So, you want to camp for free in Hawaii? Who doesn’t! Officially, free camping in Hawaii is not allowed anywhere on public lands, either state or federally owned. State managed lands like State Parks, Forest Reserves, Recreation Areas, and State Beaches, all require camping permits, which costs a fee, and are restricted to designated campgrounds. Some national parks support camping, but also are restricted to designated campgrounds and require fees.
Can You Camp for Free in Hawaii?
Officially speaking, there is no free camping in Hawaii. Boondocking in Hawaii is not allowed anywhere. All camping on public lands is restricted to designated campgrounds…
- All state managed lands (State Parks, Forest Reserves, Recreation Areas, State Beaches), all require a camping permit, which costs a fee. All camping is restricted to designated campgrounds.
- All federally managed lands (National Park Service), also require fees to camp, and are restricted to designated campgrounds.
- All county parks and beaches require camping permits and fees. Some county parks and beaches do not support any camping at all.
However, despite the laws and regulations, many locals still know of secluded places to camp where they can get away from obtaining permits and paying fees.
Camping on Hawaii State Managed Lands
The State of Hawaii does not allow free camping on any of its recreation lands. However, that hasn’t stopped people from doing so.
- Officially, the State of Hawaii requires you obtain a camping permit, which costs $12.00 for residents, $18.00 for non-residents, but can vary depending on the level of amenities.
- You are restricted to camping in designated campgrounds only.
- You can browse a list of available campgrounds, and make reservations here… https://camping.ehawaii.gov/ camping/welcome.html
- If you don’t want to obtain a camping permit, but still want secluded camping, your best chance is within a Forest Reserve…
Camping in Hawaii Forest Reserves
People looking for secluded boondocking or dispersed camping in Hawaii generally seek out sites within the state’s system of “forest reserves”. It’s actually illegal to boondock or dispersed camp within these forest reserves. You are required to obtain a camping permit, pay fees, and are then restricted to camping in designated campgrounds only. See the link above for available campgrounds.
However, that hasn’t stopped people from finding free camping deep within a forest reserve. Most forest reserves are not accessible by vehicle. These campers set out on foot and set up tents. However, there are minority of forest reserves with dirt roads that can take a car or van into a secluded area hidden from view. Keep in mind, this is illegal, though still something people do and often get away with.
- The best way to find these secluded campsites is to look at Google Maps and find areas named, “Forest Reserve”.
- Switch to satellite view, and find dirt roads that branch off main roads.
- Follow these roads until you see a site deep within a forest reserve.
- These roads are often narrow and can only accommodate cars and vans. RVs are not recommended.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the only recreation land that offers “backcountry camping“, but are still restricted to designated campgrounds, and still require camping permits. These are campgrounds set up along hiking trails, and do not support vehicles.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has eight (8) of these backcountry campgrounds. You are limited to three (3) nights stay at each campground.
Camping in Other National Parks in Hawaii
A few other National Park properties in Hawaii offer developed campgrounds for vehicles, but all require reservations and fees. There are other National Park properties that don’t support any kind of camping.
Free Camping on Hawaii Beaches
Officially speaking, the State of Hawaii does not allow free camping on any of its beaches. All beach camping is restricted to designated campgrounds, which require camping permits and fees.
However, there are a couple of beaches where locals sleep overnight in their cars and vans, and local law enforcement doesn’t seem to bother them…
- Kea’au Beach North (Oahu) is a popular beach for car camping and overnight parking.
- Sandy Beach (Oahu) is another popular beach for car camping and overnight parking.
Keep in mind that the State of Hawaii, along with each of the counties, have laws that make it illegal to sleep in a vehicle overnight while parked on public property, which may include beaches, view points, and parking areas. Read more about this at, “Hawaii Rest Area Rules“.
County Parks and Beaches
All counties in Hawaii operate their own network of parks and beaches. Many of these have campgrounds, but none are free. They all require camping permits and fees.
