Camping North Shore Oahu

Camping north shore oahu

Hawaii’s finest resorts have excellent accommodations. If the thought of awakening to the roar of crashing waves on a white-sand beach merely a few steps away from you or opening your eyes to a lovely botanical garden appeals to you, camping north shore Oahu is the place for you. We do recommend you to bring or rent a tent and stay at any of these top-rated campgrounds.

Don’t forget that camping in Hawaii is different than camping in Yosemite or Yellowstone. Even in the midst of January, you won’t freeze, and there are no bears or snakes there. Although camping is a little less permitted in Oahu than on the other Hawaiian Islands, there are still many beautiful places to set up camp there.

Bellows Field Beach Park

There are two areas of this lovely white-sand beach park. One side of the park is accessible to everyone, but the other side requires a military ID. With ideal, powdery-soft white sand, ironwood trees down the shore for cover, crystal blue sea, and breathtaking sunrise photo possibilities, both offer fantastic beachside camping alternatives. Bellows Air Force Base does provide several extra amenities.

There are also group and RV campsites, equipment rentals, more bathrooms and showers, a mini-mart, and fast-food restaurants in addition to basic beach huts without electricity. Excellent for relaxing and sunbathing on the beach, be aware of posted jellyfish warning signs.

Malaekahana Beach Campground & State Recreation Area

This privately managed property is actually state-owned, and found on the North Shore. It is one of the busiest and safest campgrounds on Oahu, with lots of practical amenities, workers on site 24 hours a day, and a gated entrance that is secured at night. There are outdoor showers, fire pits at each campsite, a food truck that runs from Thursday through Monday, as well as a camp store in case you forget batteries, lighter fluid, or other necessities.

During the summer, the water is calm enough to swim, paddle, or snorkel, and the area offers kayak, surfboard, and body board rentals. In this stunning location, see with honu (turtles), look for whales offshore, or see endangered seabirds from the adjacent sanctuary. This site requires a permit to camp, you can find one here.

Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park

A bodysurfing beach, hiking trails, a fragment of a Native Hawaiian heiau (temple), home sites, fishing shrines, and a prehistoric fishpond may all be found in the relatively undeveloped valley. Carry your insect repellent since it is one of the island’s wettest regions.

Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden

The moniker “a tranquil retreat” fits this lush, 400-acre rainforest park. The magnificent Koolau mountains surround the entire park. The US Army Corps of Engineers constructed the park in the early 1980s to provide flood protection for Kaneohe. It is the only city-run campsite on Oahu that isn’t on the shore. 20 weekend campsites are available at the location, where you may hike, fish, and feed ducks at the lake.

There are also facilities, outdoor showers, and picnic spaces. Even on a busy weekend, you might still be able to secure a last-minute spot here. Remember to print out your permit, carry insect repellent, and be ready for rain and occasionally muddy conditions.