May 2, 2023
Starting May 2nd, 2023, the Hawaii Division of State Parks will begin issuing a limited number of additional Kalalau Trail camping permits for Kauai residents.
Permits can be purchased on a space available basis to walk-in applicants only at the Kauai State Parks Office in the State Office Building in Lihue. Permits will be available on a first-come, first serve basis from 8am-11am, Tuesday through Thursday, each week through the summer of 2023.
The new rule will allow an additional 20 persons per night between May 15th – September 7th, 2023. The regular allotment is 60 per night, and the additional 2o spots will result in a total of 80 permits available for all dates in the time period.
The additional permits will be reservable up to 30 days in advance of the first night of camping (as an example, on May 2nd, one will be able to reserve camping stays beginning between May 15th – June 1st). When capacity is filled, reservations will cease for that day.
The additional permitting rule has been in place for decades, but in recent years the rule has been suspended for a variety of reasons, including the flood closures of 2018-19 and the COVID Pandemic. It was reinstated in 2022. The rule was established to allow Kauai residents a chance to enjoy Kalalau in the face of extreme global demand, reports the Division of State Parks.
Kalalau Trail camping permits are extremely difficult to obtain. The regular permits usually sell out within seconds after midnight when the next available batch becomes available daily.
Details
- Overnight capacity for Kalalau between May 15th-September 7th, 2023 will be increased from 60 to 80 persons per night (+20).
- Additional permits available to walk-in applicants only at the State Parks Office in Lihue.
- Walk-in permits can be purchased Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning May 2nd, 2023.
- Permits will be issued beginning at 8 am until 11 am or until all capacity is exhausted, whichever comes first.
- Maximum 6 persons listed on permit (Applicant must provide all names at time of purchase, NO substitutions).
- Permits can be reserved from 1-5 nights.
- Credit card payment only.
(SOURCE: Hawaii Division of State Parks)