Haleakala National Park's name means "House of the Sun" and is where demigod Maui lassoed the Sun, showing its passage so people had more time to dry kapa and grow food.
Anyone visiting Maui should leave the beach for at least a day to explore the many Things to do at Haleakala National Park, especially seeing either sunrise and/or sunset!
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Things to do Haleakala National Park
Haleakala NP is a truly amazing park to visit! Located on the Island of Maui, Hawaii, this park has more endangered species than any other U.S. National Park!
My best advice is to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions during your visit. You can experience freezing temperatures at sunrise at the Summit, rain midday, then see 90-degree-plus temperatures along the Kipahulu District all in the same day.
Haleakala Sunrise
Words can't describe watching the sunrise at Haleakala! It is a moment much grander than just watching the sunrise from 10,000 feet.
For me, witnessing sunrise from the summit was ethereal, and it has cultural significance in Hawaiian Legend.
My first trip to the summit to witness this event was particularly special as a local Hawaiian welcomed the sunrise and began singing.
This moment literally sent chills down my spine, and it is still one of the most memorable moments I have experienced in a National Park.
Watching sunrise is extremely popular, and you are required to have a permit (advance reservation) to drive to the summit area between the hours of 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM, as the parking lot has only 150 spaces at the summit. This is extremely important to follow, as several threatened species are only found here in the whole world, including the Silversword.
Haleakala National Park Summit Sunrise Reservations
Haleakala National Park Sunrise Reservations are required year-round for each vehicle entering the park from 3:00 AM to 7:00 AM HST.
- Sunrise Reservations are available for booking 60 days and 2 days in advance at 7:00 AM, HST.
- Tickets are limited to one per customer every three days
- The cost of a Summit Sunrise Reservation is $1.00 per vehicle.
- Sunrise reservations must be made prior to visiting the park and can only be obtained online at Recreation.gov
- For questions about reservations, call the recreation.gov hotline at 1-877-444-6777.
- A separate entrance fee will be collected upon entry to the park (see Haleakala entrance fee above).
- Visitors who do not have a reservation will be turned around and not allowed to enter the park until 7:00 AM.
If you miss out on obtaining a permit, you can still take an organized tour for sunrise, as you don't need a permit on an organized tour. Here is a link to the highest-rated tour:
Majestic Haleakala Sunrise Tour with Pick-up
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars (575 Reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
This tour takes care of all of the logistics so that you have a memorable sunrise outing and you don't have to worry about taking care of the logistics. This tour includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, plus a meal.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip
Don't be the park visitor who comes to watch sunrise and leaves their hotel on the beach (sea level) in towns like Keihi, Kaanapali, and Lahaina, where the weather is warm (even in the early morning hours).
This gives them the false feeling that they don't need more than a shirt and shorts, and head out to the summit of Haleakala, which stands over 10,000 feet, with wind blowing and near-freezing temperatures.
Don't be this person unless you plan on watching the sunrise from your car! You may have flown to a tropical island, but be prepared for the cold, freezing temperatures and a constant wind that is guaranteed to make your teeth chatter while watching the sunrise at Haleakala. Other things to consider include rain, and for photographers, batteries do not like cold weather. Make sure to bring a backup because there is nothing more disappointing than seeing the flashing red light of a dead battery! I personally keep my spare battery close to my body so it stays warm.
The last thing you want is to be monumentally disappointed to obtain the coveted permit, wake up at 2 am, drive for a couple of hours in the dark, and sit out in the cold to have your camera quit the moment the sun peeks out above the ocean!
Visit the Summit Area
You may be thinking, Why must I visit the summit area when I already watched the sunrise? The easiest answer is because you can. I mean, seriously, you will get home and start telling your friends about sunrise, and someone will ask you if you went to the top, and you will say no.
You will easily recognize the look on their face of you seriously messing up as they begin telling you about the best views of the island and seeing Silversword, a threatened plant that grows nowhere else.
Watch Sunrise, then ride a bike from the summit to the park entrance
Experienced Cyclists and those who seek adventure will love riding a bike from the summit to the entrance of the park after watching the sunrise!
Everyone I know who has done it says the same things:
- It was one of the highlights of their trip
- They had a blast!
- It's very cold and wear plenty of warm clothes
I do want to put on my Park Ranger Hat for a moment and remind you of the potential dangers/hazards, and would not recommend it for those not in good physical condition and not experienced/comfortable riding a bike.
- The average grade going down is 5.3%, with the steepest quarter mile for Cyclists measuring around 11%
- The road is a challenging two-lane road with several vehicles and numerous switchbacks
- Most of the road does not have road shoulders, and there are no guardrails.
- Have fun and wear your safety gear, as 2-5 people per week on average go to the hospital due to a bike injury.
- This is an extremely popular activity with over 100,000 people each year taking on this challenge.
Make sure to plan ahead and book your tour so you don't miss out on this adventure.
Haleakala Sunrise Downhill Bike Tour with Mountain Riders, Rated #1
⭐️ Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🚵 Check Rates and Availability
This guided tour includes transportation from Paia (near the airport), watching sunrise at the summit of Haleakala National Park, then hop on a bike and ride back down to the National Park Boundary. Includes transfers, helmets, and bike gear, bottled water, and snacks.
Search for Rainbows
Hawaii is known as the Rainbow State because of the number of rainbows seen on the islands! Rainbows occur with the combination of misty rain and sunshine, and Hawaii has plenty of both! A trip to Haleakala can provide a wealth of sunshine or rain, depending on the day, so make sure to pack your sunscreen and a rain jacket and watch out for those rainbows!
Go birdwatching
This is perhaps my favorite thing to do at Haleakala National Park! Haleakala is a great place for bird watching, as Haleakala offers unique opportunities to see endemic Hawaiian forest birds like the Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi, Maui 'Alauahio, Nēnē Goose, and the Hawaiian Petrel.
It is also home to at minimum five endangered birds with several critically imperiled honeycreepers facing imminent extinction without intense conservation efforts.
Some of the best bird watching areas include the Hosmer Grove interpretative trail loop, 'Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools), and the summit area.
Camera Gear we use
We are big fans of using great camera gear to get amazing photos while traveling.
Canon R5 - We recently upgraded to the R5 after using a Mark 5 for years. We are loving the camera shutter speed and quality of images.
Canon 100 - 500mm - We use the Canon 100-500 for wildlife photography.
Camera Rain Cover - A rain cover will help protect your camera during rain showers but also when photographing waterfalls.
Camera Cleaning Kit - Cameras can get dirty, beat up, and dusty while in the parks. We like having a cleaning kit with us so we can do on the spot touch ups.
Extra Camera Batteries - We suggest always having one or two extra camera batteries with you. There is nothing worse than going to take a shot and the battery dies.
Extra Memory Cards - We use Extreme PRO SanDisk cards
Go for a hike
Haleakala has well over 40 miles of hiking trails in many different climates.
I thoroughly enjoyed the half-mile Hosmer Grove Trail. Parking is at the Hosmer Grove Campground for this self-guided interpretative trail with lush vegetation and several native Hawaiian bird species.
I also loved the Pīpīwai Trail in Maui's Kīpahulu District. This four-mile out-and-back trail is forested with boardwalks and footbridges, hike through bamboo forests and past waterfalls, including the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
The summit area has 30 miles of wilderness trails.
This network of trails is located in a true wilderness area, and you need to proceed with caution. These trails include Halemauʻu Trail and Sliding Sands Trail.
Remember that you are an hour plus to any medical services. The soft cinder trails begin with a downslope will take you twice as long to hike up. It's kinda like walking on soft sand on the beach, plus walking uphill. You will also have to contend with elevation sickness if you are not prepared.
There are many factors to altitude sickness, including overall health, drinking plenty of water, becoming acclimated to elevation first, and overall physical fitness. Many of these hikes are high elevation areas at 7000' to 10,000' in elevation, so you can also expect freezing temperatures at night, strong winds, direct sunlight, and rain.
The rain will also create slippery conditions, especially over exposed roots. I don't want to freak you out, I want you to come prepared to have a great experience! This is a great place to explore, but also requires you to come prepared and bring things like the 10 Essentials.
Become a Haleakala Junior Ranger
We love doing the Junior Ranger programs. You can pick up a junior ranger program at any of the visitor centers in the park.
Haleakala Camping
There are two campgrounds in Haleakala National Park.
Hosmer Grove Campground is located near the summit and next to the Hosmer Grove Nature Trail.
Kīpahulu Campground is located on the coast near the Kīpahulu Visitor Center at the end of the Road to Hana.
Both of the campgrounds are very basic with picnic tables, BBQ grills, and pit toilets. We camped in Haleakala years ago, and it was one of the most memorable camping trips.
If you decide to camp in Haleakala you will want to be prepared for the weather. The Hosmer Grove Campground weather ranges from pouring rain to near-freezing temperatures overnight. At the Kipahulu Campground, you will want to be prepared for humidity and warm weather.
Click here to reserve a campsite at Hosmer Grove Campground.
Click here to reserve a campsite at Kipahulu Campground.
Things to do in Maui
I would be foolish to think that if you are going to Maui that you would only go to see Haleakala. I wanted to share a couple of my favorite things to do in Maui!
Drive the Road to Hana
It's a rite of passage to say you survived the Road to Hana. Trust me, you will understand after going!
Besides, it's the only way to get to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Here you will find the Kipahulu Visitor Center, campground, the Seven Sacred Pools, and several hiking trails.
The Road to Hana is a 59-mile road with 620 curves and 59 bridges! Once you have made it to Hana, you will still have another 10+ miles of curves before reaching the Kipahulu District, a little over 4 hours from when you started. This road is a nightmare for anyone with the slightest inclination of motion sickness!
The bright side is that the Pools of 'Ohe'o are absolutely beautiful. My best memory of this area is swimming here on the 90-degree days. Unfortunately, the pools are now closed off due to rockslides and flash floods. There is also a beautiful 4-mile Pipiwai Trail Hike, and for those what a short distance hike, try the Kahakai Trail that provides excellent ocean and coastal views. You can also expect breathtaking views of Maui's waterfalls, forests, and streams.
I camped here years ago in the small drive-up campground and enjoyed sitting near the beach watching the waves.
You may want to order the Road Guide to Haleakala and the Hana Highway Booklet before your trip so you have information on what you will see.
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater
I have snorkeled all over, and I have to say that Hawaii is my favorite snorkeling destination. My wife says the only place comparable is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Needless to say, when in Hawaii, you need to find time to go snorkeling! The most memorable snorkeling spot in Maui for me was Molokini Crater. It is easy to find a tour company as there are several options. I listed a tour company below with a 5/5 star review and over 1500 reviews!
Molokini Crater and South Maui Coast Adventure from Keihi
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours |🤿Check Rates and Availability
Tour includes Breakfast, lunch, and use of snorkeling equipment
Spend Time at the Beach
Maui is known for its world-famous beaches!
- Ka'anapali Beach is a famous three-mile stretch of golden sand and clear water.
- Wailea Beach is known for its soft sand, calm, clear water perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
- Kama'ole Beach Parks are family-friendly with facilities, swimming, and snorkeling.
- Wai'anapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach) is known for black sand, lava tubes, and blowholes.
- Red Sand Beach (Kaihalulu) is a unique red cinder cone beach, but it does require a bit of a hike.
There are several other beaches to explore, one week is just not enough to explore this paradise.
Haleakala National Park Lodging Options
There are no National Park lodges available in Haleakala National Park, but there are numerous lodging options on the Island. The three main areas with lodging include the Napili-Honokowai and Lahaina area, the Keihi and Wailea-Makena Area, and the Kahului area (near the airport). My personal favorite is the Lahina area, then Keihei.
Marriott's Maui Ocean Club (Lahina)- We stayed at this hotel when we went to Maui and loved it! It was right on the beach, had free beach cabanas, beach loungers, and beach umbrellas! There is an outdoor pool, a restaurant on site, a gift shop, spa, fitness center, and much more! I also fell in love with the Maile Mango hand soap, shampoo, & Conditioner at the Hotel! We now order it for our home.
Days Inn by Wyndham Maui Oceanfront (Keihei) - The Days Inn in Keihei is a great, affordable option in Maui! We stayed here on our first trip to Maui, and we were right on the beach! We also had A/C, Free WIFI, self-parking included, an on-site fitness center, and more! This allowed us to save our money for tours and activities on the Island!
https://www.stay22.com/embed/69349ffe67173ecf385b1bd3Haleakala National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$45.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$45.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
National Park Sites Near Haleakala National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Complete guide to plan the perfect trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Includes general park information, camping, lodging options, tours, and much more!
Pearl Harbor National Memorial - A memorial honoring the lives affected by the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, that resulted in the United States entering World War 2.
PU'UHONUA O HÖNAUNAU National Historical Park - Also known as the City of Refuge or Place of Refuge, is a sacred site for Hawaiians. Visiting this park will give you tremendous insight and knowledge about the Hawaiian culture and way of life.
Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park - preserves and shows the ingenuity of the native Hawaiians (kanaka maoli) used to survive in the hot and arid environment around Kona by the building of fishponds.
Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site - is an 86-acre park that protects one of the oldest structures in the National Park System. The Puukohola Heiau was built in 1790-91 by the Hawaiian leader Kamehameha I.
Check out all of the Hawaii National Parks along with Alaska National Parks, National Parks in Washington, Oregon National Parks, and National Parks in California
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