Kauai State Parks and Camping

Hiking the Na Pali Coast and Exploring Remote Polihale Beach Park

May 21, 2008

Kauai State Parks include isolated Polihale, mountainous Kokee and the magnificent but hard to access Na Pali Coast State Park.

Kauai has both State and County campgrounds. Kauai County campgrounds are easily accessible and all located in beach parks. Kauai State Parks take a bit more effort to reach, but are well worth the effort.

Kokee State Park offers the only Kauai campground that isn't on the beach. close to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Kokee State Park camping is located at the far end of a long meadow bordered by the Kokee Natural History Museum, the main office of the Kokee Lodge, and tall redwood trees. Meals and snacks can be bought at the Kokee Lodge main building.

If you're interested in Kauai Hiking, the Kokee Natural History Museum offers maps of Kokee's hiking trails. Check the weather and the trail's rating before hiking: while the scenery is beautiful, some Kokee trails can challenge even experienced hikers.

While you're camping Kokee be sure to take in Waimea Valley, with its red cliffs and waterfalls. If weather permits, try to catch the sunset at the Kalalau Lookout, which looks down on Kalalau Valley and na Pali.

Don't let tropical Kauai fool you if you camp at Kokee. You're at a high elevation and at night the temperature drops quickly. Kokee State Park is the only place on Kauai where frost occasionally develops, so pack some warm clothes.

Polihale State Park is on the northwest shore of Kauai. Polihale is part of the longest stretch of unbroken beach in the State of Hawaii, extending down from Polihale to Kekaha Town. Polihale butts up against the western side of na Pali (Hawaiian for the Cliffs). The white sand beach is broad, often deserted, and has impressive sand dunes.

A few words of caution about Polihale State Park, its white sand dunes and oh-so-inviting waters. First, and most important, stay out of that inviting water. Polihale is well known to locals for its savage undertow, which drags you under, rolls you over jagged, broken coral, and then drags you out again. There's no lifeguard at Polihale, and the beaches isolation makes it unlikely anyone will be around to drag you out of the water if you're in trouble.. Make no mistake: Polihale waters kill.

You may occasionally see surfers at Polihale. They are either a) very experienced, b) completely lolo (crazy) or c) both. Do not try to imitate them. Some guidebooks suggest that you can swim in a sheltered Polihale reef called Queen Emma's Bath. Don't risk it.

If you rent a car for your Kauai visit, you might want to give Polihale a miss. Access is through an old cane road with potholes that could swallow school buses. Occasionally the beach dunes invade the road, making passage that much more difficult. These conditions void most rental car agreements, and if you get stuck in the sand out at Polihale, you're a long way from help. If the cane road has been recently graded you might be able to consider a Polihale trip in a rental, but don't say you weren't warned!

Finally, Polihale State Park is hot, hot, hot! Those miles of beautiful white sand reflect the sunlight right back at you, and you can burn within minutes. Sunscreen, hats and protective clothing are a must if you're camping at Polihale. You'll want to pack plenty of water to re-hydrate with as well.

Despite all these apparent setbacks, Polihale State Park is well worth a visit. Sunset at Polihale alone is well worth a trip to Kauai.

There are three campgrounds in Na Pali Coast State Park, at Hanakoa, Kalalau and Milolii valleys. The only access for the Na Pali Coast State Park is along the Kalalau Trail, which begins at Kee Beach. The eleven mile Kalalau Trail is generally held to be the most difficult and strenuous trail in the State of Hawaii, and should only be attempted by the most experienced hikers.

The maximum permit for camping in Na Pali Coast State Park is five days. For those with the skills required for to hike the Kalalau Trail, the reward is some of the most amazing landscape on the planet.

Kauai camping fees for Polihale and Kokee State Parks cost $5.00 a night, while Na Pali Coast State Park fees are $10.00 a night. Camping permits can be booked up to a year in advance, and if you want to get a na Pali camping permit it's advised that you book as far in advance as possible, especially for the summer month. Day permits are required for Kauai hiking in na Pali whether or not you actually camp. Camping permits may be purchased at the Kauai District Office in Lihue:

The copyright of the article Kauai State Parks and Camping in Hawaii Travel is owned by Michael McGrath. Permission to republish Kauai State Parks and Camping in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.