Kalalau camping permits available for residents

LIHU‘E — Beginning Tuesday, May 3, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks will issue a limited number of overnight permits for camping in Kalalau Valley in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, for Kaua‘i residents only.

Permits can be purchased on a space-available basis to walk-in applicants only at the State Parks office in the State Building in Lihu‘e. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday each week starting this week.

Permits are reservable up to 30 days in advance of the planned first night of camping. For example, on May 3, camping reservations can be made for the period between May 15 and June 2. When capacity is filled, reservations will stop for that day.

The hold-back rule was in place for decades, but in recent years has been suspended for a number of reasons. This includes flood closures in 2018 and 2019 and during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rule was established to allow Kaua‘i residents a chance to enjoy Kalalau in the face of extreme global demand. The Napali Coast State Wilderness Park and its famed Kalalau Trail is one of the most popular park destinations on the planet, and competition for the limited backcountry permits is fierce, according to a DLNR press release.

Additional Kalalau permit availability

• Overnight capacity for Kalalau between May 15 and Sept. 7, will be increased from 60 to 80 people per night;

• There is a maximum of six people per permit (applicants must provide all names at time of purchase, with no exceptions or substitutions;

• Payments will be accepted by credit card only.