If you really want to experience Hawaii, try sleeping outdoors! Or, you may get lucky and win the lottery to camp for a night in one of the Halekala Crater cabins in Haleakala National Park, on Maui!
Try Hawaiian camping in cabins in
Volcanoes National
Park, on the big island of Hawaii. All the islands have nice camp grounds,
and all the islands except Lanai have county and state parks that allow camping.
Obtain info and apply for permit to: Parks and Recreation, 4444 Rice St. Moikeha Bldg, Suite 150, Lihue, Hawaii 96766; phone (808) 241-6660 fax (808) 241-6807, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. Permits for U.S. mainland visitors can be obtained through the mail with a certified check or money order. Please allow 30 days prior to leaving on your vacation.
State of Hawaii campgrounds
The three state parks are: Na Pali coast, Kokee State Park, and Polihale State Park. For information, write to the Division of State Parks, 3060 Eiwa St. Rm 306, Lihue, Hawaii 96766; phone (808) 274-3445. They will send an information packet if you include a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Twelve beach parks are open for camping year-round, but are closed from 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning to 8 a.m. Friday (no camping on Wednesday or Thursday nights). Free permits are issued two weeks in advance by applying in person at the Department of Parks and Recreation at 650 S. King St. in Honolulu, or at any one of the City Halls on Oahu. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Limit is one permit which allows a maximum of ten (10) persons, children included, and two (2) tents may be erected. Call (808) 523-4525 for more info.
State of Hawaii campgrounds
Haleiwa, Malaekahana beach, Sand Island and Aiea Heights are the state campgrounds on Oahu. They are also closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Free permits may be obtained a week in advance, with a limit of 10 people per campsite and a five-day limit. Write or visit the Division of Parks, 1151 Punchbowl St. Rm. 131, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, phone (808) 587-0300, fax (808) 587-0311.
Molokai camping
County of Maui (includes Molokai and Lanai) campgrounds
Molokai has two great campgrounds: One Alii and Papohaku Beach Park. For information and permits, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748; phone (808) 553-3204, fax (808) 553-3206.
State of Hawaii
Palaau State Park. Free permits may be obtained by writing the Division of Parks, P.O. Box 153, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748; phone (808) 984-8109, fax (808) 984-8111.
County of Maui (includes Molokai and Lanai) campgrounds
Lanai only has private campgrounds. Contact the Lanai Company, P.O. Box 310, Lanai City, Hawaii 96763; phone: (808) 565-3982.
Maui camping
County of Maui campgrounds
Just one county campground on Maui: Kanaha beach park. write or appear at the Department of Parks and Recreation, War Memorial Gym, 1580-C Kaahumanu Avenue, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793; phone (808) 270-7389, fax (808) 243-7982.
State of Hawaii
Waianapanapa (near Hana) and Polipoli Springs both have cabins and reservations must be made way in advance. write to the Division of Parks, 54 S. High St.. Room 101, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793; phone (808) 984-8109, fax (808) 984-8111. We have pictures of Polipoli on our Hawaii pictures and wallpaper page.
Hosmer Grove Campround, Kipahulu Campground, Wilderness Campgrounds, Paliku, and Holua. Free camping is allowed on a first-come, first-served basis in designated areas only. Permits are required for the wilderness campgrounds and MUST be obtained the day of the trip at Park Headquarters between 8 am and 3 pm. No permit is required for either Hosmer Grove or Kipahulu Campground. A monthly lottery is held for reservations for the cabins in Haleakala National Park. Cabins are rented to only one group per night. Only one request PER GROUP is accepted. To enter each monthly lottery, your legibly written request must be received 2 months prior to the first day of the month for which you are requesting a reservation. A separate request is needed for each month. NO phone or fax requests are accepted. Mail your request to:
To increase your chances of winning, be flexible with dates requested. Most requests are for weekend or holiday nights, and summer months are the busiest. You will be notified in writing only if you have won a reservation. A waiting list is NOT maintained, Calls regarding cabin cancellations and vacancies are ONLY accepted between 1 - 3 pm daily. A credit card (MasterCard or Visa) is required to secure a vacancy date by phone. You may also check on cancellations in person. Permits are paid for and issued in advance. Full payment must be received by the Park 3 weeks prior to your reservation or it will be canceled. NO REFUNDS or changes can be made to the permit after the 3 week deadline. A signed Cabin Use Agreement must be submitted with your fees. Your permit will be mailed to you when your fees are received, or you can pick it up at Park Headquarters. The cabin fee for 1 - 6 people is $40 per night for the group. The fee for 7 - 12 people is $80 per night. You should pay for the maximum group size you anticipate as NO CHANGES can be made after the 3 week deadline. Educational and scout groups may request advance reservations for the campgrounds. Educational institutions may request advance cabin reservations. Contact the Cabin Ranger at Haleakala National Park (see above address and phone number) for information. Further information on all of Hawaii's national parks is also available in Honolulu at:
National Park Service
Pacific Islands Support Office
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Box 50165
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850-0053
phone (808) 541-2693
Hawaii big island camping
County of Hawaii (big island)
The county of Hawaii has a web site where you can get info and permits: County of Hawaii camping permits. This site also has campsite availability info that is up-to-date.
State of Hawaii
Cabins may be rented at Mauna Kea and Kalopa and A-Frame shelters at Hapuna. Reservations are taken a year in advance at the Division of State Parks, 75 Aupuni St., Hilo, Hawaii 96720; phone (808) 974-6200, from 8 a.m. till noon. Reservations for tent camping sites are also available.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two campgrounds, available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as a dozen cabins. For information, write to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii 96718; phone (808) 985-6000, or visit the
Volcanoes National Park web site. This site about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has some good info too.
