR park notices
County of Mauitent
County campgrounds
- Fee
- Not published here. Maui County's site blocked our check, so we couldn't confirm current fees.
- When you can book
- Not published here
- Key rules
- Check with Maui County Parks & Recreation before you go.
Book: Maui County Park Permits
Source: Maui County Park Permits
National parktent
Haleakalā: Hosmer Grove (summit)
- Fee
- $20 per site per night
- When you can book
- Reservation required on Recreation.gov
- Key rules
- Max 3 nights in a row, and 3 nights per 30 days across the whole park. 6 people and 2 tents per site. No pets. ~7,000 ft: cold and wet. Your reservation includes a sunrise viewing reservation the next morning.
Source: NPS: Hosmer Grove · NPS: Haleakalā camping
National parktent
Haleakalā: Kīpahulu (coast)
- Fee
- $20 per site per night
- When you can book
- Reservation required, on a 30-day rolling basis, on Recreation.gov
- Key rules
- Same 3-night limits as Hosmer Grove. 20 sites. No stream entry anywhere in the park. Check in after 2 p.m.
Source: NPS: Kīpahulu
Molokaʻi
State parktent
Pālāʻau State Park
- Fee
- Hawaii residents $20, non-residents $30, per campsite per night, up to 10 people
- When you can book
- Up to 90 days ahead
- Key rules
- Max 5 nights in a row at one park, then a 30-day wait. One site per park at a time. No sleeping in vehicles (except a small camper-van area at Waiʻānapanapa).
Source: DLNR Molokaʻi camping
Rules that apply almost everywhere
- No free camping in state parks, state forest reserves or Hawaiʻi County parks. Source: DLNR reservations Source: County of Hawaiʻi
- Buy your permit before you go. State and Hawaiʻi County permits aren't sold at the campgrounds.
- Carry your permit, printed or on your phone, as each agency requires.
- You can't sleep in your car at state-park campgrounds. Source: DLNR
Packing for island camping
Expect rain, wind and strong sun, often on the same day, and cold nights at elevation (Hosmer Grove is near 7,000 ft). Check the TSA "What Can I Bring?" list before you pack camp-stove fuel or stoves for a flight.
backpacking tent with full rainflyRain is common, especially on windward coasts and uplandslightweight rain jacket packableFor sudden showersheadlamp rechargeableCampgrounds are darkwater filter for hikingFor backcountry sites with no waterdry bags for campingKeep gear dry on the beachwarm sleeping bag 30 degreeSummit and upland nights get coldmineral sunscreenStrong sun on open beaches
These links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop merch
Island camp shirts and stickers are coming soon. Nothing for sale here yet.