Complete Guide to Visiting Haleakalā National Park on Maui

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Take a day on your Maui vacation to visit Haleakala National Park. We head up to the summit annually for sunrise, a day hike, or sunset. Get ready for a windy drive to the top of Maui as we are going to show you how to do it right!

Here is your guide to visiting Haleakala National Park and why it is worth visiting!

Haleakalā National Park is one of the most breathtaking destinations in Hawaii. Rising to 10,023 feet above sea level, this park offers otherworldly landscapes, star-studded skies, and the unforgettable experience of watching the sun break over a sea of clouds.

Whether you’re planning to hike its volcanic trails, take in a legendary sunrise, or explore the lush Kipahulu District on Maui’s eastern coast, a trip to Haleakalā is a must for any visitor.

This Haleakala guide covers everything you need to know before you go—from location and logistics to hiking trails, activities, and where to stay nearby.

Where is Haleakalā National Park Located?

Haleakalā National Park spans 33,265 acres and is divided into two distinct districts:

• The Summit District – Located in Upcountry Maui (see our 16 Upcountry Things to Do), this area is home to the Haleakalā Crater and the famous sunrise and sunset viewpoints. It’s about a two-hour drive from most resort areas like Kaanapali or Wailea.
• The Kīpahulu District – Found past Hana on Maui’s East Side, this lush side of the park offers waterfalls, hiking the famous Pipiwai Trail with the bamboo forest and access to the Pools of ʻOheʻo (commonly called the Seven Sacred Pools).

Both districts are incredible, but most first-time visitors prioritize the Summit District for its volcanic landscape and unmatched sunrise views.

Some visitors opt to stop at Kipahulu District when they are driving the Road to Hana. We share information on making this stop in our Road to Hana Guide and 5 Routes for the Road to Hana, as Kipahulu is on the backside of Haleakala.

Is Haleakalā Worth Visiting? Jordan’s Take

Maui has two can’t-miss things to do: The Road to Hana and Haleakala. No other place in the country has the drive or the destinations like these two Maui attractions.

Due to travel times, both activities are best enjoyed with an all-day excursion, approximately 8 hours. Most visitors on a 7 to 9 day trip, the average visit duration, can only do one activity. My vote is to do the Road to Hana.

When visiting from the mainland, I am always looking forward to the rainforest, cliffs, and waterfalls found along the Road to Hana. Technically, you can get the Road to Hana experience when you visit Haleakala’s Kipahulu District. But that is part of the Road to Hana.

Haleakala provides a volcanic experience. You can’t find such harsh, Martian landscapes as you can at the summit of Haleakala.

If your ultimate trip to Hawaii means visiting a volcano, taking exotic hikes, and exploring out-of-this-world landscapes, then a trip to Haleakala is definitely worth it!

On a recent trip to Maui, we discovered an easy way to visit Haleakala without taking a full day on our itinerary. We did a sunset guided tour. We met our guide in Kahului in the late afternoon. We visited Iao Valley and then he drove us up Haleakala for the best sunset location we’ve been to. Learn more about our two favorite Haleakala tours here:

• Maui Volcanoes Tour of Haleakala and ‘Iao Valley (group)
• Maui Volcano Quest: Combo Haleakala and ‘Iao Valley Tour (private)

Video Guide to Haleakala National Park

Erica and I enjoy sharing our Hawaii travel experiences. After numerous visits to Haleakala National Park, we decided it was time to make a video guide.

This video is a good complement to this article on visiting Haleakala. Video is such an excellent medium for Hawaii travel planning!

How to Get to Haleakalā National Park

Getting to Haleakalā requires planning. Since there’s no public transportation into the park, you’ll need a rental car or book a guided tour.

• From Kahului (OGG) Airport to the Summit Visitor Center is about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Click for Google Map directions.
• The drive from Lahaina/Kaʻanapali takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Click for Google Map directions.
• The drive from Wailea/Kihei takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Click for Google Map directions.

The road to the summit is paved but winding, with steep switchbacks. I read somewhere that Haleakala Highway to the summit is the fastest ascent in America, as you go from sea level to 10,023 feet in about 35 miles.

Allow extra time for slow traffic or stops at scenic lookouts. But in our experience, we haven’t ever had issues or delays when making the drive to the top. Poor visibility is the biggest issue as you pass through the clouds.

If you’re visiting for sunrise, you’ll be driving in the dark, so plan carefully and bring layers for warmth at the summit. Cows on the Haleakala Highway used to be a big issue on the drive back down after sunset, but the cattle ranch closed in about 2024.

Maui is actually home to two volcanoes, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. The best way to visit the West Maui Mountains is to go to ‘Iao Valley State Park.

I get nerdy on both volcanoes in our Maui Volcanoes: Ultimate Guide.

Haleakalā National Park Entrance Fees

As of 2025, entrance fees for Haleakalā National Park are the following. To confirm pricing, see here: Official Haleakala National Park Passes & Fees.

• Private vehicle: $30 (valid for three consecutive days, covers both Summit and Kīpahulu districts).
• Motorcycle: $25
• Individual (walk-in or bicycle): $15
• Hawai‘i Tri-Park Annual Pass: $55 (good for Haleakalā, Hawai‘i Volcanoes, and Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island).
• No cash, only credit card is accepted: Even with a sunrise permit, you will stay pay the entrance fee at a kiosk or with a Park Ranger at the entrance to the park.

Pro tip: If you’re visiting multiple national parks in the U.S. this year, consider the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80.

Yes, you read that correctly about the Kipahulu District. Your entry pass for visiting Haleakala National Park is good for three days. That means you can use the same pass for visiting the Kipahulu District. Consider that when making your Maui itinerary.

Hitchhiking Into and Around Haleakalā National Park

Hitchhiking in Haleakala is an old tradition on Maui. People will hitchhike into the park or hitchhike from the end of a trail.

The crater trails end on the opposite side of the crater, so a ride back to their car is helpful.

No guide to Haleakala would be complete without mentioning the hitchhiking tradition.

We have not hitchhiked, nor have we picked up anyone in Haleakala. Pick up hitchhikers at your own risk.

Sunrise at Haleakalā: What You Need to Know

The sunrise at Haleakalā is one of the most famous experiences in Hawaii. Watching the sun crest over a blanket of clouds at 10,023 feet is unforgettable—but it requires planning.

Sunrise Permit

In addition to the entrance fee, you’ll need a sunrise reservation permit.

• Cost: $1 per vehicle.
• Reservations: Available online only at Recreation.gov.
• Booking window: Up to 60 days in advance, with a few tickets released 2 days before.

Without this permit, you won’t be allowed to enter the summit area between 3:00 am and 7:00 am.

Tips for Sunrise

• Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 30–60 minutes before sunrise. The parking lots don’t fill up, but you will want to get a good position for the view.
• Dress warmly: Temperatures can drop into the 30s or even lower with wind chill. Pack layers, hats, and gloves. See our Hawaii Packing List for details.
• Bring snacks and water: There are no food vendors inside the park.
• Photography tip: The colors often peak just after the sun rises, so don’t leave right away.

Visiting Haleakala for sunrise is a special experience. It is also a perfect jet lag experience, as you have to leave around three to four in the morning to get there on time!

We enjoyed a Haleakala sunrise guided tour. We let a local drive us up in a small group, provide breakfast, and show us the best place to stand. Plus, they provided thick jackets to wear! Here is the tour we did with 10% off with code: Haleakala Guided Sunrise Tour.

Haleakalā Summit Information

You will enter the park after the windy part of the Haleakala Highway. You will see the entrance sign and a fast-moving line to pay the entrance fee at a kiosk. Stay in your car and have your credit card ready!

Once you enter the park, you will find the first visitor center. Stop for the toilets and to visit the small museum and information area. There is also a good viewing deck here (popular for sunset).

But the best parts of the park are further up the volcano. Look out for scenic overlooks, sideroads for trails, or just drive straight up to the summit!

At the summit, you’ll find:

• Haleakalā Visitor Center (9,740 ft): Great for orientation, exhibits, and ranger talks.
• Pu‘u ʻUlaʻula Overlook (10,023 ft): The highest point on the mountain, offering panoramic views of the crater and surrounding islands on clear days.
• Observatories: While not open to the public, the domes at the summit add a dramatic backdrop. Observatories on the Big Island at Mauna Kea are also not open to the public. See our Mauna Kea Stargazing Guide for info.

On clear days, you might see the Big Island of Hawai‘i and even beyond. On cloudy days, the crater itself feels like stepping onto another planet, with red cinder cones and vast lava flows stretching below.

Weather at the Summit of Haleakalā

The weather on Haleakalā can be unpredictable. That is part of the fun and adventure of visiting Haleakala National Park!

Pro Tip: It is hard to tell the weather when you’re in Wailea and looking up at the summit of Haleakala. On clear days, you will be able to see the top. If it is overcast at sea level, that doesn’t mean it will be overcast at the summit!

• Temperature: Daytime highs average 50–60°F, while nighttime temperatures can dip below freezing.
• Wind: Strong gusts are common, especially at sunrise.
• Clouds and rain: Afternoon clouds often roll in, so mornings are typically clearer.
• Tip: Always check the National Park Service’s Haleakalā weather page before you go.

Remember: it may be sunny and 85°F at the beach, but freezing at the summit. Pack layers!

Popular Hiking Trails in Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā offers some of the best hiking in Hawaii, with options ranging from short walks to challenging multi-day treks.

Summit District Trails

• Sliding Sands Trail (Keoneheʻeheʻe Trail): A strenuous hike that descends into the crater. You can go as far as you’d like, but even a short walk gives you a taste of the surreal volcanic landscape.
• Halemau‘u Trail: Offers panoramic views of the crater. Some people hike down into the valley and back up—a rewarding but steep trek.
• Pa Ka‘oao Trail (White Hill Trail): A quick, 0.2-mile walk near the visitor center to a small summit with expansive views. This is our favorite hike for our young family. It is also a great place for photos, like the one below.

Kīpahulu District Trails

• Pīpīwai Trail (4 miles round trip): A must-do near Hana. The trail passes through a bamboo forest and ends at Waimoku Falls, a 400-foot waterfall.
• Kūloa Point Trail (0.5 miles): A short walk to the Pools of ʻOheʻo, though swimming is often prohibited due to flash flood risk.

While we recommend visiting the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park for hiking the Pipiwai Trail, it is not an easy place to get to. You will have to remove stops on the main Road to Hana to leave time for the drive and the two-hour (minimum) hike.

Our favorite recommendation is booking a room at the Hana Maui Resort with Points!

Here are articles and a private tour that make your planning easier for visiting Kipahulu!

• Where to Stay in Hana Maui for One Night – do the Road to Hana over two days.
• Camping on Maui – consider camping at the Kipahulu District or near Hana
• Take a Guided Road to Hana Tour that includes the Pipiwai Trail – this is a great option to hike before the crowds get there!

Activities at Haleakalā National Park

Beyond sunrise and hiking, there are plenty of activities when visiting Haleakala National Park.

• Stargazing: With little light pollution, the summit is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. Evening ranger programs may be available. See our Stargazing on Maui for tips and tours on Halekalala. See our full Guide to Stargazing in Hawaii for more details.
• Wildlife spotting: Look for the endangered nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and the silversword plant, which grows only here.
• Cultural programs: Ranger-led talks often cover Hawaiian history, culture, and the significance of Haleakalā in Hawaiian traditions.
• Photography: Both the summit and Kīpahulu offer endless opportunities for stunning photos.

How Much Time Do You Need at Haleakalā?

The amount of time you need at Haleakala depends on the number of activities you want to do at the park. Not including the 1.5 to 2-hour drive to the entrance of the park, most people stay for 2 to 6 hours at Haleakala National Park.

Longer stays of 6 hours or more require a picnic lunch and water to be brought in the car.

Driving to the summit for pictures, visiting a scenic overlook or two, and a short hike, like the 0.2-mile Pa Ka‘oao Trail, will require two hours in the park.

You can spend all day visiting Haleakala National Park, 8 hours, if you visit the summit and hike into the crater.

Here are common durations to spend at Haleakala National Park:

• Sunrise: Most visitors and tours stay in the park for 2 hours for the sunrise event. Tours will stop at two scenic overlooks as they exit the park after sunrise. If you DIY sunrise, then you have the freedom to stay in the park for hikes
• Day Trip to Haleakala: Our family usually spends 2 hours in the park, visiting the summit, a few overlooks, and the visitor center. When our kids are older, we plan to do the Sliding Sands Trail. We will pack a lunch or pick up food in Kula or Makawao (Pukalani Superette is an excellent place for food!), bring water, and plan to be in the park for 6 to 8 hours.
• Sunset: Similar to sunrise, visitors and tours will arrive an hour before sunset. They will find the best location based on the weather and watch the sunset. Stay for an extra hour to capture the best light and watch the stars come out. This is usually a 2 to 3-hour trip to the park.

Handicap Accessible Haleakalā

Haleakala National Park tries its best to be handicap accessible. As a National Park, it meets ADA requirements, but there is only so much they can do in a wilderness area.

The scenic overlooks, visitor centers, and summits have ramps and well-paved walking paths. You can park your car at the Summit Visitor Center and take paved paths and ramps to one of the best Haleakala Crater overlooks available.

The Red Hill Summit, the highest point on the volcano, has stairs to the top or an unpaved trail.

See our Handicap Accessible Hawaii for information on visiting Hawaii.

Sunset at Haleakalā

If you couldn’t get a sunrise permit—or prefer to sleep in—sunset at Haleakalā is just as spectacular. The park doesn’t require special reservations for sunset, and the colors can be even richer with fewer crowds.

• Arrive at least 60 minutes before sunset.
• Stay after the sun dips. Watching the stars emerge is a magical experience.
• Be prepared for cold temperatures, just like at sunrise.
• See our Haleakala Sunrise or Sunset for details.

Tours for Visiting Haleakala National Park

A local guided tour is an excellent way to visit Haleakala National Park. We have done DIY trips and multiple guided tours, as we like to test out what we recommend.

Tours will take you up for sunrise, day-trip hikes, or sunset. Sunrise tours provide the luxury of a driver in the early hours and they get your sunrise permit for you, guaranteed.

The perk of a sunset tour is they usually include visiting different parts of the park, Maui’s other volcano, and they know the best spot that day for sunset.

Here are our favorite Haleakala private and group tours, in no order. Click the links to learn more and to book!

• Maui Volcanoes Tour of Haleakala & Iao Valley with Sunset (group)
• 4. Best Haleakala Sunrise Tours (10% off!)
• Maui Volcanoes Tour for Pride of America Cruise Passengers
• Maui Volcano Quest: Combo Haleakala and ‘Iao Valley Tour (private)
• Haleakala Sunset Maui Tour: Summit, Sunset, & Stroll (private)Mau

Nearby Accommodations

There are no hotels inside Haleakalā National Park, but you have several nearby options.

We stay in the resort areas of Wailea and Ka’anapali when we visit Maui. We are more inclined to make the drive to Haleakala when we are a bit closer in Kihei and Wailea in South Maui.

In Upcountry Maui

• Kula Lodge: Rustic accommodations with incredible views. Kula Lodge’s restaurant was destroyed in a fire in August 2025. The lodge was not damaged. See their website for details on availability.
• Bed & breakfasts and cottages: Scattered throughout Kula, Makawao, and Pukalani, offering a local feel and closer proximity to the summit than resort areas. Airbnb and Vrbo vacation rentals are rare in Upcountry Maui, but some of them do have grandfathered permits to operate.

In Central Maui

• Kahului and Wailuku: Convenient for airport access and about 1.5–2 hours from the summit.

Resort Areas

• Wailea or Kaʻanapali: Most visitors stay in these popular resort zones. Expect a longer drive, but you’ll have luxury hotels, restaurants, and beaches at your doorstep.

See our Maui Where to Stay Guides for details:

• Kaanapali vs Kihei: Where to Stay
• Wailea vs Kaanapali: Where to Stay
• Where to Stay on Maui: our complete guide

Camping and Cabins

• Hosmer Grove Campground: Located just inside the park entrance at 7,000 feet. First-come, first-served.
• Haleakalā Cabins: Wilderness cabins inside the crater can be reserved for overnight backpacking trips.

See our Maui Camping Guide for details on staying and permits when visiting Haleakala National Park.

Tips for Visiting Haleakalā

We share all of our best tips for visiting Haleakala in our Tips for Hawaii’s National Parks: Haleakala and Volcanoes.

• Plan ahead: Reservations are required for sunrise and for wilderness cabins.
• Pack layers: It’s always cold at the summit.
• Respect the land: Haleakalā is sacred to Native Hawaiians. Stay on trails and follow park guidelines.
• Allow time: Don’t rush. Even without a hike, the drive and summit experience takes half a day or more.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Haleakalā

Visiting Haleakalā National Park is a highlight of any Maui trip. From the spiritual beauty of sunrise above the clouds to the lush trails of Kīpahulu, this park shows the incredible diversity of Hawaii’s landscapes. Whether you’re chasing adventure, culture, or simply an unforgettable view, Haleakalā delivers.

Take the time to prepare, plan your visit, and you’ll walk away with one of the most memorable experiences in Hawaii.

Are you looking for the Best Maui Itinerary on the internet?

We include three excursion days on visiting Haleakala National Park and Upcountry Maui in our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary. Plus, five more days for exploring Maui. Learn more below!