Forest camping near Hawi with wildlife watching

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

94% (782 reviews)
94% (782 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Hawi

Available this weekend

4 top forest campgrounds near Hawi with wildlife watching

97%
(784)

Wahi Nanea Place of Relaxation

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Kula, HI
The property is located on Maui island in the Kula district on the drier side of Haleakala. In days before western contact the area was heavily forested with native plants and trees and rainfall was abundant. The native Hawaiian grew bananas, taro and sweet potato. After Western contact businessmen mostly from the United States developed huge tracts of land for ranching and farming which cleared the native forests and destroyed the eco system from the mountain to the sea. Many of the Hawaiian people moved away nearer to the towns and immigrant Chinese laborers from the ranches and plantations moved in. The Chinese brought in the Wattle tree to plant for firewood as these trees grew very fast. These are the majority of the trees that you see today. As part of the Chinese immigration, the founder of modern China, Sun Yat Sen lived here for a time and planned his revolution to overthrow the last Chinese Dynasty. There is a park dedicated to him nearby.We have picnic tables a propane grill, a fire pit and a covered gazebo that is shared with 3 cabins This site is located at the 2800 ft altitude and the temperature at night can range from mid 50 to mid 60 degrees F. If you are planning to go to Haleakala, we are about 45 -60 minutes to the summit. We are also on the south side approach to Hana. There is a great restaurant for breakfast and lunch about 10 minutes away in Keokea town called Grandma's Coffee house.
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
$70
 / night
93%
(174)

The Hippocampus

11 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Hawi, HI
Legend has it, Kohala (the first of the 5 volcanos on the Big Island of Hawaii) is home to King Kamehameha I and this was the home to the Ali'i and the training grounds for their warriors. You can feel it when you walk into the forest and listen deeply and intuitively to your ancestors. It is truly an honor to be on this 'aina (land). Modern history: Up until 1984 this property was all avocado, Kukui and Ironwood land with the Kohala ditch running on the far south end. It wasn't until my current neighbor and sweet friend and her father bought the property and cleared away 160 Ironwoods to create a property that could be farmed and lived on. Then another couple bought the property in early 2000 and built it out with farm houses and gardens. Once they moved back to the mainland, this was home to the local skydive family where the pilots and instructors were housed. Finally, in 2021, Cirque-Girl Sequoia came in with a huge vision of a conscious homesteading community, learning and teaching alongside one another by way of events, projects, concerts, talks and certifications, all the while farming and creating even bigger orchards to feed not just her community, but the community of Hawi and beyond. At this time, not only is it "hip" to farm and grow your own food, but it is crucial. Learn more about this land: Everybody comes to Hawaii and thinks of beaches, surf and jungles but why not try a different side of Hawaii? The Ironwood Forests of Hawi are where you’ll find I'o (Hawaiian Hawks) and Pueo (Hawaiian owls only found on the Big Island), as the ancestor's whispers run through the massive forest of Ironwood, Kukui Nut and Avocado, in an ancient river bed of sugar plantation country. Deep in the heart of Hawaii’s only extinct volcano Kohala, this was home to the most prestigious Ali’i (Hawaiian Royalty) and the training grounds of warriors. Our farm sits on 10 acres, with over 30 varieties of fruit trees and a view of the Big Blue (the ocean). We provide 2 Hipcabins and 4 platforms, hammocks to daydream in, car camping, a center camp that has a kitchen, bathroom and shower plus a magical forest for you to meditate, do massage, practice Reiki, read or just have a beautiful discussion in. If you feel inclined to step out of the forest, you are welcome to use our communal eating area THE GROOVY GRINDS CAFE under the mango trees and we would love if you wanted to be a part of any of the events that we host here with our live-on conscious community. Things we do and can offer aerial, yoga and meditation classes, massage (ask hostess PRIOR to trip about booking sessions), drum circles, bonfire nights, fire-dancing, Thursday community potluck dinners @ 6:30pm, mini-concerts, painting, planting, building projects and whatever we get called to do. ....and what's camping without a bonfire? We have two bonfire pits lower on the property that you can join in on if our community already has one going. (NO fires in the gulch please.) One of our biggest bragging rights is that we are utilizing the vermaculture toilets which feeds our red wiggler worms, filters through 4 layers of organic matter and turns your toilet waste into nitrogen rich effluent for the plants. (NO TOILET PAPER PROVIDED SO PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN) and the gray water from the shower and kitchen sink go into a plot of banana trees. So our bathroom, shower and cooking facility is completely self-sufficient! We provide a nice two-burner stove and propane. Please shut off when not in use (remember, propane tanks are backwards for on and off!) PLEASE PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN!!! Funny that I should need to say this but.... PLEASE BRING EARPLUGS and BUG SPRAY as this is the forest and forests too have critters like mosquitos and animals like roosters, dogs and pigs that make noise. PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE AFTER DARK AND PLEASE USE DIRECTIONS AND NOT GOOGLE MAPS! It will take you down a 4x4 road.  And when it’s time to step out of the forest and out of Pueo Ridge, we are a 5-minute drive directly above the main center of town and 15 minutes to the famous Pololu Valley hike that runs deep into the jagged switchbacks of the Northern coast. Our area also headlines in ADVENTURE with skydiving, zip-lining, hiking and forest adventures. Mahalo for reading!
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(9)

Spring Side Hale

1 site · Tent2 acres · Kukuihaele, HI
To all guest you must wait at the lookout until i arrive to guide you into the Valley. Aloha and welcome to Spring Side Hale Surrounded by 2,500-foot cliffs, a journey into the Valley of the Kings requires a steep hike or 4x4 (four wheel drive). Now however, the valley is mostly wilderness interspersed with taro fields (Taro is a traditional Hawaiian staple food) and a couple of dozens of inhabitants. Waipiʻo Valley Road is closed to non-residents. Visitor access to the valley floor and the subsequent valleys is only possible as part of a tour or if you know someone in the valley. The Waipiʻo Lookout is still accessible for everyone. Waipio Valley is a stunning scenic destination with a black sand beach, beautiful waterfalls and Hawaiian historical & cultural significance. It is a very spiritual place of healing, a place of connection with nature and a walk through the past, where time ceases to exist.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$90
 / night
84%
(62)

Ocean View Cabanas

8 sites · Lodging64 acres · Honoka'a, HI
Big Island Farms was the inspiration of its founder Gordon Goff, who came to the Big Island of Hawaii in 1989 in pursuit of a utopian dream to live holistically off the land in a tropical paradise. Over the subsequent 28 years, he established the Hamakua Ecology Center and then, in the mid 90’s, moved into tropical food forest farming which led to the development of an agricultural educational program focused on the fundamentals of permaculture and deep ecology. Throughout this period Goff built a team of like-minded, hard-working individuals who began creating a diversified organic farm and orchard by planting, propagating and nurturing tropical super foods such as Macadamia Nuts, Dwarf Coconuts, and a diverse range of tropical fruits, herbs, and medicinals alongside traditional Hawaiian crops and market gardens. Working closely with his son Alexander Goff and life partner Annick Dauphinais (who are co-founders of BIF), they have developed over 64 acres, planted in dense orchards and gardens. Big Island Farms is a thriving agricultural enterprise with a long-term goal to provide super mineralized, nutritionally superior organic products grown and processed on site to ensure the highest quality of nutritional value to the local and global market.Big Island Farms hosts many varieties of gardens. Currently, we have community market gardens, medicinal gardens, arid climate gardens, and permaculture food forests. Some of the plants you might find in our gardens include: Taro, Papaya, Banana, Cassava, Turmeric, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, Plantains, Ginger, Gooseberry, Squash, Pigeon Pea, Lemons, Limes, Soursop, Eggplant, Hawaiian Chili Pepper, Jalepeños, Bell Peppers, Custard Apple, Sapote, Neem, Lychee, Mangosteen, Starfruit, Surinam Cherry, Bilimbi, Rambutan, Rollenias, Java Plum, Tropical Pumpkin, Jabuticaba, Ti, Hibiscus, Bamboo, and so much more!Learn more about this land:Aloha! Mahalo, for your interest in visiting Big Island Farms located half way between the Historic Town of Honoka'a and the beautiful Waipi'o Valley. We are a permaculture based farm that hosts students from all over the world  interested in learning more about sustainability, permaculture farming, Hawaiian culture and much more.  During our off season, we open up the farm for you to visit and enjoy the beautiful Aina (land) and facilities. Your stay with us could vary, from relaxing and reading a good book on one of our many decks or hiking through our upper orchards to find the on property waterfall that runs most of the year.  Our property is 65 acres with 50 acres of Macadamia Nut orchards and free roaming sheep and cows.  The lower 15 acres consist of many different gardens, a green house (please do not enter), multiple Food Forests, 8 Cabanas, 2 classrooms 4 showers, 3 composting toilets and a kitchen with common area. Each cabana is screened in 360º with views, two bunkbeds (sleeps 4), air mattresses, (Bring your own Sleeping Bag/Pillows) shelves, clothes lines on outside and lockable doors. There is no electricity in the cabanas but there are power strips available in the common area. The common area consists of a large deck with picnic tables, Wifi access (pw: pickalltheweeds), power strips for charging electronics, canopies for when it rains, a 2-burner hotplate for cooking, pots, pans, plates, utensils, cups, dry food storage and a full sized fridge with freezer. Please keep the area clean.We also offer morning Breakfast Basket options:Small basket $5 - 2 Papayas, 6 bananas, 2 cups of coffee. Large basket $10 - 4 papayas, 10 bananas, morning coffee during your stay. Please keep in mind the fruit may vary depending on what is ripe. Coffee $1/ cup In order to preserve water we utilize clean non-smelling composting toilets. We also have 4 hot water showers, 2 sinks and vanity areas. Please keep showers to 5 min or less, Mahalo. If you come with a 4-wheel drive vehicle you are welcome to drive farther up on to the property and park closer to your cabana, just follow the Parking signs. We do not recommend you drive up with cars or low vehicles as the terrain is a bit rough, instead please park down in front in one of the parking spaces. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send us a message!Hope to see you soon!Aloha
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
$50
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop

Forest camping near Hawi with wildlife watching guide

Nearby attractions

  • Revel in the harmonious mix of forest and ocean as you camp near Laupahoehoe Beach Park. This idyllic spot offers dramatic ocean views, perfect for sunsets, and a chance to unwind by the calming sounds of the waves.
  • Experience the joy of camping at Māhukona Beach Park, where clear waters and unique marine life are at your doorstep. It's a wonderful setting for a tranquil camping experience. Don't forget to enjoy snorkeling!
  • Unwind and connect with nature while camping near the inviting Spencer Beach Park. With its white sand, clear waters, and safe swimming conditions, it's the ideal backdrop for a fun-filled camping getaway.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Camp Your Way™

Find the perfect site to match your camping style. Explore the largest collection of private campsites, RV parks, cabins, and glamping—including 120,000+ sites you won’t find anywhere else. Explore our maps, filter by your camping style, read real camper reviews, and book directly in our app. Hipcamp is the simplest way to find yourself outside under the stars.

Download the Hipcamp App

© 2024 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved.
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.