Kauai, Hawaii- Why you need to camp at Polihale State Park

This is one of those experiences that I can’t seem to stop talking about. Polihale State park is not only an affordable and attainable location, but it’s also jaw dropping beautiful and what makes it even more fabulous is that you are likely to be nearly alone while here.

Polihale State Park is located on the most western part of Kauai. For $20 a night you can buy a camping permit that gives you access to a spot that can only be described as one of the most special places in our country.

A 15 minute bumpy dirt road will lead you to the white sand, blue ocean water and a backdrop of the the Napali Coast mountains.

A desolate dirt road is the only way to access this secluded State Park

Despite its beauty, this place is never crowded.

I rented a jeep with a top tent on Airbnb that not only was a great way to camp, but also gave us the four-wheel drive required to make it safely down the 5 mile bumpy road to the park. Once at Polihale, time is all yours. Be ready for time to move slowly, only marked by another dip in the warm ocean water or the turning of another book page read.

A few other campers set up on either side of the rig- and by either side I mean about 100 yards away on each side. So this means you have privacy, peace and quiet.

A few approaches to a Polihale State Park Experience

Camping

This option is not for everyone, but if you are open to spending the night without the comforts of a hotel, I highly recommend you camp on the beach. Skip the tent and instead rent a rig- a rental car and hotel room all in one! I went through airbnb to find mine, here’s a link if you are interested in renting the same jeep.

Pack plenty of water, food, firewood and sunscreen to enjoy a full day and night of paradise. There is limited wood available around the beach so make sure to get it before you make the trek. The State Park even has showers and toilets- which I will say makes a big difference when it comes to camping.

The Airbnb rented rig was equiped with all the essential items needed to cook full meals while out on the beach

cooking breakfast during sunrise

Day trip

If you love your fabulous hotel or rental home, there is no reason you still can’t come and enjoy the beauty of Polihale State Park. Get your 4 wheel drive car, beach umbrella, and all the food and drinks you need for the day and head out early to this beach. You can still enjoy the thrill of driving your car out to a secluded spot, setting up your turf for a day and getting the same slow passing of time experience as the overnighters. You will miss the sunrise (well depends on how ambitious you are!) but you are still going to get the beautiful backdrop of mountains with this incredible ocean view.

A beautiful dirt road leads the way to the State Park

No matter how much time you spend at Polihale, I promise it’ll never be enough. As I drove back down the dirt road, back towards the rest of Kauai, I though to myself something that rarely crosses my mind, “I’ll be back again.”