Mahukona Campground

Mahukona Campground is a part of Mahukona Beach Park, however is set in a distinctly different area from the busy day use area.

Set on the grounds of the transport operations of an old sugar mill, the campground at Mahukona reflects the feel of the area in general, which is that of an old industrial area aging and neglected.

The campground is a wide dirt area that gradually slopes into the sea adjacent to the parking lot. There are no marked spaces, instead the whole grounds are open to tents in a first come, first serve fashion. There is very little shade, and what shade there is tends to be taken by the earliest campers to arrive.

A few tables are set throughout the grounds, and a couple open grills are built onto the site.

Overlooking everything is a picnic pavilion that was once available for day use and rentals, however it currently sits boarded up, casting an eerie air on the campground beneath it.

It is a short walk over the day use area, where jumping from the dock and snorkeling around the submered mill artifacts and the colorful fish that commonly are in the area are popular activities. Though the day use area lies down a different fork in the road, so none of that activity tends to bleed over into the campground and the camping area stays pretty quiet.

Outhouses and trash cans are available at the campground. There is no running water here, so showers aren't available and campers must bring in their own water for drinking and washing with.

As of 2022, the cost to camp is $21 per non-resident adult per night ($5 for residents). All camping permits must be obtained online prior to arriving, which can be done at the County of Hawai'i website.