Polihale State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The Polihale State Park is a pristine beach area that's so isolated it's rarely visited, even by Hawaiians. To get to this park on the island of Kauai, you must drive on a rough five-mile road from Kekaha. However, the beach's natural wilderness, including the 100-foot sand dunes, is worth the journey. It's the farthest-west public beach in Hawaii – about 14 miles from Waimea and 45 miles from the Kauai's largest city of Kapaʻa. The sands run for 17 miles, making it the longest continuous beach in the Hawaiian Island group.
Spring 69-83 F
Summer 73-85 F
Fall 69-83 F
Winter 66-79 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Polihale State Park
You'll really appreciate the amenities of a recreational vehicle when you camp at the remote Polihale State Park. However, RVs must be rented on Kauai since there is no way to ferry an RV from a neighboring island. To find a rental, try searching the RVshare options on the Kauai rentals page.
Polihale State Park
Though camping is allowed with a permit at Polihale State Park, the road into the park is so rough that a four-wheel-drive RV is recommended. Once you get there, the campsites are limited to tent camping only. The facilities are limited as you might expect in a wild area. However, the rustic beach setting is ideal for those who enjoy adventures. The mountain wildlife is so close to campers that you can hear birds and other callers throughout the night, even over the pounding of the waves. Swimming is limited to an area known as Queen’s Pond, the only area without riptides.
Water Hookup: No, water is available at hand-pump stations
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $12 to $18 per night
Office hours: There is no office
Lucy Wright Park
Lucy Wright Park is a first-come-first-served campground just 18 miles south of Polihale State Park. The number of RV campsites is unspecified. If you have a permit and can find a space to pull your RV into, you can camp. The 4.48-acre park is within walking distance of Waimea, where you can stock up on supplies or visit a restaurant. Furthermore, the park is in a good area for surfing.
Water Hookup: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: No
Fee: $12 to $18 per night
Office hours: Campground closes at 10 a.m. on Monday and reopens at noon on Tuesday each week to allow for maintenance
Salt Pond Beach Park
Salt Pond Beach Park has another first-come-first-served campground that can accommodate RVers with the proper permit. Located 20 miles south of Polihale State Park in Eleele, Salt Pond Park is one of the most visited campgrounds on Kauai. The four salt ponds are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Along the shoreline, there are several tidal pools filled with marine life.
Water Hookup: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: No
Fee: $12 to $18 per night
Office hours: Park closes each Tuesday at 10 a.m. and reopens on Wednesday at noon for maintenance
What to Do at
Polihale State Park
Inside Polihale State Park
Though the selection of activities available at Polihale State Park is limited, those selections are some of the most spectacular you'll find in the world. At this park, you can explore a wide-open beach that's 17 miles in length. Since the surf is beautiful but deadly, the only safe place to swim is at Queen’s Pond, a small section of the park. The white sands build to tremendous heights just before the mountains emerge. Another focus of the park is the magnificent sunsets, which seem to drop over an endless horizon.
How to Get to
Polihale State Park
No matter where you start at on Kauai, you can reach Polihale State Park by finding Highway 50 and taking it west till it ends. When the highway forks, take the bend toward the right called Kiko Road. Take the first left onto Lower Saki Mana Road. The rest of the road is well-marked but rutted.
Entering Polihale State Park
While it's free to enter Polihale State Park, you'll have to pay to camp. Fees for campground use depend on residence status.
Polihale State Park Hawaiian residents, up to 6 people : $12.0
$2 for each additional person per night. Maximum campsite fee is $20.
Polihale State Park For non-residents, up to 6 people : $18.0
$3 for each additional person per night. Maximum campsite fee is $30
If you're the type of traveler who enjoys wild, rustic environments, you'll create memories that will last a lifetime at Polihale State Park. When you get home, email us your thoughts and photos at [email protected]. We would love to hear about your trip and perhaps highlight your adventures in one of our upcoming posts. Be sure to also tag RVShare on your social media posts documenting your travels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Polihale State Park
Summer is the perfect time to visit Polihale State Park when it experiences warm temperatures and less rainfall. The weather conditions in summer make the park suitable for many outdoor recreation activities.
The state park is in a region that experiences a subtropical climate. It has hot and humid summer, with temperatures between 73- and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and cool to mild winters, with temperatures between 66- and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.
Booking a camping space at Polihale State Park is not compulsory. It is, however, recommended if you want to secure a good camping area. The cost of a reservation is at least $10.
Well-behaved pets are allowed at the park. They should always be on a leash and avoid entering buildings. Pets should be cleaned up after as per the park’s leave no trace policy.
Polihale State Park is accessible to people with various disabilities. It features accessible parking areas, wheelchair-accessible paths, spacious restrooms and showers, paved surfaces, and ramps at building entrances and exits.