Kauai Camping Guide

Camping in Kauai? Here's What you Need to Know!

Since Kauai is called The Garden Island, you already know that camping here is going to be a beautiful experience. You can choose which landscape you want: a beachside experience, a remote location surrounded by mountains -- or both! Here's our guide with information on where to rent gear, how to get permits, and some of our favorite campsites on the island.

Renting Gear

Kayak Kauai

Location: Lihue
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00 AM-5:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Kayak Kauai has affordable tent rentals, accessories, and of course kayaks. There's no shortage of supplies as they offer two-person dome tents for $15/night, stoves, fuel tanks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, back packs, and trekking poles.

Kauai Camper Rental

Location: Kapaa
Hours: 7:00 AM-5:00 PM

Kauai Camper Rental lets you rent equipment for a daily or weekly rate. For a 3-4-person tent, it costs $15 for one day or $65 for the week. Note: there is a $50 minimum on all camping gear. In addition to tents, they have sleeping bags and pads, pillows, dishes and silverware, pots and pans, a burner stove, coolers, lanterns, umbrellas and chairs. They also have rentals that will elevate your camping experience, like a bluetooth speaker, a French press coffee maker, and a bocce ball set. If you want to opt for a camper instead of a tent, it is $165 daily, which includes free pick up and drop off at the airport.

Permits

A permit for the county sites cost $3 per person for non residents (with some sites as exceptions) and you can get one by applying to one of the on-site locations at either the Lihu’e, Kapa’a, Kilauea, Kalaheo, or Hanapepe neighborhood centers. Visit this website for more information on county camp sites. Camping at state sites cost $12 per campsite for Hawaii residents and $18 for non-residents.

You can make a reservation and get a permit for state parks here:
www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/kauai.cfm

Camp Sites

Anini Beach Park

Type: County
Hours: Closes on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. for maintenance and reopens at 12:00 p.m. each Wednesday

Located on the North shore near Hanalei Bay, Anini Beach Park is 3-mile-long beach with a sheltered reef. It has the longest and widest fringing reef in the Hawaiian Islands, so you can enjoy swimming and snorkeling without worrying so much about the waves. The campsites have pavilions, comfort stations, cold showers, picnic tables, and BBQ grills to make an easy dinner while watching the sunset over the water!

Visit Anini Beach on Shaka Guide's North Shore Kauai Driving Tour!

Polihale State Beach Park

Type: State

Polihale State Beach Park is a remote beach park in the far west coast of Kauai. The beach stretches over 15 miles, creating a vast, coastal landscape where you’ll experience beachfront tent camping with views of the cliffs of the Na Pali coastline. If your biggest concern about camping on Kauai is the weather, you should choose Polihale as your camping spot. It’s known for having ideal conditions throughout the year and typically doesn’t rain as much as other spots in Kauai.

Haena Beach Park

Type: County
Hours: Closes on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. for maintenance and reopens at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesdays

Located on the Na Pali Coast is Haena Beach Park. Be aware that Haena Beach itself isn’t the best for swimmers. It’s best for surfers because of the sudden drop-off and intense shorebreak. If you're looking to swim during your camping excursion at Haena Beach Park, head to nearby Tunnels for family-friendly activities. Camping at Haena is ideal because of the grassy areas, washrooms, and covered eating area.

Visit Haena Beach on Shaka Guide's North Shore Kauai Driving Tour!

Koke'e State Park

Type: State

The Koke'e State Park is a hiker’s paradise and perfect for camping on Kauai. There are two campsites in the park -- one near Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow and Sugi Grove. Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow is more easily accessible and has a comfort zone with tables, a bathroom, dishwashing sink, and power outlets.

Lydgate State Beach Park

Type: State

Hours: Closed every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon Thursday

Lydgate Park is not only home to great camping, it has some of the best, family-friendly snorkeling and swimming on the island. Located on the east coast of Kauai, you'll want to get a permit as soon as you can as this spot tends to fill up quickly! This campsite costs $5 a night for Hawaii residents and $25 a night for non-residents.

When you're ready to take a break from camping, download the Shaka Guide Kauai app to explore each region of the island!

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