Kauai’s North Shore is already one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world. But if you keep driving past Hanalei, past the one-lane bridges, past the waterfalls dripping off the cliffs, you eventually hit a spot that stops you cold.
That’s Camp Naue.
It’s a beachfront campground sitting right on the sand at Haena, less than two miles from the start of the Kalalau Trail into the Na Pali Coast. Mountains behind you. Ocean in front. Tunnels Beach practically in your backyard. And it’s been here since 1926, run by the YMCA of Kauai on land donated by the McBryde Sugar Company.
Almost a hundred years of beach camping at one of the best spots on the island. And somehow it still feels like a hidden gem.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That helps us keep creating free, honest Hawaii camping guides for travelers planning a real trip around Kauai.
As of May 2026, this guide reflects the latest publicly available information from YMCA of KAUAI and official camping sources.
What Is Camp Naue?
Camp Naue is a YMCA-operated beachfront campground on Kauai’s North Shore, near Haena. It’s a 12-acre property with two acres of beach camping, five bunkhouses, hot showers, a full kitchen, a pavilion, campfire pits, and a volleyball court. For a campground, it’s genuinely well set up.
Here’s the one thing you need to know upfront: Camp Naue is primarily booked by large groups. Churches, schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations reserve most of the schedule. If you’re an individual traveler or a small group, you’re considered a drop-in camper, and drop-in availability is never guaranteed.
That’s not a dealbreaker. It just means you have to plan ahead and stay flexible. If you can do that, staying here is absolutely worth the effort.
Still figuring out where to camp on Kauai? Check our full Kauai campground guide to compare all your options.
Camp Naue Amenities
For a campground this close to the Na Pali Coast, the facilities are genuinely impressive.
What you get:
Five beach bunkhouses with 50 bunk beds total.
Two acres of tent camping right on the beach.
Hot showers in separate men’s and women’s bathhouses.
Outside beach showers.
A full kitchen and dining hall that seats 60.
A covered pavilion with picnic tables and a BBQ grill.
Campfire areas.
A volleyball court and open playing field.
On-site staff.
What you won’t get:
Electrical hookups.
WiFi.
Private rooms or cabins.
This is real camping. But hot showers and a kitchen put it a level above most campgrounds on the island, and the location puts it in a category of its own.
How to Get to Camp Naue
Camp Naue sits on Kuhio Highway, about 4 miles west of Hanalei and 2 miles before the road ends at Haena State Park.
From Lihue Airport, plan about 1 hour 15 minutes heading north and west. From Hanalei town, it’s a quick 10 to 15 minutes further along the coast. You’ll cross a handful of one-lane bridges on the way out, so take it easy and enjoy the drive. The road gets narrower and more beautiful the further you go.
Parking is available at the camp. Plan to arrive during daylight hours and confirm your check-in details with the camp when you book.
Best Time to Visit
Kauai’s North Shore changes with the seasons more than people expect.
Summer (May through September) is the best time to camp here. The ocean settles down, the weather stays dry, and swimming conditions are great. This is also peak season, so groups book the schedule fast.
Winter (October through April) brings bigger surf, more rain, and windier days. You can still have a great time camping in winter, but expect wet mornings and rougher water. The upside is that the landscape turns an even deeper shade of green, and the waterfalls are absolutely incredible after a good rain.
Early mornings are the best time to have the beach to yourself. Wake up before anyone else, walk to the water, and just take it in. There are very few mornings on this island that are better than that.
Fees and Reservations
Here is where you need to pay attention.
Camp Naue runs on a group-first system. If your group has 25 or more people, call the YMCA of Kauai at (808) 246-9090 to check availability and rates. You can also send a written reservation request to YMCA of Kauai, P.O. Box 1786, Lihue, HI 96766.
If you’re a smaller group or traveling solo, you fall into the drop-in category. Here’s how that works:
Email [email protected] at least two weeks before your trip to ask about availability. The camp is clear that drop-in spots are only available when no group has the site booked, so there are no guarantees. If you get a yes, bring cash. No credit cards are accepted.
That’s the system. It’s not complicated, but it does require some advance planning and a willingness to have a backup option ready.
Camping Rules Worth Knowing
Groups of 25 or more get priority booking.
Drop-in campers must email two weeks in advance. No walk-ins.
Cash only. No credit cards.
No campfires on the beach. Designated campfire areas are available at the camp.
Quiet hours are expected. This is a shared community space.
Leave the site clean. Pack out your trash.
Confirm your check-in details when the camp responds to your inquiry.
Is Camp Naue Campervan Friendly?
Not for overnight stays. Kauai doesn’t allow vehicle camping at state or county parks, and Camp Naue follows the same rules. You’ll need to sleep in a bunk or a tent.
That said, having a campervan on Kauai is still one of the best ways to explore the island during the day. You can base yourself at Camp Naue for tent camping nights and use the van to get around. The only spot on Kauai that allows overnight vehicle camping is Kumu Camp on the east side near Anahola.
If you’re renting a campervan for Kauai, book early. You can save 10% on your rental through our Outdoorsy link. Click through first so the discount applies, then use code LMONDROP10 at checkout. Rent a campervan for Kauai through our Outdoorsy link.
What to Do Nearby
The location alone makes Camp Naue worth the effort of booking.
Kalalau Trail. Less than two miles from camp, this is the trailhead for the Na Pali Coast. The full hike is 11 miles one-way and one of the most stunning trails in Hawaii. Even just hiking the first 2 miles out to Hanakapiai Beach gives you a taste of what the Na Pali is all about, and it is worth every step.
Tunnels Beach (Makua Beach). A short walk from camp. When conditions are calm, the snorkeling here is some of the best on the island. The reef is healthy, the fish are everywhere, and most people drive right past without stopping.
Haena State Park. Right nearby. Kee Beach, ancient Hawaiian fishponds, and views out over the Na Pali that are almost too beautiful to be real. This is as far as the road goes on the North Shore.
Hanalei Bay. About 10 to 15 minutes south. One of the most iconic bays in Hawaii. Great for swimming in summer and watching surfers charge big waves in winter.
Hanalei Town. Worth a stop every time you pass through. Local food, good coffee, and the kind of laid-back North Shore energy that makes Kauai feel like a different world from the rest of Hawaii.
Alternatives If Camp Naue Doesn’t Work Out
Since drop-in availability is never guaranteed, it’s smart to have a backup plan.
Haena State Park Campground. Close by and permit-based through the state system. Book through camping.ehawaii.gov. More exposed but right at the Na Pali trailhead.
Anini Beach Park. About 15 minutes south. County-run, calm waters, and more predictable availability than Camp Naue. Good option for families.
Kumu Camp. East side of Kauai near Anahola. The only place on the island that allows campervan overnight parking. Different vibe and location, but a solid backup if you’re in a van.
Final Thoughts
Camp Naue has been here since 1926, and you can feel it. This isn’t a polished glamping resort or a fancy eco-lodge. It’s a real campground with a real history, run by real people who care about the land and the community around it.
You’re on the beach. The Na Pali Coast is two miles away. Tunnels Beach is a short walk. And if you wake up early enough, you’ll have the whole shoreline to yourself before anyone else shows up.
The catch is the booking system. You have to email two weeks out, you might not get a spot, and you need to bring cash when you do. But when it all comes together, it’s one of the best camping experiences you can have on Kauai.
Send your email early. Be patient. Bring cash. And come ready to stay a few days because once you’re there, you won’t want to leave.
Email Camp Naue to check availability: [email protected]
And if you’re exploring Kauai with a campervan, use our Outdoorsy link to save 10% with code LMONDROP10 at checkout.
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Pro-tip: Don’t visit Kauai without renting a RV / campervan far in advance, and when you rent with Lemon Drop Campers you can get 10% off your rental by using the code LMONDROP10 at checkout. Click our Outdoorsy link.
- By
- Adeline Dela Cruz
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