Haleakala National Park

Haleakala National Park is divided into two sections with separate access points, Haleakala Crater and the Kipahulu district. Most visitors head for the main event: Haleakala’s rocky, barren summit and its expansive lunar-like crater stretching some seven miles (11 kilometers) across. Popular guided summit tours include Haleakala sunrise tours, promising stunning views of the sea and sky, and bike tours that zip you down the volcano’s steep slopes. Some tours even couple a Haleakala sunrise with a scenic drive along Maui’s winding Road to Hana. The park’s Kipahulu district is lush, coastal, and more isolated, offering hiking and swimmable waterfall pools.

• Park entry is $10 for a 3-day single-person pass or $20 for a vehicle pass that includes entry for everyone in the car. Guided tours usually include park admission.

• Not all of Hawaii is warm. At Haleakala’s summit, plan for wind, rain, and temperatures between 30°F and 50°F (-1°C and 10°C).

• Due to the high elevation, you may experience altitude sickness. It’s best to slowly make your way up to allow for time to get acclimated. Return to lower elevation if you experience any telltale signs including nausea, headache, and shortness of breath.

• Haleakala has nearly 40 (64 kilometers) miles of hiking paths. If planning to hike, stay on designated trails to minimize effects on the area’s flora and fauna, many of which are endangered.

• The park’s main visitor center—with informational displays and helpful rangers—closes at 3:45pm daily.

• While park trails are unpaved and unsuitable for wheelchairs, the summit’s visitor centers and Hosmer Grove picnic area are wheelchair accessible.

To reach Haleakala National Park, you need to book a tour or arrive by car; there is no public transport into the park itself. Driving time from the resort areas of Kihei and Kaanapali is about two hours to the summit, or three to four hours to Kipahulu. Summit access is via Upcountry Maui, passing through the quaint town of Makawao along Routes 377 and 378.

Haleakala National Park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. On clear mornings, many visitors take advantage of the peak’s lofty vantage point to watch the colorful sunrise, with tours departing as early as 2am to arrive in time. If you’re crowd adverse, try a sunset tour where, on clear nights, an equally spectacular explosion of color bleeds into top-notch stargazing. Tours meet on the mountain a few hours before sunset.

The volcano’s slopes are home to an extremely rare and Dr. Seuss–like plant: the Haleakala silversword. The bizarre, bushy, and silver-colored plants are found only here and can live for up to 90 years. Silverswords flower only once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk—and dying shortly thereafter. You’ll find them at the Haleakala summit, the Kalahaku Overlook, and along Sliding Sands Trail, a several-mile round-trip hike.

Tours aren’t needed to visit Haleakala National Park. However, independent travelers must buy the recreational entrance pass, which can be booked in advance. For visitors hoping to catch the sunrise, reservations must be booked well in advance as car space at the summit viewing locations is limited.

Yes, a trip to Haleakala is worth it, especially on clear days when the views are best. The sunrise Haleakala trips are popular. You'll make a long, winding journey to reach the top, but many find that experiencing the sun rising beyond the crater is worth waking up for.

Unless you’re departing from Lahaina or somewhere in the far west, most Maui vacationers take around one to two hours to reach the park’s summit by car. You can visit the Haleakala Visitor Center, hike, take photos, or enjoy the views. Most tours last around four to six hours.

Yes, tourists can visit Haleakala unguided. It’s possible to hike or cycle there, but most travelers visit in a rental car to make getting back and forth easy. Car-free travelers, especially those wanting to see the Haleakala sunrise, should book a tour for hassle-free logistics.

Standard entrance passes range from around US$15 to US$30, depending on the mode of transport. These entrance passes can be bought in advance, or on the day itself. Note that the park is moving towards cashless payments so bring a credit or debit card.

Haleakala can get crowded at sunrise and sunset, but any other time is usually not that busy. If you plan on serious hiking, come early in the day to allow yourself time to explore and to miss the later-morning clouds or sun glare.