Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [392]
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STATE & COUNTY PARKS
About 30% of the island is protected by the state as parks, forest reserves and natural-area reserves. Must-see state parks include the adjacent Westside standouts, Waimea Canyon (Click here) and Koke′e (Click here) State Parks, for the awesome chasm, steep cliffs and native forests. Hiking trails abound, but some trailheads are accessible only by 4WD.
Na Pali Coast State Park is another headliner, as the steep, slippery Kalalau Trail (Click here) is now practically de rigueur. Ha′ena State Park (Click here) is another favorite thanks to Ke′e Beach, a fantastic snorkeling spot.
Most of Kaua′i’s best and easiest-to-access beaches are designated as county parks, such as Po′ipu Beach Park (Click here), on the sunny South Shore; multiple parks at knockout gorgeous Hanalei Bay (Click here) and serene ′Anini Beach Park (Click here), both on the North Shore; and family-friendly Lydgate Beach Park (Click here), on the Eastside.
Camping
STATE PARKS
State park campsites can be found at Na Pali Coast State Park (Click here), Koke′e State Park (Click here) and Polihale State Park (Click here).
Permits are required from the Division of State Parks (Map; 274-3444; www.hawaiistateparks.org; Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Bldg, 3060 Eiwa St, Room 306, Lihu′e, Hawaii 96766; 8am-3:30pm Mon-Fri), obtainable either in person or by mail. Fees range from $5 to $10 per night and time limits are enforced.
For remote backcountry camping around Waimea Canyon and Koke′e, there is no charge. The Division of Forestry & Wildlife (Map; 274-3433; www.hawaiitrails.org; Department of Land & Natural Resources, State Bldg, 3060 Eiwa St, Rm 306, Lihu′e, Hawaii 96766; 8am-4pm Mon-Fri) issues free, backcountry camping permits for four sites in Waimea Canyon, two sites (Sugi Grove and Kawaikoi) in and around Koke′e State Park, and the Waialae site near the Alaka′i Wilderness Preserve.
COUNTY PARKS
Among the seven county parks with campgrounds, the most pleasant are Ha′ena Beach Park (Click here), Black Pot Beach Park (Hanalei Pier) (Click here) and ′Anini Beach Park (Click here).
Camping permits cost $3 per night per adult camper (children under 18 free) and are issued in person or by mail (at least one month in advance) at the Division of Parks & Recreation (Map; 241-4463; www.kauai.gov; Lihu′e Civic Center, Division of Parks & Recreation, 4444 Rice St, Suite 150, Lihu′e, Hawaii 96766; 8:15am-4pm). Requirements include a signed waiver, application and payment by cash, cashier’s check or money order only.
Permits can also be obtained at four satellite locations on weekdays from 8am to noon, but only cashier’s checks or money orders are accepted for payment:
Hanapepe Recreation Center (335-3731; 4451 Puolo Rd)
Kalaheo Neighborhood Center (332-9770; 4480 Papalina Rd)
Kapa′a Neighborhood Center (822-1931; 4491 Kou St)
Kilauea Neighborhood Center (828-1421; 2460 Keneke St)
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ACTIVITIES
No one comes to Kaua′i to admire the architecture – unless you’re talking about the incomparable designs of Mother Nature. Whether you are a water baby or a landlubber, an athlete or a couch potato, you’ll find fun activities for all abilities and levels of adventure.
At Sea
Note that North Shore and Westside beaches see high surf and hazardous conditions in winter (October to April), when South Shore and Eastside waters are calm. The pattern reverses in summer. For the nitty-gritty on Kaua′i’s beaches and ocean safety, see www.kauaiexplorer.com.
BODYBOARDING & BODYSURFING
Bodyboarding is the best way to learn the art of catching waves. On the South Shore, find lively sets at Po′ipu Beach (Click here), Brennecke’s Beach (Click here) and, for the skilled, Shipwreck Beach (Click here). On the Eastside, newbies should start at Kalapaki Beach (Click here) near Lihu′e, while