Water lovers can experience more than just the ocean with a lake camping trip in Hawaii.
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on all sides, Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, including world famous Waikiki Beach on Oahu, the family-friendly Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area on the Big Island, the secluded beaches of Polihale State Park on Kauai, and the gentle waters of the beaches near Wailea on Maui. But the Hawaiian islands also offer a number of lakes for water lovers to enjoy, from tiny Lake Waiau on the slopes of Mauna Kea to small fish ponds and man-made reservoirs. Public campgrounds with lake camping in Hawaii are limited to Oahu's Ahupua'a ‘O Kahana State Park, home to the historic Huilua Fishpond, and Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, with its freshwater lake, and Kau. However, private camping options can put you close to several other lakes: stay at a campsite near Hilo to be close to Waiakea Pond, Kahului to be close to Kanaha Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, or Poipu to explore the Waita Reservoir on Kauai.