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Camp set up on the sand at a remote Na Pali Coast beach, Kauai

Na Pali Guides

Na Pali Coast Camping Permits: How to Actually Get One

Camping anywhere on the Na Pali Coast requires a permit from Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources. Permits are released on a rolling 90-day window at explore.ehawaii.gov, cost $35 per person per night for visitors and $25 for Hawaii residents, and summer dates go fast. Nobody can get one for you.

Last updated August 2026 · Na Pali Kayak, Hanalei

The rules, in one table

KalalauMiloli'i

How you get there

11-mile hike, or by kayak

By ocean only — kayak or boat

Max consecutive nights

Up to 5 nights total along the Kalalau Trail

3 nights

Season

Kayak landings May 15 through September 7

May 15 through September 7

Fee — visitors

$35 per person, per night

$35 per person, per night

Fee — Hawaii residents

$25 per person, per night

$25 per person, per night

Facilities

Composting toilets, stream water — treat it

Composting toilet, fresh water — treat it

Fees and limits per Hawaii DLNR. No two consecutive nights may be spent at Hanakoa, and Hanakoa nights count against your five-night total. Fees change, and DLNR's general fee schedule currently lists a different non-resident rate from its Na Pali page — confirm the figure when you book.

How to book one

  1. Create an account at explore.ehawaii.gov

    Hawaii moved its camping reservations to Explore Outdoor Hawaii for all check-in dates from February 2026 onward. Old camping.ehawaii.gov logins do not carry over — you need a new account, and you want it set up before release day, not on it.

  2. Work out your release date

    Permits open on a rolling 90-day window — DLNR notes it is subject to change with park access. Count back 90 days from your first night; that is when your date becomes bookable, and the window has opened at midnight Hawaii time. Set an alarm. Summer dates for Kalalau go in minutes.

  3. Book every night you want in one go

    You can hold up to five consecutive nights along the Kalalau Trail, or three at Miloli'i. Book them together — coming back for a second night later usually means it is gone.

  4. Then sort out parking, separately

    A camping permit gets you into Ha'ena State Park, but it does not include parking. Overnight parking is a separate purchase at gohaena.com, bookable once you hold the permit, and billed per day occupied — one night out means two days of parking. Overnight parking is for Kalalau permits only; a Miloli'i permit will not be honored for it, because Miloli'i has no land access.

What a permit does and does not let you do

  • Hiking past Hanakapi'ai requires a camping permit, whether or not you intend to camp. DLNR does not issue standalone hiking permits, which is why the 22-mile round trip in a day is not a legal option.

  • Day hiking to Hanakapi'ai Beach or Falls needs no camping permit — just a Ha'ena State Park entry or parking reservation.

  • Kayak landings are legal at Kalalau and Miloli'i only. Kalalau needs a valid camping permit; Miloli'i is open for day-use landings in the same window without one, and for camping with one. Every other beach on this coast is closed to landing.

What we can and cannot do for you

We cannot arrange your permits. Nobody can — DLNR issues them to you directly, and that is the whole point of the system.

What we can do is get you and your gear down the coast. Na Pali Kayak is one of three kayak companies DLNR lists as permitted to land passengers at Miloli'i Beach, May through September. We guide the paddle, supply the kayaks, paddles, PFDs, dry bags and van shuttles, and rent the camping gear if you would rather not fly yours across the Pacific. You hold your own permit, and you camp on your own.

The practical case for going in by kayak: you can carry far more than you could ever hike in with. Food, water filtration, a real tent, actual comfort. Be reasonable about how much you bring — the whole trip is easier lighter — but a kayak changes what a week on that beach can look like.

If the permits are gone

  • Check back daily. Cancellations are common as trips fall apart closer to the date.

  • Try the summer walk-in release at the Lihu'e office if you are already on-island.

  • Shift your dates. Midweek and shoulder-season nights clear far more often than a July weekend.

  • Do the day trip instead. You still paddle the entire coast, see Kalalau from the water and land at Miloli'i for lunch — no permit needed, because you do not stay the night.

Frequently asked questions

Ready when you are

Na Pali Coast Camping - Main image
Duration2 to 7 days
Group Size2 to 12 people

Na Pali Coast Camping

For the adventurous and daring explorers, our Na Pali Coast Camping trip offers a unique opportunity to camp in the remote regions along the secluded beaches of Kauai. This experience combines the thrill of camping with the excitement of kayaking, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Na Pali Coast.

from
$575
Tandem and single sea kayaks above a row of rental camping gear: tent, pack, sleeping bag, dry bags, mess kit and stove
Duration1 to 7 days
Group Size2 to 13 people

Camping Equipment

NaPali Kayak's Camping Equipment Rental package provides top-quality gear for multi-day adventures for all of Kauai whether you are camping our of your car, hiking, or paddling the NaPali Coast. Available Gear: 🔹 Osprey Multi-Day Pack – A lightweight, ergonomic backpack with ample storage for carrying essentials on land. 🔹 Mess Kit – Compact and durable cookware, including a pot, pan, utensils, and plate for easy campfire meals. 🔹 Dry Bags – Keep your belongings safe from ocean spray and rain with waterproof, roll-top dry bags in multiple sizes. 🔹 Cooler – A portable, insulated cooler to keep your food and drinks fresh throughout your journey. 🔹 First Aid Kit – Safety first! Includes essential medical supplies for minor injuries and emergencies. 🔹 Sleeping Bag – Lightweight and warm, designed for coastal camping comfort. 🔹 Assorted High End Tents – A lightweight, weather-resistant, two-person tent with excellent ventilation and easy setup. 🔹 Therm-a-Rest Sleeping Pad – Provides extra cushioning and insulation for a restful night's sleep under the stars. 🔹 Superfly Camping Stove – A compact, high-performance stove for quick and efficient meal preparation on the go.

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