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Waiʻānapanapa State Park

Waiʻānapanapa State Park sits at the end of the Hana Highway in Hāna, on Maui’s remote east side. It’s known for its black sand beach at Pailoa Bay, sea caves, a natural stone arch, and a coastal trail that’s part of the ancient Piʻilani Trail system.

This park is one of the only two Hawaii State Parks on Maui that allow camping, and the only state park in Hawaii with a designated area for campervans, though that campervan area is closed right now through March 2027.

Everyone visiting Waiʻānapanapa, even for a day trip, needs a reservation.

Entry Fee:

Hawaii Residents: Free with valid state ID or Driver’s License
Non-Residents: $5 per Person
Children 3 and Under: Free

Parking Fee (Non-Commercial Vehicles):

Hawaii Residents: Free with Valid State ID
Non-Residents: $10 per Vehicle

Hawaii residents visiting with out-of-state guests still need to buy entry-only tickets for those guests in advance. Residents themselves never need to pay for parking.

Reservations open 30 days in advance for parking and entry. Arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation window, since arriving late can mean being turned away, and there are no refunds for no-shows or late arrivals.

Park hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Last entry for parking is between 3:00 and 6:00 PM, and you must be inside the park by 5:30 PM.

Camping here is by permit only, separate from the day-use entry reservation.

Tent Camping:

Hawaii Residents: $20/night per Campsite
Non-Residents: $30/night per Campsite

Cabins:

Hawaii Residents: $70/night per Cabin
Non-Residents: $100/night per Cabin

Cabin reservations must be made online at least 7 days before check-in. Camping reservations open 90 days in advance through Hawaii’s Explore Outdoor Hawaii system at explore.ehawaii.gov.

Category	Information
Activities	Beachgoing, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Sightseeing, Swimming
Facilities	ADA Accessible, Campsites, Lodging, Picnic table, Restroom, Showers, Trash Cans, Walking Path, Water Fountain, Scenic Viewpoint
Hazards	Falling Rocks, Dangerous Shorebreak, Strong Current, Waves Break on Ledge
Prohibited	No Animals/Pets, No Alcoholic Beverages, No Smoking, No Commercial Activities

Current Closure Notice

Campervan camping is closed from July 1, 2026 through March 2027 while the park builds a new comfort station. Tent camping and cabins are open as normal.

Here’s what’s different right now:

- Campervan camping reservations: suspended until March 2027. June 2026 reservations were refunded.
- Campervan lot: now used for day-use visitors and tent campers instead.
- Eastern parking area: closed. Beach access to Pailoa Bay now goes through the west end of the park.
- Roadside day-use parking: now reserved for tour buses.

The comfort station should be done this fall, with road work on Honokalani Road finishing in early 2027. Check DLNR’s park notices page for the latest before you plan a campervan trip here.

Location

Waiʻānapanapa is at the end of Waiʻānapanapa Road, off Hana Highway near mile marker 32, about 53 miles east of Kahului. It’s a slow, winding drive on the Road to Hana, so plan for a full day if you’re coming from central or west Maui rather than treating it as a quick stop.

Maui Campervans

Waiʻānapanapa is normally the only Hawaii state park with a section set aside for vehicle sleeping. It requires a separate Campervan Permit. Your standard tent permit doesn’t cover it, and unmodified vehicles aren’t allowed in the campervan section even with the right permit.

Until this reopens, Camp Olowalu on the west side is a solid alternative. It allows vehicle sleeping in its car camping section.

If you’re renting a campervan for your Maui trip, book with us and grab the discount code to save more on Outdoorsy discount page and enter it at checkout to confirm it.