FAQ Camping Permits

1.     When can camp
Camping in city campgrounds always begins on Friday and extends through the weekend ending on either Monday at 8am or Wednesday at 8am. No camping is allowed on either Wednesday or Thursday.

2.     When can I get a camping permit?   How do I get a camping permit?  
Camping is available for permitting two(2) Fridays prior to the Friday that you plan to camp beginning at 5pm HST. Camping permits may be obtained at that time by accessing our online camping program. Camping permits may also be obtained at the DPR Permits Section located on the ground floor of the Fasi Municipal Building, 650 South King Street during regular working hours, Monday through Friday. DPR Permits will not have access to new permit releases until the Monday following the Friday permit release. Application by mail or telephone will not be accepted.

3.     How much does a camping permit cost?                                                                 
For a limited time the City will be offering camping permits to the general public at no charge. 
At the end of this period a camping permit for a three (3) day campground, Friday through Monday, will cost thirty (30) dollars plus up to seven (7) dollars in fees. A camping permit for a five (5) day campground, Friday through Wednesday, will cost fifty (50) dollars and up to seven (7) dollars in fees. At that time payment may be made online using Paypal or in person at the DPR Permits office with either cash or check. 
None of these fees will be refundable.

4.     Which campgrounds are three (3) day campgrounds?                                       
The three day campgrounds are Bellows Beach Park, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, Kalaeloa Beach Park, Kualoa "A" Regional Park, Ma'ili Beach Park, and Swanzy Beach Park.

5.     Can I have a campfire? Where can we have a Bonfire?
Campfires and Bonfires are illegal on all public beaches and parks. Persons violating the open burning rules are subject to fines up to $10,000 per violation, per day. You may use above ground barbeque grills for cooking. They must be at least 12 inches off of the ground.

6.     Is trailer camping allowed? How about camping in my truck?                                     
Only camping in tents in assigned, numbered campsites are allowed.  No camping in vehicles, including trailer camping, cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, or vans.

7.     Can I get a map of the campsites?                                                                  
Please check our web-site to link to our family camp site maps, at http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/maps.htm .

8.     Are water and electricity available at the campsites? Can I use a generator?         
Water and electricity are only for the comfort stations and irrigation only.  Campers are not allowed to hook up to the county utilities.  There are outdoor showers for public use. 
The use of generators is not allowed.

9.     Are there accessible campsites?                                                                      
There are wheelchair accessible campsites at Keaau Beach Park, Kualoa Regional Park, Swanzy Beach Park, Waimanalo Beach Park and Waimanalo Bay Beach Park.

10. Do I need to provide the names of all the people going camping?                    
The names of the people camping are not required to be listed at this time. As the permit holder you are responsible for the conduct of your guests. The permit holder will be held responsible for any damage or clean-up to the area. You should leave the campsite in the same or better condition than when you found it.

11. What are the most popular campsites?                                                               
Campsites on Oahu are popular for various reasons such as one is a good swimming site or another has lots of trees while yet another has scenic open spaces. All campgrounds but Ho'omaluhia are in beach parks. Ho'omaluhia itself is a mountain park.

12. Are campground gates closed at night? Can I come in after 8pm?                            
 Most campgrounds are not gated and are open 24 hours.  The following campgrounds are currently gated:

Bellows Beach Park ----------------gates closed 8pm – 6am

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens -----gates closed 4pm – 9am

Kaiaka Beach Park -----------------gates closed 6:45pm – 7am

Kokololio Beach Park --------------gates closed 8pm – 7am

Kualoa Regional Park --------------gates closed 8pm – 7am

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park --------gates closed 7:45pm – 7am

13. Do you have a list of all the campgrounds available on Oahu, both public and private? How about the neighbor islands?                                                             
 For information on public campgrounds in Hawaii, visit the websites listed below:

Hawaii State Parks Campsites: www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks

Hawaii County: http://www.co.hawaii.hi.us

Kauai County: www.kauai.gov

Maui County: www.co.maui.hi.us

For up-to-date information on the above and private campsites in Hawaii, we recommend doing a search using the Internet.

14. May I bring a dog to camp with me? How about a pet or another animal?          
The Department of Parks and Recreation prohibits any animal from entering or remaining within any public park.