Kauai Hiking - The Na Pali Coast | Kayaking the Na Pali

North Shore  |  South Shore  |  East Side  |  West Side


North Shore - Information from: http://www.frommers.com

Anini Beach County Park--This 12-acre park is Kauai's safest beach for swimming and windsurfing. It's also one of the island's most beautiful: It sits on a blue lagoon at the foot of emerald cliffs, looking more like Tahiti than almost any other strand in the islands. One of Kauai's largest beach camping sites, it is very, very popular, especially on summer weekends, when local residents flock to the beach to camp. It's easy to see why: This 3-mile-long, gold-sand beach is shielded from the open ocean by the longest, widest fringing reef in Hawaii. With shallow water 4 feet to 5 feet deep, it's also the very best snorkeling spot on Kauai, even for beginners. On the northwest side, a channel in the reef runs out to the deep blue water with a 60-foot drop that attracts divers. Beachcombers love it, too: Seashells, cowries, and sometimes even rare Niihau shells can be found here. Anini has a park, a campground, picnic and barbecue facilities, a pavilion, outdoor showers, public telephones, and a boat-launch ramp. Princeville, with groceries and supplies, is about 4 miles away. You must have a permit, which costs $3 per person, per night. You can stay at the county parks a maximum of 4 nights, or 12 nights if you are going from one county park to another. To apply for the permit, contact: Shani Saito in the Permits Division of Kauai County Parks and Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-6660; www.kauaigov.org/publicworks/parksandrec/campingapplications.htm). Follow Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) to Kilauea; take the second exit, called Kalihiwai Road (the first dead-ends at Kalihiwai Beach), and drive a half mile toward the sea; turn left on Anini Beach Road.

Hanalei Beach--Camping is allowed at this 2 1/2-acre park on weekends and holidays only. Reserve in advance, as this is a very popular camping area. Gentle waves roll across the face of half-moon Hanalei Bay, running up to the wide, golden sand; sheer volcanic ridges laced by waterfalls rise to 4,000 feet on the other side, 3 miles inland. Is there any beach with a better location? Celebrated in song and hula and featured on travel posters, this beach owes its natural beauty to its age -- it's an ancient sunken valley with post-erosional cliffs. Hanalei Bay indents the coast a full mile inland and runs 2 miles point to point, with coral reefs on either side and a patch of coral in the middle -- plus a sunken ship that belonged to a king, so divers love it. Swimming is excellent year-round, especially in summer, when Hanalei Bay becomes a big, placid lake. The aquamarine water is also great for boogie boarding, surfing, fishing, windsurfing, canoe paddling, kayaking, and boating. (There's a boat ramp on the west bank of the Hanalei River.) The area known as Black Pot, near the pier, is particularly good for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing. Facilities include a lifeguard, a pavilion, restrooms, picnic tables, and parking. This beach is always packed with both locals and visitors, but you can usually find your own place in the sun by strolling down the shore; the bay is big enough for everyone. You must have a permit, which costs $3 per person, per night. You can stay at the county parks a maximum of 4 nights, or 12 nights if you are going from one county park to another. To apply for the permit, contact Shani Saito in the Permits Division of Kauai County Parks and Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-6660; www.kauaigov.org/publicworks/parksandrec/campingapplications.htm).

To get here, take Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56), which becomes Highway ay 560 after Princeville. In Hanalei town, make a right on Aku Road just after Tahiti Nui, then turn right again on Weke Road, which dead-ends at the parking lot for the Black Pot section of the beach; the easiest beach access is on your left.

Haena Beach Park--There are a lot of pluses and minuses to this county beach park (next door to Haena State Park, which does not allow camping). One plus is its beauty: The nearly 6-acre park is bordered by the ocean on one side and a dramatic mountain on the other. In fact, old-timers call this beach Maniniholo, after the local manini fish, which used to be caught in nets during summer. Across the highway from this park are the dry caves, also called Maniniholo. The caves, really a lava tube, run a few hundred feet into the mountain. The area is great for camping, flat and grassy with palm trees for shade. Now the minuses: This is not a good swimming beach because it faces the open ocean, and Kauai's North Shore can be windy and rainy. However, good swimming and snorkeling are available either a quarter mile east of the campground (about a 5-min. walk) at Tunnels Beach, where an offshore reef protects the bay; or at Kee Beach, about a mile west of the campground. Come prepared for wet weather. Faculties include the camping area, restrooms, outside screened showers, a pavilion with tables, electric lights, a dishwashing sink, picnic tables, and grills; however, there are no lifeguards. The water here is safe to drink. Supplies can be picked up in Hanalei, 4 miles east. You will need a permit, which costs $3 per person, per night. You can stay at the county parks a maximum of 4 nights, or 12 nights if you are going from one county park to another. To apply for the permit, contact Shani Saito in the Permits Division of Kauai County Parks and Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-6660; www.kauaigov.org/publicworks/parksandrec/campingapplications.htm). To get here, take Highway 56 from Lihue, which becomes Highway 560. Look for the park, 4 miles past Hanalei.

Na Pali Coast State Park--Simply put, the Na Pali Coast is the most beautiful part of the Hawaiian Islands. Hanging valleys open like green-velvet accordions, and waterfalls tumble to the sea from the 4,120-foot-high cliffs; the experience is both exhilarating and humbling. Whether you hike in, fly over, or take a boat cruise past, be sure to see this park.

Established in 1984, Na Pali Coast State Park takes in a 22-mile stretch of fluted cliffs that wrap the northwestern shore of Kauai between Kee Beach and Polihale State Park. Volcanic in origin, carved by wind and sea, "the cliffs" (na pali in Hawaiian), which heaved out of the ocean floor 200 million years ago, stand as constant reminders of majesty and endurance. Four major valleys -- Kalalau, Honopu, Awaawapuhi, and Nualolo -- crease the cliffs.

Unless you boat or fly in, the park is accessible only on foot -- and it's not easy. An ancient footpath, the Kalalau Trail, winds through this remote, spectacular, 6,500-acre park, ultimately leading to Kalalau Valley. Of all the green valleys in Hawaii (and there are many), only Kalalau is a true wilderness -- probably the last wild valley in the islands. No road goes here, and none ever will. The remote valley is home to long-plumed tropical birds, golden monarch butterflies, and many of Kauai's 120 rare and endangered species of plants. The hike into the Kalalau Valley is grueling and takes most people 6 to 8 hours one-way.

Despite its inaccessibility, this journey into Hawaii's wilderness has become increasingly popular since the 1970s. Overrun with hikers, helicopters, and boaters, the Kalalau Valley was in grave danger of being loved to death. Strict rules about access have been adopted. The park is open to hikers and campers only on a limited basis, and you must have a permit (though you can hike the first 2 miles, to Hanakapiai Beach, without a permit). Permits are $10 per night and are issued in person at the Kauai State Parks Office, 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306, Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/274-3444). You can also request one by writing the Kauai Division of State Parks, at the address above. For more information, contact the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 130, Honolulu, HI 96813 (tel. 808/587-0320).

Hiking the Kalalau Trail

The trail head is at Kee Beach, at the end of Highway 560. Even if you only go as far as Hanakapiai, bring water.

The First Two Miles: To Hanakapiai Beach -- Do not attempt this hike unless you have adequate footwear (closed-toe shoes at least; hiking shoes are best), water, a sun visor, insect repellent, and adequate hiking clothes (shorts and T-shirt are fine; your bikini is not). It's only 2 miles to Hanakapiai Beach, but the first mile is all uphill. This tough trail takes about 2 hours one-way and dissuades many, but everyone should attempt at least the first half mile, which gives a good hint of the startling beauty that lies ahead. Day hikers love this initial stretch, so it's usually crowded. The island of Niihau and Lehua Rock are often visible on the horizon. At mile marker 1, you'll have climbed from sea level to 400 feet; now it's all downhill to Hanakapiai Beach. Sandy in summer, the beach becomes rocky when winter waves scour the coast. There are strong currents and no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk. You can also hike another 2 miles inland from the beach to Hanakapiai Falls, a 120-foot cascade. Allow 3 hours for that stretch.

The Rest of the Way -- Hiking the Kalalau is the most difficult and challenging hike in Hawaii, and one you'll never forget. Even the Sierra Club rates the 22-mile round-trip into Kalalau Valley and back as "strenuous" -- this is serious backpacking. Follow the footsteps of ancient Hawaiians along a cliff-side path that's a mere 10 inches wide in some places, with sheer 1,000-foot drops to the sea. One misstep, and it's limu (seaweed) time. Even the hardy and fit should allow at least 2 days to hike in and out. (See below for camping information.) Although the trail is usually in good shape, go in summer when it's dry; parts of it vanish in winter. When it rains, the trail becomes super-slippery, and flash floods can sweep you away.

A park ranger is now on-site full time at Kalalau Beach to greet visitors, provide information, oversee campsites, and keep trails and campgrounds in order.

Camping in Kalalau Valley & Along the Na Pali Caost--You must obtain a camping permit; see above for details. The camping season runs roughly from May or June to September (depending on the site). All campsites are booked almost a year in advance, so call or write well ahead of time. Stays are limited to 5 nights. Camping areas along the Kalalau Trail include Hanakapiai Beach (facilities are pit toilets, and water is from the stream), Hanakoa Valley (no facilities, water from the stream), Milolii (no facilities, water from the stream), and Kalalau Valley (composting toilets, several pit toilets, and water from the stream). To get a permit, contact the Division of State Parks, 3060 Eiwa St., Suite 306, Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/274-3444; www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/Kauai.html). Generally, the fee for a state park camping permit is $5 per campsite per night, but the Na Pali fee is $10 per campsite per night. You cannot stay more than 5 consecutive nights at one campsite. Keep your camping permit with you at all times.

South Shore - Information from: http://www.frommers.com

Makawehi Point--Like a ship's prow, Makawehi Point juts out to sea on the east side of Keoneloa Beach (known locally as Shipwreck Beach), which lies in front of the Hyatt Regency Poipu. This 50-foot-high sand-dune bluff attracts a variety of people: pole fishers, whale-watchers, those who just like the panoramic views of the Pacific, and daredevils who test their courage by leaping off the cliff into the waves (don't try it).

The trail head begins on the east end of Shipwreck Beach, past the Hyatt. It's an easy 10-minute walk up to Makawehi Point; after you take in the big picture, keep going uphill along the ridge of the sand dunes (said to contain ancient Hawaiian burial sites), past the coves frequented by green sea turtles and endangered Hawaiian monk seals, through the coastal pine forest, and past World War II bunkers to the very top. Now you can see Hauupu Ridge and its 2,297-foot peak, the famously craggy ridgeline that eerily resembles Queen Victoria's profile and, in the distance, Mahaulepu Beach, one of the best looking in Hawaii. Inland, three red craters dimple the green fields; the one in the middle, the biggest, Puu Huni Huni, is said to have been the last volcano to erupt on Kauai -- but it was so long ago that nobody here can remember when.

East Side - Information from: http://www.frommers.com

The Sleeping Giant Trail (NouNou Mountain Trail East)--This medium-to-difficult hike takes you up Nounou Mountain, known as Sleeping Giant (it really does look like a giant resting on his back), to a fabulous view. The clearly marked trail will gain 1,000 feet in altitude. (Be sure to stay on the trail.) The climb is steadily uphill (remember you are climbing a mountain), but the view at the top is well worth the constant incline. To get to the trail head, turn mauka (toward the mountain) off Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) onto Haleilio Road (between Wailua and Kapaa, just past mile marker 6); follow Haleilio Road for 1.25 miles to the parking area, at telephone pole no. 38. From here, signs posted by the State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife lead you over the 1.75-mile trail, which ends at a picnic table and shelter. The panoramic view is breathtaking. Be sure to bring water -- and a picnic, if you like.

NouNou Mountain Trail West--If you would like to venture up Sleeping Giant from the other side of Nounou Mountain, this trail joins up with the east trail. This trail is shorter than the eastern trail and you're in forest most of the time. To get to the trail head, take Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) to Wailua. Turn left onto Kuamoo Road (Hwy. 580) and continue to Kamalu Road (Hwy. 581), where you turn right. Make a left on Lokelani Street and drive to the end of the road, where there's a parking area and trail head. This trail meanders through forests of Norfolk pine, strawberry guava and, as you climb closer to the top, hala trees. About a quarter mile into the hike you will come to a fork with the Kuamoo Trail; veer left. Continue to climb and you will reach the picnic area and shelter.

Keahua Arboretum Trail--If you are looking for an easy hike for the entire family, this half-mile loop will take you just a half hour. It offers you a chance to swim in a cool mountain stream and maybe enjoy a picnic lunch. To get here, take Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) to Wailua. Turn left on Kuamoo Road (Hwy. 580) and continue past the University of Hawaii Agricultural Experimental Station to the Keahua Arboretum. The trail head is on the left just past the stream, across the street from the parking lot. This area gets nearly 100 inches of rain a year, and the colorful painted gum eucalyptus trees at the trail head couldn't be happier. Along the trail you'll see kukui trees (which the Hawaiians used as a light source), milo (popular among wood artists), hau, and ohia lehua. As you walk parallel to the stream, be on the lookout for a good swimming area. There are lots of picnic tables and shelters along the trail at which to stop and have lunch.

Beach Camping at Anahola Beach Park--Local residents, who love this park and are here almost every day, say that this is the safest year-round swimming beach and great for small children. Tucked behind Kala Point, the narrow park has a shallow offshore reef that protects the sandy shoreline from the high surf visiting the area. Another plus is that board surfing is prohibited in this area. Surfers have to head to the north end of the beach to the sandbar where surfing is allowed. Tall ironwoods provide relief from the sun. Facilities include a camping area, a picnic area, barbecue grills, restrooms, and cold showers. A part-time lifeguard is on duty. When you camp here, don't leave your valuables unprotected. You must have a permit, which costs $3 per person, per night. You can stay at the county parks a maximum of 4 nights, or 12 nights if you are going from one county park to another. To apply for the permit, contact Shani Saito in the Permits Division of Kauai County Parks and Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-6660; www.kauaigov.org/publicworks/parksandrec/campingapplications.htm). To get to Anahola Beach Park, take Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56 north) to Anahola, turn right onto Anahola Road, and then turn right onto Manai Road.

West Side - Information from: http://www.frommers.com

Waimea Canyon Trails

On a wet island like Kauai, a dry hike is hard to find. But in the desert-dry gulch of Waimea Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific (once you get here, you'll see why -- it's pretty spectacular), you're not likely to slip and slide in the muck as you go.

Canyon Trail -- You want to hike Hawaii's Grand Canyon, but you don't think you have time? Well, then, take the Canyon Trail to the east rim for a breathtaking view into the 3,000-foot-deep canyon. Park your car at the top of Halemanu Valley Road (located between mile markers 14 and 15 on Waimea Canyon Rd., about a mile down from the museum). Walk down the not very clearly marked trail on the 3.5-mile round-trip, which takes 2 to 3 hours and leads to Waipoo Falls (as does the hike below) and back. We suggest going in the afternoon, when the light is best.

Hike to Waipoo Falls -- The 3-hour round-trip hike to Waipoo Falls is one of Kauai's best hikes. The two-tiered, 800-foot waterfall that splashes into a natural pool is worth every step it takes to get here. To find the trail, drive up Kokee Road (Hwy. 550) to the Puu Hina Hina Outlook; a quarter mile past the lookout, near a NASA satellite tracking station on the right, a two-lane dirt road leads to the Waipoo Falls trail head. From here, the trail winds gently through a jungle dotted with wild yellow orchids and flame-red torch ginger before it leads you out onto a descending ridgeback that juts deep into the canyon. At the end of the promontory, take a left and push on through the jungle to the falls; reward yourself with a refreshing splash in the pool.

Kokee State Park

At the end of Highway 550, which leads through Waimea Canyon to its summit, lies a 4,640-acre state park of high-mountain forest wilderness (3,600 ft.-4,000 ft. above sea level). The rainforest, bogs, and breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon are the draws at Kokee. This is the place for hiking -- among the 45 miles of maintained trails are some of the best hikes in Hawaii. Official trail maps of all the park's trails are for sale for 50¢ at the Kokee Natural History Museum (tel. 808/335-9975).

A few words of advice: Always check current trail conditions. Up-to-date trail information is available on a bulletin board at the Kokee Natural History Museum. Stay on established trails; it's easy to get lost here. Get off the trail well before dark. Carry water and rain gear -- even if it's perfectly sunny when you set out -- and wear sunscreen.

Awaawapuhi Trail -- This 3.25-mile hike (6.5 miles round-trip) takes about 3 hours each way and is considered strenuous by most, but it offers a million-dollar view. Look for the trail head at the left of the parking lot, at mile marker 17, between the museum and Kalalau Lookout. The well-marked and maintained trail now sports quarter-mile markers, and you can pick up a free plant guide for the trail at the museum. The trail drops about 1,600 feet through native forests to a thin precipice right at the very edge of the Na Pali cliffs for a dramatic and dizzying view of the tropical valleys and blue Pacific 2,500 feet below. It's not recommended for anyone with vertigo (although a railing will keep you from a major slip and fall). Go early, before clouds obscure the view, or go late in the day; the chiaroscuro sunsets are something to behold.

The Awaawapuhi can be a straight out-and-back trail or a loop that connects with the Nualolo Trail (3.75 miles), which provides awesome views and leads back to the main road between the ranger's house and the Kokee cabins, about a mile and a half from where you started. So you can hike the remaining 1.5 miles along the road or hitch a ride if you decide to do the entire loop but can't make it all the way.

Halemanu-Kokee Trail -- This trail takes you on a pleasant, easy-to-moderate 2.5-mile round-trip walk through a native koa and ohia forest inhabited by native birds. The trail head is near mile marker 15; pick up the Faye Trail, which leads to this one. The Halemanu-Kokee Trail links Kokee Valley to Halemanu Valley (hence the name); along the way, you'll see a plum orchard, valleys, and ridges.

Pihea Trail -- This is the park's flattest trail, but it's still a pretty strenuous 7.5-mile round-trip. A new boardwalk on a third of the trail makes it easier, especially when it's wet. The trail begins at the end of Highway 550 at Puu o Kila Lookout, which overlooks Kalalau Valley; it goes down at first, then flattens out as it traces the back ridge of the valley. Once it enters the rainforest, you'll see native plants and trees. It intersects with the Alakai Swamp Trail (below). If you combine both trails, figure on about 4 hours in and out.

Alakai Swamp Trail -- If you want to see the "real" Hawaii, this is it -- a big swamp that's home to rare birds and plants. The trail allows a rare glimpse into a wet, cloud-covered wilderness preserve where 460 inches of rainfall a year is common. This 7-mile hike used to take 5 hours of sloshing through the bog, with mud up to your knees. Now a boardwalk protects you from the shoe-grabbing mud. Come prepared for rain. (The silver lining is that there are no mosquitoes above 3,000 ft.)

The trail head is off Mohihi (Camp 10) Road, just beyond the Forest Reserve entrance sign and the Alakai Shelter picnic area. From the parking lot, the trail follows an old World War II four-wheel-drive road. Stick to the boardwalk; this is a fragile eco-area (not to mention the mud). At the end of the 3.5-mile slog, if you're lucky and the clouds part, you'll have a lovely view of Wainiha Valley and Hanalei from Kilohana Lookout.

Campgrounds & Wilderness Cabins in Kokee

Cabins & Tent Campgrounds -- Camping facilities include state campgrounds (one next to Kokee Lodge, and four more primitive backcountry sites), one private tent area, and the Kokee Lodge, which has 12 cabins for rent at very reasonable rates. At 4,000 feet, the nights are cold, particularly in winter. Because no open fires are permitted at Kokee, the best deal is the cabins. The Kokee Lodge Restaurant is open daily from 9am to 3:30pm for continental breakfast and lunch. Groceries and gas aren't available in Kokee, so stock up in advance, or you'll have to make the long trip down the mountain.

The state campground at Kokee allows tent camping only. Permits can be obtained from a state parks office on any island; on Kauai, it's at 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306, Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/274-3444). The permits are $5 per night; the time limit is 5 nights in a single 30-day period. Facilities include showers, drinking water, picnic tables, pavilion with tables, restrooms, barbecues, sinks for dishwashing, and electric lights.

Tent camping at Camp Sloggett, owned by the Kauai YWCA, 3094 Elua St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/335-6060; fax 808/245-5961; kauaiyw@pixi.com), is available for $10 per person per night (children under 5 stay free). The sites are on 1 1/2 acres of open field, with a covered pit for fires and a barbecue area, plus volleyball and badminton nets. There's also a hostel-style accommodation at the Weinburg Bunkhouse, with bunk beds, separate toilets, showers, and kitchenettes ($20 per person). To get here, continue on the highway past park headquarters and take the first right after the Kokee Lodge. Follow the dirt road and look for the wooden CAMP SLOGGETT sign; turn right and follow the bumpy road past the state cabins into a large clearing.

Backcountry Camping -- The more primitive backcountry campgrounds include Sugi Grove and Kawaikoi, located about 4 miles from park headquarters on the Camp 10 Road, an often muddy and steep four-wheel-drive road. Sugi Grove is located across the Kawaikoi Stream from the Kawaikoi campsite. The area is named for the sugi pines, which were planted in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This is a shady campsite with a single picnic shelter, a pit toilet, a stream, and space for several tents. The Kawaikoi site is a 3-acre open grass field, surrounded by Kokee plum trees and forests of koa and ohia. Facilities include two picnic shelters, a composting toilet, and a stream that flows next to the camping area. There is no potable water -- bring in your own or treat the stream water.

Permits are available from the State Forestry and Wildlife Division, 3060 Eiwa St., Room 306, Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/274-3444). There's no fee for the permits, but camping is limited to 3 nights. You can also request the Kauai Recreation Map (with illustrations of all roads; trails; and picnic, hunting, and camping areas) by mail; contact the Forestry and Wildlife Division at the number above to find out how.

Beach Camping at Polihale State Park

Polihale holds the distinction of being the westernmost beach in the United States. The beach is spectacular -- some 300 feet wide in summer, with rolling sand dunes (some as high as 100 ft.), and the islands of Niihau and Lehua just offshore. Bordered by a curtain of Na Pali Coast cliffs to the north, razor-sharp ridges and steep valleys to the east, and the blue Pacific to the south and west, this is one of the most dramatic camping areas in the state.

The campgrounds for tent camping are located at the south end of the beach, affording privacy from daytime beach activities. There's great swimming in summer (even then, be on the lookout for waves and rip currents -- there are no lifeguards), some surfing (the rides are usually short), and fishing. The camping is on sand, although there are some kiawe trees for shade. (Warning: Kiawe trees drop long thorns, so make sure you have protective footwear.) Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, barbecues, and a spigot for drinking water. You can purchase supplies about 15 miles away in Waimea.

Permits, which are $5 per night, are available through the State Parks Office, 3060 Eiwa St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-3444). You're limited to 5 nights in any 30-day period. To reach the park from Lihue, take Highway 50 west to Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range. Bear right onto the paved road, which heads toward the mountains. There will be small signs directing you to Polihale; the second sign will point to a left turn onto a dirt road. Follow this for about 5 miles; at the fork in the road, the campgrounds are to the left and the beach park is to the right.

Beach Camping at Lucy Wright Park

If you want to camp on the west side but can't get a space at Polihale State Park, the county allows camping at the 4 1/2-acre Lucy Wright Park, located just outside Waimea. Not the best beach park, it's okay for camping in a pinch. The park, located on the western side of the Waimea River, is where Captain Cook first came ashore in Hawaii in January 1778. The park is named after the first native Hawaiian schoolteacher at Waimea, Lucy Kapahu Aukai Wright (1873-1931). The beach here is full of flotsam and jetsam from the river, making it unappealing. On the other side of the Waimea River, across from Lucy Wright Park, is the 17 1/4-acre Russian Fort, with ruins of a Russian fort built in 1815. Facilities at Lucy Wright include the camping area, restrooms, a pavilion, picnic tables, and (cold) showers. You need a permit to camp at any of the county's seven beach parks. Permits are $3 per person, per night. You can stay at the county parks a maximum of 4 nights (or 12 nights if you go from one county park to another). To apply for the permit, contact Shani Saito in the Permits Division of Kauai County Parks and Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 (tel. 808/241-6660; www.kauaigov.org/publicworks/parksandrec/campingapplications.htm). To get to Lucy Wright Park, take Kaumalii Highway (Hwy. 50) to Waimea and turn left on Alawai Road, which leads to the park.

Above Information from: http://www.frommers.com