When I decided to spend part of my Maui trip camping on the Road to Hana, I thought this would be the “easiest” part of planning the trip. With all of the beaches and outdoor places to occupy, there should be endless options. Oh, how I turned out to be very wrong. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many campgrounds, state parks, and beaches are closed. (Honestly is still unclear to me why restaurants are able to be open but outdoor areas are shut down. 🤷♀️)
Heading to Maui? Check out Things to Know Before Visiting Maui in 2021 and my Quick Guide to a Road Trip on the Road to Hana here!
Campgrounds on the Road to Hana:
- Waiʻānapanapa State Park Cabins & Campground (North of Hana)
- Reservations are required for entering the State Park/Access to the beach, campground, and cabins
- Slots open 14 days in advance one day at a time at midnight HST
- Parking AND camping reservations must be made at least 1 day prior to arrival
- Campervan permit required (no car camping)
- Kīpahulu Campground (South of Hana)
- Currently closed as of July 1, 2021
- Book in advance
- Walk-ins are available on a first-come-first-serve (off-season)
- Only 3 nights per 30-day period
- Hosmer Grove Campground (Haleakalā)
- Reservations required
- Booking is available 6 months in advance
- Print reservation required for arrival
- Hōlua Wilderness Campground (Haleakalā)
- Reservation required
- Booking is available 6 months in advance
- Only 3 nights per 30 day period
- Print reservation required for arrival
- Accessible only by trail
Websites to Book
- Outdoorsy
- RV and Camper Van Rentals
- HipCamp
- Campsites, cabins, RV parks, treehouses, glamping cabanas, etc.
- Airbnb
- Cabins, land for camping, glamping, treehouses
How to Find Places to Park Overnight on the Road to Hana
You might be wondering if you can sleep in your car on the Road to Hana and if so, where can I overnight park? Luckily, finding designated camping and parking spots along the Road to Hana is easy with the iOverlander APP. This free app allows you to browse a comprehensive database of campsites, hostels, and even dispersed camping locations (parking off the road) – all viewable on a map or in a list format. iOverlander also provides valuable details like user reviews, amenities offered (think restrooms or showers!), and even the date the information was last updated, ensuring you have the most current picture. Plus, since most of the Road to Hana has limited cell service, iOverlander’s offline functionality lets you search for saved locations – perfect for finding that perfect spot to pitch a tent or rest your eyelids under the Hawaiian stars.
Remember, always be sure to respect local regulations regarding overnight parking, and practice Leave No Trace principles to keep this beautiful environment pristine for future travelers.
Renting Camping Gear
Unless you are planning to camp the entire time you’re on Maui, bringing your own camping gear doesn’t make much sense. While there is a long list of businesses on Maui offering camping gear rentals, most of them are either still temporarily closed due to COVID-19 or have permanently closed. Luckily, Maui Vacation Equipment is still running at full capacity and I had a fantastic experience with them!
Here’s what I rented from Maui Vacation Equipment for 3 days on Hana:
- Beach Towel
- Compact Folding Chair
- LED Lantern
- 28 Quart Cooler
- Therm-a-Rest Pad
- Twin Set (Blanket, Pillow, Pillowcase)
They were out of stock with tents, so I purchased a tent in Maui for $40. Since I was in Maui for a long period after camping, I posted it on Facebook Marketplace and sold it *used* for $30.
I chose the locker pickup in Kihei as it was close to my Airbnb but they also have a locker pickup closer to the airport. The day before your rental, you’ll receive a text or/email with the address and instructions on picking up your items. The checkout is typically at the same location unless you specified otherwise. It’s the same routine and they’ll send you information on what bins to return your items in the storage unit. Contactless, easy, and budget-friendly!
My Camping Experience
My campsite got canceled at the last minute, so I ended up winging it and camping on a farm owner’s land next to his fruit stand one night and on a lot next to a field of cows overlooking the ocean the others. Read the full story on those adventures here!
Do you have any other questions about camping on Maui? Comment below or send me a DM!
