Camping near Lihue

Named for the Hawaiian word meaning “cold chill,” Lihue is a prime destination for catching cool coastal breezes while camping on the southeastern coast of Kauai. Stay in town at beachfront campgrounds with group and RV sites equipped with picnic shelters and barbecue grills. Don’t forget to book a riverboat cruise to Fern Grotto. Or wander through lush gardens near Opaekaa Falls in Wailua River State Park, about 15 minutes outside Lihue. Stay in the area at Kauai County campgrounds that offer cabin rentals and dormitories with kitchens and amenities like bedding, hot showers, and cooking utensils. For tent camping in the backcountry, head an hour and a half across the island to Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park and Kokeʻe State Park. The connecting recreational areas are famous for their cliffside hiking trails, pristine beaches, and stunning coastal views. Tent campers have access to endless island scenery as well as restrooms and hiking trails—take note that some state parks require campsite reservations six months in advance.