Great way to get around the island, regardless of the terrain. On Kauai there is no free camping or wild camping, however, there are quite a few campgrounds. It’s not cold enough at night in Kauai to need a sleeping bag (unless you’re camping at Koke’e). State Park vs. County Camping Permits In Kauai, you can’t just put up a tent on a random beach and spend the night. 3 weeks of coverage costs $89, while 6 months of coverage costs $335 and is the best value policy they offer. I can’t recommend more highly.”, “Fun way to see the island! Walmart had tents for $28, sleeping bags for $25, and air mattresses for $15, but note that the cheapest options may or may not actually be in stock when you do your shopping. Note that you can’t drive along the west coast, so you’ll have to backtrack to get between the north and south coasts. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Infinity pool at the St. Regis Princeville. The pali, or cliffs, provide a rugged grandeur of deep, narrow valleys ending abruptly at the sea. For guided hikes, Micco Godinez of Kayak Kauai (www.kayakkauai.com; 888/596-3853 or 808/826-9844) is just as expert on land as he is at sea. State Campgrounds – Camper Vans and 4x4s are generally welcome. One of the best attractions on Kauai, Koke’e State Park is home to the best … Read our recommended things to do in Hawaii.. Some of my favorite private campgrounds include Camp Sloggett up in Kokee State Park and Kumu Camp at Anahola. They include toilet blocks and possibly a seating area, but no electricity. We are planning on renting a car and… kauai camping with kids | United States - Lonely Planet Forum - … Answer 1 of 14: We are a family of 4, spending most of June in Kauai. If you are found camping without a permit you will be asked to leave. With the fairy lights at night and the privacy of having our own campsite, it was a nice change from sharing a grass lawn with several other campers. For just $3 a night per adult we had a little piece of Hawaiian beach all to ourselves. The campground is maintained by County/City/Regional Park. We were absolutely kicking ourselves for not booking two nights because we loved this hotel SO MUCH. Oahu. Am anxious to come back ! Kauai's State Parks offer some of the beautiful and peaceful locations to camp in the world. We rent out camper vans, as well as SUVs with Roof-top Tents. So I had my own tent and sleeping mat and literally nothing else I needed for camping in Kauai when I got there. There are currently 7 beach parks open for camping, but each one closes on a certain day of the week to prevent people from squatting at one park for too long. Haleakala Backcountry, Maui. Kauai is a great place to camp. s.type = 'text/javascript'; (Making a reservation requires that you create a login to the site.). As I always do, I got my travel insurance through World Nomads. It can cover you in the case of a car accident, injury from an adventure activity, or travel/baggage delays. Still, it’s there if you want to splurge on a cool Kauai camping trip experience. "Our guide, Jessica, was fantastic - very friendly, knowledgeable about the area and local flora, and kept the whole trip enjoyable, with *great conversations* and lots of laughs." Kauai State Parks offer a few beautiful campsites that are immersed in nature and removed from the main roads: These campsites can be booked online in advance and cost $18/night per site ($20/night for Napali Coast campsites). Each type of campground has it’s own rules and booking system. They will wake you up before sunrise while you’re camping in Kauai. Molokai. Embark into the heart of the Kauai jungle on a kayaking and hiking adventure. We were able to walk in and pitch our tents without a booking, but if you know in advance that you want to book a campsite, you can do that via the Kumu Camp website. You must get the permits beforehand as they are not available at the parks. You’ll want to book early if you’re planning to stay in Kokee State Park Campground or Polihale because they tend to fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Whether you're hanging out inside your couples cabin or taking in the views from you bright beach-inspired luxury cabin, this collection of rentals is sure to make your vacation to Kauai one you'll never forget. Welcome to Kauai! Camping in Kauai is a spectacular way to experience the natural beauty that the island has to offer. Huge plus!”. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; Heaven is truly a place on earth, and that place is the island of Kauai. SEE ALSO: 12 Things You Must Add To Your Kauai Itinerary. This campground boasts to … If you are super anti-camping, you could always book Airbnbs around the island though honestly, there aren’t that many and the ones that exist are pretty expensive for what they are. Worked well, and b). Kauai County Camping If you are wanting the cheapest option possible, then staying at the plethora of county campsites on Kauai is the way to go. TENT CAMPING. However, if you have your heart set on getting a taste of Van Life, you can rent a VW Westfalia from Kauai Camper Rental ($155/day, cooking supplies included) or a converted camper van from Camperventures Kauai ($140/day + $40/day for cooking supplies). Pro Tip: Skip the sleeping bag and buy cheap sheets and a fleece blanket at Walmart instead. Best Camping in Kauai on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 6 camping in Kauai, Hawaii. Click on the photos below to see what Hawaii State Parks offer camping and lodging on an island, as well as the associated fees (and link to make reservations). Were easily carry-able on hikes. Some close for an hour at lunch. But then we hit the road again and returned to the rustic comforts of our trusty tents and loved being back in nature, too. Check the website for the locations to obtain the camping permits. Kauai Tourism Kauai Hotels Kauai Bed and Breakfast Kauai Holiday Rentals Kauai Packages Flights to Kauai Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum Kauai Photo Kauai Map Camping Permits are issued for the following To avoid frustration check the website or call before you go.Camping Permits are issued for the following County Beach parks. The fee is good for up to 10 people and 7 nights per permit. Park rangers routinely check permits, often at the crack of dawn, and will wake you up if they can’t see that you have a valid camping permit for that night. In fact, if you are looking at camping on Kauai beaches, you really can’t beat the county parks. With an island as green and gorgeous as Kauai, you’re going to want to be immersed in nature as much as possible. Polihale and Salt Pond are both be pretty good options if it is raining on the rest of the island. Follow the links above and look for a campsite that fits your needs. I’d already had a 6-month policy from previous travels that covered me during my Hawaii trip, but I bought a 3-week extension to cover me for the remainder of my time in the US. In short, they are annoying AF and there’s absolutely no thing you can do but embrace it. You can’t book your campsites in advance online, only by regular mail with payment via check aka NOPE. Best Camping in Kauai on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 6 camping in Kauai, Hawaii. I will proudly use Lemon Drop every time I come back…. They also seem to always have room to accomodate more campers, camper vans and Roof Top Tents. We chose the latter and went all out by booking a night at the St. Regis Princeville. Maui. Lastly, beware of the roosters! I searched on Kayak for car rentals in Lihue and the cheapest I found was a Chevy Spark (aka small-ass car) with Dollar at US$234 for 9 days ($26/day) without add-ons. Someday I will write about the epic adventures I had driving around the Big Island back in my pre-blog days (until then, this guide to trekking to Waimanu Valley will have to do). $3 a night for tent camping in Hawaii! In general, there’s no freedom camping in Kauai which means you must book and pay for your campsites in advance. Best Camping in Kauai on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, candid photos, and prices for 6 camping in Kauai, Hawaii. The first thing you need to know is the three types of campgrounds: State Campgrounds – Camper Vans and 4x4s are generally welcome. We experienced one such character at Haena Beach Park on the North Shore, who bumbled into the camping area babbling and then shouting around the bathroom block around midnight. You won’t have all the amenities that come with hotels, but you’ll have experiences that can’t be duplicated anywhere else in the world. Koke’e State Park, Kauai. Each type of campground has it’s own rules and booking system. Violators may be subject to fines up to $1000 and/or 6 months in jail. They tend to stay dry. He and his savvy guides lead regular trips (with shuttles from the Wailua River Marina) through Waimea Canyon to Waipoo Falls ($126) and through Kokee to dazzling overlooks of Napali via the Nualolo or Awaawapuhi trails ($126). 5 reasons that motivated us to go camping in Hawaii 1. Their website ( https://www.kauai.gov/Camping) gives information on campground closures, camping fees, and other useful information. Blanket and creepy cat pillow purchased at Walmart; air mattress brought from home. 1. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); Anini Beach Park Anini Beach on the north shore of Kauai is one of the best snorkeling and swimming beaches due to a long, protective fringing reef that fronts its shores. Their tent sites cost $20/night and are nestled in the trees behind Anahola Beach. You’ll find good descriptions, learn about the amenities, the camping rates and you’ll be able to make your reservation right on the site. Thank you for your above-and-beyond customer service and aloha! Lemon Drop Campers is all about enjoying the beautiful nature all over the island. Most camping permit fees are $3/ per night for adults. Check the Kauai County website to find out where you can stop in to book your camping permits. A friend mentioned the roosters to me before I left and I thought, uh, ok then. Reservations must be done in person or by mail. We didn’t pay for any insurance add-ons because my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card provides insurance on any car rental booked with the card. Outdoor enthusiasts will be hard pressed to find a better island for camping in the state of Hawaii than Kauai. Be sure your permit is visible inside the clear sleeve provided with them, and attach the sleeve to one of your tent poles once you pitch your tent. Last but not least: don’t start your Kauai camping trip without booking travel insurance! You will be so glad you did. There you have it. Since we could afford the flights, and a rental car, a Hawaiian family vacation was well within reach. Haena Beach Park With Mount Makana (Bali Hai) behind you and nothing but … Because I’d be hiking the Kalalau Trail after my Kauai camping road trip, there were a few key camping/hiking items of mine that I definitely wanted to bring with me because I knew they a). Backcountry camping is available in Waimea Canyon but not in Koke’e State Park. Roosters are ALL OVER the island. When it comes to being well equipped for your Kauai camping road trip, you’ll either need to bring, buy, or rent your gear – or some combination of the three. There are several camp areas around the island that we will list a little later. The number one reason to visit Kauai is to come backpacking on the Napali Coast. The county has several campground locations on Kauai. Thankfully there’s a Walmart and a Kmart in Lihue where you can find most everything you’ll need for road tripping and camping in Kauai, and for super cheap! Kauai Backcountry Adventures, Lihue: See 11,733 reviews, articles, and 1,973 photos of Kauai Backcountry Adventures, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 19 attractions in Lihue. Am anxious to come back ! Where To Go Camping In Kauai In general, there’s no freedom camping in Kauai which means you must book and pay for your campsites in advance. Permits are required for all camping in Kauai! County Campgrounds – Every camper must pitch a tent. Backcountry Permits for Kauai Camping permits for backcountry locations can be obtained in person at 3060 Elwa Street (room 306) at the Forestry and Wildlife office. You'll paddle along the Wailua River, then continue another mile on foot to a spectacular 100-foot-tall waterfall. Kauai Tourism Kauai Accommodation Kauai Bed and Breakfast Kauai Holiday Rentals Kauai Holiday Packages Kauai Flights Kauai Restaurants Kauai Attractions Kauai Travel Forum This was the smallest and cheapest option available one month in advance and was definitely… cozy for two people and massive amounts of luggage and camping gear. A picnic lunch awaits you, as well as ample time to cool off in a local swimming hole and savor the surrounding valley's lush rainforest scenery, such as tropical plants and streams. Hawaii. Live among the scenery and wake up to an oceanfront view for just $3 a night. If you’re looking for both camping and other outdoor gear, Kayak Kauai is probably your best bet; if you mostly just want all sorts of camping gear, Kauai Camper Rental has a more extensive array of options. Splurging on a fancy hotel in the middle of our Kauai road trip was an excellent decision for us. And Ray is so knowledgeable and helpful!”, “Great and authentic camping experience on Kauai!! Depending on the season you may run into rain, in which case I recommend heading West. One example would be to stay a night or two in Polihale, then go up to Kokee, over to Anahola and then end your trip in Anini. If you have more than 2 people for your Kauai camping trip I’d recommend shelling out a bit more money for a roomier car. Anini (Kauai County Campground) This is a popular campground for exploring the north part of Kauai. Ray made this trip SOOOOO much better then it would have been if I had stayed in a hotel! I had the Big Island version of the book for my other road trip and found some really cool offbeat spots that I never would have known about otherwise, and I’m happy to report the same for the Kauai book. Hawaii is one the most coveted island destinations in the world. They will try to hop inside your tents and steal your food. The Garden Isle checks off every essential on any traveler's bucket list: beaches, activities, resorts, delicious food — and then some. Camping permits for the Na Pali Coast are very much in demand. are both be pretty good options if it is raining on the rest of the island. I recently embarked on my second road trip around the Hawaiian islands. To get a camping permit for one of the county campsites, contact the County of Kauai Parks & Recreation. After two years of living in Australia and being used to traffic on the left side of the road, not to mention 3+ years of not driving, I was extremely nervous to get behind the wheel in Kauai. To make reservations follow the link below. We've done a lot of adventure-ish travel but do have 10-year-old twins now, so we need to rein it in a bit. They also have some affordable bungalows for rent. “I was so worried about the cost of my trip, so happy that I found this as an option. Experience the best that Hawaii has to offer. Kauai. Even with this splurge, you can save money compared to if you had spent every night in a budget hotel or Airbnb. Booking.com For just $3/night per person, you can pitch your tent on a plot of grass with a view of the beach, BBQs, and a bathroom block nearby. Camping on Kauai is an absolute delight and I want to break it down for you so you can totally understand what it’s like. Must have called the police because the driving was easy and slow-going on the season you may run into,.????????????????????. From Kauai to the `` Big island, '' these luxury Kauai camping trip without travel... 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