Special Permit Rules for Nāpali Coast State Park
tent on the beach

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 9/11/25: Kaʻena Point State Parks - Mokuleʻia Section – Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits Closed for 2025.  Purple 2024 permits valid through 2025. Please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi at https://explore.ehawaii.gov/Web/. You will need an Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi account to apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Vehicle Access Permit, please create an account if you haven't already. Continue to check the Kaʻena Point State Park website for 2026 permit application updates.

[O’AHU] - UPDATE 9/10/25: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area-Kahuku Section - State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals for parties interested in developing campgrounds. More info: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/malaekahana-2026/

[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice. 

[OʻAHU] - 7/25/25:  Sand Island State Recreation Area – Camping will be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 – December 31, 2025.

[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25:  VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.  

Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025.  This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year.  DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week.  Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available.  We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing.  Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.

[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

Special Permit Rules for Nāpali Coast State Park

Nāpali Coast State Park is one of the most special places in Hawai’i. Its natural beauty and mystique make it one of the most popular and heavily used wilderness areas in the State.

PLEASE NOTE: Camping permits for Nāpali Coast are extremely popular and often sell out well in advance, particularly during the summer. Please plan accordingly.

Permit Rules

The heavy demand for a limited number of camping permits has created the need for a special set of provisions regulating use of this park. These rules include: 

  • Hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Valley (2 miles in from trailhead) requires Entry and Parking Reservations at Haena. Anyone proceeding beyond Hanakāpīʻai MUST possess a valid camping permit. Make reservations at www.gohaena.com
  • Camping permits may be applied for 90-days* in advance. – *Subject to intermittent change due to accessibility of the parks. Make camping reservations here
  • Separate Parking Reservations Required. Make reservations at www.gohaena.com
  • Camping fees for Nāpali Coast are $25 per person per night for Hawaii residents and $35 per person per night for non-residents).
  • The maximum length of stay is 5 consecutive nights along the Kalalau Trail (no 2 consecutive nights may be spent at Hanakoa Valley).
  • In response to public demand and to promote improved public safety, as of May 19, 2010, camping permits for Nāpali Coast are issued for Kalalau only, the preferred destination at the end of the 11-mile Kalalau Trail. Permits for Kalalau are also valid for camping at Hanakoa, which is located a little beyond the halfway point of the trail, roughly 6 miles in from the trailhead. Permits specifically for Hanakoa are no longer issued, but hikers are encouraged to stopover and camp at Hanakoa if they possess a valid permit for Kalalau and they feel the need to break up their trek due to such factors as fatigue, inclement weather, or impending darkness. Permitted campers are cautioned that the new policy is not a license to camp anywhere along the trail. Hanakoa and Kalalau, which contain facilities to support camping activities, remain the only two authorized areas for camping along the trail. The total number of nights that are allowed for camping in the park is still 5 – so a stopover at Hanakoa, going either direction along the trail, counts as one of the authorized nights, and therefore reduces the total number of nights permitted at Kalalau.
  • The maximum length of stay is 3 consecutive nights at Miloli’i Valley (accessible by boat only).
  • Landing of kayaks is permitted at Kalalau Beach (May 15 through September 7 ONLY) with valid camping permits. Landings of kayaks and other watercraft at Miloli’i Beach is permitted for camping (with valid permits, May 15 through September 7) or day use. No other boat landings are permitted within the park. No private boat landings at Nu’alolo Kai – commercial boats with permits only.
  • Archaeological sites are prevalent in the camping areas and are protected by law. Do not disassemble rock walls to build shelters or fire rings. Open fires are prohibited. Please report any damage to archaeological sites to the State Parks Division.
  • No camping or day use in the emergency helicopter landing pads near the camping areas.
  • Commercial uses within State Parks are prohibited.  This includes guided hikes/overnight trips, and boat drop-off or pick-up at Napali Coast destinatios, except by special permit.