We typically celebrate our keiki’s birthdays by giving them a choice between a party, a camping trip, or a staycation at a local hotel. They usually choose between the latter two so this time around we decided to surprise Kahlo with a VanCation for his 7th birthday. It’s exactly what you think it is–a vacation based out of a van. And in this case we were lucky enough to go with Kaua’i Camper Rental in one of their VW camper vans!
We spent four glorious days and three peaceful nights cruising the island in our camper van. Honestly, I wish we had booked for longer because we were just getting into the groove of things before we had to return it. I’d say a five to seven day trip would be ideal to get a good feel for life on the road while enjoying the sights of the island. And below I’m sharing our top three tips for a smooth family VanCation on Kaua’i!
Groms 
Tunnels Beach
1.Plan your campsites ahead of time. While there aren’t a crazy amount of options of where to spend the night, it can be tricky to navigate the booking process if you’d like to spread your time around the island. Every other campsite has different procedures for making reservations so it is important you research this in advance. Note that most campsites here don’t have hot showers, be sure to investigate further if that’s crucial for you. Reach out to the awesome folks at Kaua’i Camper Rental for details about the specific campgrounds that allow van camping (as well as the amenities each site provides).
**The campsites we selected below are for tent camping only but it was certainly convenient to base out of the van then sleep under the stars!
On the North Shore we stayed at Anini Beach Park–permits can be obtained from the county by mailing in an application and payment or by providing both in person at the Lihu’e Civic Center. This “park” is really a long stretch of beach that is keiki-friendly overall. Unless the surf is wild, the water is typically very shallow and quite calm. We were also all about this campsite’s proximity to all of our favorite Northshore beaches and eateries. Not to mention, it’s only ten minutes or so from this spot to the nearest grocery store (Foodland in Princeville) in case you forget anything!
On the West Side we stayed up at the Koke’e State Park campground–permits can be obtained from the state via the website linked above. Be sure to print out your permit and/or save a screenshot of it as there is no cell reception once you arrive. The trek up to the State Park is long and windy. It was such a treat to spend the night up there and be so close to all of the amazing hikes and lookouts. Perhaps more conveniently, this campground is set within an open meadow complete with sprawling grass lawns, a small museum, plus a quaint lodge that offers up mountain essentials and a limited menu of tasty dishes. If the veggie strata is on the breakfast menu do yourself a favor and order it!
Koke’e showers 
Koke’e Lodge 
Morning strolls in Koke’e
2.Pack light with simple fun in mind. Squeezing our family into a camper van put our minimalist habits to the test. Basic necessities aside (clothing, toiletries, and food), we made sure to bring a few items that would be versatile enough for the keiki to enjoy in a variety of situations. With their help we packed a football, a pack of army men for dramatic play in and out of the camper, a giant book of maps, a set of checkers, and a small collection of play silks for dress up and building forts.
Kaua’i Camper Rental provided everything else we needed including cooking, eating, sleeping/camping, and beach gear. It was so wonderful to not have to worry about any of these things! To top it all off, we kept the meals super easy aka yogurt and fruit for breakfast then mostly charcuterie fixings for everything else… Although, we did go out for pizza on two separate occasions so we were spoiled enough to have leftover slices to munch on the day after.
Maps 
Army men 
Fort building 
Checkers
3.Go with the flow. The camper van made life easy with keiki because we could pull over for adventures as we pleased and everyone could follow their heart’s desire. We’d park whenever someone was ready to adventure–the boys could charge outside while Meli napped up top, meanwhile Daniel and I could picnic together out back. In fact, we used the camper van as a picnic base several times a day. We popped up the top, opened the back and side doors, then enjoyed every meal with a view. An extra bonus was that sand didn’t make it into any of the food, that’s always a win in my book.
Storms rolled in and out but the camper van was quite a game changer. Whether we were at the beach or the trail head, all we had to do was retreat back into our home on wheels where we could wait out the rain. We were surprised by how roomy it felt despite our wild crew! Each member of our family could claim their own cozy nook. The pop-top bed was the perfect play room, nap area, fort base, etc. Above all, it provided a magical space to take refuge from the rain. The keiki loved watching the weather, the animals, and the clouds from the windows up top.
Sunset hike break 
Picnic pit stop 
Pop up picnics 
All day every day 
Prime set up for a beach day
If you’re looking to simplify your travels, to explore the island at a slow and leisurely pace, then a VanCation may be just what you need. Learn more about Kaua’i Camper Rental on their website or their Instagram.
I enjoy spending time outdoors during the summer. My friends and I would take our camping gear, drive up th the foot of the nearest hiking trail, set up our tents and sleep under the stars. It’s an amazing experience.