By:
Submission
The Waimanu Campground is located at the end of the 7.6 mile Muliwai Trail. There are nine designated campsites accommodating up to 48 campers total with 2 composting outhouses available. Camping in Hawaii's Forest Reserves is usually in remote, mountainous locations providing a wilderness experience. Campsites are accessed by hiking and have few or no amenities. Check site details closely to ensure you are informed and have everything you need before heading out.
At-A-Glance Trail Info:
Measured from the trailhead, the Muliwai Trail is approximately 15.2 miles round-trip. Measured from the Waipiʻo Lookout, it is approximately 19 miles round-trip.
The trail is minimally maintained, steep, eroded in places, rocky, and slippery when wet.
There are four emergency helipads along the trail used for maintenance and fire and rescue teams only. There is also a shelter about half way into the hike.
There are nine designated campsites accommodating up to 48 campers total. There are 2 composting outhouses.
BEFORE MAKING YOUR RESERVATION:
Read throroughly the Muliwai Trail's information page: https://hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails/#/trail/muliwai-trail/11
Check the Weather forecast: http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-155.6164698425291&lat=20.13102515046762#.WUCCl-vytpg. Continue to monitor the forecast as your trip date gets closer.
The hike in is not to be taken lightly but the trail is as good of an example of ancient Hawaiian road (trail) construction over otherwise inaccessible terrain as you can get.
Once you are in the valley, it's a magical place filled with a remote kind of magic you can't find many places.
My only complaint is the constant parade of helicopters flying through the valley but I suppose that's the only way most people can experience this place of beauty.
Add this one to your bucket list. In terms of hikes and camping in Hawaii, it's second only to Kalalau.
The best hiking and camping experience EVER. This remote valley offers beautiful tropical forest scenery. The campsite is located right next to the beach. Every campsite (there are nine) has its own wall and fireplace made of black stones. There's plenty of firewood lying around.
The campground is surrounded by coconut trees. If you're lucky enough, you can find a fresh coconut on the ground or get one down yourself!
There are surprisingly clean toilets, but obviously there's no shower. You can jump in the river or the ocean if you're looking to freshen up instead!
If you decide to visit, do keep in mind that the valley gets a lot of rain (think at least 2-3 showers a day) so keeping your things dry is going to be a challenge.
This was the hardest hike I have even done, but it was worth it. The please is incredible and magical. The beach is so long and because it is really hard to get there, you’ll probably be on your own.
I hiked to Waimanu by myself in September 2021. The hike was definitely a challenge initially. I wasn’t as prepared because I had no sleeping bag or tent. Had to cross 2 rivers, the second river to the Waimanu camp site is about 3 feet deep so prepared to get wet. The views were gorgeous. Watching the sunset and the sunrise was a spiritual experience. I would definitely do this again. Of note, the outhouse was covered in bugs, be prepared.
Was fortunate enough to be able to hike the Mulawai trail to Waimanu Valley to camp for a few nights. There are six campsites along the mile wide beach and we were the only ones out there the entire time. The only thing is the helicopters flying over every 30 mins throughout the day. The farthest campsite is the best, closest to the fresh water steam. We bushwhacked back to a huge waterfall. We were blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the experience! Pack light it's quite the hike out with a lot of elevation in the heat.
