RVing is an excellent way to see the United States, but finding somewhere to park can be difficult. Not all campgrounds are created equal, and finding the best of the best for any state is challenging.
This article suggests the best RV campgrounds in Hawaii that make ‘roughing it’ pleasant and comfortable even if one uses an RV as transportation rather than a primary living space.
There are many islands that can be visited via RV. The state’s primary island is called Oahu. It has several wonderful campgrounds where people can park their RVs and vehicles for a period of time ranging from overnight to several days or even weeks. These campsites offer plenty of activities for people staying there with children and pets.
The bonus of staying at these locations is that campers have access to all the amenities of a hotel including hot showers, television, entertainment, and WiFi.
All of the best RV campgrounds in Hawaii are listed below. Each entry includes links to more detailed information about each location.
1. Malaekahana State Recreation Area
Malaekahana State Recreation Area is a park located on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The park is situated across from Haleiwa Beach Park and Waimea Bay. This park has over 74 camping spots available for those who want to stay near the beach. Most of these spots are covered in the shade as they sit under large coconut trees that line the coast. It’s one of the nicest campgrounds on Oahu because you can view both sunrise and sunset from this location.
This camping location also has all the amenities you need since it is close to Haleiwa and Waimea Bay. There is a beautiful beach right outside this campground where people can relax and swim during the day and then see an amazing view at sunset/sunrise. For those who like to snorkel or scuba dive, there are ocean reefs that you can explore just offshore in front of the park. The boat marina on this shoreline gives more options for fishing excursions or diving tours if desired.
The camping spots are kept up very well with restrooms available next to the parking lot entrance along with faucets providing freshwater filling stations for your RV have to worry about finding an available dump station since there are restrooms with showers in it.
2. Swanzy Beach Park
Swanzy Beach Park is a small stretch of sand located on the northeast side of Oahu. Camping is permitted at this small park as long as you have a free permit from the Hawaii State Parks and Recreation office. Electricity to sites, running water, graded tent pads, grills, and fire rings are provided at each site. There are no showers or hook-ups in the park, but portable toilets are provided.
Swanzy Beach is very popular with RV campers during the winter months when the north shore is not conducive for surfing and swimming due to heavy surf. Swanzy Beach provides a great place to spend time when the North Shore is too rough.
3. Whittington Beach Park
Whittington Beach Park, best known as South Beach, is located in Honolulu on the south shore of Oahu. It has long been one of Hawaiʻi’s most popular beach parks for both locals and visitors.
The beach park offers all kinds of recreational activities—snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and bodyboarding among them—and since it faces south, its waters are usually the calmest during the summertime.
The campground has a grassy area and trees spaced among the sites. Each site is demarcated with a low stone wall for privacy, and all have picnic tables and fire pits. Bathrooms are available within walking distance of each campsite, as well as communal outdoor showers. Sites can also accommodate tents in addition to RVs up to 30 ft. in length.
4. Kulanaokuaiki Campground
Kulanaokuaiki Campgrounds is one of the best campgrounds in Hawaii if you love to snorkel, fish, and scuba dive. The campsite has free showers for campers, cabins are available to rent on a nightly or weekly basis, and there is even an onsite restaurant (with surprisingly affordable prices).
Kulanaokuaiki Campgrounds is located about 40 minutes away from Hilo, Hawaii. This campground offers something for everyone; if you love the great outdoors and want to get back to nature, this is definitely the RV campgrounds in Hawaii that should be on your list to visit. There are campsites by or near the water and most of them offer a spectacular view.
5. Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community
Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community is one of the best places to stay when in Hawaii. It is a sustainable living community with an eco-hotel, organic garden, and permaculture farm located in Kailua-Kona on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island.
The Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community is a great way to experience the Big Island. Guests are welcome to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, home-cooked meals which use ingredients from the garden, swimming pool access, hiking trails, yoga classes, and more. They also have hammocks to relax in along with an outdoor shower that offers amazing views of the Hawaiian mountains.
There are three RV spaces available at Hedonisia Hawaii Eco-Community. Guests have access to onsite restrooms and showers, a kitchen, electricity, WiFi, an outdoor dining area, an outdoor movie projection screen with a projector, a barbecue grill, poolside lounge chairs, and tables.
The eco-community is open 24 hours a day and is also available for camping by visitors who prefer a more rustic experience.
6. Papalaua Wayside Park
This is the perfect spot for campers who love water sports! You can go snorkeling or scuba diving right off of this beach. There are designated sites with picnic tables and fire pits. There are flush toilets on site, but no running water. There is a playground on site. This is a county park and there is no charge for camping.
There are no showers, water supplies, or RV hookups available but the park is very clean, well kept, and in a great location.
7. Isaac Hale Beach Park
Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Isaac Hale Beach Park is one of the most popular campgrounds in Hawaii. For decades, families have come to this park for camping and fishing, but it also has an amazing surfing beach. A day will never be wasted by coming here because there are so many activities to enjoy at this wonderful beach. A favorite gathering spot for boating and swimming in the summer, Issac Hale Beach Park is located south of Wiscasset.
Isaac Hale Beach Park offers over 40 campsites, restrooms, showers, and picnic areas. This is a wonderful beach with its’ own guarded swimming area for safe swimming just off the parking lot. There are also lifeguards on duty during busy seasons to ensure that all campers have a safe visit here at this family-friendly park. The camping fee is $15 per site per night, but there are no hookups available on-site. Water is available for drinking, cooking, and washing dishes.
8. Kalopa State Recreation Area
Located in the lush forest of Hawaii Island, Kalopa State Recreation Area is a great place to stay when you visit the Big Island. The reserve has plenty of hiking trails to explore and it’s home to an excellent interpretive center with exhibits about native flora, fauna, and Hawaiian culture. There are also cabins available for rent if you want something more comfortable than camping, but don’t feel like paying for lodgings at a resort.
The only downside is that it can be difficult to reach Kalopa by car or bus, so most visitors fly into Kona International Airport instead of trying to get there from Hilo or other parts of the island. If you do decide to go by road, make sure you check traffic conditions.
There are three RV campsites with no hookups. There is one picnic pavilion with tables and there are vault toilets available. You can also rent cabins if you want something more comfortable than camping.
9. Ho‘okena Beach Park
Ho‘okena Beach Park campground, on the Big Island in Hawaii, is the only campground in the state which is run by a private entity. It has 18 campsites available year-round and offers a private beach, restrooms, showers, and lifeguards.
There are no RV hookups and also no pets allowed but the campground has a no-fee policy and it’s only 15 minutes away from the ocean with picnic tables, and options for boat, kayak & snorkeling rentals.
The campground has tents, picnic shelters, and restrooms with running water, but they don’t have showers only flushing toilets available for use.
10. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Paridkise
Punalu’u Beach is a black sand beach located on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. It is one of only two black sand beaches in the state.
The shoreline has extensive black lava outcrops and basalt boulders, which have been undercut by wave erosion to form caves where the surf is normally gentle. Under certain conditions, however, these caves can channel strong waves known as ‘sneaker waves,’ leading to risky surfing conditions for unaware bystanders.
Though there are no RV hookups in Punaluʻu, the adjoining Kalanianaole Highway (Route 19) provides several public restrooms, If you’re looking for something to sleep in while visiting family, this is it. There are no facilities on the campsite itself; food and toiletries must be brought. You can also back your RV or camper up to the site to begin your stay.
11. Mahukona Beach Park
Situated on Big Island’s northern Kohala Coast, Mahukona Beach Park is a long-established campsite with an “old Hawaii” atmosphere. This secluded beach offers many opportunities for hiking, snorkeling, and other ocean activities. The nearest shopping/dining facilities are an hour away at Kawaihae or Hilo.
It might not be the most picturesque campground on the island, but it’s certainly one of the most rustic and natural. The site offers big views of Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains on clear days.
There are only a few tourists here, so the queues aren’t too bad. There are also a few different nature trails along the coast where you can go hiking.
12. Bellows Recreation Center
Bellows Recreation Center is a public park located on the island of Oahu. The campground is situated by Waimanalo Beach and offers a variety of family activities, including hiking trails, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and a miniature golf course.
This 3-star campground offers electric hookups as well as picnic tables. There are showers available for registered campers only. Campers can enjoy a scenic view of the Oahu’s famous Ko’olau mountain range from their campsite.
The Bellows Recreation Center is known for its family-friendly activities and proximity to nature, making it a perfect destination for travelers in Hawaii looking to relax and experience local culture.
13. Namakanipaio Campground
This RV campground nestled on a hillside is a designated quiet zone among the noise and excitement of all the Hawaiian Islands’ tourist attractions. You can enjoy more than 75 campsites with sun or shade for overnight camping, but there are also group sites available by reservation only. With no hookups, you’re forced to go primitive at Namakanipaio Campground. On-site amenities include vault toilets, potable water from a hand pump, outdoor showers, picnic tables, and firewood for sale. Located on the island of Hawaii near beautiful Waimea Canyon State Park and Waimea River, this is one of the best RV campgrounds in Hawaii.
14. Kalaniana’ole Beach Park
Kalaniana’ole Beach Park is one of the best RV campgrounds in Hawaii because there are beaches, hiking trails, and it’s very social. It is located in Hawaii Kai town, which is an official district in Honolulu county, on Oahu island.
There are three separate units: Wai’anae Kai Unit #1 (40 campsites), Wai’anae Kai Unit #2 (50 campsites), and Makaha Ridge Unit (20 campsites). Located on the southeastern coast of Oahu, this is one of the most popular beaches in Hawaii. It offers a wide stretch of white sand and good swimming conditions year-round.
Camping overnight is allowed only with a permit. There are also picnic tables throughout the beach if you just want to stop for lunch or dinner during your day trip there.
The showers here are free, but you have to bring your own towels and toiletries. However, that’s not too big of an inconvenience since they’re open until 10 pm every night so you can wash up before bed if need be.
There’s a small convenience store that doubles as the campgrounds’ front desk if you need anything, but it can get pretty crowded in there.
15. Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden
The gardens were created with this motto in mind: “A refuge from hustle and bustle, where people gather in harmony to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.” A perfect description for a campground! But make sure you bring a good mosquito repellent with you. Camping is allowed only with a permit. You can get it at the main entrance when you pay them a visit. Make your reservation at least one week before arrival if possible, or else come early in the morning to be sure there’s a spot available.
The campgrounds are located on a hill, but it’s not steep or anything. The descent is long and winding, going through a jungle-like environment with many different trees and flowers to see.
In the front of each site, there is a picnic table and fire pit (bring your own wood), whereas in the back part there’s another table under the tent and some more room for activities. Paved roads connect everything together and lead down to other buildings closer to the entrance: bathrooms with showers and cabin.
There is a huge lake on the property, and there are several forest walks in the region. Of course, you can go out exploring other parts of the island as well but be careful with traffic if you’re not used to it.
We hope that this article has been helpful in finding the best RV campgrounds for you and your family. This is a list of great resources to help you find what you need. Till next time! Have a wonderful trip and be sure to send us some postcards!
