Maui State
Campground Information
Camping Maui is a nice way to travel, but be sure to get informed in advance.
When I went a camping permit was required for all campgrounds, and this was
only available at a government office in town near the airport. Here are
a couple links that may help:
Polipoli
Spring State Recreation Area
At 6200 feet
elevation in Kula Forest Reserve, 9.7 miles upland from Kula on Waipoli Road off
Kekaulike Avenue (Highway 377); 4-wheel drive vehicle recommended.
Camping and
lodging (one cabin) within the fog belt of Kula forest. Extensive trail system
in the forest reserve, including through a forest reminiscent of the conifer
forests of the Pacific Northwest coast. Sweeping views of Central and West Maui,
Kaho'olawe, Moloka'i and Lana'i in clear weather. Pig and seasonal bird hunting.
Nights are generally cold; winter nights frequently have below freezing
temperatures. No campground showers.
SunsetMaui
Comments :
While I have camped many of the sites in Maui, this is one I
have not visited.
Wai'anapanapa
State Park
In Hana at
end of Wai'anapanapa Road off Hana Highway (Highway 360), 52.8 miles east of
Kahului Airport--3 hours drive.
Remote,
wild, low-cliffed volcanic coastline offering solitude and respite from urban
life. Lodging, camping, picnicking, shore fishing and hardy family hiking along
an ancient Hawaiian coastal trail which leads to Hana. Excellent opportunity to
study a seabird colony and anticline pools. Other features include native hala
forest, legendary cave, heiau (place of worship), natural stone arch,
sea stacks, blow holes and small black sand beach.
SunsetMaui
Comments :
Years ago I traveled Maui with a backpack. Wai'anapanapa
was one of my extended stops. I believe the maximum stay
was 14 days; I stayed the full duration. This park is located in Hana and
can be very wet for camping. With this said, it was a fantastic location.
After staying there for two weeks I moved my tent to an open
field near the Seven Sacried Pools. Camping there was free (there were
several others there as well), and there was a lot of space. On the fifth
night a major rain storm hit and chased all other campers off in the
night. Having hitch-hiked to the end of the road I had no transportation
and spent the night sleeping in a puddle. The next day I packed my tent
and headed for the dryer side of the island.
Haleakala's Trail Camping
OK, so I have not located the information online for this yet,
but there are a series of trails that run through the volcano. I believe
there are two cabins within the volcano for overnighters. The trails allow
for hiking from the top of the volcano through to the rainforest at Hana.
Although I have never hiked this trail, it looks intriguing.
Camping Near Lahaina
As
you travel from the airport toward Lahaina you will pass a number of tents in
the trees along the beach. This unofficial campground always seems to have
guests. The 'X' on the adjacent map shows the approximate location of this
camping.
If you continue toward Lahaina there is another private
campground hidden along the road.
Additional Information Sources
