Maui Campervan Rental Campground Options

You’ve found the perfect Maui camper van rental and are excited to explore the island but are finding lots of conflicting information about camping on Maui.  Don’t worry, you’re not alone!  Many of our potential guests reach out with questions like “is it legal to sleep in your car in Hawaii?” or  “where can I sleep in my camper van rental on Maui?”, so I want to help clear up where camping in Hawaii is legal and share a  list of the best campgrounds for your Maui RV rental. 

It is legal to sleep in your vehicle in Hawaii, but you must be in a designated camping area and have a camping permit to stay there.  You won’t be able to get a permit on site and vacationing in a Maui campervan rental is extremely popular so you will want to book one and secure your camping permits as early as possible to have the best options.  Camping on Maui is the most affordable way to visit this island paradise and with a Maui camper van rental, your hotel and car become one expense, which is considerably lower than traditional stays!

The following Maui campgrounds are the best options to stay during your Maui campervan rental adventure.

Camp Olowalu

This private campground has a designated campervan area and offers great amenities such as hot showers, nice bathrooms and grassy picnic areas.  It is only 30 minutes from the airport and, at 15 minutes from Lahaina, is the best place to stay while exploring West Maui. They also offer guided kayak snorkel tours and will provide a gate code for late check-in’s, making it a great option if your flight arrives at night.   It is pretty easy to get a spot here, as long as you plan ahead, and is relatively inexpensive at $30/person/night.  

Waianapanapa State Park

If you are looking for a campground with lots of exploration opportunities, Waianapanapa Campground is the perfect place to stay!  It offers a beautiful black sand beach cove, lava tube, and fresh water caves to explore with spectacular views of the Hana coastline.  This campground is located at mile marker #32 on the Road to Hana and is about 10 minutes from Hana town.  The camping fee here is only $30/campsite, but there are only 6 vehicle camping spots and it is an extremely popular spot for campervanning on Maui, so if you plan on staying here make sure to secure your permit as soon as your desired dates become available, 90 days prior.

Hosmer’s Grove

The first of 2 campgrounds in Haleakala National Park is Hosmer’s Grove, which is located near the summit, making it an ideal place for camping on Maui the day you explore the park.  Witnessing the Haleakala sunrise and/or sunset from above the clouds is a sight to behold and securing one of the 6 camping spots at this popular Maui campground will allow you to enjoy the spectacular sight without driving the long winding road up or down in the dark. Since this campground is located in the cloud belt at 7000 feet, it can get really cold, so make sure to bring warm clothes if you plan on staying here.  Camping at Hosmer’s Grove is only $5/campsite and is available on a 30 day rolling basis.  Make sure to print your camping permit to show to the ranger if asked.

Kipahulu Campground

The other Haleakala National Park campground is located on the lower slopes of Haleakala volcano, about 10 miles past Hana at mile marker #41, near the Ohe’o Gulch, making it an ideal spot to camp if you are hiking the Pipiwai trail or simply enjoying the short Pools of Ohe’o ( 7 Sacred Pools) hike.  Kipahulu Campground has 15 drive up sites booked on a 30 day rolling basis and the fee is $8/campsite. 

Reservations for the above Maui campervan camping options can be made online and there are a few other campgrounds that can be found on the camping page of our website.  In addition to these campgrounds listed online, Campervan Hawaii also has some exclusive Maui camping options that are available to our guests and if you decide to book with us, you will receive our Camping and Activity Guide with details about all the camping options and instructions on how to book your stay at each.