Camping on Oahu has its challenges. Unlike the other Hawaiian islands, many of Oahu’s campgrounds have litter and/or rudeness issues. However, you can find some very nice, clean, quiet, safe, and scenic places to camp on Oahu. The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kaneohe is one of them.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens lives up to its name, which translated into English means “to make a place of peace and tranquility.” This is a very quiet environment. And the rules are very strict about noise; for example, even in broad daylight, radios and CD players should be kept low enough so as not to disturb camp neighbors.

The gardens meander through 400 acres and back to back to the green, castle-like peaks of the majestic Ko’olau Mountains. Plants from tropical regions around the world are grouped here geographically, and special emphasis is placed on conserving native Hawaiian plants. The Hawaiian Garden here, like many of the others here, has some very nice tent sites, along with clean indoor toilets and showers.

Here you can camp for free from 9:00 am on Friday until 4:00 pm on Sunday, except on Christmas and New Years. There is no camping on the other days of the week, but this is a good place to spend the weekend. Although it does not have 24 hour security, everyone I spoke to said it is very quiet.

The access gate to the gardens closes at 4:00 p.m. and those who camp there will be given car passes so they can use the rear gate, which is open from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. gateway to the first camp, this removes it from the “party spots” list. Since it doesn’t have beach access, it’s also not a place where big families gather with great music and Hawaiian food. People come to the gardens to enjoy the flora and fauna and the tranquility.

While there is no beach here, there is a trail that will take you to a wonderful spot to watch the sun rise over the ocean.

Tent sites are on the grass and include fire pits and picnic tables. You must bring your own firewood and grills.

The staff members we spoke to at the Garden Visitor Center were warm, generous with their time, and very knowledgeable. The center has an art gallery with cultural exhibits and a botanical library. You’ll also find a network of trails and a lake (catch and release fishing; no swimming).

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens is located near several wonderful tourist attractions, water features, and other destinations, including the Byoda Temple tucked away in the Valley of the Temples and featuring a larger-than-life Buddha statue, a garden of meditation and a pond with 10,000 koi; Kaneohe Bay with its white sandbars that appear as small islands in blue waters at low tide; the towns of Kaneohe and Kailua with various shops and restaurants; the country and very Hawaiian town of Waimanalo, where the horses still roam freely and the beach is one of the best on the island; and Kailua Bay, the quintessential water park on the windward side, offering a long stretch of white sand and sheltered waters, popular with beginner boogie boarders, kayakers, and windsurfers.

A variety of programs are offered in the gardens throughout the week, such as orchid growing, weather, and botanical drawing, to name a few. Some of these have fees, while others are free. For a current schedule, use the contact information above and request one.

Hawaiian ecology is emphasized in these programs. Day-use and camping programs may include ethnic, craft, botanical, horticultural, and environmental activities. Free guided nature walks, covering topics such as local birds, cloud watching and medicinal plants, are offered at 10 am on Saturdays and 1 pm on Sundays.

The capture of this free and peaceful camping in a garden? It is in a tropical jungle. So remember to bring a waterproof tent and gear. However, it will still be warm, so something lightweight, like a poncho that fits in your pocket or a light jacket, will work best. You might also want some mosquito repellent, though they didn’t bother me. Here you will find picnic tables and fire rings. If you want to use a tarp, bring poles because they don’t allow anything to be tied to the trees. A small camp stove or hibachi might also come in handy.

You can get a detailed map with hiking trails at the Visitor Center or at the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens. However, the map on the website does not include a legend, so if you use it, know that hiking trails are shown in dashes and the H-3 highway is shown in bold dashes. Distances are not shown on the map, but the Visitor Center can answer your questions.