Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument — Hikes, camping & visitor guide

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (pronounced [ˈpɐpəˈhaːnɐwˈmokuwaːˈkɛjə]; PMNM) is a U.S. national monument listed as a World Heritage Site, encompassing 582,578 square miles (1.5 million km2) of ocean waters, including ten islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It was first created by President George W. Bush in 2006 with an initial 140,000 square miles (360,000 km2).

President Barack Obama expanded the Monument in 2016, increasing its area more than fourfold by moving its border to the limit of the exclusive economic zone, making it one of the world's largest protected areas. The Monument is home to more than 7,000 marine species, one quarter of which are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, with some found only within the monument itself. Only 5.8 square miles (15 km2) of land remains above sea level, but it provides critical habitat for many terrestrial species.

It also features ancient archaeological sites important to Native Hawaiians. The deeper waters are of interest to maritime historians for containing shipwrecks, submerged aircraft, and the remains of those who died in battles during World War II. As a protected area, the monument is subject to a ban on commercial fishing.

President Joe Biden designated the marine areas of the monument as the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary in 2025.

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument occupies a particular place in the imagination of American public lands. As a National Monument in Hawaii, it represents a deliberate choice — by the people who advocated for its protection, and by the National Park Service rangers who maintain it — to keep this landscape available to anyone willing to make the trip. That accessibility is the quiet miracle of the park system.

The pages linked below break the visit down into the four practical questions every traveler asks: where can I hike, where can I sleep, what else is worth seeing while I'm in the area, and what should I know before I show up. Each one is written from the perspective of someone planning their first trip — assume nothing, explain what's worth explaining, and skip the marketing language. If you've been here before, treat these guides as a refresher and a way to discover the corners you missed last time.

What this guide covers

Over the next four pages, this field guide breaks Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument into the practical questions every traveler asks: which trails are worth the effort, where to sleep both inside and outside the park boundary, what else is worth a stop in the surrounding region, and the small-but-essential tips that make the difference between a stressful first day and a smooth one. Use the navigation above to jump between sections, or read them in order — they're written to flow.

Logistics at a glance

Use this quick reference when you're putting together your itinerary. The figures below are the most-asked questions every visitor needs answered before arrival, summarized in one place.

Designation	National Monument
State	Hawaii
Entrance fee	Typically free or under $10 per person. Confirm at park entrance.
Visitor center hours	Most open daily 8–9am to 4:30–6pm. Reduced winter hours common.
Best months	Plan around the weather notes above.
Camping inside park	See the camping guide for campground details, fees, and reservation windows.
Nearby gateway towns	See nearby attractions for lodging and supply stops.