The city and county of Honolulu that makes up for most of the island of Oahu houses some stunning grounds for the locals and visitors to set up their camps and live the experience of aloha amidst its natural magnificence. Its lush forests, campgrounds, clean beaches and mountain ranges can offer a once in a lifetime experience when you step out for camping in Honolulu. The Hawaiian greenery and the enchanted aura here can bring you closer to experience Aloha. With over 15 peaceful and protected camping sites in the county limit, it becomes a paradise for nature lovers. So, the article aims to curate 9 of the best campsites for the visitors opting for camping in Honolulu.
9 Best Sites for Camping in Honolulu
1. Bellows Field Beach Park: Camp Around the Sand Turtles
Available for campers from 12 noon on Fridays, this beautiful campground is located on the stretch of windward beach. A part of an active military training area, the Bellows Field Beach Park can be accessed by the public on weekdays as well as on national holidays. Get your permits from the city and county of Honolulu to enjoy a unique camping experience of 3 days with the beautiful sand beach lining the grounds. Guarded by the lifeguards the ocean here offers a great place for surfers and kayaks to ride its changing waves. Rich in marine life, campers can find interesting jellyfish and pupu pani (corkshells) along the shores as they get blown by the strong currents of the Pacific. Bellows also serve as a home for the Pacific mole crab commonly known as sand turtles. The campground has open showers for the campers as it sets out to offer the best camping in Honolulu.
Access: 41-043 Kalaniana'ole Highway, Waimanalo, Hawaii 96795
Park Time: 6:00 Am to 8:00 Pm
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 25Permit Cost: $ 32
2. Kahua Kuou: Green Camping in Honolulu
Located in the same scenic rainforest park Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, the Kahua Lehua campground provides the campers with an opportunity to camp amidst the lush greenery for 3 days among shrubberies innate to Hawaii Nei. You can access this campground like all the other ones from Friday through Monday with a printed copy of the permit from the city and county of Honolulu. You can engage in some hiking adventure while you camp in this secluded spot of the island. There is a chance for you to find campsites for reservation even if all the other campgrounds around are booked. So, be prepared for the unexpected rains and varieties of mosquito repellents to make your experience of camping in Honolulu a flawless dream. You can hang out around the lake while you take in the greenery around you. While you are here, stick to the regulations regarding the quiet period at night and don’t kindle an open fire or bonfire of any kind to avoid yourself getting into some expensive troubles!
Access: 45-680 Luluku Road, Kane'ohe, Hawaii 96744
Park Time: 24 Hours
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 3
Permit Cost: $ 32
3. Kahua Lehua: Rainforest Camping
Loacted in the same scenic rainforest park Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, the Kahua Lehua campground provides the campers with an opportunity to camp amidst the lush greenery for 3 days among shrubberies innate to Hawaii Nei. You can access this campground like all the other ones from Friday through Monday with a printed copy of the permit from the city and county of Honolulu. You can engage in some hiking adventure while you camp in this secluded spot of the island. There is a chance for you to find campsites for reservation even if all the other campgrounds around are booked. So, be prepared for the unexpected rains and varieties of mosquito repellents to make your experience of camping in Honolulu a flawless dream. You can hang out around the lake while you take in the greenery around you. While you are here, stick to the regulations regarding the quiet period at night and don’t kindle an open fire or bonfire of any kind to avoid yourself getting into some expensive troubles!
Access: 45-680 Luluku Road, Kane'ohe, Hawaii 96744
Park Time: 24 Hours
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 3
Permit Cost: $ 32
4. Kahua Nui-Makai: Largest in Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens
One of the three prominent camps in the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Kahua Nui-Makai is the largest campground hosted by the rainforest. It is a legend when it comes to the beauty of Aloha state. Equipped with picnic tables, fire circles, comfort stations and outdoor showers, all 6 campsites shower the campers with a comfortable and peaceful time amidst the green. You will need a printed copy of the permit to set your tents inside this picturesque location. Like all the other campgrounds administered by the city and council of Honolulu, this one also remains closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This largest campground in the rainforests has many gems of beautiful mountains and green meadows making it a desirable location for camping in Honolulu. The place brings you closer to the experience of aloha. So, pack your bags and plan your camping here to get away from the mundane.
Access: 45-680 Luluku Road, Kane'ohe, Hawaii 96744
Park Time: 24 Hours
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 6
Permit Cost: $ 32
5. Kaiaka Bay Beach Park: Camping and Tide Pools
Kaika Beach park, sited at the mouth of the Waialua River is a prominent campground under the city and county of Honolulu offering 5 days of enriching camping experience amidst shades of trees. Campers can enjoy a good surfing and fishing session while camping in any of its 4 campsites. With changing current conditions of the Pacific, the lifeguards can suggest no swimming for campers during your stay. But, a cosy tent along the shoreline can always cover up for the adventure. Book your campsites in advance to dodge the frequent housefull hosted by this very popular campground. You can enjoy their comfort stations and open showers to experience the natural aura of Oahu. The tide pools, picnic tables & a unique rock formation serve as some of the key highlights to these 53 acres of green grass & white shoreline.
Access: 66-449 Hale'iwa Road, Hale'iwa, Hawaii 96712
Park Time: 7:00 Am-6:45 Pm
Camping time: 5-day camping (Friday through Wednesday)
Campsites: 4
Permit Cost: $ 52
6. Kalaeloa Beach Park: Surf and Camp
With easy access from the main road, the Kalaeloa Beach Park is the most convenient campground for both visitors and locals after their exploration of glamourous cities of Oahu. The beach park is equipped with picnic tables and is lined with scenic palm trees shadowing the blue ocean. A picturesque and aesthetic spot to embrace the tropical vibes, the beach park offers you to set up your camps for 3 days of absolute fun and calm. Take your permits and head out to the Eisenhower road to reach this beautiful campground. All of the seven campsites hosted by the park provide a comfortable stay. You can enjoy the ocean as it mostly remains appropriate for water adventures depending on the weather conditions. The lifeguards on site guards and ensure the safety measures for a good surfing session during your quiet and remote camping experience here.
Access: Eisenhower Rd, Ewa Beach, Hawaii 96706
Park Time: 24 Hours
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 7
Permit Cost: $ 32
7. Kokololio Beach Park: Picturesque Camping in Honolulu
A vastly popular and in-demand option for camping in Honolulu county, Kokololio Beach Park is a beautiful stretch by the Pacific offering 3 campsites for 5 days of fulfilling camping experience. This windy spot is lined with palm and other lush trees which further makes it a beautiful camping experience. The green lawns before the gorgeous stretch of white sand hosts your tents, open showers and comfort stations. This mellow campground by the beach is a secluded and quiet place for the nature lovers. You can enjoy some light swimming and hiking around the campground during the day. Nearby to many attractions of Oahu island, the beach park is an idyllic and picturesque destination for those seeking camping in Honolulu county and city.
Access: 55-017 Kamehameha Highway, La'ie, Hawaii 96762
Park Time: 7:00 Am – 7:00 Pm
Camping time: 5-day camping (Friday through Wednesday)
Campsites: 3
Permit Cost: $ 52
8. Kualoa A Regional Park: With a View of Koolau Mountains
One of the two campgrounds located on the 150-acre peninsula of Kualoa Bay, Kualoa A campground is a smaller and lush space with 4 camping sites available for booking. It serves as a host to children camps during the summers and remains closed for public access. It reopens for the Labour day weekend after being prohibited from the Memorial Day weekend. On other days you can get a permit from the city and county of Honolulu to enjoy 3 days of camping bliss. One of the campsites aligns with ADA (American’s with disabilities act). Backed with a majestic view of the Koolau mountains, this campground provides comfort stations and outdoor showers. You cannot take dogs or any other pet animals with you but you can take service animals upon showing valid certificates. So, gear up with your tents and other equipment to enjoy your 3 days of camping in Honolulu amidst the shades of lush trees and picturesque mountains.
Access: 49-479 Kamehameha Highway, Kane'ohe, Hawaii 96744
Park Time: 7:00 Am-8:00 Pm
Camping time: 3-day camping (Friday through Monday)
Campsites: 4
Permit Cost: $ 32
9. Kualoa B Regional Park: Experiencing Aloha
Located adjacent to legendary Hawaiian fishponds, this second Kualoa campground faces the legendary Oahu islet Chinaman’s Hat locally known as Mokoli'i. This campground with 8 beautiful campsites allows you to engage in a long 5-day camping experience in Honolulu. Featuring two ADA accessible campsites, outdoor showers and comfort station, the campground is a hub for fishing, courtesy of the nearby Heeia fishpond and Kualoa Ranch both being the location for the shooting of the film Jurassic Park. You cannot take your own vehicle to drive inside the campground neither can you drive around the area. You may need to hike your way into the beach ground to camp in this smaller meadow. So, you’ll need to bring your own tents to enjoy a carefree camping in Honolulu. Enjoy your weekend of 5 days from Friday to Wednesday and immerse yourself in some classic aloha while camping in Honolulu.
Access: 49-479 Kamehameha Highway, Kane'ohe, Hawaii 96744The Hawaiian land remains sacred and protected by the locales and the government alike. So, all the camping in Honolulu comes with a set of rules. The campsites require you to keep a printed copy of your camping permit which you can take from their website. You cannot take a trailer or any other vehicle for camping. There is a no sound rule i.e., quiet period after 10:00 Pm on campsites where you won’t be able to play radio, music or any other of your devices. Most of the campgrounds are open for 24 hours but some of them have specific opening and closing time. The campsites remain a fire free area with complete prohibition on bonfires. These are few of the tips to keep in mind while you go camping in Honolulu as the breaking of any of the rules can lead you in paying hefty fines to the very strict and sacred administration of Honolulu. So, break free into any of these campgrounds to enjoy a nice time with nature in this Aloha state.
Park Time: 7:00 Am-8:00 Pm
Camping time: 5-day camping (Friday through Wednesday)
Campsites: 8
Permit Cost: $ 52