Is Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground?

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground is open Weekend-only camping (Friday through Sunday nights). Gate closures at night restrict entry/exit outside posted hours.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground?

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground have?

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground?

Popular activities at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

4.73

11 reviews

Top 6% in HIWinter

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Weekend-only camping...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Weekend-only camping...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

No Pets

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Permits required for camping; overnight parking permits must be displayed. Specific fee amounts not provided in the available sources.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Hawaii State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

19.8594, -155.9333

Nearby supplies

Supplies and services available in the Waikoloa area (Hilton Waikoloa vicinity is frequently cited as about a 15-minute drive in local reports).

Weather at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

Best Time to Camp at Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

Kīholo welcomes campers on weekends year-round (Friday through Sunday nights), making it perfect for a quick coastal escape. Plan your visit during calm weather for the best experience—settled conditions transform the protected bays into ideal snorkeling spots where visibility stretches for dozens of feet and the ocean becomes your own private aquarium.

Best

Winter(Dec-Feb)

4.0 / 5

Top 6% in HI

Open weekends year‑round; winter can be fine but check for rough ocean conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Weekend-only camping (Friday through Sunday nights). Gate closures at night restrict entry/exit outside posted hours.

About Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground

Escape to one of Hawaii's most secluded coastal gems, where eight intimate campsites nestle beneath a canopy of kiawe trees on ancient lava flows. This remote oceanfront sanctuary offers front-row seats to snorkeling adventures and green sea turtle encounters, accessible via a scenic gravel road that keeps the crowds at bay.

A small set of eight reservable campsites fronting the ‘ili‘ili (pebble) beach in a shaded kiawe grove; weekend-only camping with minimal facilities.

Historical Significance

Managed as a State Park Reserve and associated with historic lava flows; listed under a curatorship arrangement with Hawaiʻi State Parks. No deeper cultural history was provided in the reviewed materials.

Weather and SeasonsKīholo welcomes campers on weekends year-round (Friday through Sunday nights), making it perfect for a quick coastal escape. Plan your visit during calm weather for the best experience—settled conditions transform the protected bays into ideal snorkeling spots where visibility stretches for dozens of feet and the ocean becomes your own private aquarium.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to the sight of turquoise waters lapping against jet-black lava rock and ʻiliʻili pebble beaches—this is Kīholo's dramatic volcanic coastline. The campground sits in a welcome oasis of shade beneath weathered kiawe trees, while just steps away, historic lava flows create sheltered bays teeming with marine life. Green sea turtles (honu) glide through the crystal-clear waters, often surfacing near shore to the delight of patient observers along this stark yet stunning landscape.

Geological RegionKohala Coast, Hawaiʻi Island — coastal volcanic lava fields and basaltic shoreline (black sand/pebble beaches, historic lava flows).

Scenic ViewsDirect oceanfront views of the Kohala/west coast of Hawaiʻi Island, expansive coastal panoramas, black‑sand/pebble shoreline, turquoise water and adjacent lava fields.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsHawaii State Parks online reservations (UseDirect-based reservation system)

Total Campsites8 campsites

Best CampsitesThe eight reservable oceanfront sites fronting the ʻiliʻili (pebble) beach in the shaded kiawe grove are the most recommended — oceanfront and shaded sites are preferred for views and protection from sun. Specific site numbers were not identified in the available sources.

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When to Book

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Amenities available

Portable toilets (porta-potties) and trash containers are provided. There is no potable water and no showers; facilities are minimal and the site is remote with an unimproved access road.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities include beachgoing and coastal exploring, snorkeling, shore fishing, coastal hiking/walking, and wildlife viewing (notably green sea turtles).

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo potable water or showers; limited facilities (porta‑potties only). Rough, unimproved gravel access road; gated access with nightly closures; lack of lifeguards and full‑time emergency services. Volcanic/rocky shoreline (sharp lava rock), kiawe thorns, variable ocean conditions/strong surf, and isolated location. Reports in visitor reviews include vehicle break‑ins and occasional hazardous wildlife encounters (e.g., centipede).

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.7

11 reviews

Top-Rated

Kīholo State Park Reserve Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Most reviews are strongly positive, praising dramatic volcanic shoreline, oceanfront campsites, snorkeling and turtle sightings; common negatives are limited facilities, rough access, gate hours and occasional vehicle break-ins.

Review Summaries

Based on 11 reviews