Is Keaīwa Heiau Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Keaīwa Heiau 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.

Can I see photos of campsites at Keaīwa Heiau Campground before I book?

Yes! Keaīwa Heiau Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Keaīwa Heiau Campground is open Campground is subject to temporary closures for construction and maintenance (sources noted closures through February 2026). Check official Hawaii State Parks channels for current opening status.. 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 Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Yes, Keaīwa Heiau Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Fire policies at Keaīwa Heiau Campground: Designated fire pits and charcoal BBQ grills are reported in picnic and camping areas. Check Hawaii State Parks for current fire restrictions, permitted fuel types, and rules before visiting.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Cell phone service at Keaīwa Heiau Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

Are dogs allowed at Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Keaīwa Heiau Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

Popular activities at Keaīwa Heiau Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Keaīwa Heiau Campground

3.83

6 reviews

Top 19% in HIWinter

Quick Facts

1,053 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is subjec...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,053 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Campground is subjec...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Showers

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Keaīwa Heiau Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Permit required when the campground is open; no fee amounts were provided in the sources. Some reviews report free day-use and parking. Check Hawaii...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Hawaii State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Keaīwa Heiau Campground

21.3984, -157.9020

Nearby places

Honolulu (roughly 30 minutes' drive)

Aiea (immediately below the park)

Nearby supplies

Commercial areas in Aiea (Aiea Heights Drive) provide the closest supplies and services.

Weather at Keaīwa Heiau Campground

Best Time to Camp at Keaīwa Heiau Campground

Thanks to its elevated position and generous tree cover, the campground stays refreshingly cooler than O'ahu's steamy coastal areas, with year-round temperatures hovering between the mid-60s and mid-80s°F. Summer brings drier conditions ideal for hiking (though you'll share the trails with more mosquitoes), while winter months turn greener and wetter, occasionally transforming trails into muddy ribbons that add adventure to your trek. Pack layers regardless of season—the forest keeps things comfortable, but evening temperatures can dip pleasantly cool under the canopy.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring offers pleasant temperatures and flowering understory in the forest setting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground is subject to temporary closures for construction and maintenance (sources noted closures through February 2026). Check official Hawaii State Parks channels for current opening status.

About Keaīwa Heiau Campground

Nestled high on the Aiea Heights ridgeline, Keaīwa Heiau Campground offers a rare blend of mountain serenity and Hawaiian history, where tent campers sleep beneath towering eucalyptus groves just steps from ancient heiau ruins. This intimate, tent-only retreat provides modern amenities—restrooms, showers, and picnic areas—while serving as your basecamp for the scenic Aiea Loop Trail and breathtaking ridge-top vistas overlooking Pearl Harbor and the Honolulu skyline.

Designated tent-only campground (permit required when open); not suitable for campervans or vehicle sleeping. Day-use picnic areas and loop-road parking adjacent to campsites.

Historical Significance

The site centers on Keaīwa Heiau, the ruins of a Hawaiian temple historically associated with traditional healing practices. Interpretive information in the park highlights the heiau's cultural importance and the area's spiritual and archaeological significance.

Weather and SeasonsThanks to its elevated position and generous tree cover, the campground stays refreshingly cooler than O'ahu's steamy coastal areas, with year-round temperatures hovering between the mid-60s and mid-80s°F. Summer brings drier conditions ideal for hiking (though you'll share the trails with more mosquitoes), while winter months turn greener and wetter, occasionally transforming trails into muddy ribbons that add adventure to your trek. Pack layers regardless of season—the forest keeps things comfortable, but evening temperatures can dip pleasantly cool under the canopy.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to dappled sunlight filtering through a 384-acre forest canopy, where fragrant eucalyptus mingles with native trees and a lush understory carpets the forest floor. Despite O'ahu's urban energy just below, the park's dense woodland wraps you in true mountain-forest tranquility. The crown jewel is the Aiea Loop Trail, which traces the ridgeline through grassy clearings and shaded corridors, offering that coveted sense of remote escape while keeping civilization comfortably close—the best of both worlds for campers craving nature without isolation.

Geological RegionAiea Heights ridgeline on Oʻahu (forested ridgeline above Aiea)

Scenic ViewsFrom higher points on the Aiea Loop Trail and ridge breaks there are panoramic views of Pearl Harbor, parts of Honolulu, and central Oʻahu; the campground and picnic areas themselves are primarily shaded forest and grassy clearings with limited wide-open vistas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsHawaii State Parks (permit required; check official site for reservations/permits)

Best CampsitesSources do not identify specific campsite numbers or 'best' sites. Camping is described as tent-only in designated areas near the loop road with shared bathrooms, showers, fire pits, and picnic tables; no individual site recommendations were provided.

Need help booking Keaīwa Heiau Campground?

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When to Book

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Amenities available

Shared restrooms and showers, potable water (water fountains), picnic tables and pavilions, charcoal grills/fire pits in the camping area, and multiple parking areas along the park loop road.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Forest-based recreation focused on hiking the Aiea Loop Trail, picnicking, cultural/historical interpretation at the Keaīwa Heiau site, birdwatching, and nature walks. The park is also used for trail running and scenic photography.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes and other biting insects are commonly reported, especially in warm/humid conditions. Trails (including the Aiea Loop Trail) can become muddy and slippery after rain; some areas have steep steps that can complicate access. Park gates close in the early evening (reviews cite ~6:45 PM), and visitors should plan to exit before closing. Feral chickens and occasional sanitation issues in facilities have been reported in visitor reviews.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.8

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Keaīwa Heiau Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall very positive review sentiment: visitors praise the shaded forest setting, the Aiea Loop Trail, and the cultural significance of the Keaīwa Heiau. Campers appreciate on-site amenities like restrooms and showers, while noting occasional maintenance issues and access limitations.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

What Campers Love

Scenic, shaded forest environment; Aiea Loop Trail with ridge-top views of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu; historic/cultural interest at the Keaīwa Heiau ruins; on-site restrooms, showers, picnic areas,...

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring insect repellent and appropriate clothing; wear sturdy, grippy footwear for muddy trails; bring camping supplies (no camp store on site); check current campground status and permit requirements...

Based on 6 reviews