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Map showing campground location near Lahaina, Hawaii
Camper submitted image from Papalaua Wayside ParkView 3 Photos
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Papalaua Wayside Park

4 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Sitting between the Honoapiilani Highway and the Pacific shore on Maui's west side, Papalaua Wayside Park puts campers directly on the beach for as little as $10 per night, with reservations available through county permit offices. Permits must be obtained in person at one of two government offices before arrival, and the process draws complaints from visitors who find it cumbersome. No fires are allowed on site, and there is no water access, so campers need to plan accordingly.

The campground runs parallel to a busy highway, which means road noise is a constant presence, whether sleeping in a tent near the beach or parking a van closer to the road. Kiave thorns cover much of the ground, so closed-toe shoes are necessary at all times. Carrie S. sums up the facilities accurately: "Trees for shade, porta potties for bathrooms." Trash pickup and occasional restroom cleaning are the extent of on-site maintenance. Bring toilet paper.

Theft has been reported by multiple campers, including stolen gear and documents, and a population of long-term non-permitted occupants shares the space regularly. Permit checks do occur but are infrequent and sometimes happen in the middle of the night. Cell service is available, which helps with safety and navigation. The permitted area is large, giving groups room to spread out when the site is not overcrowded. Campers looking for a more managed setting along Maui's coast may want to compare options at Camp Olowalu, roughly two miles west along the same shoreline.

Reservation Info

Four day max stay

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Map & DirectionsPapalaua Wayside Park is located in Hawaii near Lahaina

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

20.80155044 N
156.59093836 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

Drive Time

Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Papalaua Wayside Park

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3.5

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4 Reviews

Beach camping with beautiful coastal views and basic facilities. Highway noise and thorny vegetation are common concerns, plus security issues reported by some campers.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2021

Exposed but pretty nice

You don’t need a permit right now which is nice. My friends and I came in late and were still able to find a spot, we parked next to the port-a-potty’s and some guys came around 3 am to grab the trash and spooked us, so avoid that if possible. Thorns on the ground, so wear shoes. Really close to the highway so we were worried about noise and privacy because we were tent camping on our car, so not so much of an issue if you’re in a tent or hammock on the beach. Overall a nice experience.

SiteC
Month of VisitNovember
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Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Worth Some Hassle

We opted for van camping so we were close to the road so it was noisier than if we’d been closer to the beach. Due to rain and needing to drive around other vehicles, the site was hard to get in and out of but we really enjoyed the location and ease.

  • Review photo of Papalaua Wayside Park by Stephanie , October 31, 2020
Reviewed Mar. 10, 2020

Pass on this Wayside “campground”

Infested with kiave (extreme thorn plants). Difficult to get in and out of because it’s literally ten feet off a major highway. No fire access. No water access. Getting permits are a huge pain. Checking happened only once and it was in the middle of the night which is terrifying for a woman solo camping.

Attention Worst of all: a serious theft problem. Tent stolen. Umbrella stolen. Ladies before me had all their passports stolen.

The only pros are that it’s on a beautiful beach and the permitted spot is absolutely massive. Too bad tons of non-permitted campers decided to join me in the spot 🙄

  • Review photo of Papalaua Wayside Park by Tracy Jo I., March 10, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2018

Great location on the south west side of Maui

The cheapest place to camp on the west side of Maui. Located on the southern shore, the camping is all beach camping right along the beautiful coast. Trees for shade, porta potties for bathrooms.

Permits must be acquired at one of two government offices. Note that there is a sizable population of transient travelers who seem to live at the beach full time, and no maintenance seems to be done aside from the occasional trash and bathroom cleaning. Bring your own Toilet Paper as it seems to go fast. You are located between the beach and the highway, so it will be noisy but a steady calming sort of noisy.

Easy beach living, the low maintenance traveler will find themselves right at home here.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Papalaua Wayside Park by Carrie S., July 6, 2018
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp overnight at Papalaua Wayside Park?

Yes, you can camp overnight at Papalaua Wayside Park. It's a beach camping location situated along Maui's southern shore, offering beautiful coastal views. This is considered one of the most affordable camping options on the west side of Maui. The campground allows both tent camping directly on the beach and van camping in designated areas. The spots closer to the beach tend to be quieter than those near the road.

How do you get to Papalaua Wayside Park from Lahaina?

To reach Papalaua Wayside Park from Lahaina, you'll need to drive south along the west coast of Maui. The park is located directly off a major highway on the southern shore. It's easily identifiable as it sits right along the coast. The entrance can be somewhat challenging to navigate as it's very close to the highway with limited turning space. The park is approximately 10 feet from the main road, so watch carefully for the entrance to avoid missing it.

What permits do you need for camping at Papalaua Wayside Park?

Camping permits for Papalaua Wayside Park have historically been required and must be acquired through government offices. However, permit requirements may vary, as some periods have operated without permit requirements. When permits are needed, they must be obtained before arriving at the campground. The permit process can be somewhat challenging to navigate. For the most current permit information and requirements, contact the Maui County Parks Department or visit their official website before planning your trip.

What facilities and amenities are available at Papalaua Wayside Park?

Papalaua Wayside Park offers basic amenities for campers. The facilities include porta-potties for bathrooms. There are shade trees throughout the camping area, which provide relief from the sun. The park lacks running water, so bring your own supply. Be aware that the ground has kiave plants with thorns, so wearing shoes is highly recommended. The park doesn't have designated fire pits or fire access, and it's situated very close to a major highway.

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