Nā Pali Coast State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Nā Pali Coast State Park was established in 1983, and it's a different kind of park from most. For example, it's an 11-mile hike from the parking area just to get to Nā Pali Coast State Park, and you need a valid camping permit to camp or to land kayaks or boats at the two designated boating locations.
Polynesians first landed in the area that became Nā Pali Coast State Park in roughly 1200 CE. Tahitians followed, and the area was a well-known center for trade in that region of the Pacific. After Captain Cook visited in 1778, and Europeans began to visit the island more and more, the native populations died off from the diseases that the Europeans brought with them.
Nearby Cities:
Wainiha, HI
Princeville, HI
Kilauea, HI
Anahola, HI
Spring 60-80 F
Summer 71-83 F
Fall 70-82 F
Winter 63-76 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Nā Pali Coast State Park
Campground Accommodations
There are no RV camping facilities of any kind at Nā Pali Coast State Park, though primitive hike-in camping is available.
Kawaikoi Campground
Kawaikoi Campground is located within Koke'e State Park, nestled next to the Kawaikoi Stream about a 30-minute drive from Nā Pali Coast State Park. Kawaikoi Campground has beautiful landscapes and serene views in large supply, although the campground itself has few simple amenities beyond the pretty scenery. Rugged and simple, Kawaikoi has a composting toilet and two trail shelters. It also has non-potable water, trash receptacles, and picnic tables. Stay aware that travel into this campground should only be attempted in good weather conditions, as the area is prone to flash flooding. Driving here in a motorhome can get bumpy, so ensure your RV can manage the trip.
Ha’ena Beach Park Campground
Right at the northern tip of Kauai is Ha'ena Beach Park, a five-acre park with no designated camping spots but plenty of grassy areas to park. Ha’ena Beach is situated right next to Mount Maka, an imposing green mountain. Some of the benefits of staying at Ha'ena Beach are lifeguards on duty from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, picnic tables, and an open pavilion. There are no full hookups or 30/50 amps, and the sites are back-in only. This campsite also features cold showers and comfort stations, allowing for great endings to sandy days. You can collect shells easily on the beach, explore a nearby cave, or just relax and soak up the sun in this laid-back part of the world.
Anini Beach Park Campground
Getting to Anini Beach requires a slow drive down a winding one-lane road, coming to a stop at the park's entrance to purchase a camping permit. Once you have one, feel free to park where you wish in the campsite, which happens to be one of the most secluded on the island. Once you have parked, you are mere footsteps from the water. There are many activities waiting for you at Anini Beach, beyond just the sheer enjoyment of staying on Kauai. You can learn to windsurf with ease when you sign up for windsurfing lessons, available for a nominal fee. Snorkeling is ideal here as the surf is much calmer than many spots on the island, and sea turtles are a common sight. The campground itself has showers and pavilions, as well as comfort stations and picnic tables. There are no full hookups here.
Lucy Wright Park
If you'd rather be closer to society during your trip to Kauai, Lucy Wright Park is ideally suited in the picturesque town of Waimea, a six-minute drive from Nā Pali Coast State Park. Nā Pali Coast State Park has an ancient and historic beauty, and as such, requires a permit to hike or camp there to ensure its safety. Lucy Wright Park also requires a permit. Once you have a permit, though, you can camp anywhere in the park. There are many restaurants and pubs located nearby, and it's located right off the Kaumualii Highway. This is a good area for surfing due to the quality of the waves. This is a much more active place to park, and people are generally up and about at all hours of the night. These are back-in only sites, with no full hookups available.
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What to Do at
Nā Pali Coast State Park
All activities at Nā Pali Coast State Park require you to be in tip-top shape. The terrain is brutal and unforgiving, and there is no cell signal. Just to access the park requires a hike of 11 miles. You have to signal passing helicopters or boats for help in an emergency. Still, the area is indescribably beautiful for you to photograph. If you're in the requisite shape, then you will certainly enjoy swimming, boating, and hiking in and around Nā Pali Coast State Park.
Break out your telescope for unparalleled night sky viewing. Appreciate the wonder of the multicolored plants and rocks. And, enjoy being completely unplugged from daily life.
Inside Nā Pali Coast State Park
Hiking is an enormously popular activity with Nā Pali Park, and it's easy to see why. The park is chock-full of trails twisting through jungles, through sea cliffs, and bordering the coastline. Experience with hiking is key here, though, as the paths can be tricky to navigate, and the weather is prone to change. Kayaking is also hugely popular, but mainly during the summer months when the weather is better. There are many different types of wildlife to see here, including sea turtles, reef sharks, and butterflyfish.
Hiking
The two main trails, the Kalulau Trail and the Hanakapi-ai Trail, are only for expert hikers as they climb nearly 7,000 feet of elevation. Be absolutely sure that you have enough water and food to remain safe. Remember that you have to pack in everything, including your camp stove and bedroll, and that you cannot build a campsite. You're not even allowed to move rocks. The places where you can camp have vault toilets so that you don't have to dig latrines.
Stargazing
The stargazing here is magnificent and is rated Class-1 or Class-2 on the Bortle Scale, depending where you find yourself. On a moonless night, you'll even be able to read by the zodiacal night, and the gegenschein will be readily apparent in the sky. You can set your telescope up virtually anywhere as long as you don't disturb the terrain in any way.
Flora and Fauna
In this part of the Pacific Ocean, albatrosses are common, and you spot them soaring on their 12-foot wings. Smaller, but still marvelous, are the tropical birds with either white tails or red tails. There is a large booby colony in Nā Pali Coast State Park, and if you're quiet and careful, then you can sneak into photo range. The flora is no less exciting as there are plants here that don't grow anywhere else. These include kawelu, ahinahina, and akoko among others.
Swimming
K'ee Beach is where you may swim. The currents are tricky, and the beach is surrounded by reefs, so you need to take utmost care while swimming. There are no lifeguards. The water temperature is almost the same as your neighborhood pool back home at 80 F, sometimes warmer.
Boating
Kayaking is popular, and there is a course that runs across the entire coast of Nā Pali Coast State Park. For this trek, you will need enough water to stay hydrated. Like other activities in Nā Pali Coast State Park, this trip is only for experienced kayakers. The only time that the trip is available is during the summer because the currents and weather are too treacherous at other times. Remember, there are only two places to land a kayak legally. Be wary of boat owners who offer illegal landings under the pretense of legality.
How to Get to
Nā Pali Coast State Park
Once you're on Kauai, take Route 56 along the eastern coast of the island. Follow it to the end, and park there. Then, you have to hike in the rest of the way. Remember to have a valid camping permit for Kalalau Trail if you plan on leaving your vehicle there overnight. You can also take the shuttle to and from the trailhead.
Entering Nā Pali Coast State Park
Neither the shuttle nor the parking area cost anything, but they are booked solid well in advance, so it pays to reserve your spot as far in advance as possible.
You can keep the comforts of home with you as you navigate this big wide world, and make wonderful memories along the way with an RV. Visit RVshare to find an RV to rent near Nā Pali Coast Park. Be sure to share all of the wonderful memories you've made together, and when you do, be sure to tag RVshare on social media or send your pictures to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Nā Pali Coast State Park
Although the weather is virtually the same all year round, summer is the best time to visit Nā Pali Coast State Park because all of the water-based activities are available.
It's mostly birds and insects that you will find in Nā Pali Coast State Park. You might see sea turtles on the sand at K'ee Beach or whales breaching off the coast.
No, there are no RV-specific campsites in Nā Pali Coast State Park. At the Kalalau campground, you can stay for a maximum of five days, but at the Hanakoa campsite, your maximum stay is one night. At Miloli'i, you can camp for three days, and in all cases, this is the roughest of the rough camping because you are not allowed to construct campsites, fire rings, or anything else, and you are limited to camp stoves for cooking because fires of any kind are disallowed.
Yes, you have to have reservations. Hawaii residents pay $25 per night to camp at one of the three allowable locations, and nonresidents pay $35 per night.
No, you must leave your pets at home as they are not allowed at Nā Pali Coast State Park.