Located in the south-central region of the island, the dormant volcano Haleakalā, rising 10,023 feet from sea level, is visible from nearly any place on Maui.
Haleakalā National Park is divided into the Kipahulu coastal and Haleakalā summit areas. Most people are familiar with Haleakalā’s summit area as a popular, and perhaps the most scenic, place to view the sunrise on Maui.
Haleakalā means “house of the sun” in Hawaiian, and legend goes that the demigod Maui lassoed the sun from its journey across the sky as he stood on the volcano’s summit, slowing its descent to make the day last longer.
It is worth spending some time in both sections during your visit to Maui.
A significantly higher number of endangered species live in Haleakalā National Park than in any other park in the country. The park cares for endangered species such as the ʻāhinahina (Haleakalā silversword), the ʻōpeʻapeʻa (Hawaiian hoary bat), the Haleakalā flightless moth, and nesting seabirds, species that exist nowhere else in the world. Visitors may also see the native the nēnē or Hawaiian goose during a trip to the park.
Haleakalā National Park is beautiful, and this guide should help you make the most of your visit.
The crater at the Haleakalā National Park on Maui is rich with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people.
The Basics
This dormant volcano, which last eruption between 1460 and 1600 AD, is the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes and skyscapes.
The main feature of the park is undoubtedly the famous Haleakalā Crater. It is huge: 6.99 miles (11.25 km) across, 2.0 mi (3.2 km) wide, and some 2,600 ft (790 m) deep. The interior of the crater is dotted by numerous volcanic features, including large cinder cones.
Getting to Haleakalā National Park
The mountain Haleakalā can be found on Maui in the state of Hawaii. The park’s two areas require some driving time to reach.
There is only a 38-mile drive from Kahului Airport to the Haleakalā summit, but it can take 1.5-2 hours to get there.
The distance from Kahului Airport to Kipahulu coastal area is 62 miles. This 62-mile stretch lies along the Hana Highway, which features hairpin turns and curvy roads. It takes approximately 3-4 hours to drive the Road to Hana without stopping at any of the tourist attractions. You should allow a full day to explore the summit and at least two full days to travel the Road to Hana.
Why two days for the Kipahulu area? You’ll drive the Road to Hana one day. I recommend spending the evening in Hana or camping at Kipahulu and then driving the road back the following day.
Best Time to Visit
There is no real “bad time” to visit Haleakalā National Park, but certain seasons are more optimal than others.
Winter is the busiest season at Haleakalā as well as in the rest of Hawaii. From December through February, the park experiences high visitor rates because the weather in the islands is nearly perfect during this time of the year, with temperatures in the low 80s (upper 20C).
However, if you are planning to visit the crater at sunrise, bring some warmer clothes (see photo above). The elevation is very high, and it gets very cold and windy up at the summit. For a visit at sunrise be sure you bring long pants, a hat, and a warm jacket.
Best Things to Do in Haleakalā National Park
Watch the Sunrise or Sunset
What makes sunrise in this particular spot so spectacular? Location is everything. The volcano you’re on has an elevation of 10,000 feet at its summit. In other words, you are above the clouds. As the sun rises and becomes visible, the horizon will light up with rich, warm colors. Keep your eyes open because the sun often melts away the cloud layer revealing the immense Haleakalā crater below.
Remember, it’s going to be cold! Next-to-skin base layers, an insulating layer, and down jackets are highly recommended. Hats, gloves, and other protective gear are essential. To stay warm in the morning, pack a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa in your luggage if you have space.
The great thing about getting up early to see the sunrise is that you’re also the first in the park to hike.
Sunset viewing is an option if you’re not keen on early mornings, but if you Google pictures of Haleakalā sunrise and sunset, you’ll see that sunrise wins. Don’t misunderstand, if you can’t make the morning, I’ll drive up there for sunset.
Day-Hike the Haleakalā Summit
Haleakalā offers over 30 miles of hiking trails. It is important to keep in mind that hiking trails here can take longer than usual. Walking on the soft cinder of the summit area is like walking on a beach. The routes are at high elevations, so they may be more strenuous than you expected.
As you can see from the map at right, the summit area has many hiking trails to explore. Take plenty of water and snacks with you. Water is available at the cabins, but it must be filtered or treated before drinking. Cabins also have pit toilets.
For detailed and updated information on hiking at Haleakalā, head on over to Haleakalā National Park’s Hiking page.
Horseback Riding Through Haleakalā Crater
In the past, horseback tours passed through Haleakalā Crater, but these tours no longer exist. Due to the sensitive environment and ecosystem located in the crater itself, Haleakalā National Park decided not to renew any permits for horseback riding tours beginning in 2018.
As mentioned above, this park is home to some endangered species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Furthermore, the Silversword plant has a shallow root system, which makes getting close to the plant dangerous for its health and lifespan (they can live up to 90 years! ). Consequently, Haleakalā’s unique and delicate environment needs to be respected and preserved.