Where to Camp on Maui
Maui is an amazing Hawaiian Island. There is so much to see, from the Haleakala Volcano to The Road to Hana to the Nakalele Blowhole and beyond. If you’re here, I’m assuming you are interested in camping, in whatever form that may be. I’m here to help guide you, as I had a hard time when I was trying to research where to camp in Maui before my trip.
This post contains affiliate links that I do profit from, if you choose to support my business. These links are at no cost to you.
Why Go Camp in Maui?
There are so many good reasons to Camp on Maui, instead of other lodging options. First, I think of flexibility. You can move along with your itinerary, instead of having to drive back to the same hotel every day OR packing and unpacking and the stress of planning multiple hotels on the same island. When you camp, you take everything where you go! Second, I think of the unique places you can camp. You can be in the midst of the forest or close to the beach. Third, COST. You’re NOT paying for a hotel, which can be very expensive in Maui. So let’s get started!
Different Ways to Camp on Maui
Camper Van? Tent? Backpack? Rooftop Tent? I’m sure you know of these options and may have done a few of them prior. Obviously, there is no WRONG answer when being in Maui, it just depends on what you want. If you want to experience the backcountry and the adventure that goes along with it- go backpacking. Want to be as low cost as possible? Get an affordable rental car and some rental tent equipment or bring your own gear with you. Want to balance the adventure and views of camping with SOME luxuries? Rent a camper van!
On our trip to Maui, we chose to rent a Camper Van and I LOVED IT. You save money as your rental car and “hotel” are all wrapped up in one. We had the luxury of water and air conditioning, while still being at beautiful campgrounds.
We chose to rent a campervan when exploring maui.
Campervan Hawaii
I did want to take a minute and give a shout out to Campervan Hawaii. This is who we chose to stay with while we camped on Maui and we loved it. It’s a small company and they take great care of their vans and are very detail oriented and it showed within the van. Everything was very high quality and I highly recommend it. Average cost is $100-200 per night, whereas the average hotel cost in Maui is $282 + rental car. Take a look inside with my Instagram Reel below!
Disclaimer: I was offered a discounted stay with Campervan Hawaii to promote them on social media. This blog post is all my own, honest opinions and is not sponsored nor is this an affiliate link.
Where to Camp on Maui
Below I’ll include a google maps of the camping options on Maui. It may not be all inclusive- things deo change all the time. The purpose of my guide is to be simple, easy to understand, and concise.
Option 1- Waianapanapa State Park
Waianapanapa State Park, otherwise known as the “Black Sand Beach” is a marvelous place to camp on Maui. It is located near Hana on the Road to Hana. It is a very popular spot to stop and check out, regardless of camping or not. The thing I loved most about camping here was not having to rush The Road to Hana in just one day. We were able to drive up The Road to Hana, camp at the Black Sand Beach, and then drive back the next day. No one else besides campers get to witness sunset and sunrise here!
You can tent camp here, and there are also spots to car camp, whether inside your car, in a rooftop tent, or campervan. You can even see and hear the ocean from the campsite. It’s just a short walk down to the beach. Bathrooms are nearby. They noted there is a shower online, but it’s outdoors, so there is no privacy.
You do need advanced reservations to stay here- keep this in mind!
Click here to book at site at waianapanapa state park
Campsite Details
Kipahulu Campground
Kipahulu Campground is another beautiful place to camp on Maui, 13 miles past Waianapanapa State Park. It is techincally on the REVERSE Road to Hana. This area is not heavily visited because of how hard it is to get to. Personally, the drive to Hana was so long, I didn’t feel like going past it to explore that area, though it is beautiful. Please note, Kipahulu Campground is WITHIN Haleakala National Park, but don’t confuse it with the same entrace you take to get to the top of the Volcano- this is on the opposite side of the volcano.
If you choose to venture over in this area, you can spend time exploring the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls, and the Seven Sacred Pools. I have heard this area is stunning. Kipahulu Campground has vault toilets, beautiful views, areas to hammock, and picnic tables. You can reserve spots up to a month in advanced.
Click here to book at site at Kipahulu Campground
Campsite Details
Hosmer Campground
Since we brought up Haleakala National Park, we need to bring up the Hosmer Campground. Haleakala can be accessed via the Road to Hana (as mentioned above), or from Central Maui, to access the summit. The summit is absolutely beautiful and I do recommend it for visitors. The Hosmer Campground is a perfect place to camp on Maui if you plan on partaking of this fun excursion, since it is along the road up.
Please note, clouds are common in this area and fog can cover the campground very frequently. It is just past the entrance gate on the road to the summit. I would have loved to stay at Hosmer Campground, but I didn’t look in advance enough. You can book a month ahead of time- for example, on June 4, dates from July 4-August 4 will be released.
Click here to book at site at Hosmer Campground
Campsite Details
Private Campsites- Hipcamp
Thus far, the campgrounds mentioned have been public- whether of State or National Park. If you aren’t able to get a site at the campsites above (the most popular), you can choose to use Hipcamp– which is like Airbnb for campsites. Private owners list their site within this website. We used this for part of our stay on Maui. The location of our site HERE was perfect, at the base of Haleakala and the start of the Road to Hana. Admittedly, we did have a hiccup on our second night, but the campsite was private and beautiful, which I did appreciate.
Campsite Details
Papalaua Wayside Park
Moving onto West Maui, you can find Papalaua Wayside Park. The park is along Honoapiilani Hwy # 30 on the way to Lahaina- the more populated side of West Maui. This large campsite is LONG. It is shaded with trees and is oceanside- can be good for snorkeling as well. There are grills, tables, and toilets. You can camp in a tent or your vehicle. First come- first served. Call (808) 270-7389 to check availability before going to 700 Halia Nakoa St STE 2, Wailuku, HI 96793. Fees are $50-100. A bit too expensive for me, and close to the road, but still a good option and is very central.
Click here for more info
Campsite Details
Camp Olowalu
I didn’t know about this campground before I went to Maui, and I’m sad about it! This is an amazing place to camp on Maui. You can tent camp, car camp, or GLAMP and stay in one of their tentalows. Amenities wise, they have bathrooms, hot showers, a dishwashing station, wifi, trash stations, fire pits, benches, and even kayak tours. They also have their own private beach. It is slightly more north than Papalau Wayside Park listed above. Rates go from $32+ per adult, less for children. I highly recommend staying here- seems so fun!
Campsite Details
Summary- Where to Camp on Maui
Here is my two cents. There are NOT a ton of camping options on Maui. AND most of them need to be reserved way in advanced, which can be hard to plan. Some of the campsites are expensive as well. It’s not like camping in Arizona where I live, where there are an endless amount of free, dispersed campsites. That being said, I think camping around Maui is a great way to travel, and saves a lot of money compared to hotels. Happy camping friends!
