Best Winter Campsites Honolulu Near Me

4worldlovers: Strolling or driving through these lush 400 acres in windward Oʻahu, you will truly agree that Hoʻomaluhia is rightfully named "a peaceful refuge." Opened in 1982, this garden in Kāneʻohe features plantings from major tropical regions around the world grouped geographically. Geographical regions represented by our botanical collections: Philippines, Malaysia, Tropical America, India & Sri Lanka, Melanesia, Hawaii, Polynesia, and Africa. The Garden was designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood protection for Kāneʻohe.

This catch-and-release program is fun for the whole family. We provide bamboo poles with barbless hooks and you bring the bait -fresh white bread works great! You may also bring your own poles with barbless hooks. Fish commonly seen: tilapia and midas cichlid.


Please check in at the Visitor Center. It is a 20 minute walk to the fishing area.


Bamboo poles may be borrowed from 9:30 am until 1:00 pm, on a first come, first served basis.

Come paint and draw the wonderful plant life and scenery of our largest botanical garden with others in this self directed opportunity! Plants, flowers and seeds are provided from this rainforest garden. Bring your supplies; watercolors, pencils, and paper. Some art experience is helpful.

Camping within the garden is a wonderful natural experience for families, individuals and groups.

4worldlovers:
6:00 am to 6:00 pm Daily – Last entry at 4:00pm. Gates Close at 6:00 pm


The unique profile of Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) sits prominently near the eastern edge of Waikiki’s coastline. Hawaii’s most recognized landmark is known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater.


This broad, saucer-shaped crater was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. As these materials settled, they cemented together into a rock called tuff, creating the crater, and which is visible from the trail in the park. Most of the vegetation and birds were introduced in the late 1800s to early 1900s.


The trail to the summit of Lē‘ahi was built in 1908 as part of O‘ahu’s coastal defense system. The 0.8 mile hike from trailhead to the summit is steep and strenuous, gaining 560 feet as it ascends from the crater floor. The walk is a glimpse into the geological and military history of Diamond Head. A concrete walkway built to reduce erosion shifts to a natural tuff surface about 0.2 mile up the trail with many switchbacks traversing the steep slope of the crater interior. The ascent continues up steep stairs and through a lighted 225-foot tunnel to enter the Fire Control Station completed in 1911. Built on the summit, the station directed artillery fire from batteries in Waikiki and Fort Ruger outside Diamond Head crater. At the summit, you’ll see bunkers and a huge navigational lighthouse built in 1917. The postcard view of the shoreline from Koko Head to Wai‘anae is stunning, and during winter, may include passing humpback whales.


Entry and parking reservations required for non-residents (as of May 12th, 2022) , plan accordingly.


The last entrance to hike the trail is at 4:00 pm. The gates are locked at 6:00 pm daily and all visitors must be out of the park by this time.

The park facilities on the crater floor of Diamond Head are fully accessible to those with disabilities. The hiking trail to the summit is not ADA accessible, it is very steep and uneven in some areas. The last 1/10 of a mile is all stairs and especially steep. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your hike. Wear good walking shoes, bring water, and wear a hat and sunscreen.

Audio Tours Now Available! Click here to learn about our self-guided audio tour which focuses on the history, culture, geography, plant and animal life, and scenery at Diamond Head.

The Division of State Parks constructed the Diamond Head interpretive kiosk in 2000 to provide visitor services and house exhibits about the history and resources of the crater. With visitors to the park exceeding 3,000 people per day, Diamond Head is one of the most popular and heavily visited destinations in the state. Visitors have been interested for years in purchasing souvenirs and memorabilia of their experience at the park. Through a collaboration with Pacific Historic Parks, the kiosk was renovated in 2014 to not only provide visitor services but offer a venue for purchasing items related to Diamond head. You may now purchase Diamond Head themed merchandise through PHP’s online store!

We now offer a docent program for those looking to volunteer at the park!

Be at least 18 years old (unless with parental permission, needs to sign liability form before working)

Be able to make the necessary time commitment. Most programs require at least a 3 or 6-month commitment.

To register as a volunteer or arrange a field trip please click here -> Volunteer Program

4worldlovers: Leahi Beach Park is an interesting place. Although technically a beach park, there really isn't any beach here. Well, there is, but it's under the water. At certain times of low tide there is a narrow bit of sand but it's usually wet anyhow.

The first issue is that there is no parking at all right near the beach park so you'll either need to park over a quarter mile west of here in Kapiolani Park or along one of the residential streets to the west (look for legal parking places on Coconut Ave, Kiele Ave, Kalakaua Ave to name a few) if you can find any open spots.

The park itself is a nice and fairly large grassy area and it offers some nice ocean views so it might be a nice place to relax but considering the walk to get here there isn't much point unless you live right around here. Even then there are much better beach options nearby.

If you head towards the ocean here, then turn right, you will find a very narrow beach walk bridge that heads west. Follow that walkway and you'll end up at nearby Kaluahole Beach & Makalei Beach Park, which is slightly better than Leahi Beach Park that you just left, but it's a neat little walk.