Best campgrounds and RV Parks near Kaunakakai, HI

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Kaunakakai camping overview

Kaunakakai is the main town on Molokai, a quiet Hawaiian island with a slow pace and few resort developments. Camping options in and around town are limited but distinctive: two Maui County beach parks on the coast and one state park in the uplands, all requiring advance permits. RV travelers should note that Molokai is a tent-camping island, with no full-hookup RV parks near Kaunakakai and no vehicle ferry service, so most visitors fly in and rent a truck or car for gear. One Ali‘i Beach Park sits on the south shore next to town, while Papohaku Beach Park lies about twenty miles west along one of Hawaii's longest white-sand beaches. Palaau State Park is roughly a half-hour drive north, perched above the Kalaupapa Peninsula in an ironwood grove. Travelers island-hopping to Oahu can pair a Molokai visit with a stay at Camp Mokule‘ia, a private beachfront campground on Oahu's North Shore. Expect a low-infrastructure experience. Kaunakakai has a small grocery, hardware store, and gas, but not much else, so plan supplies before leaving town.

Things to do near Kaunakakai

Days on Molokai center on the coast and the country roads. From Kaunakakai, drive the south shore to visit ancient fishponds, or head east on Kamehameha V Highway toward Halawa Valley for waterfalls and hikes. Snorkeling is best at east-end beaches; the south-shore water near town is shallow and better for wading than swimming. On the west end, walk the long beach at Papohaku, but stay out of the water when surf is up, as currents are strong. Up north, the Kalaupapa Lookout in Palaau State Park offers views over the historic peninsula, and a short trail to Kauleonanahoa starts nearby. Bring bikes or fishing gear. Nightlife is minimal, so plan around stargazing, beach walks, and early starts.

Seasonal patterns for Kaunakakai

spring
March - May
79° / 66°F 15 mm
Drying out; steady trades; good beach camping
summer
June - August
82° / 72°F 8 mm
Driest, sunniest; Central Pacific hurricane season opens
fall
September - November
82° / 72°F 25 mm
Warm; hurricane risk peaks; rains return in late fall
winter
December - February
77° / 64°F 40 mm
Wettest season; brief showers; cooler trade-wind nights

Molokai has a mild, two-season climate. The wet season runs roughly November through March, with the heaviest rain arriving in December on the south shore near Kaunakakai. Showers are usually brief and pass quickly, but muddy access roads and cooler, breezy nights are common in winter. High surf on the north and west shores peaks in these months, which can close beaches to swimming. April through October is drier and warmer. Trade winds keep coastal camps comfortable, and Papohaku and One Ali‘i are at their best in late spring and early summer. June is typically the driest month, and July has the most daily sunshine, averaging close to ten hours. Central Pacific hurricane season runs June through November. Direct hits on Molokai are rare, but travelers should watch forecasts and be ready to break camp if a tropical system approaches the islands.

How to book a campsite near Kaunakakai

All camping near Kaunakakai requires a permit obtained before arrival. For One Ali‘i and Papohaku, permits are issued by Maui County Parks and Recreation from its office in Kaunakakai. Applicants must be at least eighteen, and mail-in requests should be submitted at least two weeks ahead. Phone contact is 808-553-3204, and the office is open weekdays. Palaau State Park is managed by the Hawaii Division of State Parks. Reservations can be made up to thirty days in advance through the state's camping.ehawaii.gov portal, with a maximum stay of five consecutive nights. Off-island travelers considering an Oahu add-on can book Camp Mokule‘ia directly through the operator, since it is a private site not listed on the state or county portals. None of the county or state sites near Kaunakakai offer hookups.

What to expect on the ground

Facilities are basic. One Ali‘i and Papohaku have restrooms, cold showers, picnic tables, and drinking water, but no electric, sewer, or dump stations. Palaau has restrooms and picnic shelters but no showers. Cell service is spotty outside town, and after-dark lighting is minimal. Come prepared with everything: water jugs, insect repellent for mosquitoes and no-see-ums, sun protection, a good tarp for passing showers, and food for the length of the stay. Firewood and camp supplies are limited on the island. Molokai is a small, tight-knit community. Respect quiet hours, pack out trash, and check in politely with neighbors at the campground.

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Campgrounds and RV parks near Kaunakakai, HI

Kaunakakai camping overview

Things to do near Kaunakakai

Camping spots and RV parks near Kaunakakai, HI

Seasonal patterns for Kaunakakai

How to book a campsite near Kaunakakai

What to expect on the ground

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